Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE VII

ELENA ANDREYEVNA, AND THEN FYODOR IVANOVICH

ELENA ANDREYEVNA (alone): What? A letter from George to me! But how am I to blame? Oh, how harsh and cruel of her! . . . Her heart feels so pure to-day that she can’t talk to me... My God, what an insult! My head is dizzy. ... I shall drop! . . .

FYODOR (coming out by the left door and crossing the stage):

Why do you always start when you see me? (A pause.)

H’m! . . . (Taking the letter from her hands and tearing it to pieces.) You must stop all this. You must think of me only.

(A pause )

ELENA ANDREYEVNA: What does that mean?

FYODOR: It means that if I once pick out someone, it’s no use her trying to escape from my hands.

ELENA ANDREYEVNA: No, it only means that you are an impudent fool.

FYODOR: This evening at half-past seven you will be by the little bridge behind the garden and wait for me... Well?

. . . I’ve nothing more to say to you... And so, my angel,

until half-past seven! (Tries to take her arm. She gives him a slap on the face.) Forcibly expressed! . . .

ELENA ANDREYEVNA: Off you gO!

FYODOR: At your service... (Walking away and returning.)

I am touched... Let’s reason it out peacefully.

. . You see... I’ve experienced everything in this world;

I have even tasted gold-fish soup once or twice... But I’ve never yet gone up in a balloon, nor ever once carried off learned professors’ wives. . . .

ELENA ANDREYEVNA: GO!

FYODOR: In a minute... I’ve experienced everything.

. . . And because of that, there’s so much impudence in me that I simply don’t know what to do with myself. I mean,

I am saying all this to you with this object, that if you ever happen to need a friend or a faithful dog, just turn to me. . . .

I am touched. . . .

ELENA ANDREYEVNA: I want no dogs... Go!

FYODOR: At your service. (With feeling) Nevertheless and in spite of all, I am touched... Certainly, I am touched. . . .

Yes. . . . [Irresolutely goes out.

ELENA ANDREYEVNA (alone): My head aches... Every night I dream bad dreams and have a presentiment of something

terrible... Yet how horrid! The young people were born here and grew up together, they “ thou “ one another,

always kiss one another; they ought to live in peace and harmony; but soon, I think, they will all have devoured one another... The forests are being saved by the Wood Demon, but there’s no one to save human beings.

[She goes towards the left door, but on noticing ZHELTOUKHIN

and JULIE coming in by that door, she goes out by the middle door.