Act IV

VOITSKI'S bedroom, which is also his office. A table stands near the window; on it are ledgers, letter scales, and papers of every description. Near by stands a smaller table belonging to ASTROFF, with his paints and drawing materials. On the wall hangs a cage containing a starling. There is also a map of Africa on the wall, obviously of no use to anybody. There is a large sofa covered with buckram. A door to the left leads into an inner room; one to the right leads into the front hall, and before this door lies a mat for the peasants with their muddy boots to stand on. It is an autumn evening. The silence is profound. TELEGIN and MARINA are sitting facing one another, winding wool.

TELEGIN
Be quick, Marina, or we shall be called away to say good-bye before you have finished. The carriage has already been ordered.

MARINA
[Trying to wind more quickly] I am a little tired.

TELEGIN
They are going to Kharkoff to live.

MARINA
They do well to go.

TELEGIN
They have been frightened. The professor's wife won't stay here an hour longer. "If we are going at all, let's be off," says she, "we shall go to Kharkoff and look about us, and then we can send for our things." They are travelling light. It seems, Marina, that fate has decreed for them not to live here.

MARINA
And quite rightly. What a storm they have just raised! It was shameful!

TELEGIN
It was indeed. The scene was worthy of the brush of Aibazofski.

MARINA
I wish I'd never laid eyes on them. [A pause] Now we shall have things as they were again: tea at eight, dinner at one, and supper in the evening; everything in order as decent folks, as Christians like to have it. [Sighs] It is a long time since I have eaten noodles.

TELEGIN
Yes, we haven't had noodles for ages. [A pause] Not for ages. As I was going through the village this morning, Marina, one of the shop-keepers called after me, "Hi! you hanger-on!" I felt it bitterly.

MARINA
Don't pay the least attention to them, master; we are all dependents on God. You and Sonia and all of us. Every one must work, no one can sit idle. Where is Sonia?

TELEGIN
In the garden with the doctor, looking for Ivan. They fear he may lay violent hands on himself.

MARINA
Where is his pistol?

TELEGIN
[Whispers] I hid it in the cellar.

VOITSKI and ASTROFF come in.

VOITSKI
Leave me alone! [To MARINA and TELEGIN] Go away! Go away and leave me to myself, if but for an hour. I won't have you watching me like this!

TELEGIN
Yes, yes, Vanya. [He goes out on tiptoe.]

MARINA
The gander cackles; ho! ho! ho!

[She gathers up her wool and goes out.]

VOITSKI
Leave me by myself!

ASTROFF
I would, with the greatest pleasure. I ought to have gone long ago, but I