Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE VIII

VOYNITSKY AND SONYA

SONYA: And you, Uncle George, have been drinking champagne again with Fyodor and driving about with him in a troika. The bright birds singing together! Well, Fyodor is a downright born rake; but you, what makes you behave like that? At your time of life it does not at all become you.

VOYNITSKY: Time of life has nothing to do with it. If there’s no real life, one lives by illusions. Anyhow, it’s better than nothing.

SONYA: The hay hasn’t been gathered in; Guerasim said to-day that the rain would rot it away; and you are busy with illusions. (Frightened.) Uncle, there are tears in your eyes!

VOYNITSKY: Tears? Not a bit . . . nonsense! . . • You just looked at me as your dead mother used to look. My dear! . . . (Eagerly kissing her hands and face.) My sister . . . my sweet sister! . . . Where is she now? If she knew .

Oh, if she only knew!

SONYA: What? If she knew what, uncle?

VOYNITSKY: It is hard, bad... (Enter KHROUSCHOV.)

No matter... I’ll tell you afterwards... I’ll go…

[Goes out.