第1章

SCENESFROMCOUNTRYLIFE INFOURACTS CHARACTERS ALEXANDERSEREBRAKOFF，aretiredprofessorHELENA，hiswife，twenty-sevenyearsoldSONIA，hisdaughterbyaformermarriageMME。VOITSKAYA，widowofaprivycouncilor，andmotherofSerebrakoff’sfirstwifeIVAN（VANYA）VOITSKI，hersonMICHAELASTROFF，adoctorILIA（WAFFLES）TELEGIN，animpoverishedlandownerMARINA，anoldnurseAWORKMAN ThesceneislaidonSEREBRAKOFF’ScountryplaceUNCLEVANYA ACTI Acountryhouseonaterrace。Infrontofitagarden。Inanavenueoftrees，underanoldpoplar，standsatablesetfortea，withasamovar，etc。Somebenchesandchairsstandnearthetable。Ononeofthemislyingaguitar。Ahammockisswungnearthetable。Itisthreeo’clockintheafternoonofacloudyday。 MARINA，aquiet，grey-haired，littleoldwoman，issittingatthetableknittingastocking。 ASTROFFiswalkingupanddownnearher。 MARINA。[Pouringsometeaintoaglass]Takealittletea，myson。 ASTROFF。[Takestheglassfromherunwillingly]Somehow，Idon’tseemtowantany。 MARINA。Thenwillyouhavealittlevodkainstead？ ASTROFF。No，Idon’tdrinkvodkaeveryday，andbesides，itistoohotnow。[Apause]Tellme，nurse，howlonghaveweknowneachother？ MARINA。[Thoughtfully]Letmesee，howlongisit？Lord——helpmetoremember。Youfirstcamehere，intoourparts——letmethink——whenwasit？Sonia’smotherwasstillalive——itwastwowintersbeforeshedied；thatwaselevenyearsago——[thoughtfully]perhapsmore。 ASTROFF。HaveIchangedmuchsincethen？ MARINA。Oh，yes。Youwerehandsomeandyoungthen，andnowyouareanoldmanandnothandsomeanymore。Youdrink，too。 ASTROFF。Yes，tenyearshavemademeanotherman。Andwhy？ BecauseIamoverworked。Nurse，Iamonmyfeetfromdawntilldusk。Iknownorest；atnightItrembleundermyblanketsforfearofbeingdraggedouttovisitsomeonewhoissick；Ihavetoiledwithoutreposeoraday’sfreedomsinceIhaveknownyou； couldIhelpgrowingold？Andthen，existenceistedious，anyway； itisasenseless，dirtybusiness，thislife，andgoesheavily。 Everyoneabouthereissilly，andafterlivingwiththemfortwoorthreeyearsonegrowssillyoneself。Itisinevitable。 [Twistinghismoustache]SeewhatalongmoustacheIhavegrown。 Afoolish，longmoustache。Yes，Iamassillyastherest，nurse，butnotasstupid；no，Ihavenotgrownstupid。ThankGod，mybrainisnotaddledyet，thoughmyfeelingshavegrownnumb。I asknothing，Ineednothing，Ilovenoone，unlessitisyourselfalone。[Hekissesherhead]IhadanursejustlikeyouwhenI wasachild。 MARINA。Don’tyouwantabiteofsomethingtoeat？ ASTROFF。No。DuringthethirdweekofLentIwenttotheepidemicatMalitskoi。Itwaseruptivetyphoid。Thepeasantswerealllyingsidebysideintheirhuts，andthecalvesandpigswererunningabouttheflooramongthesick。Suchdirttherewas，andsmoke！Unspeakable！Islavedamongthosepeopleallday，notacrumbpassedmylips，butwhenIgothometherewasstillnorestforme；aswitchmanwascarriedinfromtherailroad；Ilaidhimontheoperatingtableandhewentanddiedinmyarmsunderchloroform，andthenmyfeelingsthatshouldhavebeendeadenedawokeagain，myconsciencetorturedmeasifIhadkilledtheman。Isatdownandclosedmyeyes——likethis——andthought：willourdescendantstwohundredyearsfromnow，forwhomwearebreakingtheroad，remembertogiveusakindword？No，nurse，theywillforget。 MARINA。Manisforgetful，butGodremembers。 ASTROFF。Thankyouforthat。Youhavespokenthetruth。 EnterVOITSKIfromthehouse。Hehasbeenasleepafterdinnerandlooksratherdishevelled。Hesitsdownonthebenchandstraightenshiscollar。 VOITSKI。H’m。Yes。[Apause]Yes。 ASTROFF。Haveyoubeenasleep？ VOITSKI。Yes，verymuchso。[Heyawns]EversincetheProfessorandhiswifehavecome，ourdailylifeseemstohavejumpedthetrack。Isleepatthewrongtime，drinkwine，andeatallsortsofmessesforluncheonanddinner。Itisn’twholesome。SoniaandIusedtoworktogetherandneverhadanidlemoment，butnowSoniaworksaloneandIonlyeatanddrinkandsleep。Somethingiswrong。 MARINA。[Shakingherhead]Suchaconfusioninthehouse！TheProfessorgetsupattwelve，thesamovariskeptboilingallthemorning，andeverythinghastowaitforhim。Beforetheycameweusedtohavedinneratoneo’clock，likeeverybodyelse，butnowwehaveitatseven。TheProfessorsitsupallnightwritingandreading，andsuddenly，attwoo’clock，theregoesthebell！ Heavens，whatisthat？TheProfessorwantssometea！Waketheservants，lightthesamovar！Lord，whatdisorder！ ASTROFF。Willtheybeherelong？ VOITSKI。Ahundredyears！TheProfessorhasdecidedtomakehishomehere。 MARINA。Lookatthisnow！Thesamovarhasbeenonthetablefortwohours，andtheyarealloutwalking！ VOITSKI。Allright，don’tgetexcited；heretheycome。 Voicesareheardapproaching。SEREBRAKOFF，HELENA，SONIA，andTELEGINcomeinfromthedepthsofthegarden，returningfromtheirwalk。 SEREBRAKOFF。Superb！Superb！Whatbeautifulviews！ TELEGIN。Theyarewonderful，yourExcellency。 SONIA。To-morrowweshallgointothewoods，shallwe，papa？ VOITSKI。Ladiesandgentlemen，teaisready。 SEREBRAKOFF。Won’tyoupleasebegoodenoughtosendmyteaintothelibrary？Istillhavesomeworktofinish。 SONIA。Iamsureyouwilllovethewoods。 HELENA，SEREBRAKOFF，andSONIAgointothehouse。TELEGINsitsdownatthetablebesideMARINA。 VOITSKI。Theregoesourlearnedscholaronahot，sultrydaylikethis，inhisovercoatandgoloshesandcarryinganumbrella！ ASTROFF。Heistryingtotakegoodcareofhishealth。 VOITSKI。Howlovelysheis！Howlovely！Ihaveneverinmylifeseenamorebeautifulwoman。 TELEGIN。Doyouknow，Marina，thatasIwalkinthefieldsorintheshadygarden，asIlookatthistablehere，myheartswellswithunboundedhappiness。Theweatherisenchanting，thebirdsaresinging，wearealllivinginpeaceandcontentment——whatmorecouldthesouldesire？[Takesaglassoftea。] VOITSKI。[Dreaming]Sucheyes——agloriouswoman！ ASTROFF。Come，Ivan，tellussomething。 VOITSKI。[Indolently]WhatshallItellyou？ ASTROFF。Haven’tyouanynewsforus？ VOITSKI。No，itisallstale。Iamjustthesameasusual，orperhapsworse，becauseIhavebecomelazy。Idon’tdoanythingnowbutcroaklikeanoldraven。Mymother，theoldmagpie，isstillchatteringabouttheemancipationofwoman，withoneeyeonhergraveandtheotheronherlearnedbooks，inwhichsheisalwayslookingforthedawnofanewlife。 ASTROFF。AndtheProfessor？ VOITSKI。TheProfessorsitsinhislibraryfrommorningtillnight，asusual—— \"Strainingthemind，wrinklingthebrow，Wewrite，write，write，WithoutrespiteOrhopeofpraiseinthefutureornow。\" Poorpaper！Heoughttowritehisautobiography；hewouldmakeareallysplendidsubjectforabook！Imagineit，thelifeofaretiredprofessor，asstaleasapieceofhardtack，torturedbygout，headaches，andrheumatism，hisliverburstingwithjealousyandenvy，livingontheestateofhisfirstwife，althoughhehatesit，becausehecan’taffordtoliveintown。Heiseverlastinglywhiningabouthishardlot，though，asamatteroffact，heisextraordinarilylucky。Heisthesonofacommondeaconandhasattainedtheprofessor’schair，becometheson-in-lawofasenator，iscalled\"yourExcellency，\"andsoon。 ButI’lltellyousomething；themanhasbeenwritingonartfortwenty-fiveyears，andhedoesn’tknowtheveryfirstthingaboutit。Fortwenty-fiveyearshehasbeenchewingonothermen’sthoughtsaboutrealism，naturalism，andallsuchfoolishness；fortwenty-fiveyearshehasbeenreadingandwritingthingsthatclevermenhavelongknownandstupidonesarenotinterestedin； fortwenty-fiveyearshehasbeenmakinghisimaginarymountainsoutofmolehills。Andjustthinkoftheman’sself-conceitandpresumptionallthistime！Fortwenty-fiveyearshehasbeenmasqueradinginfalseclothesandhasnowretiredabsolutelyunknowntoanylivingsoul；andyetseehim！stalkingacrosstheearthlikeademi-god！ ASTROFF。Ibelieveyouenvyhim。 VOITSKI。Yes，Ido。Lookatthesuccesshehashadwithwomen！ DonJuanhimselfwasnotmorefavoured。Hisfirstwife，whowasmysister，wasabeautiful，gentlebeing，aspureastheblueheaventhereaboveus，noble，great-hearted，withmoreadmirersthanhehaspupils，andshelovedhimasonlybeingsofangelicpuritycanlovethosewhoareaspureandbeautifulasthemselves。Hismother-in-law，mymother，adoreshimtothisday，andhestillinspiresasortofworshipfulaweinher。Hissecondwifeis，asyousee，abrilliantbeauty；shemarriedhiminhisoldageandhassurrenderedallthegloryofherbeautyandfreedomtohim。Why？Whatfor？ ASTROFF。Isshefaithfultohim？ VOITSKI。Yes，unfortunatelysheis。 ASTROFF。Whyunfortunately？ VOITSKI。Becausesuchfidelityisfalseandunnatural，rootandbranch。Itsoundswell，butthereisnologicinit。Itisthoughtimmoralforawomantodeceiveanoldhusbandwhomshehates，butquitemoralforhertostrangleherpooryouthinherbreastandbanisheveryvitaldesirefromherheart。 TELEGIN。[Inatearfulvoice]Vanya，Idon’tliketohearyoutalkso。Listen，Vanya；everyonewhobetrayshusbandorwifeisfaithless，andcouldalsobetrayhiscountry。 VOITSKI。[Crossly]Turnoffthetap，Waffles。 TELEGIN。No，allowme，Vanya。Mywiferanawaywithaloveronthedayafterourwedding，becausemyexteriorwasunprepossessing。Ihaveneverfailedinmydutysincethen。I loveherandamtruetohertothisday。IhelpherallIcanandhavegivenmyfortunetoeducatethedaughterofherselfandherlover。Ihaveforfeitedmyhappiness，butIhavekeptmypride。 Andshe？Heryouthhasfled，herbeautyhasfadedaccordingtothelawsofnature，andherloverisdead。Whathasshekept？ HELENAandSONIAcomein；afterthemcomesMME。VOITSKAYA carryingabook。Shesitsdownandbeginstoread。Someonehandsheraglassofteawhichshedrinkswithoutlookingup。 SONIA。[Hurriedly，tothenurse]Therearesomepeasantswaitingoutthere。Goandseewhattheywant。Ishallpourthetea。 [Poursoutsomeglassesoftea。] MARINAgoesout。HELENAtakesaglassandsitsdrinkinginthehammock。 ASTROFF。Ihavecometoseeyourhusband。YouwrotemethathehadrheumatismandIknownotwhatelse，andthathewasveryill，butheappearstobeaslivelyasacricket。 HELENA。Hehadafitofthebluesyesterdayeveningandcomplainedofpainsinhislegs，butheseemsallrightagainto-day。 ASTROFF。AndIgallopedoverheretwentymilesatbreak-neckspeed！Nomatter，though，itisnotthefirsttime。Oncehere，however，Iamgoingtostayuntilto-morrow，andatanyratesleep_quantumsatis。_ SONIA。Oh，splendid！Yousoseldomspendthenightwithus。Haveyouhaddinneryet？ ASTROFF。No。 SONIA。Good。Soyouwillhaveitwithus。Wedineatsevennow。 [Drinkshertea]Thisteaiscold！ TELEGIN。Yes，thesamovarhasgrowncold。 HELENA。Don’tmind，MonsieurIvan，wewilldrinkcoldtea，then。 TELEGIN。Ibegyourpardon，mynameisnotIvan，butIlia，ma’am——IliaTelegin，orWaffles，asIamsometimescalledonaccountofmypock-markedface。IamSonia’sgodfather，andhisExcellency，yourhusband，knowsmeverywell。Inowlivewithyou，ma’am，onthisestate，andperhapsyouwillbesogoodastonoticethatIdinewithyoueveryday。 SONIA。Heisourgreathelp，ourright-handman。[Tenderly]Deargodfather，letmepouryousometea。 MME。VOITSKAYA。Oh！Oh！ SONIA。Whatisit，grandmother？ MME。VOITSKAYA。IforgottotellAlexander——Ihavelostmymemory——Ireceivedaletterto-dayfromPaulAlexevitchinKharkoff。Hehassentmeanewpamphlet。 ASTROFF。Isitinteresting？ MME。VOITSKAYA。Yes，butstrange。Herefutestheverytheorieswhichhedefendedsevenyearsago。Itisappalling！ VOITSKI。Thereisnothingappallingaboutit。Drinkyourtea，mamma。 MME。VOITSKAYA。ItseemsyouneverwanttolistentowhatIhavetosay。Pardonme，Jean，butyouhavechangedsointhelastyearthatIhardlyknowyou。Youusedtobeamanofsettledconvictionsandhadanilluminatingpersonality——- VOITSKI。Oh，yes。Ihadanilluminatingpersonality，whichilluminatednoone。[Apause]Ihadanilluminatingpersonality！ Youcouldn’tsayanythingmorebiting。Iamforty-sevenyearsold。UntillastyearIendeavoured，asyoudonow，toblindmyeyesbyyourpedantrytothetruthsoflife。Butnow——Oh，ifyouonlyknew！IfyouknewhowIlieawakeatnight，heartsickandangry，tothinkhowstupidlyIhavewastedmytimewhenImighthavebeenwinningfromlifeeverythingwhichmyoldagenowforbids。 SONIA。UncleVanya，howdreary！ MME。VOITSKAYA。[Toherson]Youspeakasifyourformerconvictionsweresomehowtoblame，butyouyourself，notthey，wereatfault。Youhaveforgottenthataconviction，initself，isnothingbutadeadletter。Youshouldhavedonesomething。 VOITSKI。Donesomething！Noteverymaniscapableofbeingawriter_perpetuummobile_likeyourHerrProfessor。 MME。VOITSKAYA。Whatdoyoumeanbythat？ SONIA。[Imploringly]Mother！UncleVanya！Ientreatyou！ VOITSKI。Iamsilent。Iapologiseandamsilent。[Apause。] HELENA。Whatafineday！Nottoohot。[Apause。] VOITSKI。Afinedaytohangoneself。 TELEGINtunestheguitar。MARINAappearsnearthehouse，callingthechickens。 MARINA。Chick，chick，chick！ SONIA。Whatdidthepeasantswant，nurse？ MARINA。Thesameoldthing，thesameoldnonsense。Chick，chick，chick！ SONIA。Whyareyoucallingthechickens？ MARINA。Thespeckledhenhasdisappearedwithherchicks。Iamafraidthecrowshavegother。 TELEGINplaysapolka。Alllisteninsilence。EnterWORKMAN。 WORKMAN。Isthedoctorhere？[ToASTROFF]Excuseme，sir，butI havebeensenttofetchyou。 ASTROFF。Whereareyoufrom？ WORKMAN。Thefactory。 ASTROFF。[Annoyed]Thankyou。Thereisnothingforit，then，buttogo。[Lookingaroundhimforhiscap]Damnit，thisisannoying！ SONIA。Yes，itistoobad，really。Youmustcomebacktodinnerfromthefactory。 ASTROFF。No，Iwon’tbeabletodothat。Itwillbetoolate。Nowwhere，where——[TotheWORKMAN]Lookhere，myman，getmeaglassofvodka，willyou？[TheWORKMANgoesout]Where——where——[Findshiscap]OneofthecharactersinOstroff’splaysisamanwithalongmoustacheandshortwits，likeme。However，letmebidyougood-bye，ladiesandgentlemen。[ToHELENA]IshouldbereallydelightedifyouwouldcometoseemesomedaywithMissSonia。 Myestateissmall，butifyouareinterestedinsuchthingsI shouldliketoshowyouanurseryandseed-bedwhoselikeyouwillnotfindwithinathousandmilesofhere。Myplaceissurroundedbygovernmentforests。Theforesterisoldandalwaysailing，soIsuperintendalmostalltheworkmyself。 HELENA。Ihavealwaysheardthatyouwereveryfondofthewoods。 Ofcourseonecandoagreatdealofgoodbyhelpingtopreservethem，butdoesnotthatworkinterferewithyourrealcalling？ ASTROFF。Godaloneknowswhataman’srealcallingis。 HELENA。Anddoyoufinditinteresting？ ASTROFF。Yes，very。 VOITSKI。[Sarcastically]Oh，extremely！ HELENA。Youarestillyoung，notoverthirty-sixorseven，I shouldsay，andIsuspectthatthewoodsdonotinterestyouasmuchasyousaytheydo。Ishouldthinkyouwouldfindthemmonotonous。 SONIA。No，theworkisthrilling。Dr。Astroffwatchesovertheoldwoodsandsetsoutnewplantationseveryyear，andhehasalreadyreceivedadiplomaandabronzemedal。Ifyouwilllistentowhathecantellyou，youwillagreewithhimentirely。Hesaysthatforestsaretheornamentsoftheearth，thattheyteachmankindtounderstandbeautyandattunehismindtoloftysentiments。Foreststemperasternclimate，andincountrieswheretheclimateismilder，lessstrengthiswastedinthebattlewithnature，andthepeoplearekindandgentle。Theinhabitantsofsuchcountriesarehandsome，tractable，sensitive，gracefulinspeechandgesture。Theirphilosophyisjoyous，artandscienceblossomamongthem，theirtreatmentofwomenisfullofexquisitenobility——- VOITSKI。[Laughing]Bravo！Bravo！Allthatisverypretty，butitisalsounconvincing。So，myfriend[ToASTROFF]youmustletmegoonburningfirewoodinmystovesandbuildingmyshedsofplanks。 ASTROFF。Youcanburnpeatinyourstovesandbuildyourshedsofstone。Oh，Idon’tobject，ofcourse，tocuttingwoodfromnecessity，butwhydestroytheforests？ThewoodsofRussiaaretremblingundertheblowsoftheaxe。Millionsoftreeshaveperished。Thehomesofthewildanimalsandbirdshavebeendesolated；theriversareshrinking，andmanybeautifullandscapesaregoneforever。Andwhy？Becausemenaretoolazyandstupidtostoopdownandpickuptheirfuelfromtheground。 [ToHELENA]AmInotright，Madame？Whobutastupidbarbariancouldburnsomuchbeautyinhisstoveanddestroythatwhichhecannotmake？Manisendowedwithreasonandthepowertocreate，sothathemayincreasethatwhichhasbeengivenhim，butuntilnowhehasnotcreated，butdemolished。Theforestsaredisappearing，theriversarerunningdry，thegameisexterminated，theclimateisspoiled，andtheearthbecomespoorerandugliereveryday。[ToVOITSKI]Ireadironyinyoureye；youdonottakewhatIamsayingseriously，and——and——afterall，itmayverywellbenonsense。ButwhenIpasspeasant-foreststhatIhavepreservedfromtheaxe，orheartherustlingoftheyoungplantationssetoutwithmyownhands，I feelasifIhadhadsomesmallshareinimprovingtheclimate，andthatifmankindishappyathousandyearsfromnowIwillhavebeenalittlebitresponsiblefortheirhappiness。WhenI plantalittlebirchtreeandthenseeitbuddingintoyounggreenandswayinginthewind，myheartswellswithprideandI——[SeestheWORKMAN，whoisbringinghimaglassofvodkaonatray]however——[Hedrinks]Imustbeoff。Probablyitisallnonsense，anyway。Good-bye。 Hegoestowardthehouse。SONIAtakeshisarmandgoeswithhim。 SONIA。Whenareyoucomingtoseeusagain？ ASTROFF。Ican’tsay。 SONIA。Inamonth？ ASTROFFandSONIAgointothehouse。HELENAandVOITSKIwalkovertotheterrace。 HELENA。Youhavebehavedshockinglyagain。Ivan，whatsensewasthereinteasingyourmotherandtalkingabout_perpetuummobile？_AndatbreakfastyouquarreledwithAlexanderagain。 Really，yourbehaviouristoopetty。 VOITSKI。ButifIhatehim？ HELENA。YouhateAlexanderwithoutreason；heislikeeveryoneelse，andnoworsethanyouare。 VOITSKI。Ifyoucouldonlyseeyourface，yourgestures！Oh，howtediousyourlifemustbe。 HELENA。Itistedious，yes，anddreary！Youallabusemyhusbandandlookonmewithcompassion；youthink，\"Poorwoman，sheismarriedtoanoldman。\"HowwellIunderstandyourcompassion！AsAstroffsaidjustnow，seehowyouthoughtlesslydestroytheforests，sothattherewillsoonbenoneleft。Soyoualsodestroymankind，andsoonfidelityandpurityandself-sacrificewillhavevanishedwiththewoods。Whycannotyoulookcalmlyatawomanunlesssheisyours？Because，thedoctorwasright，youareallpossessedbyadevilofdestruction；youhavenomercyonthewoodsorthebirdsoronwomenorononeanother。 VOITSKI。Idon’tlikeyourphilosophy。 HELENA。Thatdoctorhasasensitive，wearyface——aninterestingface。Soniaevidentlylikeshim，andsheisinlovewithhim，andIcanunderstandit。ThisisthethirdtimehehasbeenheresinceIhavecome，andIhavenothadarealtalkwithhimyetormademuchofhim。HethinksIamdisagreeable。Doyouknow，Ivan，thereasonyouandIaresuchfriends？Ithinkitisbecausewearebothlonelyandunfortunate。Yes，unfortunate。Don’tlookatmeinthatway，Idon’tlikeit。 VOITSKI。HowcanIlookatyouotherwisewhenIloveyou？Youaremyjoy，mylife，andmyyouth。Iknowthatmychancesofbeinglovedinreturnareinfinitelysmall，donotexist，butIasknothingofyou。Onlyletmelookatyou，listentoyourvoice—— HELENA。Hush，someonewilloverhearyou。 [Theygotowardthehouse。] VOITSKI。[Followingher]Letmespeaktoyouofmylove，donotdrivemeaway，andthisalonewillbemygreatesthappiness！ HELENA。Ah！Thisisagony！ TELEGINstrikesthestringsofhisguitarandplaysapolka。MME。 VOITSKAYAwritessomethingontheleavesofherpamphlet。 Thecurtainfalls。 ACTII Thedining-roomofSEREBRAKOFF’Shouse。Itisnight。ThetappingoftheWATCHMAN’Srattleisheardinthegarden。SEREBRAKOFFisdozinginanarm-chairbyanopenwindowandHELENAissittingbesidehim，alsohalfasleep。 SEREBRAKOFF。[Rousinghimself]Whoishere？Isityou，Sonia？ HELENA。ItisI。 SEREBRAKOFF。Oh，itisyou，Nelly。Thispainisintolerable。 HELENA。Yourshawlhasslippeddown。[Shewrapsuphislegsintheshawl]Letmeshutthewindow。 SEREBRAKOFF。No，leaveitopen；Iamsuffocating。Idreamtjustnowthatmyleftlegbelongedtosomeoneelse，andithurtsothatIwoke。Idon’tbelievethisisgout，itismorelikerheumatism。Whattimeisit？ HELENA。Halfpasttwelve。[Apause。] SEREBRAKOFF。IwantyoutolookforBatushka’sworksinthelibraryto-morrow。Ithinkwehavehim。 HELENA。Whatisthat？ SEREBRAKOFF。LookforBatushkato-morrowmorning；weusedtohavehim，Iremember。WhydoIfinditsohardtobreathe？ HELENA。Youaretired；thisisthesecondnightyouhavehadnosleep。 SEREBRAKOFF。TheysaythatTurgenieffgotanginaoftheheartfromgout。IamafraidIamgettinganginatoo。Oh，damnthishorrible，accursedoldage！EversinceIhavebeenoldIhavebeenhatefultomyself，andIamsure，hatefultoyouallaswell。 HELENA。Youspeakasifweweretoblameforyourbeingold。 SEREBRAKOFF。Iammorehatefultoyouthantoanyone。 HELENAgetsupandwalksawayfromhim，sittingdownatadistance。 SEREBRAKOFF。Youarequiteright，ofcourse。Iamnotanidiot；I canunderstandyou。Youareyoungandhealthyandbeautiful，andlongingforlife，andIamanolddotard，almostadeadmanalready。Don’tIknowit？OfcourseIseethatitisfoolishformetolivesolong，butwait！Ishallsoonsetyouallfree。Mylifecannotdragonmuchlonger。 HELENA。Youareovertaxingmypowersofendurance。Bequiet，forGod’ssake！ SEREBRAKOFF。Itappearsthat，thankstome，everybody’spowerofenduranceisbeingovertaxed；everybodyismiserable，onlyIamblissfullytriumphant。Oh，yes，ofcourse！ HELENA。Bequiet！Youaretorturingme。 SEREBRAKOFF。Itortureeverybody。Ofcourse。 HELENA。[Weeping]Thisisunbearable！Tellme，whatisityouwantmetodo？ SEREBRAKOFF。Nothing。 HELENA。Thenbequiet，please。 SEREBRAKOFF。ItisfunnythateverybodylistenstoIvanandhisoldidiotofamother，butthemomentIopenmylipsyouallbegintofeelill-treated。Youcan’tevenstandthesoundofmyvoice。EvenifIamhateful，evenifIamaselfishtyrant，haven’tItherighttobeoneatmyage？Haven’tIdeservedit？ Haven’tI，Iaskyou，therighttoberespected，nowthatIamold？ HELENA。Nooneisdisputingyourrights。[Thewindowslamsinthewind]Thewindisrising，Imustshutthewindow。[Sheshutsit] Weshallhaveraininamoment。Yourrightshaveneverbeenquestionedbyanybody。 TheWATCHMANinthegardensoundshisrattle。 SEREBRAKOFF。Ihavespentmylifeworkingintheinterestsoflearning。Iamusedtomylibraryandthelecturehallandtotheesteemandadmirationofmycolleagues。NowIsuddenlyfindmyselfplungedinthiswilderness，condemnedtoseethesamestupidpeoplefrommorningtillnightandlistentotheirfutileconversation。Iwanttolive；Ilongforsuccessandfameandthestiroftheworld，andhereIaminexile！Oh，itisdreadfultospendeverymomentgrievingforthelostpast，toseethesuccessofothersandsitherewithnothingtodobuttofeardeath。I cannotstandit！ItismorethanIcanbear。Andyouwillnotevenforgivemeforbeingold！ HELENA。Wait，havepatience；Ishallheoldmyselfinfourorfiveyears。 SONIAcomesin。 SONIA。Father，yousentforDr。Astroff，andnowwhenhecomesyourefusetoseehim。Itisnotnicetogiveamansomuchtroublefornothing。 SEREBRAKOFF。WhatdoIcareaboutyourAstroff？HeunderstandsmedicineaboutaswellasIunderstandastronomy。 SONIA。Wecan’tsendforthewholemedicalfaculty，canwe，totreatyourgout？ SEREBRAKOFF。Iwon’ttalktothatmadman！ SONIA。Doasyouplease。It’sallthesametome。[Shesitsdown。] SEREBRAKOFF。Whattimeisit？ HELENA。Oneo’clock。 SEREBRAKOFF。Itisstiflinginhere。Sonia，handmethatbottleonthetable。 SONIA。Hereitis。[Shehandshimabottleofmedicine。] SEREBRAKOFF。[Crossly]No，notthatone！Can’tyouunderstandme？ Can’tIaskyoutodoathing？ SONIA。Pleasedon’tbecaptiouswithme。Somepeoplemaylikeit，butyoumustspareme，ifyouplease，becauseIdon’t。Besides，I haven’tthetime；wearecuttingthehayto-morrowandImustgetupearly。 VOITSKIcomesindressedinalonggownandcarryingacandle。 VOITSKI。Athunderstormiscomingup。[Thelightningflashes] Thereitis！Gotobed，HelenaandSonia。Ihavecometotakeyourplace。 SEREBRAKOFF。[Frightened]No，no，no！Don’tleavemealonewithhim！Oh，don’t。Hewillbegintolectureme。 VOITSKI。Butyoumustgivethemalittlerest。Theyhavenotsleptfortwonights。 SEREBRAKOFF。Thenletthemgotobed，butyougoawaytoo！Thankyou。Iimploreyoutogo。Forthesakeofourformerfriendshipdonotprotestagainstgoing。Wewilltalksomeothertime——- VOITSKI。Ourformerfriendship！Ourformer——- SONIA。Hush，UncleVanya！ SEREBRAKOFF。[Tohiswife]Mydarling，don’tleavemealonewithhim。Hewillbegintolectureme。 VOITSKI。Thisisridiculous。 MARINAcomesincarryingacandle。 SONIA。Youmustgotobed，nurse，itislate。 MARINA。Ihaven’tclearedawaytheteathings。Can’tgotobedyet。 SEREBRAKOFF。Noonecangotobed。Theyareallwornout，onlyI enjoyperfecthappiness。 MARINA。[GoesuptoSEREBRAKOFFandspeakstenderly]What’sthematter，master？Doesithurt？Myownlegsareachingtoo，oh，sobadly。[Arrangeshisshawlabouthislegs]Youhavehadthisillnesssuchalongtime。Sonia’sdeadmotherusedtostayawakewithyoutoo，andwearherselfoutforyou。Shelovedyoudearly。 [Apause]Oldpeoplewanttobepitiedasmuchasyoungones，butnobodycaresaboutthemsomehow。[ShekissesSEREBRAKOFF’S shoulder]Come，master，letmegiveyousomelinden-teaandwarmyourpoorfeetforyou。IshallpraytoGodforyou。 SEREBRAKOFF。[Touched]Letusgo，Marina。 MARINA。Myownfeetareachingsobadly，oh，sobadly！[SheandSONIAleadSEREBRAKOFFout]Sonia’smotherusedtowearherselfoutwithsorrowandweeping。Youwerestilllittleandfoolishthen，Sonia。Come，come，master。 SEREBRAKOFF，SONIAandMARINAgoout。 HELENA。Iamabsolutelyexhaustedbyhim，andcanhardlystand。 VOITSKI。Youareexhaustedbyhim，andIamexhaustedbymyownself。Ihavenotsleptforthreenights。 HELENA。Somethingiswronginthishouse。Yourmotherhateseverythingbutherpamphletsandtheprofessor；theprofessorisvexed，hewon’ttrustme，andfearsyou；Soniaisangrywithherfather，andwithme，andhasn’tspokentomefortwoweeks；Iamattheendofmystrength，andhavecomenearburstingintotearsatleasttwentytimesto-day。Somethingiswronginthishouse。 VOITSKI。Leavespeculatingalone。 HELENA。Youareculturedandintelligent，Ivan，andyousurelyunderstandthattheworldisnotdestroyedbyvillainsandconflagrations，butbyhateandmaliceandallthisspitefultattling。Itisyourdutytomakepeace，andnottogrowlateverything。 VOITSKI。Helpmefirsttomakepeacewithmyself。Mydarling！ [Seizesherhand。] HELENA。Letgo！[Shedragsherhandaway]Goaway！ VOITSKI。Soontherainwillbeover，andallnaturewillsighandawakerefreshed。OnlyIamnotrefreshedbythestorm。Dayandnightthethoughthauntsmelikeafiend，thatmylifeislostforever。Mypastdoesnotcount，becauseIfrittereditawayontrifles，andthepresenthassoterriblymiscarried！WhatshallI dowithmylifeandmylove？Whatistobecomeofthem？Thiswonderfulfeelingofminewillbewastedandlostasarayofsunlightislostthatfallsintoadarkchasm，andmylifewillgowithit。 HELENA。Iamasitwerebenumbedwhenyouspeaktomeofyourlove，andIdon’tknowhowtoansweryou。Forgiveme，Ihavenothingtosaytoyou。[Shetriestogoout]Good-night！ VOITSKI。[Barringtheway]IfyouonlyknewhowIamtorturedbythethoughtthatbesidemeinthishouseisanotherlifethatisbeinglostforever——itisyours！Whatareyouwaitingfor？Whataccursedphilosophystandsinyourway？Oh，understand，understand——- HELENA。[Lookingathimintently]Ivan，youaredrunk！ VOITSKI。Perhaps。Perhaps。 HELENA。Whereisthedoctor？ VOITSKI。Inthere，spendingthenightwithme。PerhapsIamdrunk，perhapsIam；nothingisimpossible。 HELENA。Haveyoujustbeendrinkingtogether？Whydoyoudothat？ VOITSKI。BecauseinthatwayIgetatasteoflife。Letmedoit，Helena！ HELENA。Youneverusedtodrink，andyouneverusedtotalksomuch。Gotobed，Iamtiredofyou。 VOITSKI。[Fallingonhiskneesbeforeher]Mysweetheart。mybeautifulone——- HELENA。[Angrily]Leavemealone！Really，thishasbecometoodisagreeable。 HELENAgoesout。Apause。 VOITSKI[Alone]Sheisgone！Imetherfirsttenyearsago，athersister’shouse，whenshewasseventeenandIwasthirty-seven。WhydidInotfallinlovewithherthenandproposetoher？Itwouldhavebeensoeasy！Andnowshewouldhavebeenmywife。Yes，wewouldbothhavebeenwakedto-nightbythethunderstorm，andshewouldhavebeenfrightened，butIwouldhaveheldherinmyarmsandwhispered：\"Don’tbeafraid！Iamhere。\"Oh，enchantingdream，sosweetthatIlaughtothinkofit。[Helaughs]ButmyGod！Myheadreels！WhyamIsoold？Whywon’tsheunderstandme？Ihateallthatrhetoricofhers，thatmoralityofindolence，thatabsurdtalkaboutthedestructionoftheworld——-[Apause]Oh，howIhavebeendeceived！ForyearsI haveworshippedthatmiserablegout-riddenprofessor。SoniaandI havesqueezedthisestatedryforhissake。Wehavebarteredourbutterandcurdsandpeaslikemisers，andhaveneverkeptamorselforourselves，sothatwecouldscrapeenoughpenniestogethertosendtohim。Iwasproudofhimandofhislearning； Ireceivedallhiswordsandwritingsasinspired，andnow？Nowhehasretired，andwhatisthetotalofhislife？Ablank！Heisabsolutelyunknown，andhisfamehasburstlikeasoap-bubble。I havebeendeceived；Iseethatnow，baselydeceived。 ASTROFFcomesin。Hehashiscoaton，butiswithouthiswaistcoatorcollar，andisslightlydrunk。TELEGINfollowshim，carryingaguitar。 ASTROFF。Play！ TELEGIN。Buteveryoneisasleep。 ASTROFF。Play！ TELEGINbeginstoplaysoftly。 ASTROFF。Areyoualonehere？Nowomenabout？[Singswithhisarmsakimbo。] \"Thehutiscold，thefireisdead； Whereshallthemasterlayhishead？\" Thethunderstormwokeme。Itwasaheavyshower。Whattimeisit？ VOITSKI。Thedevilonlyknows。 ASTROFF。IthoughtIheardHelena’svoice。 VOITSKI。Shewashereamomentago。 ASTROFF。Whatabeautifulwoman！[Lookingatthemedicinebottlesonthetable]Medicine，isit？Whatavarietywehave； prescriptionsfromMoscow，fromKharkoff，fromTula！Why，hehasbeenpesteringallthetownsofRussiawithhisgout！Isheill，orsimplyshamming？ VOITSKI。Heisreallyill。 ASTROFF。Whatisthematterwithyouto-night？Youseemsad。Isitbecauseyouaresorryfortheprofessor？ VOITSKI。Leavemealone。 ASTROFF。Orinlovewiththeprofessor’swife？ VOITSKI。Sheismyfriend。 ASTROFF。Already？ VOITSKI。Whatdoyoumeanby\"already\"？ ASTROFF。Awomancanonlybecomeaman’sfriendafterhavingfirstbeenhisacquaintanceandthenhisbeloved——thenshebecomeshisfriend。 VOITSKI。Whatvulgarphilosophy！ ASTROFF。Whatdoyoumean？Yes，ImustconfessIamgettingvulgar，butthen，yousee，Iamdrunk。Iusuallyonlydrinklikethisonceamonth。Atsuchtimesmyaudacityandtemerityknownobounds。Ifeelcapableofanything。Iattemptthemostdifficultoperationsanddothemmagnificently。Themostbrilliantplansforthefuturetakeshapeinmyhead。Iamnolongerapoorfoolofadoctor，butmankind’sgreatestbenefactor。Ievolvemyownsystemofphilosophyandallofyouseemtocrawlatmyfeetlikesomanyinsectsormicrobes。[ToTELEGIN]Play，Waffles！ TELEGIN。Mydearboy，Iwouldwithallmyheart，butdolistentoreason；everybodyinthehouseisasleep。 ASTROFF。Play！ TELEGINplayssoftly。 ASTROFF。Iwantadrink。Come，westillhavesomebrandyleft。 Andthen，assoonasitisday，youwillcomehomewithme。[HeseesSONIA，whocomesinatthatmoment。] ASTROFF。Ibegyourpardon，Ihavenocollaron。 [Hegoesoutquickly，followedbyTELEGIN。 SONIA。UncleVanya，youandthedoctorhavebeendrinking！Thegoodfellowshavebeengettingtogether！Itisallverywellforhim，hehasalwaysdoneit，butwhydoyoufollowhisexample？Itlooksdreadfullyatyourage。 VOITSKI。Agehasnothingtodowithit。Whenreallifeiswantingonemustcreateanillusion。Itisbetterthannothing。 SONIA。Ourhayisallcutandrottinginthesedailyrains，andhereyouarebusycreatingillusions！Youhavegivenupthefarmaltogether。IhavedonealltheworkaloneuntilIamattheendofmystrength——[Frightened]Uncle！Youreyesarefulloftears！ VOITSKI。Tears？Nonsense，therearenotearsinmyeyes。Youlookedatmethenjustasyourdeadmotherusedto，mydarling——[Heeagerlykissesherfaceandhands]Mysister，mydearestsister，whereareyounow？Ah，ifyouonlyknew，ifyouonlyknew！ SONIA。Ifsheonlyknewwhat，Uncle？ VOITSKI。Myheartisbursting。Itisawful。Nomatter，though。I mustgo。[Hegoesout。] SONIA。[Knocksatthedoor]Dr。Astroff！Areyouawake？Pleasecomehereforaminute。 ASTROFF。[Behindthedoor]Inamoment。 Heappearsinafewseconds。Hehasputonhiscollarandwaistcoat。 ASTROFF。Whatdoyouwant？ SONIA。Drinkasmuchasyoupleaseyourselfifyoudon’tfinditrevolting，butIimploreyounottoletmyuncledoit。Itisbadforhim。 ASTROFF。Verywell；wewon’tdrinkanymore。Iamgoinghomeatonce。Thatissettled。Itwillbedawnbythetimethehorsesareharnessed。 SONIA。Itisstillraining；waittillmorning。 ASTROFF。Thestormisblowingover。Thisisonlytheedgeofit。 Imustgo。Andpleasedon’taskmetocomeandseeyourfatheranymore。Itellhimhehasgout，andhesaysitisrheumatism。I tellhimtoliedown，andhesitsup。To-dayherefusedtoseemeatall。 SONIA。Hehasbeenspoilt。[Shelooksinthesideboard]Won’tyouhaveabitetoeat？ ASTROFF。Yes，please。IbelieveIwill。 SONIA。Ilovetoeatatnight。Iamsureweshallfindsomethinginhere。Theysaythathehasmadeagreatmanyconquestsinhislife，andthatthewomenhavespoiledhim。Hereissomecheeseforyou。 [Theystandeatingbythesideboard。] ASTROFF。Ihaven’teatenanythingto-day。Yourfatherhasaverydifficultnature。[Hetakesabottleoutofthesideboard]MayI？ [Hepourshimselfaglassofvodka]Wearealonehere，andIcanspeakfrankly。Doyouknow，Icouldnotstandlivinginthishouseforevenamonth？Thisatmospherewouldstifleme。Thereisyourfather，entirelyabsorbedinhisbooks，andhisgout；thereisyourUncleVanyawithhishypochondria，yourgrandmother，andfinally，yourstep-mother—— SONIA。Whatabouther？ ASTROFF。Ahumanbeingshouldbeentirelybeautiful：theface，theclothes，themind，thethoughts。Yourstep-motheris，ofcourse，beautifultolookat，butdon’tyousee？Shedoesnothingbutsleepandeatandwalkandbewitchus，andthatisall。Shehasnoresponsibilities，everythingisdoneforher——amInotright？Andanidlelifecanneverbeapureone。[Apause] However，Imaybejudginghertooseverely。LikeyourUncleVanya，Iamdiscontented，andsowearebothgrumblers。 SONIA。Aren’tyousatisfiedwithlife？ ASTROFF。Ilikelifeaslife，butIhateanddespiseitinalittleRussiancountryvillage，andasfarasmyownpersonallifegoes，byheaven！thereisabsolutelynoredeemingfeatureaboutit。Haven’tyounoticedifyouareridingthroughadarkwoodatnightandseealittlelightshiningahead，howyouforgetyourfatigueandthedarknessandthesharptwigsthatwhipyourface？Iwork，thatyouknow——asnooneelseinthecountryworks。Fatebeatsmeonwithoutrest；attimesIsufferunendurablyandIseenolightahead。Ihavenohope；Idonotlikepeople。ItislongsinceIhavelovedanyone。 SONIA。Youlovenoone？ ASTROFF。Notasoul。Ionlyfeelasortoftendernessforyouroldnurseforold-times’sake。Thepeasantsareallalike；theyarestupidandliveindirt，andtheeducatedpeoplearehardtogetalongwith。Onegetstiredofthem。Allourgoodfriendsarepettyandshallowandseenofartherthantheirownnoses；inoneword，theyaredull。Thosethathavebrainsarehysterical，devouredwithamaniaforself-analysis。Theywhine，theyhate，theypickfaultseverywherewithunhealthysharpness。Theysneakuptomesideways，lookatmeoutofacorneroftheeye，andsay：\"Thatmanisalunatic，\"\"Thatmanisawind-bag。\"Or，iftheydon’tknowwhatelsetolabelmewith，theysayIamstrange。Ilikethewoods；thatisstrange。Idon’teatmeat； thatisstrange，too。Simple，naturalrelationsbetweenmanandmanormanandnaturedonotexist。[Hetriestogoout；SONIA preventshim。] SONIA。Ibegyou，Iimploreyou，nottodrinkanymore！ ASTROFF。Whynot？ SONIA。Itissounworthyofyou。Youarewell-bred，yourvoiceissweet，youareeven——morethananyoneIknow——handsome。Whydoyouwanttoresemblethecommonpeoplethatdrinkandplaycards？ Oh，don’t，Ibegyou！Youalwayssaythatpeopledonotcreateanything，butonlydestroywhatheavenhasgiventhem。Why，oh，why，doyoudestroyyourself？Oh，don’t，Iimploreyounotto！I entreatyou！ ASTROFF。[Givesherhishand]Iwon’tdrinkanymore。 SONIA。Promiseme。 ASTROFF。Igiveyoumywordofhonour。 SONIA。[Squeezinghishand]Thankyou。 ASTROFF。Ihavedonewithit。Yousee，Iamperfectlysoberagain，andsoIshallstaytilltheendofmylife。[Helookshiswatch]But，asIwassaying，lifeholdsnothingforme；myraceisrun。Iamold，Iamtired，Iamtrivial；mysensibilitiesaredead。Icouldneverattachmyselftoanyoneagain。Ilovenoone，andnevershall！Beautyalonehasthepowertotouchmestill。Iamdeeplymovedbyit。Helenacouldturnmyheadinadayifshewantedto，butthatisnotlove，thatisnotaffection—— [Heshuddersandcovershisfacewithhishands。] SONIA。Whatisit？ ASTROFF。Nothing。DuringLentoneofmypatientsdiedunderchloroform。 SONIA。Itistimetoforgetthat。[Apause]Tellme，doctor，ifI hadafriendorayoungersister，andifyouknewthatshe，well——lovedyou，whatwouldyoudo？ ASTROFF。[Shrugginghisshoulders]Idon’tknow。Idon’tthinkI shoulddoanything。IshouldmakeherunderstandthatIcouldnotreturnherlove——however，mymindisnotbotheredaboutthosethingsnow。ImuststartatonceifIamevertogetoff。 Good-bye，mydeargirl。Atthisrateweshallstandheretalkingtillmorning。[Heshakeshandswithher]Ishallgooutthroughthesitting-room，becauseIamafraidyourunclemightdetainme。 [Hegoesout。] SONIA。[Alone]Notaword！Hisheartandsoularestilllockedfromme，andyetforsomereasonIamstrangelyhappy。Iwonderwhy？[Shelaughswithpleasure]Itoldhimthathewaswell-bredandhandsomeandthathisvoicewassweet。Wasthatamistake？I canstillfeelhisvoicevibratingintheair；itcaressesme。 [Wringingherhands]Oh！howterribleitistobeplain！Iamplain，Iknowit。AsIcameoutofchurchlastSundayIoverheardawomansay，\"Sheisadear，noblegirl，butwhatapitysheissougly！\"Sougly！ HELENAcomesinandthrowsopenthewindow。 HELENA。Thestormisover。Whatdeliciousair！[Apause]Whereisthedoctor？ SONIA。Hehasgone。[Apause。] HELENA。Sonia！ SONIA。Yes？ HELENA。Howmuchlongerareyougoingtosulkatme？Wehavenothurteachother。Whynotbefriends？Wehavehadenoughofthis。 SONIA。Imyself——[SheembracesHELENA]Letusmakepeace。 HELENA。Withallmyheart。[Theyarebothmoved。] SONIA。Haspapagonetobed？ HELENA。No，heissittingupinthedrawing-room。HeavenknowswhatreasonyouandIhadfornotspeakingtoeachotherforweeks。[Seestheopensideboard]Wholeftthesideboardopen？ SONIA。Dr。Astroffhasjusthadsupper。 HELENA。Thereissomewine。Letussealourfriendship。 SONIA。Yes，letus。 HELENA。Outofoneglass。[Shefillsawine-glass]So，wearefriends，arewe？ SONIA。Yes。[Theydrinkandkisseachother]Ihavelongwantedtomakefriends，butsomehow，Iwasashamedto。[Sheweeps。] HELENA。Whyareyoucrying？ SONIA。Idon’tknow。Itisnothing。 HELENA。There，there，don’tcry。[Sheweeps]Silly！NowIamcryingtoo。[Apause]YouareangrywithmebecauseIseemtohavemarriedyourfatherforhismoney，butdon’tbelievethegossipyouhear。IsweartoyouImarriedhimforlove。Iwasfascinatedbyhisfameandlearning。Iknownowthatitwasnotreallove，butitseemedrealatthetime。Iaminnocent，andyetyourclever，suspiciouseyeshavebeenpunishingmeforanimaginarycrimeeversincemymarriage。 SONIA。Peace，peace！Letusforgetthepast。 HELENA。Youmustnotlooksoatpeople。Itisnotbecomingtoyou。Youmusttrustpeople，orlifebecomesimpossible。 SONIA。Tellmetruly，asafriend，areyouhappy？ HELENA。Truly，no。 SONIA。Iknewit。Onemorequestion：doyouwishyourhusbandwereyoung？ HELENA。Whatachildyouare！OfcourseIdo。Goon，asksomethingelse。 SONIA。Doyoulikethedoctor？ HELENA。Yes，verymuchindeed。 SONIA。[Laughing]Ihaveastupidface，haven’tI？Hehasjustgoneout，andhisvoiceisstillinmyears；Ihearhisstep；I seehisfaceinthedarkwindow。LetmesayallIhaveinmyheart！Butno，Icannotspeakofitsoloudly。Iamashamed。Cometomyroomandletmetellyouthere。Iseemfoolishtoyou，don’tI？Talktomeofhim。 HELENA。WhatcanIsay？ SONIA。Heisclever。Hecandoeverything。Hecancurethesick，andplantwoods。 HELENA。Itisnotaquestionofmedicineandwoods，mydear，heisamanofgenius。Doyouknowwhatthatmeans？Itmeansheisbrave，profound，andofclearinsight。Heplantsatreeandhismindtravelsathousandyearsintothefuture，andheseesvisionsofthehappinessofthehumanrace。Peoplelikehimarerareandshouldbeloved。Whatifhedoesdrinkandactroughlyattimes？AmanofgeniuscannotbeasaintinRussia。Therehelives，cutofffromtheworldbycoldandstormandendlessroadsofbottomlessmud，surroundedbyaroughpeoplewhoarecrushedbypovertyanddisease，hislifeonecontinuousstruggle，withneveraday’srespite；howcanamanlivelikethatforfortyyearsandkeephimselfsoberandunspotted？[KissingSONIA]I wishyouhappinesswithallmyheart；youdeserveit。[Shegetsup]Asforme，Iamaworthless，futilewoman。Ihavealwaysbeenfutile；inmusic，inlove，inmyhusband’shouse——inaword，ineverything。Whenyoucometothinkofit，Sonia，Iamreallyvery，veryunhappy。[Walksexcitedlyupanddown]Happinesscanneverexistformeinthisworld。Never。Whydoyoulaugh？ SONIA。[Laughingandcoveringherfacewithherhands]Iamsohappy，sohappy！ HELENA。Iwanttohearmusic。Imightplayalittle。 SONIA。Oh，do，do！[Sheembracesher]Icouldnotpossiblygotosleepnow。Doplay！ HELENA。Yes，Iwill。Yourfatherisstillawake。Musicirritateshimwhenheisill，butifhesaysImay，thenIshallplayalittle。Go，Sonia，andaskhim。 SONIA。Verywell。 [Shegoesout。TheWATCHMAN’Srattleisheardinthegarden。] HELENA。ItislongsinceIhaveheardmusic。Andnow，Ishallsitandplay，andweeplikeafool。[Speakingoutofthewindow]Isthatyourattlingoutthere，Ephim？ VOICEOFTHEWATCHMAN。ItisI。