Selected plays

VOYNITSKY. Let them go! I -- I can't go out there. I feel too sad. I must go to work on something at once. To work! To work!

He rummages through his papers on the table. A pause.

The tinkling of bells is heard as the horses trot away.

ASTROV. They've gone! The professor, I suppose, is glad to go. He couldn't be tempted back now by a fortune.

MARINA comes in.

MARINA. They've gone. [She sits down in an arm-chair and knits her stocking.]

SONYA comes in.

SONYA. They've gone. [Wiping her eyes] God be with them. [To her uncle] And now, Uncle Vanya, let's do something!

VOYNITSKY. To work! To work!

SONYA. It's been a long, long time since you and I have sat together at this table. [She lights a lamp on the table] No ink! [She takes the inkstand to the cupboard and fills it from an ink-bottle] How sad it is to see them go!

MME. VOYNITSKAYA comes slowly in.

MME. VOYNITSKAYA. They have gone.

She sits down and at once becomes absorbed in her book.

SONYA sits down at the table and looks through an account book.

SONYA. First, Uncle Vanya, let's write up the accounts. They're in a dreadful state. Come on, begin. You take one and I'll take the other.

VOYNITSKY. In account with -- Mr. -- [They sit silently writing.]

MARINA. [Yawning] The sand-man has come.

ASTROV. How still it is. Their pens scratch, the cricket sings; it's so warm and comfortable. I hate to go. [The tinkling of bells is heard.]

ASTROV. My carriage has come. There now remains but to say good-bye to you, my friends, and to my table here, and then -- away! [He puts the map into the portfolio.]

MARINA. Don't hurry away; sit a little longer with us.

ASTROV. Impossible.

VOYNITSKY. [Writing] And carry forward from the old debt two roubles seventy-five --

The WORKMAN comes in.

WORKMAN. Your carriage is waiting, sir.

ASTROV. I heard it. [He hands the WORKMAN his medicine-case, portfolio, and suitcase] Look out, don't crush the portfolio!

WORKMAN. Very well, sir. [Goes out]

ASTROV. Well, now -- [Goes to say good-bye]

SONYA. When shall we see you again?

ASTROV. Hardly before next summer. Probably not this winter, though, of course, if anything should happen you'll let me know. [He shakes hands with them] Thank you for your kindness, for your hospitality, for everything! [He goes up to MARINA and kisses her head] Good-bye, old Nanny!