[Going into the house, to the maid] Why is there a fork lying about on this seat. I ask you? [Shouts] Hold your tongue!
KULYGIN. She's at it!
[Behind the scenes the band plays a march; they all listen.]
OLGA. They're going.
[Enter CHEBUTYKIN.]
MASHA. Our friends are going. Well . . . a happy journey to them! [To her husband] We must go home. . . . Where are my hat and cape?
KULYGIN. I took them into the house . . . I'll get them directly. . . .
OLGA. Yes, now we can all go home, it's time.
CHEBUTYKIN. Olga Sergeyevna!
OLGA. What is it? [a pause] What?
CHEBUTYKIN. Nothing. . . . I don't know how to tell you. [Whispers in her ear.]
OLGA [in alarm]. It can't be!
CHEBUTYKIN. Yes . . . such a business. . . . I'm so worried and worn out, I don't want to say another word. . . . [With vexation] But, it doesn't matter!
MASHA. What's happened?
OLGA [puts her arms round IRINA]. This is a terrible day. . . . I don't know how to tell you, my precious. . . .
IRINA. What is it? Tell me quickly, what is it? For God's sake! [Cries]
CHEBUTYKIN. The baron has just been killed in a duel.
IRINA [weeping quietly]. I knew, I knew. . . .
CHEBUTYKIN [in the background of the scene sits down on a garden seat]. I'm worn out . . . [takes a newspaper out of his pocket]. Let them cry. . . . [Sings softly] 'Tarara-boom-dee-ay' . . . It doesn't matter.
[The three sisters stand with their arms round one another.]
MASHA. Oh, listen to that band! They're going away from us; one has gone altogether, gone forever. We're left alone to begin our life over again, . . . We've got to live . . . we've got to live, . . .
IRINA [lays her head on OLGA'S bosom]. A time will come when everyone will know what all this is for, why there is this misery; there will be no mysteries and, meanwhile, we have got to live . . . we have got to work, only to work! Tomorrow I'll go alone; I'll teach in the school, and I'll give all my life to those who may need me. Now it's autumn; soon winter will come and cover us with snow, and I will work, I will work.
OLGA [embraces both her sisters]. The music is so happy, so confident, and you long for life! O my God! Time will pass, and we shall go away for ever, and we shall be forgotten, our faces will be forgotten, our voices, and how many there were of us; but our sufferings will pass into joy for those who will live after us, happiness and peace will be established upon earth, and they will remember kindly and bless those who have lived before. Oh, dear sisters, our life is not ended yet. We shall live! The music is so happy, so joyful, and it seems as though in a little while we shall know what we are living for, why we are suffering. . . . If we only knew -- if we only knew!
[The music grows more and more subdued; KULYGIN, cheerful and smiling, brings the hat and cape; ANDREY pushes the baby carriage
