The Cherry Orchard

It’s all very fine and expressive, only there’s no understanding it. I’ve a sort of liking for him too. He loves me to distraction. He’s an unfortunate man; every day there’s something. They tease him about it⁠—two and twenty misfortunes they call him. Lopahin Listening. There! I do believe they’re coming. Dunyasha They are coming! What’s the matter with me?⁠ ⁠… I’m cold all over. Lopahin They really are coming. Let’s go and meet them. Will she know me? It’s five years since I saw her. Dunyasha In a flutter. I shall drop this very minute.⁠ ⁠… Ah, I shall drop. There is a sound of two carriages driving up to the house. Lopahin and Dunyasha go out quickly. The stage is left empty. A noise is heard in the adjoining rooms. Firs, who has driven to meet Madame Ranevsky, crosses the stage hurriedly leaning on a stick. He is wearing old-fashioned livery and a high hat. He says something to himself, but not a word can be distinguished. The noise behind the scenes goes on increasing. A voice: “Come, let’s go in here.” Enter Lyubov Andreyevna, Anya, and Charlotta Ivanonva with a pet dog on a chain, all in travelling dresses, Varya in an outdoor coat with a kerchief over her head, Gaev, Semyonov-Pishtchik, Lopahin, Dunyasha with bag and parasol, servants with other articles. All walk across the room. Anya Let’s come in here. Do you remember what room this is, mamma? Lyubov Joyfully, through her tears. The nursery! Varya How cold it is, my hands are numb. To Lyubov Andreyevna. Your rooms, the white room and the lavender one, are just the same as ever, mamma. Lyubov My nursery, dear delightful room.⁠ ⁠… I used to sleep here when I was little⁠ ⁠… cries. And here I am, like a little child⁠ ⁠… kisses her brother and Varya, and then her brother again. Varya’s just the same as ever, like a nun. And I knew Dunyasha kisses Dunyasha. Gaev The train was two hours late. What do you think of that? Is that the way to do things? Charlotta To Pishtchik. My dog eats nuts, too. Pishtchik Wonderingly. Fancy that! They all go out except Anya and Dunyasha. Dunyasha We’ve been expecting you so long takes Anya’s hat and coat. Anya I haven’t slept for four nights on the journey. I feel dreadfully cold. Dunyasha You set out in Lent, there was snow and frost, and now? My darling! Laughs and kisses her. I have missed you, my precious, my joy. I must tell you⁠ ⁠… I can’t put it off a minute.⁠ ⁠… Anya Wearily. What now? Dunyasha Epihodov, the clerk, made me a proposal just after Easter. Anya It’s always the same thing with you⁠ ⁠… straightening her hair. I’ve lost all my hairpins⁠ ⁠… she is staggering from exhaustion. Dunyasha I don’t know what to think, really. He does love me, he does love me so! Anya Looking towards her door, tenderly. My own room, my windows just as though I had never gone away. I’m home! Tomorrow morning I shall get up and run into the garden.⁠ ⁠… Oh, if I could get to sleep! I haven’t slept all the journey, I was so anxious and worried. Dunyasha Pyotr Sergeyevitch came the day before yesterday. Anya Joyfully. Petya! Dunyasha He’s asleep in the bath house, he has settled in there. I’m afraid of being in their way, says he. Glancing at her watch. I was to have waked him, but Varvara Mihalovna told me not to. Don’t you wake him, says she. Enter Varya with a bunch of keys at her waist. Varya Dunyasha, coffee and make haste.⁠ ⁠… Mamma’s asking for coffee. Dunyasha This very minute goes out. Varya Well, thank God, you’ve come. You’re home again petting her. My little darling has come back! My precious beauty has come back again! Anya I have had a time of it! Varya I can fancy! Anya We set off in Holy Week⁠—it was so cold then, and all the way Charlotta would talk and show off her tricks. What did you want to burden me with Charlotta for? Varya You couldn’t have travelled all alone, darling. At seventeen! Anya We got to Paris at last, it was cold there⁠—snow. I speak French shockingly. Mamma lives on the fifth floor, I went up to her, and there were a lot of French people, ladies, an old priest with a book. The place smelt of tobacco and so comfortless. I felt sorry, oh! so sorry for mamma all at once, I put my arms round her neck, and hugged her and wouldn’t let her go. Mamma was as kind as she could be, and she cried.⁠ ⁠… Varya Through her tears. Don’t speak of it, don’t speak of it! Anya She had sold her villa at Mentone, she had nothing left, nothing. I hadn’t a farthing left either, we only just had enough to get here. And mamma doesn’t understand! When we had dinner at the stations, she always ordered the most expensive things and gave the waiters a whole rouble. Charlotta’s just the same. Yasha too must have the same as we do; it’s simply awful. You know Yasha is mamma’s valet now, we brought him here with us. Varya Yes, I’ve seen the young rascal. Anya Well, tell me⁠—have you paid the arrears on the mortgage? Varya How could we get the money? Anya Oh, dear! Oh, dear! Varya In August the place will be sold. Anya My goodness! Lopahin Peeps in at the door and moo’s like a cow. Moo! Disappears. Varya Weeping. There, that’s what I could do to him shakes her fist. Anya Embracing Varya, softly. Varya, has he made you an offer? Varya shakes her head. Why, but he loves you. Why is it you don’t come to an understanding? What are you waiting for? Varya I believe that there never will be anything between us. He has a lot to do, he has no time for me⁠ ⁠… and