ISLAYEV. Of course ... of course.
RAKITIN. It's time for me to start.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. You are going away?
RAKITIN. Yes. ... I am going.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [to herself]. Ah! Well, now I understand.
KOLYA [to ISLAYEV]. Papa . ..
ISLAYEV. What do you want?
KOLYA. Why has Alexey Nikolaitch gone out?
ISLAYEV. Where's he gone?
KOLYA. I don't know. . . He kissed me, put on his cap and went out. . . . And it's time for my Russian lesson.
ISLAYEV. I expect he'll be back soon. . . . We can send to look for him, though.
RAKITIN [aside to ISLAYEV]. Don't send after him, Arkady, he won't come back. [ANNA SEMYONOVNA tries to overhear; SHPIGELSKY is whispering with LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA.]
ISLAYEV. What's the meaning of that?
RAKITIN. He's going away, too.
ISLAYEV. Going away . . . where?
RAKITIN. To Moscow.
ISLAYEV. To Moscow? Why, is everybody going mad to-day, or what?
RAKITIN [in a still lower voice]. Well, the fact is ... Verotchka's fallen in love with him ... so being an honourable man he decided to go. [ISLAYEV, flinging up his hands, sinks into an arm-chair.] You understand now, why. . . .
ISLAYEV [leaping up]. Understand? I understand nothing. My head's going round. What is one to make of it? All fluttering off in different directions like a lot of partridges, and all because they're honourable men. . . . And all at once on the same day. . . .
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [coming up from one side]. But what's this? Mr. Beliayev, you say . . .
ISLAYEV [shouts hysterically]. Never mind, Mamma, never mind! Herr Schaaf, kindly give Kolya his lesson now instead of Mr. Beliayev. Take him away.
SCHAAF. Yes, Sir. [Takes KOLYA'S hand.]
KOLYA. But, Papa . . .
ISLAYEV [shouting]. Go along, go along! [SCHAAF leads KOLYA away.] I'll come part of the way with you, Rakitin. . . . I'll have my horse saddled, and wait for you at the dam. . . . And you, Mamma, meanwhile, for God's sake, don't disturb Natasha, nor you either, Doctor. . . . Matvey! Matvey! [Goes out hurriedly. ANNA SEMYONOVNA sits down with melancholy dignity. LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA takes her stand behind her. ANNA SEMYONOVNA turns her eyes upwards, as though disclaiming all connexion with what is going on around her.]
SHPIGELSKY [slyly and stealthily to RAKITIN]. Well, Mihail Alexandritch, may I have the honour of driving you along the high road with my three new horses?
RAKITIN. Why? Have you got the horses already?
SHPIGELSKY [discreetly]. I had a little talk with Vera Alexandrovna. ... So may I?
RAKITIN. By all means! [Bows to ANNA SEMYONOVNA.] Anna Semyonovna, I have the honour to ...
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [still as majestically, not getting up]. Good-bye, Mihail Alexandritch.... I wish you a successful journey. . . .
RAKITIN. I thank you . . . Lizaveta Bogdanovna. . . . [Bows to her. She curtsies in reply. He goes into outer room.]
SHPIGELSKY [going up to kiss ANNA SEMYONOVNA'S hand]. Good-bye, gracious lady. .. .
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [less majestically but still severely], Ah! you are going too, Doctor. . . .
SHPIGELSKY. Yes. My patients, you know, madam. . . . Besides, you see my presence here is not needed. [As he bows himself out, winks slyly at LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA, who replies with a smile.] Good-bye for the present. . . . [Runs off after RAKITIN.]
ANNA SEMYONOVNA [lets him disappear, then folding her arms, turns deliberately to LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA]. And what do you think of all this, my dear, pray?
LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA [sighing]. I really don't know what to say, Anna Semyonovna.
ANNA SEMYONOVNA. Did you hear, Beliayev too has gone? . . .
LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA [sighing again]. Ah, Anna Semyonovna, perhaps I, too, may not be staying here much longer. ... I too am going away. [ANNA SEMYONOVNA stares at her in unutterable amazement. LIZAVETA BOGDANOVNA stands before her, without raising her eyes.]
CURTAIN
THE END
