Ivanov

away from him. He leads diamonds, but I play hearts again; he diamonds.⁠ ⁠… Well, I made no tricks. To Lebedyev. We play four clubs. I had the ace, the queen, and five more clubs in my hand, the ace, the ten, and two more spades.⁠ ⁠… Lebedyev Putting his fingers in his ears. Spare me, for mercy’s sake, spare me! Kossih To the Count. Do you see: the ace, the queen, and five more clubs, the ace, the ten, and two more spades.⁠ ⁠… Shabelsky Waving him off. Go away; I don’t want to hear you! Kossih And all at once such ill-luck: my ace of spades was trumped in the first round. Shabelsky Picking up a revolver from the table. Go away, I’ll shoot!⁠ ⁠… Kossih Waves his hand. Damnation take it.⁠ ⁠… Is there nobody one can say a word to? One might be in Australia: no common interests, no sympathy.⁠ ⁠… They are all absorbed in themselves.⁠ ⁠… I must go, though⁠ ⁠… it’s time snatches up his cap. Time is precious shakes hands with Lebedyev. Pass! Laughter. Kossih goes out, and in the doorway stumbles against Avdotya Nazarovna. Avdotya Screams. Plague take you! Knocking me off my feet! All A‑ah! she is everywhere at once! Avdotya So this is where they are, and I have been looking all over the house. Good morning! my bright falcons, enjoying your meal? Greets them. Lebedyev What have you come about? Avdotya Business, my good sir. To the Count. Business that concerns you, your Excellency bows. I was told to greet you and inquire after your health.⁠ ⁠… And my pretty poppet bid me say that if you don’t come and see her this evening, she will cry her eyes out. Take him aside, my dear, she said, and whisper it into his ear in secret. But what’s the need of secrets? We are old friends here. Besides, it’s not as if we were robbing a hen-roost, but aiming at lawful wedlock with the love and mutual consent of both parties. Sinful woman that I am, I never touch a drop, but on such an occasion, I will have a glass! Lebedyev And I’ll have one too fills the glasses. And you, old crow, seem none the worse for wear. You were an old woman when I met you first, thirty years ago. Avdotya I’ve lost count of the years.⁠ ⁠… I’ve buried two husbands, and would marry a third, but no one cares to take me without a dowry. I had eight children⁠ ⁠… takes the glass. Well, please God, we’ve begun a good work and God grant we finish it! They will live and prosper and we shall look at them and rejoice. God give them love and good counsel! Drinks. It’s stiff vodka! Shabelsky Laughing, to Lebedyev. But what’s the oddest thing of all, you know, is that they seriously think that I⁠ ⁠… It’s amazing! Gets up. What do you think, Pasha⁠—shall I really play this dirty trick? For mischief.⁠ ⁠… Why should not the old dog snap up his bone, Pasha, eh? Lebedyev You are talking nonsense, Count. It’s time for you and me to think of kicking the bucket; the time for Marfas and roubles has passed long ago.⁠ ⁠… Our day is over. Shabelsky No, I will do it⁠—on my honour, I will! Enter Ivanov and Lvov. Lvov I beg you to spare me only five minutes. Lebedyev Nikolasha! Goes up to Ivanov and kisses him. Good morning, my dear boy. I have been waiting for you for a good hour. Avdotya Bows. Good morning, sir. Ivanov Bitterly. Gentlemen, again you’ve turned my study into a drinking bar!⁠ ⁠… A thousand times I have asked each and all of you not to do it⁠ ⁠… goes up to the table. There, now⁠ ⁠… you’ve spilt vodka over my papers⁠ ⁠… here are crumbs and bits of cucumber.⁠ ⁠… It’s disgusting! Lebedyev I am sorry, Nikolasha, I am sorry.⁠ ⁠… Forgive us. I want to talk to you, dear boy, about something very important.⁠ ⁠… Borkin And I, too. Lvov Nikolay Alexeyevitch, can I have a word with you? Ivanov Pointing to Lebedyev. You see he wants me too. Wait a little; you can come afterwards.⁠ ⁠… To Lebedyev. What is it? Lebedyev Gentlemen, I want to have a confidential talk. Please.⁠ ⁠… The Count goes out with Avdotya Nazarovna, Borkin follows them, then Lvov. Ivanov Pasha, you may drink as much as you like⁠—it’s an illness with you; but I beg you not to lead Uncle into it. He never used to drink before. It’s bad for him. Lebedyev Alarmed. My dear, I did not know.⁠ ⁠… I did not even notice.⁠ ⁠… Ivanov If, which God forbid, the old baby should die, it wouldn’t matter to you, but it would to me.⁠ ⁠… What is it you want? A pause. Lebedyev You see, my dear friend.⁠ ⁠… I don’t know how to begin to make it sound less shameless.⁠ ⁠… Nikolasha, I am ashamed, I blush, I can’t bring myself to say it, but, my dear boy, put yourself in my position⁠—realise that I am a man in bondage, a nigger, a rag.⁠ ⁠… Forgive me.⁠ ⁠… Ivanov What is it? Lebedyev My wife has sent me.⁠ ⁠… Do me a favour⁠—be a friend, pay her your interest! You wouldn’t believe how she nags at me, drives me, wears me out! Do get rid of her, for goodness’ sake!⁠ ⁠… Ivanov Pasha, you know I have no money just now. Lebedyev I know, I know; but what am I to do? She won’t wait. If she summons you, how can Sasha and I ever look you in the face again? Ivanov I am ashamed myself, Pasha⁠—I should like to sink into the earth; but⁠ ⁠… but where am I to get it? Tell me, where? The only thing is to wait till the autumn, when I sell the corn. Lebedyev Shouts. She won’t wait! A pause. Ivanov Your position is unpleasant and difficult, and mine is worse still walks up and down thinking. And there