Delphi Complete Works of Anton Chekhov

SCENE XI

The same and KHROUSCHOV

KHROUSCHOV (shouting): Ilya Ilyich!

DYADIN: Here! What is it you want?

KHROUSCHOV: I can’t walk, let me have your horse.

SONYA (recognizing KHROUSCHOV, and crying out joyfully):

Mikhail Lvovich! (To ORLOVSKY) GO away, godpa dear, I have something to say to him. (To KHROUSCHOV) Mikhail Lvovich, you said that you would love another. ... (To ORLOVSKY) GO away, godpa! ... (To KHROUSCHOV) I am another now ... I only want the truth... Nothing,

nothing but the truth! I love you, I love you, I love . . .

ORLOVSKY: Now I see! (Laughing.)

DYADIN: That is fascinating!

SONYA (to ORLOVSKY): Go away, godpa dear! (To KHROUSCHOV) Yes, yes, only the truth and nothing else! . . .

Speak then, speak! . . . I’ve said everything. . . .

KHROUSCHOV (embracing her): My darling!

SONYA: Don’t go, godpa dear! . . . When you told me of your love, I panted for joy, but I was fettered by prejudices.

I was prevented from giving you a true answer just as father is prevented from smiling on Elena. Now I am free! . . .

ORLOVSKY (laughing aloud): Singing in tune at last!

Scrambled out on to the bank! I have the honour to congratulate

you. (Bowing low). Ah, you naughty, naughty children!

DYADIN (embracing KHROUSCHOV): Misha, my dear boy,

how glad you make me! Misha, dear boy!

ORLOVSKY (embracing and kissing SONYA): My darling, my little canary! . . . My dear little goddaughter! (SONYA

laughs aloud.) Now you’ve started!

KHROUSCHOV: I can hardly grasp it all! . . . Let me have a word with her. Don’t get in our way... Pray, go away! . .

ENTER FYODOR AND JULIE.