SASHA. As soon as day breaks the carpenters will pick them up . . . What a careless person you are, Kolya! Ah, yes! I almost forgot . . . The shopkeeper’s wife came by and asked urgently that you go to her place as soon as possible . . . Her husband suddenly took ill . . . Some sort of stroke . . . Go quickly!
TRILETSKY. Bless and blast him! I’m not up to it . . . I’ve got shooting pains in my own head, and my belly . . . (Crawls through the window.) Please step aside . . .
SASHA. Hurry and climb in! You’ve caught your foot on me . . . (Shuts the window.)
PLATONOV. Who the hell’s coming now!
ANNA PETROVNA. Wait.
PLATONOV. Let go of me. I’ll step out, if I want to! Who is it?
ANNA PETROVNA. Petrin and Shcherbuk.
Enter PETRIN and SHCHERBUK, without their frockcoats, staggering. The former is wearing a black tophat, the latter a gray one.
SCENE VIII
VENGEROVICH JR. (upstage), PLATONOV, ANNA PETROVNA, PETRIN, and SHCHERBUK.
PETRIN. Vivat, Petrin, bachelor of laws! Hooray! Where’s the road? Where’ve we got to? What is this? (Roars with laughter.) This, Pavochka, is the Public School System! This is where they teach fools to forget God and swindle people! That’s where we’ve wound up . . . Hm . . . So, sir . . . Here, pal, is where that . . . what’s his name, damn it? — Platoshka lives, a civilized man . . . Pava, where’s Platoshka? Give me your opinion, don’t be shy! Singing a duet with the General’s lady? Ugh, Lord, Thy will be done . . . (Shouts.) Glagolyev is a fool! She told him to take a hike, and he went and had a stroke!
SHCHERBUK. I want to go home, Gerasya . . . I want to go to bed, like crazy! They can all go to hell, the lot of ‘em!
PETRIN. And where are our frockcoats, Pava? We’ll go spend the night at the stationmaster’s, but we’ve got no frockcoats . . . (Roars with laughter.) Did those hussies take ‘em off us? Ah, you, lover boy, lover boy! . . . The hussies made off with the frockcoats . . . (Sighs.) Eh, Pava, Pavochka . . . You had any sham-pane? I guess you’re drunk now? And whose were you drinking? You were drinking what’s mine . . . You were drinking what’s mine, and eating what’s mine . . . That gown on the general’s lady is mine, the stockings on Seryozhka are mine . . . all mine! I’ve given them everything! Down to the wobbly heels on my worn-out boots . . . I’ve given them everything, squandered everything on them, and what have I got to show for it? Ask me, what have I got to show? An up-yours and a snub . . . Yes . . . The footman at the table passes me by and tries to jostle me with his elbow, she herself treats me like a swine . . .
PLATONOV. I’ve had enough of this!
ANNA PETROVNA. Hold on . . . They’ll be leaving right away! What a beast that Petrin is! The way he lies! And that old dishrag believes him . . .
PETRIN. That kike gets more respect . . . A kike at the head of the table, and us down at the end . . . And why? Because the kike gives ‘em more money . . . And on his brow are etched the fatal words: to be sold at public auction!
SHCHERBUK. That’s from Nekrasov70. . . They say Nekrasov’s dead . . .
PETRIN. All right then! Not another kopek! You hear? Not a kopek! Let the old man spin in fury in his grave . . . Let ‘im take it out on . . . the grave-diggers! Over and done with! I’ll call in the I.O.U.s! Tomorrow! I’ll shove your nose in the muck, you ingrate!
SHCHERBUK. She’s a count, a baron! She’s got a general’s face! While I’m . . . a Kalmuck71 and nothing more . . . Let me worship Dunyasha . . . What a bumpy road! There should be a surfaced road here with telegraph poles . . . with harness-bells . . . Jingle, jingle, jingle . . .
They exit.
SCENE IX
The same less PETRIN and SHCHERBUK.
ANNA PETROVNA (comes out from behind the tree). Have they gone?
PLATONOV. They’ve gone . . .
ANNA PETROVNA (takes him by the shoulders). Shall we wend our way?
PLATONOV. Let’s go! I’ll go, but if you had any idea how little I want to go! . . . I’m not going to you, but to the devil, who is hammering on the back of my skulclass="underline" go on, go on! So understand this! If my conscience won’t accept your love, it’s only because I’m absolutely certain that you are making an irreparable mistake . . .
SASHA (in the window). Misha, Misha! Where are you?
PLATONOV. Damn it!
SASHA (in the window). Ah . . . I see you . . . Who’s that with you? (Bursts out laughing.) Anna Petrovna! I barely recognized you! You’re so black! What are you wearing? Good evening!
ANNA PETROVNA. Good evening, Aleksandra Ivanovna!
SASHA. You’re in a riding habit? Been out for a canter, I suppose? What a wonderful idea! It’s such a nice night! Let’s you and I go too, Misha!
ANNA PETROVNA. I’ve had enough of it, Aleksandra Ivanovna . . . I’m going home now . . .
SASHA. In that case, of course . . . Come inside, Misha! . . . I really don’t know what to do! Kolya’s feeling bad . . .
PLATONOV. Which Kolya?
SASHA. My brother Nikolay . . . He had an awful lot to drink, I guess . . . Please come in! You pay us a visit too, Anna Petrovna! I’ll run down to the cellar and get some cream . . . We’ll each have a glass . . . The cream’s nice and cold!
ANNA PETROVNA. Thank you . . . I’m going home now . . . (To Platonov.) Go ahead . . . I’ll wait . . .
SASHA. I’d be running down to the cellar anyway . . . Go on, Misha! (Disappears.)
PLATONOV. I completely forgot that she existed . . . She trusts me, that one, trusts me like?! Go on . . . I’ll put her to bed and come over . . .
ANNA PETROVNA. Quick as you can . . .
PLATONOV. Almost had a scene! Good-bye for now . . . (Exits into the schoolhouse.)
SCENE X
ANNA PETROVNA, VENGEROVICH JR., and then OSIP.
ANNA PETROVNA. What a shock . . . I’d completely forgot that she existed too . . . .
Pause.
It’s cruel . . . Still, it’s not the first time he’s cheated on her, poor girl! Oh dear, oh dear . . . One sin drives out the other! Nobody but God will know! Not the first time . . . All this hole-in-corner business! Now I’ve got to wait till he puts her to bed! . . . A full hour will crawl by, if not more . . .
VENGEROVICH JR. (moves to her). Anna Petrovna . . . (Falls on his knees before her.) Anna Petrovna . . . (Seizes her hand.) Anna!
ANNA PETROVNA. Who’s that? Who’re you? (Stoops down to him.) Who is it? You, Isak Abramych? Is it you? What’s wrong with you?
VENGEROVICH JR. Anna! (Kisses her hand.)
ANNA PETROVNA. Go away! It isn’t nice! You’re a grown man!
VENGEROVICH JR. Anna!
ANNA PETROVNA. I’ve had it with your clawing at me! Get out of here! (Shoves him by the shoulder.)