Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE III

The same and VOYNITSKY

VOYNITSKY: There’s a storm coming on. (A flash of lightning.)

I say! Elena and Sonya, go to bed; I’ll take your place here.

SEREBRYAKOV (frightened): No, no, don’t leave me with him! No, he’ll talk my head off.

VOYNITSKY: But they need a rest! They’ve not slept for two nights.

SEREBRYAKOV: Let them go to bed, but you too must go away. Thank you. I implore you to go. In the name of our past friendship, don’t refuse me. We will have a talk some other time.

VOYNITSKY: Our past friendship! . . . This, I must say,

is news to me.

ELENA ANQREYEVNA: Be quiet, George!

SEREBRYAKOV: My dear, don’t leave me with him! He’ll talk my head off.

VOYNITSKY: It is getting ridiculous.

KHROUSCHOV’S VOICE (behind the scenes): They’re in the dining-room? Here? Please attend to my horse!

VOYNITSKY: The doctor has come.

ENTER KHROUSCHOV.