Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE X .

The SAME and IVAN IVANOVITCH.

IVAN IVANOVITCH (all dishevelled, in a dressing- gown). My Sasha! (Weeps.)

TRILETZKY. All that’s been lacking here . . . your tears! Get out! Why have you come here? IVAN IVANOVITCH. She’s dying! She wants to confess! I’m afraid, afraid... Oh, how I’m afraid! (Goes up to Platonov.) Misha dear! I implore you in the name of the Lord and all the Saints! You dear, clever, splendid, honest man! Go to her, tell her that you love her! Chuck all these nasty romances! I implore you on my knees! You see, she’s dying! I have only her, only her! If she dies, I am lost! Tell her that you love her, that you consider her your wife! Console her, for Christ’s sake! Misha dear! There’s sometimes a lie in salvation... God sees you are just, but lie for the sake of-saving someone dear to you! Come with me to her, do this kindness! Do me this charity, for Christ’s sake. ... I am an old man!

PLATONOV. All right, Colonel! (Laughs.) We’ll cure Sasha, and have a drink together! Oh, how I want to drink!

IVAN IVANOVITCH. Let’s go, my noble fellow... Two words from you, and she is saved! No doctor will save her! It’s her soul that is in agony!

TRILETZKY. Father, leave this room for a minute! (.Leading his father from the room by a sleeve.) Who told you she’s dying? Where did you get the idea? She’s not in danger! Wait a bit in the other room. We’ll shortly go to her all together. Aren’t you ashamed to appear in a strange house looking like this?

IVAN IVANOVITCH (to Anna Petrovna). It’s sinful, Diana! God won’t forgive you! He’s a young, inexperienced man. . . .

TRILETZKY (pushing him into the next room). Wait there! {To Platonov.) Do you want to go?

PLATONOV. I am terribly ill... I’m ill, Nikolai!

TRILETZKY. I’m asking you, do you want to go, or not?

PLATONOV (rising). Only less words... My mouth is so dry, what shall I do? Yes, we’ll go... I think I’ve come here without a hat... (Sits down again.) Do look for my hat!

SOFYA EGOROVNA. He should have foreseen this. I gave myself to him, without a question. ... I knew that I was killing my husband, but I . . . stopped before nothing! (She rises and walks over to Platonov.) What have you done with me? (Weeps.)

TRILETZKY (presses his hands to his head). A commission of investigation! (Paces up and down.)

ANNA PETROVNA. Keep calm, Sofya! It’s not the proper time... He is ill.

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Is one to be allowed to make mock of a human life? (Sits down beside Platonov.) My whole life is now ruined... I’m no longer alive... Save me, Platonov! It isn’t too late! (Pause.)

ANNA PETROVNA (weeping). Sofya . . . what do you want? There’ll be plenty of time... What can he say to you now? Haven’t you heard . . . haven’t you heard?

SOFYA EGOROVNA. Platonov . . . once more I ask you . . . (Weeps.) No?

PLATONOV (moves away from her).

SOFYA EGOROVNA. No, no . . . Very well, then. . . .

(Falls on her knees.) Platonov!

ANNA PETROVNA. That’s too much, Sofya! You mustn’t do this! No one is worth it . . . not on your knees... (Raises her from the floor and forces her into a seat.) You . . . are a woman!

SOFYA EGOROVNA (weeping). Tell him... Prevail on him. . . .

ANNA PETROVNA. Call to your aid all the strength of your mind... You must be firm... You’re a woman! Enough! Go to your own room! (Pause.) Go, and lie down. ... (To Triletzky.) Nikolai Ivanovitch! What’s to be done?

TRILETZKY. We must ask dear Misha about this! (Paces up and down.)

ANNA PETROVNA. Let’s take her to her bed! Sergey!

Nikolai Ivanovitch! You might at least lend a hand!

VOINITZEV {rises, and approaches Sofya Egorovna).

TRILETZKY. Yes, we’ll take her to her room. I must give her something to soothe her.

ANNA PETROVNA. I myself should be glad to take chloroform. ... (To Voinitzev.) Be a man, Sergey! -Don’t lose your head! I don’t feel better than you, but I manage to stand on my feet... Come, Sofya! What a day! (They lead Sofya Egorovna.) Be a man, Sergey! Let us be human beings!

VOINITZEV. I’ll try, maman. I’m doing what I can. . . .

TRILETZKY. Don’t grieve, brother Sergey! You’re neither the first, nor yet the last!

VOINITZEV. I’ll try... Yes, I’ll try... (Exit.)