第2章

HELENA。Don’tmakesuchanoise。Yourmasterisill。 VOICEOFTHEWATCHMAN。Iamgoingawaythisminute。[Whistlesatune。] SONIA。[Comesback]Hesays，no。 Thecurtainfalls。 ACTIII Thedrawing-roomofSEREBRAKOFF’Shouse。Therearethreedoors： onetotheright，onetotheleft，andoneinthecentreoftheroom。VOITSKIandSONIAaresittingdown。HELENAiswalkingupanddown，absorbedinthought。 VOITSKI。Wewereaskedbytheprofessortobehereatoneo’clock。[Looksathiswatch]Itisnowaquartertoone。Itseemshehassomecommunicationtomaketotheworld。 HELENA。Probablyamatterofbusiness。 VOITSKI。Heneverhadanybusiness。Hewritestwaddle，grumbles，andeatshisheartoutwithjealousy；that’sallhedoes。 SONIA。[Reproachfully]Uncle！ VOITSKI。Allright。Ibegyourpardon。[HepointstoHELENA]Lookather。Wanderingupanddownfromsheeridleness。Asweetpicture，really。 HELENA。Iwonderyouarenotbored，droningoninthesamekeyfrommorningtillnight。[Despairingly]Iamdyingofthistedium。WhatshallIdo？ SONIA。[Shrugginghershoulders]Thereisplentytodoifyouwould。 HELENA。Forinstance？ SONIA。Youcouldhelprunthisplace，teachthechildren，careforthesick——isn’tthatenough？Beforeyouandpapacame，UncleVanyaandIusedtogotomarketourselvestodealinflour。 HELENA。Idon’tknowanythingaboutsuchthings，andbesides，theydon’tinterestme。Itisonlyinnovelsthatwomengooutandteachandhealthepeasants；howcanIsuddenlybegintodoit？ SONIA。Howcanyoulivehereandnotdoit？Waitawhile，youwillgetusedtoitall。[Embracesher]Don’tbesad，dearest。 [Laughing]Youfeelmiserableandrestless，andcan’tseemtofitintothislife，andyourrestlessnessiscatching。LookatUncleVanya，hedoesnothingnowbuthauntyoulikeashadow，andI haveleftmyworkto-daytocomehereandtalkwithyou。Iamgettinglazy，anddon’twanttogoonwithit。Dr。Astroffhardlyeverusedtocomehere；itwasallwecoulddotopersuadehimtovisitusonceamonth，andnowhehasabandonedhisforestryandhispractice，andcomeseveryday。Youmustbeawitch。 VOITSKI。Whyshouldyoulanguishhere？Come，mydearest，mybeauty，besensible！ThebloodofaNixeyrunsinyourveins。Oh，won’tyouletyourselfbeone？Giveyournaturethereinsforonceinyourlife；fallheadoverearsinlovewithsomeotherwaterspriteandplungedownheadfirstintoadeeppool，sothattheHerrProfessorandallofusmayhaveourhandsfreeagain。 HELENA。[Angrily]Leavemealone！Howcruelyouare！[Shetriestogoout。] VOITSKI。[Preventingher]There，there，mybeauty，Iapologise。 [Hekissesherhand]Forgiveme。 HELENA。Confessthatyouwouldtrythepatienceofanangel。 VOITSKI。AsapeaceofferingIamgoingtofetchsomeflowerswhichIpickedforyouthismorning：someautumnroses，beautiful，sorrowfulroses。[Hegoesout。] SONIA。Autumnroses，beautiful，sorrowfulroses！ [SheandHELENAstandlookingoutofthewindow。] HELENA。Septemberalready！Howshallwelivethroughthelongwinterhere？[Apause]Whereisthedoctor？ SONIA。HeiswritinginUncleVanya’sroom。IamgladUncleVanyahasgoneout，Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsomething。 HELENA。Aboutwhat？ SONIA。Aboutwhat？ [ShelaysherheadonHELENA’Sbreast。] HELENA。[Strokingherhair]There，there，thatwilldo。Don’t，Sonia。 SONIA。Iamugly！ HELENA。Youhavelovelyhair。 SONIA。Don’tsaythat！[Sheturnstolookatherselfintheglass]No，whenawomanisuglytheyalwayssayshehasbeautifulhairoreyes。Ihavelovedhimnowforsixyears，Ihavelovedhimmorethanonelovesone’smother。Iseemtohearhimbesidemeeverymomentoftheday。Ifeelthepressureofhishandonmine。IfIlookup，Iseemtoseehimcoming，andasyousee，I runtoyoutotalkofhim。Heishereeverydaynow，butheneverlooksatme，hedoesnotnoticemypresence。Itisagony。Ihaveabsolutelynohope，no，nohope。Oh，myGod！Givemestrengthtoendure。Iprayedalllastnight。Ioftengouptohimandspeaktohimandlookintohiseyes。Myprideisgone。Iamnotmistressofmyself。YesterdayItoldUncleVanyaIcouldn’tcontrolmyself，andalltheservantsknowit。EveryoneknowsthatIlovehim。 HELENA。Doeshe？ SONIA。No，henevernoticesme。 HELENA。[Thoughtfully]Heisastrangeman。Listen，Sonia，willyouallowmetospeaktohim？Ishallbecareful，onlyhint。[A pause]Really，tobeinuncertaintyalltheseyears！Letmedoit！ SONIAnodsanaffirmative。 HELENA。Splendid！Itwillbeeasytofindoutwhetherhelovesyouornot。Don’tbeashamed，sweetheart，don’tworry。Ishallbecareful；hewillnotnoticeathing。Weonlywanttofindoutwhetheritisyesorno，don’twe？[Apause]Andifitisno，thenhemustkeepawayfromhere，isthatso？ SONIAnods。 HELENA。Itwillbeeasiernottoseehimanymore。Wewon’tputofftheexaminationaninstant。Hesaidhehadasketchtoshowme。GoandtellhimatoncethatIwanttoseehim。 SONIA。[Ingreatexcitement]Willyoutellmethewholetruth？ HELENA。OfcourseIwill。Iamsurethatnomatterwhatitis，itwillbeeasierforyoutobearthanthisuncertainty。Trusttome，dearest。 SONIA。Yes，yes。Ishallsaythatyouwanttoseehissketch。 [Shestartsout，butstopsnearthedoorandlooksback]No，itisbetternottoknow——andyet——theremaybehope。 HELENA。Whatdoyousay？ SONIA。Nothing。[Shegoesout。] HELENA。[Alone]Thereisnogreatersorrowthantoknowanother’ssecretwhenyoucannothelpthem。[Indeepthought]Heisobviouslynotinlovewithher，butwhyshouldn’themarryher？ Sheisnotpretty，butsheissocleverandpureandgood，shewouldmakeasplendidwifeforacountrydoctorofhisyears。[A pause]Icanunderstandhowthepoorchildfeels。Sheliveshereinthisdesperatelonelinesswithnoonearoundherexceptthesecolourlessshadowsthatgomooningabouttalkingnonsenseandknowingnothingexceptthattheyeat，drink，andsleep。AmongthemappearsfromtimetotimethisDr。Astroff，sodifferent，sohandsome，sointeresting，socharming。Itislikeseeingthemoonriseonadarknight。Oh，tosurrenderoneselftohisembrace！Toloseoneselfinhisarms！Iamalittleinlovewithhimmyself！ Yes，Iamlonelywithouthim，andwhenIthinkofhimIsmile。 ThatUncleVanyasaysIhavethebloodofaNixeyinmyveins： \"Givereintoyournatureforonceinyourlife！\"PerhapsitisrightthatIshould。Oh，tobefreeasabird，toflyawayfromallyoursleepyfacesandyourtalkandforgetthatyouhaveexistedatall！ButIamacoward，Iamafraid；myconsciencetormentsme。Hecomeshereeverydaynow。Icanguesswhy，andfeelguiltyalready；IshouldliketofallonmykneesatSonia’sfeetandbegherforgiveness，andweep。 ASTROFFcomesincarryingaportfolio。 ASTROFF。Howdoyoudo？[Shakeshandswithher]Doyouwanttoseemysketch？ HELENA。Yes，youpromisedtoshowmewhatyouhadbeendoing。 Haveyoutimenow？ ASTROFF。OfcourseIhave！ Helaystheportfolioonthetable，takesoutthesketchandfastensittothetablewiththumb-tacks。 ASTROFF。Wherewereyouborn？ HELENA。[Helpinghim]InSt。Petersburg。 ASTROFF。Andeducated？ HELENA。AttheConservatorythere。 ASTROFF。Youdon’tfindthislifeveryinteresting，Idaresay？ HELENA。Oh，whynot？ItistrueIdon’tknowthecountryverywell，butIhavereadagreatdealaboutit。 ASTROFF。IhavemyowndeskthereinIvan’sroom。WhenIamabsolutelytooexhaustedtogoonIdropeverythingandrushoverheretoforgetmyselfinthisworkforanhourortwo。IvanandMissSoniasitrattlingattheircounting-boards，thecricketchirps，andIsitbesidethemandpaint，feelingwarmandpeaceful。ButIdon’tpermitmyselfthisluxuryveryoften，onlyonceamonth。[Pointingtothepicture]Lookthere！Thatisamapofourcountryasitwasfiftyyearsago。Thegreentints，bothdarkandlight，representforests。Halfthemap，asyousee，iscoveredwithit。Wherethegreenisstripedwithredtheforestswereinhabitedbyelkandwildgoats。Hereonthislake，livedgreatflocksofswansandgeeseandducks；astheoldmensay，therewasapowerofbirdsofeverykind。Nowtheyhavevanishedlikeacloud。Besidethehamletsandvillages，yousee，Ihavedotteddownhereandtherethevarioussettlements，farms，hermit’scaves，andwater-mills。Thiscountrycarriedagreatmanycattleandhorses，asyoucanseebythequantityofbluepaint。Forinstance，seehowthicklyitliesinthispart；thereweregreatherdsofthemhere，anaverageofthreehorsestoeveryhouse。[Apause]Now，looklowerdown。Thisisthecountryasitwastwenty-fiveyearsago。Onlyathirdofthemapisgreennowwithforests。Therearenogoatsleftandnoelk。Thebluepaintislighter，andsoon，andsoon。Nowwecometothethirdpart；ourcountryasitappearsto-day。Westillseespotsofgreen，butnotmuch。Theelk，theswans，theblack-cockhavedisappeared。Itis，onthewhole，thepictureofaregularandslowdeclinewhichitwillevidentlyonlytakeabouttenorfifteenmoreyearstocomplete。Youmayperhapsobjectthatitisthemarchofprogress，thattheoldordermustgiveplacetothenew，andyoumightberightifroadshadbeenrunthroughtheseruinedwoods，oriffactoriesandschoolshadtakentheirplace。 Thepeoplethenwouldhavebecomebettereducatedandhealthierandricher，butasitis，wehavenothingofthesort。Wehavethesameswampsandmosquitoes；thesamediseaseandwant；thetyphoid，thediphtheria，theburningvillages。Weareconfrontedbythedegradationofourcountry，broughtonbythefiercestruggleforexistenceofthehumanrace。Itistheconsequenceoftheignoranceandunconsciousnessofstarving，shivering，sickhumanitythat，tosaveitschildren，instinctivelysnatchesateverythingthatcanwarmitandstillitshunger。Soitdestroyseverythingitcanlayitshandson，withoutathoughtforthemorrow。Andalmosteverythinghasgone，andnothinghasbeencreatedtotakeitsplace。[Coldly]ButIseebyyourfacethatI amnotinterestingyou。 HELENA。Iknowsolittleaboutsuchthings！ ASTROFF。Thereisnothingtoknow。Itsimplyisn’tinteresting，that’sall。 HELENA。Frankly，mythoughtswereelsewhere。Forgiveme！Iwanttosubmityoutoalittleexamination，butIamembarrassedanddon’tknowhowtobegin。 ASTROFF。Anexamination？ HELENA。Yes，butquiteaninnocentone。Sitdown。[Theysitdown] ItisaboutacertainyounggirlIknow。Letusdiscussitlikehonestpeople，likefriends，andthenforgetwhathaspassedbetweenus，shallwe？ ASTROFF。Verywell。 HELENA。Itisaboutmystep-daughter，Sonia。Doyoulikeher？ ASTROFF。Yes，Irespecther。 HELENA。Doyoulikeher——asawoman？ ASTROFF。[Slowly]No。 HELENA。Onemoreword，andthatwillbethelast。Youhavenotnoticedanything？ ASTROFF。No，nothing。 HELENA。[Takinghishand]Youdonotloveher。Iseethatinyoureyes。Sheissuffering。Youmustrealisethat，andnotcomehereanymore。 ASTROFF。Mysunhasset，yes，andthenIhaven’tthetime。 [Shrugginghisshoulders]WhereshallIfindtimeforsuchthings？[Heisembarrassed。 HELENA。Bah！Whatanunpleasantconversation！IamasoutofbreathasifIhadbeenrunningthreemilesuphill。Thankheaven，thatisover！Nowletusforgeteverythingasifnothinghadbeensaid。Youaresensible。Youunderstand。[Apause]Iamactuallyblushing。 ASTROFF。IfyouhadspokenamonthagoImightperhapshaveconsideredit，butnow——[Heshrugshisshoulders]Ofcourse，ifsheissuffering——butIcannotunderstandwhyyouhadtoputmethroughthisexamination。[Hesearchesherfacewithhiseyes，andshakeshisfingerather]Oho，youarewily！ HELENA。Whatdoesthismean？ ASTROFF。[Laughing]Youareawilyone！IadmitthatSoniaissuffering，butwhatdoesthisexaminationofyoursmean？[Hepreventsherfromretorting，andgoesonquickly]Pleasedon’tputonsuchalookofsurprise；youknowperfectlywellwhyI comehereeveryday。Yes，youknowperfectlywhyandforwhosesakeIcome！Oh，mysweettigress！don’tlookatmeinthatway； Iamanoldbird！ HELENA。[Perplexed]Atigress？Idon’tunderstandyou。 ASTROFF。Beautiful，sleektigress，youmusthaveyourvictims！ ForawholemonthIhavedonenothingbutseekyoueagerly。I havethrownovereverythingforyou，andyoulovetoseeit。Nowthen，Iamsureyouknewallthiswithoutputtingmethroughyourexamination。[Crossinghisarmsandbowinghishead]Isurrender。 Hereyouhaveme——now，eatme。 HELENA。Youhavegonemad！ ASTROFF。Youareafraid！ HELENA。Iamabetterandstrongerwomanthanyouthinkme。 Good-bye。[Shetriestoleavetheroom。] ASTROFF。Whygood-bye？Don’tsaygood-bye，don’twastewords。Oh，howlovelyyouare——whathands！[Hekissesherhands。] HELENA。Enoughofthis！[Shefreesherhands]Leavetheroom！Youhaveforgottenyourself。 ASTROFF。Tellme，tellme，wherecanwemeetto-morrow？[Heputshisarmaroundher]Don’tyouseethatwemustmeet，thatitisinevitable？ Hekissesher。VOITSKIcomesincarryingabunchofroses，andstopsinthedoorway。 HELENA。[WithoutseeingVOITSKI]Havepity！Leaveme，[laysherheadonASTROFF’Sshoulder]Don’t！ [Shetriestobreakawayfromhim。] ASTROFF。[Holdingherbythewaist]Beintheforesttomorrowattwoo’clock。Willyou？Willyou？ HELENA。[SeesVOITSKI]Letmego！[Goestothewindowdeeplyembarrassed]Thisisappalling！ VOITSKI。[Throwstheflowersonachair，andspeaksingreatexcitement，wipinghisfacewithhishandkerchief]Nothing——yes，yes，nothing。 ASTROFF。Theweatherisfineto-day，mydearIvan；themorningwasovercastandlookedlikerain，butnowthesunisshiningagain。Honestly，wehavehadaveryfineautumn，andthewheatislookingfairlywell。[Putshismapbackintotheportfolio]Butthedaysaregrowingshort。 HELENA。[GoesquicklyuptoVOITSKI]Youmustdoyourbest；youmustuseallyourpowertogetmyhusbandandmyselfawayfromhereto-day！Doyouhear？Isay，thisveryday！ VOITSKI。[Wipinghisface]Oh！Ah！Oh！Allright！I——Helena，I saweverything！ HELENA。[Ingreatagitation]Doyouhearme？Imustleaveherethisveryday！ SEREBRAKOFF，SONIA，MARINA，andTELEGINcomein。 TELEGIN。Iamnotverywellmyself，yourExcellency。Ihavebeenlimpingfortwodays，andmyhead—— SEREBRAKOFF。Wherearetheothers？Ihatethishouse。Itisaregularlabyrinth。Everyoneisalwaysscatteredthroughthetwenty-sixenormousrooms；onenevercanfindasoul。[Rings]AskmywifeandMadameVoitskayatocomehere！ HELENA。Iamherealready。 SEREBRAKOFF。Please，allofyou，sitdown。 SONIA。[GoesuptoHELENAandasksanxiously]Whatdidhesay？ HELENA。I’lltellyoulater。 SONIA。Youaremoved。[lookingquicklyandinquiringlyintoherface]Iunderstand；hesaidhewouldnotcomehereanymore。[A pause]Tellme，didhe？ HELENAnods。 SEREBRAKOFF。[ToTELEGIN]Onecan，afterall，becomereconciledtobeinganinvalid，butnottothiscountrylife。ThewaysofitstickinmythroatandIfeelexactlyasifIhadbeenwhirledofftheearthandlandedonastrangeplanet。Pleasebeseated，ladiesandgentlemen。Sonia！[SONIAdoesnothear。Sheisstandingwithherheadbowedsadlyforwardonherbreast]Sonia！ [Apause]Shedoesnothearme。[ToMARINA]Sitdowntoo，nurse。 [MARINAsitsdownandbeginstoknitherstocking]Icraveyourindulgence，ladiesandgentlemen；hangyourears，ifImaysayso，onthepegofattention。[Helaughs。] VOITSKI。[Agitated]Perhapsyoudonotneedme——mayIbeexcused？ SEREBRAKOFF。No，youareneedednowmorethananyone。 VOITSKI。Whatisityouwantofme？ SEREBRAKOFF。You——butwhatareyouangryabout？IfitisanythingIhavedone，Iaskyoutoforgiveme。 VOITSKI。Oh，dropthatandcometobusiness；whatdoyouwant？ MME。VOITSKAYAcomesin。 SEREBRAKOFF。Hereismother。Ladiesandgentlemen，Ishallbegin。 Ihaveaskedyoutoassemblehere，myfriends，inordertodiscussaveryimportantmatter。Iwanttoaskyouforyourassistanceandadvice，andknowingyourunfailingamiabilityI thinkIcancountonboth。Iamabook-wormandascholar，andamunfamiliarwithpracticalaffairs。Icannot，Ifind，dispensewiththehelpofwell-informedpeoplesuchasyou，Ivan，andyou，Telegin，andyou，mother。Thetruthis，_manetomnesunanox，_ thatistosay，ourlivesareinthehandsofGod，andasIamoldandill，Irealisethatthetimehascomeformetodisposeofmypropertyinregardtotheinterestsofmyfamily。Mylifeisnearlyover，andIamnotthinkingofmyself，butIhaveayoungwifeanddaughter。[Apause]Icannotcontinuetoliveinthecountry；wewerenotmadeforcountrylife，andyetwecannotaffordtoliveintownontheincomederivedfromthisestate。Wemightsellthewoods，butthatwouldbeanexpedientwecouldnotresorttoeveryyear。Wemustfindsomemeansofguaranteeingtoourselvesacertainmoreorlessfixedyearlyincome。Withthisobjectinview，aplanhasoccurredtomewhichInowhavethehonourofpresentingtoyouforyourconsideration。Ishallonlygiveyouaroughoutline，avoidingalldetails。Ourestatedoesnotpayonanaveragemorethantwopercentonthemoneyinvestedinit。Iproposetosellit。Ifwetheninvestourcapitalinbonds，itwillearnusfourtofivepercent，andweshouldprobablyhaveasurplusoverofseveralthousandroubles，withwhichwecouldbuyasummercottageinFinland—— VOITSKI。Holdon！Repeatwhatyoujustsaid；Idon’tthinkI heardyouquiteright。 SEREBRAKOFF。IsaidwewouldinvestthemoneyinbondsandbuyacottageinFinlandwiththesurplus。 VOITSKI。No，notFinland——yousaidsomethingelse。 SEREBRAKOFF。Iproposetosellthisplace。 VOITSKI。Aha！Thatwasit！Soyouaregoingtoselltheplace？ Splendid。Theideaisarichone。AndwhatdoyouproposetodowithmyoldmotherandmeandwithSoniahere？ SEREBRAKOFF。Thatwillbedecidedinduetime。Wecan’tdoeverythingatonce。 VOITSKI。Wait！ItisclearthatuntilthismomentIhaveneverhadagrainofsenseinmyhead。IhavealwaysbeenstupidenoughtothinkthattheestatebelongedtoSonia。Myfatherboughtitasaweddingpresentformysister，andIfoolishlyimaginedthatasourlawsweremadeforRussiansandnotTurks，mysister’sestatewouldcomedowntoherchild。 SEREBRAKOFF。OfcourseitisSonia’s。Hasanyonedeniedit？I don’twanttosellitwithoutSonia’sconsent；onthecontrary，whatIamdoingisforSonia’sgood。 VOITSKI。Thisisabsolutelyincomprehensible。EitherIhavegonemador——or—— MME。VOITSKAYA。Jean，don’tcontradictAlexander。Trusttohim； heknowsbetterthanwedowhatisrightandwhatiswrong。 VOITSKI。Ishan’t。Givemesomewater。[Hedrinks]Goahead！Sayanythingyouplease——anything！ SEREBRAKOFF。Ican’timaginewhyyouaresoupset。Idon’tpretendthatmyschemeisanidealone，andifyouallobjecttoitIshallnotinsist。[Apause。] TELEGIN。[Withembarrassment]Inotonlynourishfeelingsofrespecttowardlearning，yourExcellency，butIamalsodrawntoitbyfamilyties。MybrotherGregory’swife’sbrother，whomyoumayknow；hisnameisConstantineLakedemonoff，andheusedtobeamagistrate—— VOITSKI。Stop，Waffles。Thisisbusiness；waitabit，wewilltalkofthatlater。[ToSEREBRAKOFF]Therenow，askhimwhathethinks；thisestatewasboughtfromhisuncle。 SEREBRAKOFF。Ah！WhyshouldIaskquestions？Whatgoodwoulditdo？ VOITSKI。Thepricewasninety-fivethousandroubles。Myfatherpaidseventyandleftadebtoftwenty-five。Nowlisten！ThisplacecouldneverhavebeenboughthadInotrenouncedmyinheritanceinfavourofmysister，whomIdeeplyloved——andwhatismore，Iworkedfortenyearslikeanox，andpaidoffthedebt。 SEREBRAKOFF。Iregreteverhavingstartedthisconversation。 VOITSKI。Thanksentirelytomyownpersonalefforts，theplaceisentirelyclearofdebts，andnow，whenIhavegrownold，youwanttothrowmeout，neckandcrop！ SEREBRAKOFF。Ican’timaginewhatyouaredrivingat。 VOITSKI。Fortwenty-fiveyearsIhavemanagedthisplace，andhavesentyouthereturnsfromitlikethemosthonestofservants，andyouhavenevergivenmeonesinglewordofthanksformywork，notone——neitherinmyyouthnornow。Youallowedmeameagresalaryoffivehundredroublesayear，abeggar’spittance，andhavenevereventhoughtofaddingaroubletoit。 SEREBRAKOFF。WhatdidIknowaboutsuchthings，Ivan？Iamnotapracticalmananddon’tunderstandthem。Youmighthavehelpedyourselftoallyouwanted。 VOITSKI。Yes，whydidInotsteal？Don’tyoualldespisemefornotstealing，whenitwouldhavebeenonlyjustice？AndIshouldnotnowhavebeenabeggar！ MME。VOITSKAYA。[Sternly]Jean！ TELEGIN。[Agitated]Vanya，oldman，don’ttalkinthatway。Whyspoilsuchpleasantrelations？[Heembraceshim]Dostop！ VOITSKI。Fortwenty-fiveyearsIhavebeensittingherewithmymotherlikeamoleinaburrow。Oureverythoughtandhopewasyoursandyoursonly。Bydaywetalkedwithprideofyouandyourwork，andspokeyournamewithveneration；ournightswewastedreadingthebooksandpaperswhichmysoulnowloathes。 TELEGIN。Don’t，Vanya，don’t。Ican’tstandit。 SEREBRAKOFF。[Wrathfully]Whatunderheavendoyouwant，anyway？ VOITSKI。Weusedtothinkofyouasalmostsuperhuman，butnowthescaleshavefallenfrommyeyesandIseeyouasyouare！Youwriteonartwithoutknowinganythingaboutit。ThosebooksofyourswhichIusedtoadmirearenotworthonecopperkopeck。Youareahoax！ SEREBRAKOFF。Can’tanyonemakehimstop？Iamgoing！ HELENA。Ivan，Icommandyoutostopthisinstant！Doyouhearme？ VOITSKI。Irefuse！[SEREBRAKOFFtriestogetoutoftheroom，butVOITSKIbarsthedoor]Wait！Ihavenotdoneyet！Youhavewreckedmylife。Ihaveneverlived。Mybestyearshavegonefornothing，havebeenruined，thankstoyou。Youaremymostbitterenemy！ TELEGIN。Ican’tstandit；Ican’tstandit。Iamgoing。[Hegoesoutingreatexcitement。] SEREBRAKOFF。Butwhatdoyouwant？Whatearthlyrighthaveyoutousesuchlanguagetome？Ruination！Ifthisestateisyours，thentakeit，andletmeberuined！ HELENA。Iamgoingawayoutofthishellthisminute。[Shrieks] Thisistoomuch！ VOITSKI。Mylifehasbeenafailure。Iamcleverandbraveandstrong。IfIhadlivedanormallifeImighthavebecomeanotherSchopenhauerorDostoieffski。Iamlosingmyhead！Iamgoingcrazy！Mother，Iamindespair！Oh，mother！ MME。VOITSKAYA。[Sternly]Listen，Alexander！ SONIAfallsonherkneesbesidethenurseandnestlesagainsther。 SONIA。Oh，nurse，nurse！ VOITSKI。Mother！WhatshallIdo？Butno，don’tspeak！Iknowwhattodo。[ToSEREBRAKOFF]Andyouwillunderstandme！ HegoesoutthroughthedoorinthecentreoftheroomandMME。 VOITSKAYAfollowshim。 SEREBRAKOFF。Tellme，whatonearthisthematter？Takethislunaticoutofmysight！Icannotpossiblyliveunderthesameroofwithhim。Hisroom[Hepointstothecentredoor]isalmostnextdoortomine。Lethimtakehimselfoffintothevillageorintothewingofthehouse，orIshallleavehereatonce。I cannotstayinthesamehousewithhim。 HELENA。[Toherhusband]Weareleavingto-day；wemustgetreadyatonceforourdeparture。 SEREBRAKOFF。Whataperfectlydreadfulman！ SONIA。[Onherkneesbesidethenurseandturningtoherfather。 Shespeakswithemotion]Youmustbekindtous，papa。UncleVanyaandIaresounhappy！[Controllingherdespair]Havepityonus。RememberhowUncleVanyaandGrannyusedtocopyandtranslateyourbooksforyoueverynight——every，everynight。 UncleVanyahastoiledwithoutrest；hewouldneverspendapennyonus，wesentitalltoyou。Wehavenoteatenthebreadofidleness。IamnotsayingthisasIshouldliketo，butyoumustunderstandus，papa，youmustbemercifultous。 HELENA。[Veryexited，toherhusband]Forheaven’ssake，Alexander，goandhaveatalkwithhim——explain！ SEREBRAKOFF。Verywell，Ishallhaveatalkwithhim，butIwon’tapologiseforathing。Iamnotangrywithhim，butyoumustconfessthathisbehaviourhasbeenstrange，tosaytheleast。 Excuseme，Ishallgotohim。 [Hegoesoutthroughthecentredoor。] HELENA。Begentlewithhim；trytoquiethim。[Shefollowshimout。] SONIA。[NestlingnearertoMARINA]Nurse，oh，nurse！ MARINA。It’sallright，mybaby。Whenthegeesehavecackledtheywillbestillagain。Firsttheycackleandthentheystop。 SONIA。Nurse！ MARINA。Youaretremblingallover，asifyouwerefreezing。 There，there，littleorphanbaby，Godismerciful。Alittlelinden-tea，anditwillallpassaway。Don’tcry，mysweetest。 [Lookingangrilyatthedoorinthecentreoftheroom]See，thegeesehaveallgonenow。Thedeviltakethem！ Ashotisheard。HELENAscreamsbehindthescenes。SONIA shudders。 MARINA。Bang！What’sthat？ SEREBRAKOFF。[Comesinreelingwithterror]Holdhim！holdhim！ Hehasgonemad！ HELENAandVOITSKIareseenstrugglinginthedoorway。 HELENA。[Tryingtowresttherevolverfromhim]Giveittome； giveittome，Itellyou！ VOITSKI。Letmego，Helena，letmego！[Hefreeshimselfandrushesin，lookingeverywhereforSEREBRAKOFF]Whereishe？Ah，thereheis！[Heshootsathim。Apause]Ididn’tgethim？I missedagain？[Furiously]Damnation！Damnation！Tohellwithhim！ Heflingstherevolveronthefloor，anddropshelplessintoachair。SEREBRAKOFFstandsasifstupefied。HELENAleansagainstthewall，almostfainting。 HELENA。Takemeaway！Takemeaway！Ican’tstayhere——Ican’t！ VOITSKI。[Indespair]Oh，whatshallIdo？WhatshallIdo？ SONIA。[Softly]Oh，nurse，nurse！ Thecurtainfalls。 ACTIV VOITSKI’Sbedroom，whichisalsohisoffice。Atablestandsnearthewindow；onitareledgers，letterscales，andpapersofeverydescription。NearbystandsasmallertablebelongingtoASTROFF，withhispaintsanddrawingmaterials。Onthewallhangsacagecontainingastarling。ThereisalsoamapofAfricaonthewall，obviouslyofnousetoanybody。Thereisalargesofacoveredwithbuckram。Adoortotheleftleadsintoaninnerroom；onetotherightleadsintothefronthall，andbeforethisdoorliesamatforthepeasantswiththeirmuddybootstostandon。Itisanautumnevening。Thesilenceisprofound。TELEGINandMARINAaresittingfacingoneanother，windingwool。 TELEGIN。Bequick，Marina，orweshallbecalledawaytosaygood-byebeforeyouhavefinished。Thecarriagehasalreadybeenordered。 MARINA。[Tryingtowindmorequickly]Iamalittletired。 TELEGIN。TheyaregoingtoKharkofftolive。 MARINA。Theydowelltogo。 TELEGIN。Theyhavebeenfrightened。Theprofessor’swifewon’tstayhereanhourlonger。\"Ifwearegoingatall，let’sbeoff，\" saysshe，\"weshallgotoKharkoffandlookaboutus，andthenwecansendforourthings。\"Theyaretravellinglight。Itseems，Marina，thatfatehasdecreedforthemnottolivehere。 MARINA。Andquiterightly。Whatastormtheyhavejustraised！Itwasshameful！ TELEGIN。Itwasindeed。ThescenewasworthyofthebrushofAibazofski。 MARINA。IwishI’dneverlaideyesonthem。[Apause]Nowweshallhavethingsastheywereagain：teaateight，dinneratone，andsupperintheevening；everythinginorderasdecentfolks，asChristiansliketohaveit。[Sighs]ItisalongtimesinceIhaveeatennoodles。 TELEGIN。Yes，wehaven’thadnoodlesforages。[Apause]Notforages。AsIwasgoingthroughthevillagethismorning，Marina，oneoftheshop-keeperscalledafterme，\"Hi！youhanger-on！\"I feltitbitterly。 MARINA。Don’tpaytheleastattentiontothem，master；wearealldependentsonGod。YouandSoniaandallofus。Everyonemustwork，noonecansitidle。WhereisSonia？ TELEGIN。Inthegardenwiththedoctor，lookingforIvan。Theyfearhemaylayviolenthandsonhimself。 MARINA。Whereishispistol？ TELEGIN。[Whispers]Ihiditinthecellar。 VOITSKIandASTROFFcomein。 VOITSKI。Leavemealone！[ToMARINAandTELEGIN]Goaway！Goawayandleavemetomyself，ifbutforanhour。Iwon’thaveyouwatchingmelikethis！ TELEGIN。Yes，yes，Vanya。[Hegoesoutontiptoe。] MARINA。Thegandercackles；ho！ho！ho！ [Shegathersupherwoolandgoesout。] VOITSKI。Leavemebymyself！ ASTROFF。Iwould，withthegreatestpleasure。Ioughttohavegonelongago，butIshan’tleaveyouuntilyouhavereturnedwhatyoutookfromme。 VOITSKI。Itooknothingfromyou。 ASTROFF。Iamnotjesting，don’tdetainme，Ireallymustgo。 VOITSKI。Itooknothingofyours。 ASTROFF。Youdidn’t？Verywell，Ishallhavetowaitalittlelonger，andthenyouwillhavetoforgivemeifIresorttoforce。Weshallhavetobindyouandsearchyou。ImeanwhatI say。 VOITSKI。Doasyouplease。[Apause]Oh，tomakesuchafoolofmyself！Toshoottwiceandmisshimbothtimes！Ishallneverforgivemyself。 ASTROFF。Whentheimpulsecametoshoot，itwouldhavebeenaswellhadyouputabulletthroughyourownhead。 VOITSKI。[Shrugginghisshoulders]Strange！Iattemptedmurder，andamnotgoingtobearrestedorbroughttotrial。Thatmeanstheythinkmemad。[Withabitterlaugh]Me！Iammad，andthosewhohidetheirworthlessness，theirdullness，theircryingheartlessnessbehindaprofessor’smask，aresane！Thosewhomarryoldmenandthendeceivethemunderthenosesofall，aresane！I sawyoukissher；Isawyouineachother’sarms！ ASTROFF。Yes，sir，Ididkissher；sothere。[Heputshisthumbtohisnose。] VOITSKI。[Hiseyesonthedoor]No，itistheearththatismad，becauseshestillbearsusonherbreast。 ASTROFF。Thatisnonsense。 VOITSKI。Well？AmInotamadman，andthereforeirresponsible？ Haven’tItherighttotalknonsense？ ASTROFF。Thisisafarce！Youarenotmad；youaresimplyaridiculousfool。Iusedtothinkeveryfoolwasoutofhissenses，butnowIseethatlackofsenseisaman’snormalstate，andyouareperfectlynormal。 VOITSKI。[Covershisfacewithhishands]Oh！IfyouknewhowashamedIam！Thesepiercingpangsofshamearelikenothingonearth。[Inanagonisedvoice]Ican’tendurethem！[Heleansagainstthetable]WhatcanIdo？WhatcanIdo？ ASTROFF。Nothing。 VOITSKI。Youmusttellmesomething！Oh，myGod！Iamforty-sevenyearsold。Imaylivetosixty；Istillhavethirteenyearsbeforeme；aneternity！HowshallIbeabletoendurelifeforthirteenyears？WhatshallIdo？HowcanIfillthem？Oh，don’tyousee？[HepressesASTROFF’Shandconvulsively]Don’tyousee，ifonlyIcouldlivetherestofmylifeinsomenewway！IfI couldonlywakesomestill，brightmorningandfeelthatlifehadbegunagain；thatthepastwasforgottenandhadvanishedlikesmoke。[Heweeps]Oh，tobeginlifeanew！Tellme，tellmehowtobegin。 ASTROFF。[Crossly]Whatnonsense！WhatsortofanewlifecanyouandIlookforwardto？Wecanhavenohope。 VOITSKI。None？ ASTROFF。None。OfthatIamconvinced。 VOITSKI。Tellmewhattodo。[Heputshishandtohisheart]I feelsuchaburningpainhere。 ASTROFF。[Shoutsangrily]Stop！[Then，moregently]Itmaybethatposterity，whichwilldespiseusforourblindandstupidlives，willfindsomeroadtohappiness；butwe——youandI——havebutonehope，thehopethatwemaybevisitedbyvisions，perhapsbypleasantones，aswelierestinginourgraves。[Sighing]Yes，brother，therewereonlytworespectable，intelligentmeninthiscounty，youandI。Tenyearsorsoofthislifeofours，thismiserablelife，havesuckedusunder，andwehavebecomeascontemptibleandpettyastherest。Butdon’ttrytotalkmeoutofmypurpose！Givemewhatyoutookfromme，willyou？ VOITSKI。Itooknothingfromyou。 ASTROFF。Youtookalittlebottleofmorphineoutofmymedicine-case。[Apause]Listen！Ifyouarepositivelydeterminedtomakeanendtoyourself，gointothewoodsandshootyourselfthere。Giveupthemorphine，ortherewillbealotoftalkandguesswork；peoplewillthinkIgaveittoyou。Idon’tfancyhavingtoperformapost-mortemonyou。DoyouthinkIshouldfinditinteresting？ SONIAcomesin。 VOITSKI。Leavemealone。 ASTROFF。[ToSONIA]Sonia，yourunclehasstolenabottleofmorphineoutofmymedicine-caseandwon’tgiveitup。Tellhimthathisbehaviouris——well，unwise。Ihaven’ttime，Imustbegoing。 SONIA。UncleVanya，didyoutakethemorphine？ ASTROFF。Yes，hetookit。[Apause]Iamabsolutelysure。 SONIA。Giveitup！Whydoyouwanttofrightenus？[Tenderly] Giveitup，UncleVanya！Mymisfortuneisperhapsevengreaterthanyours，butIamnotplungedindespair。Ienduremysorrow，andshallendureituntilmylifecomestoanaturalend。Youmustendureyours，too。[Apause]Giveitup！Dear，darlingUncleVanya。Giveitup！[Sheweeps]Youaresogood，Iamsureyouwillhavepityonusandgiveitup。Youmustendureyoursorrow，UncleVanya；youmustendureit。 VOITSKItakesabottlefromthedrawerofthetableandhandsittoASTROFF。 VOITSKI。Thereitis！[ToSONIA]Andnow，wemustgettoworkatonce；wemustdosomething，orelseIshallnotbeabletoendureit。 SONIA。Yes，yes，towork！Assoonaswehaveseenthemoffweshallgotowork。[Shenervouslystraightensoutthepapersonthetable]Everythingisinamuddle！ ASTROFF。[Puttingthebottleinhiscase，whichhestrapstogether]NowIcanbeoff。 HELENAcomesin。 HELENA。Areyouhere，Ivan？Wearestartinginamoment。GotoAlexander，hewantstospeaktoyou。 SONIA。Go，UncleVanya。[ShetakesVOITSKI’Sarm]Come，youandpapamustmakepeace；thatisabsolutelynecessary。 SONIAandVOITSKIgoout。 HELENA。Iamgoingaway。[ShegivesASTROFFherhand]Good-bye。 ASTROFF。Sosoon？ HELENA。Thecarriageiswaiting。 ASTROFF。Good-bye。 HELENA。Youpromisedmeyouwouldgoawayyourselfto-day。 ASTROFF。Ihavenotforgotten。Iamgoingatonce。[Apause]Wereyoufrightened？Wasitsoterrible？ HELENA。Yes。 ASTROFF。Couldn’tyoustay？Couldn’tyou？To-morrow——intheforest—— HELENA。No。Itisallsettled，andthatiswhyIcanlookyousobravelyintheface。Ourdepartureisfixed。OnethingImustaskofyou：don’tthinktoobadlyofme；Ishouldlikeyoutorespectme。 ASTROFF。Ah！[Withanimpatientgesture]Stay，Iimploreyou！ Confessthatthereisnothingforyoutodointhisworld。Youhavenoobjectinlife；thereisnothingtooccupyyourattention，andsoonerorlateryourfeelingsmustmasteryou。Itisinevitable。ItwouldbebetterifithappenednotinKharkofforinKursk，buthere，innature’slap。Itwouldthenatleastbepoetical，evenbeautiful。Hereyouhavetheforests，thehouseshalfinruinsthatTurgenieffwritesof。 HELENA。Howcomicalyouare！IamangrywithyouandyetIshallalwaysrememberyouwithpleasure。Youareinterestingandoriginal。YouandIwillnevermeetagain，andsoIshalltellyou——whyshouldIconcealit？——thatIamjustalittleinlovewithyou。Come，onemorelastpressureofourhands，andthenletuspartgoodfriends。Letusnotbeareachotheranyillwill。 ASTROFF。[Pressingherhand]Yes，go。[Thoughtfully]Youseemtobesincereandgood，andyetthereissomethingstrangelydisquietingaboutallyourpersonality。Nosoonerdidyouarriveherewithyourhusbandthaneveryonewhomyoufoundbusyandactivelycreatingsomethingwasforcedtodrophisworkandgivehimselfupforthewholesummertoyourhusband’sgoutandyourself。Youandhehaveinfecteduswithyouridleness。Ihavebeensweptoffmyfeet；Ihavenotputmyhandtoathingforweeks，duringwhichsicknesshasbeenrunningitscourseuncheckedamongthepeople，andthepeasantshavebeenpasturingtheircattleinmywoodsandyoungplantations。Gowhereyouwill，youandyourhusbandwillalwayscarrydestructioninyourtrain。Iamjokingofcourse，andyetIamstrangelysurethathadyoustayedhereweshouldhavebeenovertakenbythemostimmensedesolation。Iwouldhavegonetomyruin，andyou——youwouldnothaveprospered。Sogo！Efinitalacomedia！ HELENA。[SnatchingapenciloffASTROFF’Stable，andhidingitwithaquickmovement]Ishalltakethispencilformemory！ ASTROFF。Howstrangeitis。Wemeet，andthensuddenlyitseemsthatwemustpartforever。Thatisthewayinthisworld。Aslongaswearealone，beforeUncleVanyacomesinwithabouquet——allowme——tokissyougood-bye——mayI？[Hekissesheronthecheek]So！Splendid！ HELENA。Iwishyoueveryhappiness。[Sheglancesabouther]Foronceinmylife，Ishall！andscorntheconsequences！[Shekisseshimimpetuously，andtheyquicklypart]Imustgo。 ASTROFF。Yes，go。Ifthecarriageisthere，thenstartatonce。 [Theystandlistening。] ASTROFF。Efinita！ VOITSKI，SEREBRAKOFF，MME。VOITSKAYAwithherbook，TELEGIN，andSONIAcomein。 SEREBRAKOFF。[ToVOITSKI]Shameonhimwhobearsmaliceforthepast。IhavegonethroughsomuchinthelastfewhoursthatI feelcapableofwritingawholetreatiseontheconductoflifefortheinstructionofposterity。Igladlyacceptyourapology，andmyselfaskyourforgiveness。[HekissesVOITSKIthreetimes。] HELENAembracesSONIA。 SEREBRAKOFF。[KissingMME。VOITSKAYA’Shand]Mother！ MME。VOITSKAYA。[Kissinghim]Haveyourpicturetaken，Alexander，andsendmeone。Youknowhowdearyouaretome。 TELEGIN。Good-bye，yourExcellency。Don’tforgetus。 SEREBRAKOFF。[Kissinghisdaughter]Good-bye，good-byeall。 [ShakinghandswithASTROFF]Manythanksforyourpleasantcompany。Ihaveadeepregardforyouropinionsandyourenthusiasm，butletme，asanoldman，giveonewordofadviceatparting：dosomething，myfriend！Work！Dosomething！[Theyallbow]Goodlucktoyouall。[HegoesoutfollowedbyMME。 VOITSKAYAandSONIA。] VOITSKI[KissingHELENA’Shandfervently]Good-bye——forgiveme。I shallneverseeyouagain！ HELENA。[Touched]Good-bye，dearboy。 Shelightlykisseshisheadashebendsoverherhand，andgoesout。 ASTROFF。Tellthemtobringmycarriagearoundtoo，Waffles。 TELEGIN。Allright，oldman。 ASTROFFandVOITSKIareleftbehindalone。ASTROFFcollectshispaintsanddrawingmaterialsonthetableandpacksthemawayinabox。 ASTROFF。Whydon’tyougotoseethemoff？ VOITSKI。Letthemgo！I——Ican’tgooutthere。Ifeeltoosad。I mustgotoworkonsomethingatonce。Towork！Towork！ Herummagesthroughhispapersonthetable。Apause。Thetinklingofbellsisheardasthehorsestrotaway。 ASTROFF。Theyhavegone！Theprofessor，Isuppose，isgladtogo。 Hecouldn’tbetemptedbacknowbyafortune。 MARINAcomesin。 MARINA。Theyhavegone。[Shesitsdowninanarm-chairandknitsherstocking。] SONIAcomesinwipinghereyes。 SONIA。Theyhavegone。Godbewiththem。[Toheruncle]Andnow，UncleVanya，letusdosomething！ VOITSKI。Towork！Towork！ SONIA。Itislong，long，sinceyouandIhavesattogetheratthistable。[Shelightsalamponthetable]Noink！[Shetakestheinkstandtothecupboardandfillsitfromanink-bottle]Howsaditistoseethemgo！ MME。VOITSKAYAcomesslowlyin。 MME。VOITSKAYA。Theyhavegone。 Shesitsdownandatoncebecomesabsorbedinherbook。SONIA sitsdownatthetableandlooksthroughanaccountbook。 SONIA。First，UncleVanya，letuswriteuptheaccounts。Theyareinadreadfulstate。Come，begin。YoutakeoneandIwilltaketheother。 VOITSKI。Inaccountwith[Theysitsilentlywriting。] MARINA。[Yawning]Thesand-manhascome。 ASTROFF。Howstillitis。Theirpensscratch，thecricketsings； itissowarmandcomfortable。Ihatetogo。[Thetinklingofbellsisheard。] ASTROFF。Mycarriagehascome。Therenowremainsbuttosaygood-byetoyou，myfriends，andtomytablehere，andthen——away！[Heputsthemapintotheportfolio。] MARINA。Don’thurryaway；sitalittlelongerwithus。 ASTROFF。Impossible。 VOITSKI。[Writing]Andcarryforwardfromtheolddebttwoseventy-five—— WORKMANcomesin。 WORKMAN。Yourcarriageiswaiting，sir。 ASTROFF。Allright。[HehandstheWORKMANhismedicine-case，portfolio，andbox]Lookout，don’tcrushtheportfolio！ WORKMAN。Verywell，sir。 SONIA。Whenshallweseeyouagain？ ASTROFF。Hardlybeforenextsummer。Probablynotthiswinter，though，ofcourse，ifanythingshouldhappenyouwillletmeknow。[Heshakeshandswiththem]Thankyouforyourkindness，foryourhospitality，foreverything！[HegoesuptoMARINAandkissesherhead]Good-bye，oldnurse！ MARINA。Areyougoingwithoutyourtea？ ASTROFF。Idon’twantany，nurse。 MARINA。Won’tyouhaveadropofvodka？ ASTROFF。[Hesitatingly]Yes，Imight。 MARINAgoesout。 ASTROFF。[Afterapause]Myoff-wheelerhasgonelameforsomereason。InoticedityesterdaywhenPeterwastakinghimtowater。 VOITSKI。Youshouldhavehimre-shod。 ASTROFF。Ishallhavetogoaroundbytheblacksmith’sonmywayhome。Itcan’tbeavoided。[HestandslookingupatthemapofAfricahangingonthewall]IsupposeitisroastinghotinAfricanow。 VOITSKI。Yes，Isupposeitis。 MARINAcomesbackcarryingatrayonwhichareaglassofvodkaandapieceofbread。 MARINA。Helpyourself。 ASTROFFdrinksMARINA。Toyourgoodhealth！[Shebowsdeeply]Eatyourbreadwithit。 ASTROFF。No，Ilikeitso。Andnow，good-bye。[ToMARINA]Youneedn’tcomeouttoseemeoff，nurse。 Hegoesout。SONIAfollowshimwithacandletolighthimtothecarriage。MARINAsitsdowninherarmchair。 VOITSKI。[Writing]Onthe2dofFebruary，twentypoundsofbutter；onthe16th，twentypoundsofbutteragain。Buckwheatflour——[Apause。Bellsareheardtinkling。] MARINA。Hehasgone。[Apause。] SONIAcomesinandsetsthecandlestickonthetable。 SONIA。Hehasgone。 VOITSKI。[Addingandwriting]Total，fifteen——twenty-five—— SONIAsitsdownandbeginstowrite。 [Yawning]Oh，ho！TheLordhavemercy。 TELEGINcomesinontiptoe，sitsdownnearthedoor，andbeginstotunehisguitar。 VOITSKI。[ToSONIA，strokingherhair]Oh，mychild，Iammiserable；ifyouonlyknewhowmiserableIam！ SONIA。Whatcanwedo？Wemustliveourlives。[Apause]Yes，weshalllive，UncleVanya。Weshalllivethroughthelongprocessionofdaysbeforeus，andthroughthelongevenings；weshallpatientlybearthetrialsthatfateimposesonus；weshallworkforotherswithoutrest，bothnowandwhenweareold；andwhenourlasthourcomesweshallmeetithumbly，andthere，beyondthegrave，weshallsaythatwehavesufferedandwept，thatourlifewasbitter，andGodwillhavepityonus。Ah，thendear，dearUncle，weshallseethatbrightandbeautifullife；weshallrejoiceandlookbackuponoursorrowhere；atendersmile——and——weshallrest。Ihavefaith，Uncle，fervent，passionatefaith。[SONIAkneelsdownbeforeheruncleandlaysherheadonhishands。Shespeaksinawearyvoice]Weshallrest。[TELEGINplayssoftlyontheguitar]Weshallrest。Weshallheartheangels。Weshallseeheavenshininglikeajewel。 Weshallseeallevilandallourpainsinkawayinthegreatcompassionthatshallenfoldtheworld。Ourlifewillbeaspeacefulandtenderandsweetasacaress。Ihavefaith；Ihavefaith。[Shewipesawayhertears]Mypoor，poorUncleVanya，youarecrying！[Weeping]Youhaveneverknownwhathappinesswas，butwait，UncleVanya，wait！Weshallrest。[Sheembraceshim]Weshallrest。[TheWATCHMAN’Srattleisheardinthegarden； TELEGINplayssoftly；MME。VOITSKAYAwritessomethingonthemarginofherpamphlet；MARINAknitsherstocking]Weshallrest。 Thecurtainslowlyfalls。