AnnaYou say Nikolay is this, that, and the other, but how would you know? Can you know all about someone in six months? What you have to understand is that Nikolay is a great man! I’m only sorry you never knew him two or three years ago. Back then, oh, he was so attractive! I fell in love with him the first time I saw him. I took one look and – snap! – I was caught. He said, ‘Let’s run off . . . let’s go!’ I stripped my life away just like you’d strip the dead leaves off a stem, and I went.
Pause.
How different everything has turned out. He disappears off to the Lebedevs to amuse himself with other women, and I . . . sit in the garden listening to the screeching of the owl . . .
The watchman is heard knocking.
Doctor, have you got any brothers?
LvovNo.
Anna starts to sob.
What is it? What’s the matter?
Anna(stands up) I can’t stand this. I’m going over there.
LvovWhere?
AnnaOrder the horses to be harnessed.
She goes towards the house.
LvovYou can’t go . . .
AnnaLeave me alone – it’s none of your business. I can’t . . . I’m going to the Lebedevs. Get the horses brought round . . .
She runs into the house.
Lvov(following her indoors) No, I absolutely refuse to treat anybody under these conditions. Not getting a kopek is one thing but being turned into an emotional wreck . . .! – No, I refuse: I’ve had enough.
End of Act One.
Act Two
The reception room in the Lebedevs: an exit into the garden, doors right and left, antique, valuable furniture. Chandeliers, candelabra and pictures – under dust covers.
Zinaida sits on the sofa. Elderly lady guests sit on either side of her in armchairs; young people sit on chairs. At the back of the stage, by the exit to the garden, Kosykh, Avdotya Nazarovna, Yegorushka and others are playing cards. Gavrila stands by one door.
There is a long moment of suspension, a tedium, a stasis disturbed only by stifled yawns, small shifts, a card played, a guest wandering in from the garden and wandering out again. A Maid entering to take round a parsimonious dish of nibbles (radishes, celery sticks) is a major event. A crunch of celery draws attention to itself. The hostess, Zinaida Lebedev, smiles and nods here and there. Someone starts humming a tune and stops. The situation – a party that isn’t working – is relieved by the entrance of Babakina.
ZinaidaDarling Marfa!
BabakinaA very good evening to you, Zinaida – many happy returns to your daughter – (They kiss.) – and God grant her . . .
ZinaidaThank you, darling, I’m so lucky. And how are things with you?
BabakinaThank you, I’m very well.
She sits down beside her on the sofa.
Hello, all you young folk!
The guests stand up and bow.
First Guest(laughs) ’Young folk?’ – you’re not so old.
Babakina(sighing) I feel I don’t belong with the youngsters any more.
First Guest(laughing respectfully) What are you talking about? You may be a widow but you can hold your own with any young woman here.
Gavrila brings Babakina some tea.
Zinaida(to Gavrila) What a way to serve tea – Bring some preserves – gooseberry or something –
BabakinaDon’t worry about that, thank you so much . . .
Pause.
First GuestDid you come by way of Mushkino, Marfa?
BabakinaNo – the Zaimishche road is better.
First GuestYes, indeed.
KosykhTwo spades.
YegorushkaPass.
AvdotyaPass.
Second GuestPass.
BabakinaLottery tickets are going like never before. The first draw is up to two hundred and seventy thousand, it’s never been known.
Zinaida(sighs) All very nice for those with plenty of tickets.
BabakinaDon’t you believe it, my dear. The prizes may be going sky high but lottery tickets tie up your capital. The insurance alone is a killer.
ZinaidaThat’s as may be, but all the same, darling, one has to keep hoping . . . (Sighs.) Please God . . .
Third GuestIn my opinion, ladies, there’s no point in holding capital in the present climate. Interest on securities is too low, and speculation too risky. If you ask me, anybody with capital today is in a more exposed position than someone who . . .
Babakina(sighs) I dare say you’re right!
The First Guest yawns.
Is it quite polite to yawn with ladies present?
First GuestPardon, Mesdames . . . Quite unintended.
Zinaida gets up and goes out. There is a prolonged silence.
YegorushkaTwo diamonds.
AvdotyaPass.
Second GuestPass.
KosykhPass.
Babakina(aside) Lord, if one died of boredom, one wouldn’t notice.
Zinaida returns with Lebedev.
Zinaida(privately) . . . Sitting out there on your own! Don’t be such a prima donna. Sit with your guests!
She sits down in her former seat.
Lebedev(yawns) It’s God’s punishment for something. (Catching sight of Babakina.) Oh, but my goodness, there sits my little sugar plum, my Turkish delight! How are you, precious?
BabakinaI’m very well, thank you.
LebedevWell, thanks be to God. (Sits in an armchair.) So, where are we . . .? (Calling the manservant.) Gavrila!
Gavrila brings over to him a small glass of vodka and a tumbler of water. Lebedev drinks the vodka and chases it down with water.
First GuestGood health!
LebedevGood health is right. I’m not about to fall off my perch. (To his wife.) Zyuzyushka, where’s the birthday girl?
Kosykh(tearfully) Not a single trick! For God’s sake! (Jumps up.) How the devil did we manage to lose every trick?
Avdotya(jumps up, angrily) Well, don’t play if you don’t know how! What makes you think you can lead with your opponent’s suit! Then you wonder why you’re stuck with your ace!
Both come forward from behind the table.
Kosykh(tearfully) I appeal to you, everyone – I had the ace, king, queen, jack and eight of diamonds, the ace of spades and a low heart, do you follow me? – and she – God knows why, couldn’t declare a small slam. So I declared ‘no trumps’.