Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE II

THE SAME AND SONYA

SONYA (aside): I don’t know what to do with myself! . . .

(Walking about and laughing.)

ORLOVSKY: Puss, darling, where are you going? Do sit with us a while.

SONYA: Fedya, come here... (Taking FYODOR aside.)

Come here. . . .

FYODOR: What do you want? Why such a radiant face?

SONYA: Give me your word that you will do what I ask you!

FYODOR: Well?

SONYA: Drive over to the . . . Wood Demon.

FYODOR: What for?

SONYA: Just so . . . just drive over to him . . . ask him why he has kept away so long ... a fortnight now.

FYODOR: Blushing! Shame! Here, Sonya’s in love!

ALL: Shame! Shame!

[SONYA covers her face and runs away.

FYODOR: She’s flitting about, like a shadow, from room to room, and doesn’t know what to do with herself. She’s in love with the Wood Demon.

ORLOVSKY: She’s a glorious little girl. ... I love her. I longed, Fyodor dear, that you should marry her, you won’t easily find a better bride. But well, probably God wills it so... And what a pleasure and delight mine would be!

I should come over to you, you with your young wife, your family hearth, the samovar chirping away on the table. . . .

FYODOR: I’m unskilled in these matters. If the crazy notion of marriage ever came into my head, I should in any case marry Julie. She, at any rate, is little, and of all evils one should always choose the least. And then, too, she’s a good housekeeper... (Clapping his forehad.) That’s an idea!

ORLOVSKY: What is it?

FYODOR: Let’s have champagt!

VOYNITSKY: It’s too early, and o it’s hot . . . you wait awhile. . . .

ORLOVSKY (admiringly): My sonny, my beauty! ... He wants champagne, the dear soul! . . .

ENTER ELENA ANDREYEVNA.