Act III - Page 2

[He goes out.]

SONIA
Autumn roses, beautiful, sorrowful roses!

[She and HELENA stand looking out of the window.]

HELENA
September already! How shall we live through the long winter here? [A pause] Where is the doctor?

SONIA
He is writing in Uncle Vanya's room. I am glad Uncle Vanya has gone out, I want to talk to you about something.

HELENA
About what?

SONIA
About what?

[She lays her head on HELENA'S breast.]

HELENA
[Stroking her hair] There, there, that will do. Don't, Sonia.

SONIA
I am ugly!

HELENA
You have lovely hair.

SONIA
Don't say that! [She turns to look at herself in the glass] No, when a woman is ugly they always say she has beautiful hair or eyes. I have loved him now for six years, I have loved him more than one loves one's mother. I seem to hear him beside me every moment of the day. I feel the pressure of his hand on mine. If I look up, I seem to see him coming, and as you see, I run to you to talk of him. He is here every day now, but he never looks at me, he does not notice my presence. It is agony. I have absolutely no hope, no, no hope. Oh, my God! Give me strength to endure. I prayed all last night. I often go up to him and speak to him and look into his eyes. My pride is gone. I am not mistress of myself. Yesterday I told Uncle Vanya I couldn't control myself, and all the servants know it. Every one knows that I love him.

HELENA
Does he?

SONIA
No, he never notices me.

HELENA
[Thoughtfully] He is a strange man. Listen, Sonia, will you allow me to speak to him? I shall be careful, only hint. [A pause] Really, to be in uncertainty all these years! Let me do it!

SONIA nods an affirmative.

HELENA
Splendid! It will be easy to find out whether he loves you or not. Don't be ashamed, sweetheart, don't worry. I shall be careful; he will not notice a thing. We only want to find out whether it is yes or no, don't we? [A pause] And if it is no, then he must keep away from here, is that so?

SONIA nods.

HELENA
It will be easier not to see him any more. We won't put off the examination an instant. He said he had a sketch to show me. Go and tell him at once that I want to see him.

SONIA
[In great excitement] Will you tell me the whole truth?

HELENA
Of course I will. I am sure that no matter what it is, it will be easier for you to bear than this uncertainty. Trust to me, dearest.

SONIA
Yes, yes. I shall say that you want to see his sketch. [She starts out, but stops near the door and looks back] No, it is better not to know--and yet--there may be hope.

HELENA
What do you say?

SONIA
Nothing. [She goes out.]

HELENA
[Alone] There is no greater sorrow than to know