Act II - Page 2

respected, now that I am old?

HELENA
No one is disputing your rights. [The window slams in the wind] The wind is rising, I must shut the window. [She shuts it] We shall have rain in a moment. Your rights have never been questioned by anybody.

The WATCHMAN in the garden sounds his rattle.

SEREBRAKOFF
I have spent my life working in the interests of learning. I am used to my library and the lecture hall and to the esteem and admiration of my colleagues. Now I suddenly find myself plunged in this wilderness, condemned to see the same stupid people from morning till night and listen to their futile conversation. I want to live; I long for success and fame and the stir of the world, and here I am in exile! Oh, it is dreadful to spend every moment grieving for the lost past, to see the success of others and sit here with nothing to do but to fear death. I cannot stand it! It is more than I can bear. And you will not even forgive me for being old!

HELENA
Wait, have patience; I shall he old myself in four or five years.

SONIA comes in.

SONIA
Father, you sent for Dr. Astroff, and now when he comes you refuse to see him. It is not nice to give a man so much trouble for nothing.

SEREBRAKOFF
What do I care about your Astroff? He understands medicine about as well as I understand astronomy.

SONIA
We can't send for the whole medical faculty, can we, to treat your gout?

SEREBRAKOFF
I won't talk to that madman!

SONIA
Do as you please. It's all the same to me. [She sits down.]

SEREBRAKOFF
What time is it?

HELENA
One o'clock.

SEREBRAKOFF
It is stifling in here. Sonia, hand me that bottle on the table.

SONIA
Here it is. [She hands him a bottle of medicine.]

SEREBRAKOFF
[Crossly] No, not that one! Can't you understand me? Can't I ask you to do a thing?

SONIA
Please don't be captious with me. Some people may like it, but you must spare me, if you please, because I don't. Besides, I haven't the time; we are cutting the hay to-morrow and I must get up early.

VOITSKI comes in dressed in a long gown and carrying a candle.

VOITSKI
A thunderstorm is coming up. [The lightning flashes] There it is! Go to bed, Helena and Sonia. I have come to take your place.

SEREBRAKOFF
[Frightened] No, n o, no! Don't leave me alone with him! Oh, don't. He will begin to lecture me.

VOITSKI
But you must give them a little rest. They have not slept for two nights.

SEREBRAKOFF
Then let them go to bed, but you go away too! Thank you. I implore you to go. For the sake of our former friendship do not protest against going. We will talk some other time---

VOITSKI
Our former friendship! Our former---

SONIA
Hush, Uncle Vanya!