The Three Sisters / Три сестры

[Takes a scent-bottle out of his pocket and sprinkles his chest and hands.]

C h e b u t i k i n. [Laughs] It’s quite true, I never have worked. After I came down from the university I never stirred a finger or opened a book, I just read the papers. … [Takes another newspaper out of his pocket] Here we are. … I’ve learnt from the papers that there used to be one, Dobrolubov, for instance, but what he wrote – I don’t know … God only knows. … [Somebody is heard tapping on the floor from below] There.

… They’re calling me downstairs, somebody’s come to see me. I’ll be back in a minute … won’t be long. … [Exit hurriedly, scratching his beard.]

I r i n a. He’s up to something.

T u z e n b a c h. Yes, he looked so pleased as he went out that I’m pretty certain he’ll bring you a present in a moment.

I r i n a. How unpleasant!

O l g a. Yes, it’s awful. He’s always doing silly things.

M a s h a.

“There stands a green oak by the sea.

And a chain of bright gold is around it …

And a chain of bright gold is around it.

…”

[Gets up and sings softly.]

O l g a. You’re not very bright today, Masha. [Masha sings, putting on her hat] Where are you off to?

M a s h a. Home.

I r i n a. That’s odd. …

T u z e n b a c h. On a name-day, too!

M a s h a. It doesn’t matter. I’ll come in the evening. Good-bye, dear. [Kisses Masha] Many happy returns, though I’ve said it before. In the old days when father was alive, every time we had a name-day, thirty or forty officers used to come, and there was lots of noise and fun, and today there’s only a man and a half, and it’s as quiet as a desert … I’m off … I’ve got the hump today, and am not at all cheerful, so don’t you mind me.

[Laughs through her tears] We’ll have a talk later on, but good-bye for the present, my dear; I’ll go somewhere.

I r i n a. [Displeased] You are queer. …

O l g a. [Crying] I understand you, Masha.

S o l e n i. When a man talks philosophy, well, it is philosophy or at any rate sophistry; but when a woman, or two women, talk philosophy – it’s all my eye.

M a s h a. What do you mean by that, you very awful man?

S o l e n i. Oh, nothing. You came down on me before I could say … help! [Pause.]

M a s h a. [Angrily, to Olga] Don’t cry!

[Enter Anfisa and Ferapont with a cake.]

A n f i s a. This way, my dear. Come in, your feet are clean.