HELENA。Don’tmakesuchanoise。Yourmasterisill。
VOICEOFTHEWATCHMAN。Iamgoingawaythisminute。[Whistlesatune。]
SONIA。[Comesback]Hesays，no。
Thecurtainfalls。
ACTIII
Thedrawing-roomofSEREBRAKOFF’Shouse。Therearethreedoors：
onetotheright，onetotheleft，andoneinthecentreoftheroom。VOITSKIandSONIAaresittingdown。HELENAiswalkingupanddown，absorbedinthought。
VOITSKI。Wewereaskedbytheprofessortobehereatoneo’clock。[Looksathiswatch]Itisnowaquartertoone。Itseemshehassomecommunicationtomaketotheworld。
HELENA。Probablyamatterofbusiness。
VOITSKI。Heneverhadanybusiness。Hewritestwaddle，grumbles，andeatshisheartoutwithjealousy；that’sallhedoes。
SONIA。[Reproachfully]Uncle！
VOITSKI。Allright。Ibegyourpardon。[HepointstoHELENA]Lookather。Wanderingupanddownfromsheeridleness。Asweetpicture，really。
HELENA。Iwonderyouarenotbored，droningoninthesamekeyfrommorningtillnight。[Despairingly]Iamdyingofthistedium。WhatshallIdo？
SONIA。[Shrugginghershoulders]Thereisplentytodoifyouwould。
HELENA。Forinstance？
SONIA。Youcouldhelprunthisplace，teachthechildren，careforthesick——isn’tthatenough？Beforeyouandpapacame，UncleVanyaandIusedtogotomarketourselvestodealinflour。
HELENA。Idon’tknowanythingaboutsuchthings，andbesides，theydon’tinterestme。Itisonlyinnovelsthatwomengooutandteachandhealthepeasants；howcanIsuddenlybegintodoit？
SONIA。Howcanyoulivehereandnotdoit？Waitawhile，youwillgetusedtoitall。[Embracesher]Don’tbesad，dearest。
[Laughing]Youfeelmiserableandrestless，andcan’tseemtofitintothislife，andyourrestlessnessiscatching。LookatUncleVanya，hedoesnothingnowbuthauntyoulikeashadow，andI
haveleftmyworkto-daytocomehereandtalkwithyou。Iamgettinglazy，anddon’twanttogoonwithit。Dr。Astroffhardlyeverusedtocomehere；itwasallwecoulddotopersuadehimtovisitusonceamonth，andnowhehasabandonedhisforestryandhispractice，andcomeseveryday。Youmustbeawitch。
VOITSKI。Whyshouldyoulanguishhere？Come，mydearest，mybeauty，besensible！ThebloodofaNixeyrunsinyourveins。Oh，won’tyouletyourselfbeone？Giveyournaturethereinsforonceinyourlife；fallheadoverearsinlovewithsomeotherwaterspriteandplungedownheadfirstintoadeeppool，sothattheHerrProfessorandallofusmayhaveourhandsfreeagain。
HELENA。[Angrily]Leavemealone！Howcruelyouare！[Shetriestogoout。]
VOITSKI。[Preventingher]There，there，mybeauty，Iapologise。
[Hekissesherhand]Forgiveme。
HELENA。Confessthatyouwouldtrythepatienceofanangel。
VOITSKI。AsapeaceofferingIamgoingtofetchsomeflowerswhichIpickedforyouthismorning：someautumnroses，beautiful，sorrowfulroses。[Hegoesout。]
SONIA。Autumnroses，beautiful，sorrowfulroses！
[SheandHELENAstandlookingoutofthewindow。]
HELENA。Septemberalready！Howshallwelivethroughthelongwinterhere？[Apause]Whereisthedoctor？
SONIA。HeiswritinginUncleVanya’sroom。IamgladUncleVanyahasgoneout，Iwanttotalktoyouaboutsomething。
HELENA。Aboutwhat？
SONIA。Aboutwhat？
[ShelaysherheadonHELENA’Sbreast。]
HELENA。[Strokingherhair]There，there，thatwilldo。Don’t，Sonia。
SONIA。Iamugly！
HELENA。Youhavelovelyhair。
SONIA。Don’tsaythat！[Sheturnstolookatherselfintheglass]No，whenawomanisuglytheyalwayssayshehasbeautifulhairoreyes。Ihavelovedhimnowforsixyears，Ihavelovedhimmorethanonelovesone’smother。Iseemtohearhimbesidemeeverymomentoftheday。Ifeelthepressureofhishandonmine。IfIlookup，Iseemtoseehimcoming，andasyousee，I
runtoyoutotalkofhim。Heishereeverydaynow，butheneverlooksatme，hedoesnotnoticemypresence。Itisagony。Ihaveabsolutelynohope，no，nohope。Oh，myGod！Givemestrengthtoendure。Iprayedalllastnight。Ioftengouptohimandspeaktohimandlookintohiseyes。Myprideisgone。Iamnotmistressofmyself。YesterdayItoldUncleVanyaIcouldn’tcontrolmyself，andalltheservantsknowit。EveryoneknowsthatIlovehim。
HELENA。Doeshe？
SONIA。No，henevernoticesme。
HELENA。[Thoughtfully]Heisastrangeman。Listen，Sonia，willyouallowmetospeaktohim？Ishallbecareful，onlyhint。[A
pause]Really，tobeinuncertaintyalltheseyears！Letmedoit！
SONIAnodsanaffirmative。
HELENA。Splendid！Itwillbeeasytofindoutwhetherhelovesyouornot。Don’tbeashamed，sweetheart，don’tworry。Ishallbecareful；hewillnotnoticeathing。Weonlywanttofindoutwhetheritisyesorno，don’twe？[Apause]Andifitisno，thenhemustkeepawayfromhere，isthatso？
SONIAnods。
HELENA。Itwillbeeasiernottoseehimanymore。Wewon’tputofftheexaminationaninstant。Hesaidhehadasketchtoshowme。GoandtellhimatoncethatIwanttoseehim。
SONIA。[Ingreatexcitement]Willyoutellmethewholetruth？
HELENA。OfcourseIwill。Iamsurethatnomatterwhatitis，itwillbeeasierforyoutobearthanthisuncertainty。Trusttome，dearest。
SONIA。Yes，yes。Ishallsaythatyouwanttoseehissketch。
[Shestartsout，butstopsnearthedoorandlooksback]No，itisbetternottoknow——andyet——theremaybehope。
HELENA。Whatdoyousay？
SONIA。Nothing。[Shegoesout。]
HELENA。[Alone]Thereisnogreatersorrowthantoknowanother’ssecretwhenyoucannothelpthem。[Indeepthought]Heisobviouslynotinlovewithher，butwhyshouldn’themarryher？
Sheisnotpretty，butsheissocleverandpureandgood，shewouldmakeasplendidwifeforacountrydoctorofhisyears。[A
pause]Icanunderstandhowthepoorchildfeels。Sheliveshereinthisdesperatelonelinesswithnoonearoundherexceptthesecolourlessshadowsthatgomooningabouttalkingnonsenseandknowingnothingexceptthattheyeat，drink，andsleep。AmongthemappearsfromtimetotimethisDr。Astroff，sodifferent，sohandsome，sointeresting，socharming。Itislikeseeingthemoonriseonadarknight。Oh，tosurrenderoneselftohisembrace！Toloseoneselfinhisarms！Iamalittleinlovewithhimmyself！
Yes，Iamlonelywithouthim，andwhenIthinkofhimIsmile。
ThatUncleVanyasaysIhavethebloodofaNixeyinmyveins：
\"Givereintoyournatureforonceinyourlife！\"PerhapsitisrightthatIshould。Oh，tobefreeasabird，toflyawayfromallyoursleepyfacesandyourtalkandforgetthatyouhaveexistedatall！ButIamacoward，Iamafraid；myconsciencetormentsme。Hecomeshereeverydaynow。Icanguesswhy，andfeelguiltyalready；IshouldliketofallonmykneesatSonia’sfeetandbegherforgiveness，andweep。
ASTROFFcomesincarryingaportfolio。
ASTROFF。Howdoyoudo？[Shakeshandswithher]Doyouwanttoseemysketch？
HELENA。Yes，youpromisedtoshowmewhatyouhadbeendoing。
Haveyoutimenow？
ASTROFF。OfcourseIhave！
Helaystheportfolioonthetable，takesoutthesketchandfastensittothetablewiththumb-tacks。
ASTROFF。Wherewereyouborn？
HELENA。[Helpinghim]InSt。Petersburg。
ASTROFF。Andeducated？
HELENA。AttheConservatorythere。
ASTROFF。Youdon’tfindthislifeveryinteresting，Idaresay？
HELENA。Oh，whynot？ItistrueIdon’tknowthecountryverywell，butIhavereadagreatdealaboutit。
ASTROFF。IhavemyowndeskthereinIvan’sroom。WhenIamabsolutelytooexhaustedtogoonIdropeverythingandrushoverheretoforgetmyselfinthisworkforanhourortwo。IvanandMissSoniasitrattlingattheircounting-boards，thecricketchirps，andIsitbesidethemandpaint，feelingwarmandpeaceful。ButIdon’tpermitmyselfthisluxuryveryoften，onlyonceamonth。[Pointingtothepicture]Lookthere！Thatisamapofourcountryasitwasfiftyyearsago。Thegreentints，bothdarkandlight，representforests。Halfthemap，asyousee，iscoveredwithit。Wherethegreenisstripedwithredtheforestswereinhabitedbyelkandwildgoats。Hereonthislake，livedgreatflocksofswansandgeeseandducks；astheoldmensay，therewasapowerofbirdsofeverykind。Nowtheyhavevanishedlikeacloud。Besidethehamletsandvillages，yousee，Ihavedotteddownhereandtherethevarioussettlements，farms，hermit’scaves，andwater-mills。Thiscountrycarriedagreatmanycattleandhorses，asyoucanseebythequantityofbluepaint。Forinstance，seehowthicklyitliesinthispart；thereweregreatherdsofthemhere，anaverageofthreehorsestoeveryhouse。[Apause]Now，looklowerdown。Thisisthecountryasitwastwenty-fiveyearsago。Onlyathirdofthemapisgreennowwithforests。Therearenogoatsleftandnoelk。Thebluepaintislighter，andsoon，andsoon。Nowwecometothethirdpart；ourcountryasitappearsto-day。Westillseespotsofgreen，butnotmuch。Theelk，theswans，theblack-cockhavedisappeared。Itis，onthewhole，thepictureofaregularandslowdeclinewhichitwillevidentlyonlytakeabouttenorfifteenmoreyearstocomplete。Youmayperhapsobjectthatitisthemarchofprogress，thattheoldordermustgiveplacetothenew，andyoumightberightifroadshadbeenrunthroughtheseruinedwoods，oriffactoriesandschoolshadtakentheirplace。
Thepeoplethenwouldhavebecomebettereducatedandhealthierandricher，butasitis，wehavenothingofthesort。Wehavethesameswampsandmosquitoes；thesamediseaseandwant；thetyphoid，thediphtheria，theburningvillages。Weareconfrontedbythedegradationofourcountry，broughtonbythefiercestruggleforexistenceofthehumanrace。Itistheconsequenceoftheignoranceandunconsciousnessofstarving，shivering，sickhumanitythat，tosaveitschildren，instinctivelysnatchesateverythingthatcanwarmitandstillitshunger。Soitdestroyseverythingitcanlayitshandson，withoutathoughtforthemorrow。Andalmosteverythinghasgone，andnothinghasbeencreatedtotakeitsplace。[Coldly]ButIseebyyourfacethatI
amnotinterestingyou。
HELENA。Iknowsolittleaboutsuchthings！
ASTROFF。Thereisnothingtoknow。Itsimplyisn’tinteresting，that’sall。
HELENA。Frankly，mythoughtswereelsewhere。Forgiveme！Iwanttosubmityoutoalittleexamination，butIamembarrassedanddon’tknowhowtobegin。
ASTROFF。Anexamination？
HELENA。Yes，butquiteaninnocentone。Sitdown。[Theysitdown]
ItisaboutacertainyounggirlIknow。Letusdiscussitlikehonestpeople，likefriends，andthenforgetwhathaspassedbetweenus，shallwe？
ASTROFF。Verywell。
HELENA。Itisaboutmystep-daughter，Sonia。Doyoulikeher？
ASTROFF。Yes，Irespecther。
HELENA。Doyoulikeher——asawoman？
ASTROFF。[Slowly]No。
HELENA。Onemoreword，andthatwillbethelast。Youhavenotnoticedanything？
ASTROFF。No，nothing。
HELENA。[Takinghishand]Youdonotloveher。Iseethatinyoureyes。Sheissuffering。Youmustrealisethat，andnotcomehereanymore。
ASTROFF。Mysunhasset，yes，andthenIhaven’tthetime。
[Shrugginghisshoulders]WhereshallIfindtimeforsuchthings？[Heisembarrassed。
HELENA。Bah！Whatanunpleasantconversation！IamasoutofbreathasifIhadbeenrunningthreemilesuphill。Thankheaven，thatisover！Nowletusforgeteverythingasifnothinghadbeensaid。Youaresensible。Youunderstand。[Apause]Iamactuallyblushing。
ASTROFF。IfyouhadspokenamonthagoImightperhapshaveconsideredit，butnow——[Heshrugshisshoulders]Ofcourse，ifsheissuffering——butIcannotunderstandwhyyouhadtoputmethroughthisexamination。[Hesearchesherfacewithhiseyes，andshakeshisfingerather]Oho，youarewily！
HELENA。Whatdoesthismean？
ASTROFF。[Laughing]Youareawilyone！IadmitthatSoniaissuffering，butwhatdoesthisexaminationofyoursmean？[Hepreventsherfromretorting，andgoesonquickly]Pleasedon’tputonsuchalookofsurprise；youknowperfectlywellwhyI
comehereeveryday。Yes，youknowperfectlywhyandforwhosesakeIcome！Oh，mysweettigress！don’tlookatmeinthatway；
Iamanoldbird！
HELENA。[Perplexed]Atigress？Idon’tunderstandyou。
ASTROFF。Beautiful，sleektigress，youmusthaveyourvictims！
ForawholemonthIhavedonenothingbutseekyoueagerly。I
havethrownovereverythingforyou，andyoulovetoseeit。Nowthen，Iamsureyouknewallthiswithoutputtingmethroughyourexamination。[Crossinghisarmsandbowinghishead]Isurrender。
Hereyouhaveme——now，eatme。
HELENA。Youhavegonemad！
ASTROFF。Youareafraid！
HELENA。Iamabetterandstrongerwomanthanyouthinkme。
Good-bye。[Shetriestoleavetheroom。]
ASTROFF。Whygood-bye？Don’tsaygood-bye，don’twastewords。Oh，howlovelyyouare——whathands！[Hekissesherhands。]
HELENA。Enoughofthis！[Shefreesherhands]Leavetheroom！Youhaveforgottenyourself。
ASTROFF。Tellme，tellme，wherecanwemeetto-morrow？[Heputshisarmaroundher]Don’tyouseethatwemustmeet，thatitisinevitable？
Hekissesher。VOITSKIcomesincarryingabunchofroses，andstopsinthedoorway。
HELENA。[WithoutseeingVOITSKI]Havepity！Leaveme，[laysherheadonASTROFF’Sshoulder]Don’t！
[Shetriestobreakawayfromhim。]
ASTROFF。[Holdingherbythewaist]Beintheforesttomorrowattwoo’clock。Willyou？Willyou？
HELENA。[SeesVOITSKI]Letmego！[Goestothewindowdeeplyembarrassed]Thisisappalling！
VOITSKI。[Throwstheflowersonachair，andspeaksingreatexcitement，wipinghisfacewithhishandkerchief]Nothing——yes，yes，nothing。
ASTROFF。Theweatherisfineto-day，mydearIvan；themorningwasovercastandlookedlikerain，butnowthesunisshiningagain。Honestly，wehavehadaveryfineautumn，andthewheatislookingfairlywell。[Putshismapbackintotheportfolio]Butthedaysaregrowingshort。
HELENA。[GoesquicklyuptoVOITSKI]Youmustdoyourbest；youmustuseallyourpowertogetmyhusbandandmyselfawayfromhereto-day！Doyouhear？Isay，thisveryday！
VOITSKI。[Wipinghisface]Oh！Ah！Oh！Allright！I——Helena，I
saweverything！
HELENA。[Ingreatagitation]Doyouhearme？Imustleaveherethisveryday！
SEREBRAKOFF，SONIA，MARINA，andTELEGINcomein。
TELEGIN。Iamnotverywellmyself，yourExcellency。Ihavebeenlimpingfortwodays，andmyhead——
SEREBRAKOFF。Wherearetheothers？Ihatethishouse。Itisaregularlabyrinth。Everyoneisalwaysscatteredthroughthetwenty-sixenormousrooms；onenevercanfindasoul。[Rings]AskmywifeandMadameVoitskayatocomehere！
HELENA。Iamherealready。
SEREBRAKOFF。Please，allofyou，sitdown。
SONIA。[GoesuptoHELENAandasksanxiously]Whatdidhesay？
HELENA。I’lltellyoulater。
SONIA。Youaremoved。[lookingquicklyandinquiringlyintoherface]Iunderstand；hesaidhewouldnotcomehereanymore。[A
pause]Tellme，didhe？
HELENAnods。
SEREBRAKOFF。[ToTELEGIN]Onecan，afterall，becomereconciledtobeinganinvalid，butnottothiscountrylife。ThewaysofitstickinmythroatandIfeelexactlyasifIhadbeenwhirledofftheearthandlandedonastrangeplanet。Pleasebeseated，ladiesandgentlemen。Sonia！[SONIAdoesnothear。Sheisstandingwithherheadbowedsadlyforwardonherbreast]Sonia！
[Apause]Shedoesnothearme。[ToMARINA]Sitdowntoo，nurse。
[MARINAsitsdownandbeginstoknitherstocking]Icraveyourindulgence，ladiesandgentlemen；hangyourears，ifImaysayso，onthepegofattention。[Helaughs。]
VOITSKI。[Agitated]Perhapsyoudonotneedme——mayIbeexcused？
SEREBRAKOFF。No，youareneedednowmorethananyone。
VOITSKI。Whatisityouwantofme？
SEREBRAKOFF。You——butwhatareyouangryabout？IfitisanythingIhavedone，Iaskyoutoforgiveme。
VOITSKI。Oh，dropthatandcometobusiness；whatdoyouwant？
MME。VOITSKAYAcomesin。
SEREBRAKOFF。Hereismother。Ladiesandgentlemen，Ishallbegin。
Ihaveaskedyoutoassemblehere，myfriends，inordertodiscussaveryimportantmatter。Iwanttoaskyouforyourassistanceandadvice，andknowingyourunfailingamiabilityI
thinkIcancountonboth。Iamabook-wormandascholar，andamunfamiliarwithpracticalaffairs。Icannot，Ifind，dispensewiththehelpofwell-informedpeoplesuchasyou，Ivan，andyou，Telegin，andyou，mother。Thetruthis，_manetomnesunanox，_
thatistosay，ourlivesareinthehandsofGod，andasIamoldandill，Irealisethatthetimehascomeformetodisposeofmypropertyinregardtotheinterestsofmyfamily。Mylifeisnearlyover，andIamnotthinkingofmyself，butIhaveayoungwifeanddaughter。[Apause]Icannotcontinuetoliveinthecountry；wewerenotmadeforcountrylife，andyetwecannotaffordtoliveintownontheincomederivedfromthisestate。Wemightsellthewoods，butthatwouldbeanexpedientwecouldnotresorttoeveryyear。Wemustfindsomemeansofguaranteeingtoourselvesacertainmoreorlessfixedyearlyincome。Withthisobjectinview，aplanhasoccurredtomewhichInowhavethehonourofpresentingtoyouforyourconsideration。Ishallonlygiveyouaroughoutline，avoidingalldetails。Ourestatedoesnotpayonanaveragemorethantwopercentonthemoneyinvestedinit。Iproposetosellit。Ifwetheninvestourcapitalinbonds，itwillearnusfourtofivepercent，andweshouldprobablyhaveasurplusoverofseveralthousandroubles，withwhichwecouldbuyasummercottageinFinland——
VOITSKI。Holdon！Repeatwhatyoujustsaid；Idon’tthinkI
heardyouquiteright。
SEREBRAKOFF。IsaidwewouldinvestthemoneyinbondsandbuyacottageinFinlandwiththesurplus。
VOITSKI。No，notFinland——yousaidsomethingelse。
SEREBRAKOFF。Iproposetosellthisplace。
VOITSKI。Aha！Thatwasit！Soyouaregoingtoselltheplace？
Splendid。Theideaisarichone。AndwhatdoyouproposetodowithmyoldmotherandmeandwithSoniahere？
SEREBRAKOFF。Thatwillbedecidedinduetime。Wecan’tdoeverythingatonce。
VOITSKI。Wait！ItisclearthatuntilthismomentIhaveneverhadagrainofsenseinmyhead。IhavealwaysbeenstupidenoughtothinkthattheestatebelongedtoSonia。Myfatherboughtitasaweddingpresentformysister，andIfoolishlyimaginedthatasourlawsweremadeforRussiansandnotTurks，mysister’sestatewouldcomedowntoherchild。
SEREBRAKOFF。OfcourseitisSonia’s。Hasanyonedeniedit？I
don’twanttosellitwithoutSonia’sconsent；onthecontrary，whatIamdoingisforSonia’sgood。
VOITSKI。Thisisabsolutelyincomprehensible。EitherIhavegonemador——or——
MME。VOITSKAYA。Jean，don’tcontradictAlexander。Trusttohim；
heknowsbetterthanwedowhatisrightandwhatiswrong。
VOITSKI。Ishan’t。Givemesomewater。[Hedrinks]Goahead！Sayanythingyouplease——anything！
SEREBRAKOFF。Ican’timaginewhyyouaresoupset。Idon’tpretendthatmyschemeisanidealone，andifyouallobjecttoitIshallnotinsist。[Apause。]
TELEGIN。[Withembarrassment]Inotonlynourishfeelingsofrespecttowardlearning，yourExcellency，butIamalsodrawntoitbyfamilyties。MybrotherGregory’swife’sbrother，whomyoumayknow；hisnameisConstantineLakedemonoff，andheusedtobeamagistrate——
VOITSKI。Stop，Waffles。Thisisbusiness；waitabit，wewilltalkofthatlater。[ToSEREBRAKOFF]Therenow，askhimwhathethinks；thisestatewasboughtfromhisuncle。
SEREBRAKOFF。Ah！WhyshouldIaskquestions？Whatgoodwoulditdo？
VOITSKI。Thepricewasninety-fivethousandroubles。Myfatherpaidseventyandleftadebtoftwenty-five。Nowlisten！ThisplacecouldneverhavebeenboughthadInotrenouncedmyinheritanceinfavourofmysister，whomIdeeplyloved——andwhatismore，Iworkedfortenyearslikeanox，andpaidoffthedebt。
SEREBRAKOFF。Iregreteverhavingstartedthisconversation。
VOITSKI。Thanksentirelytomyownpersonalefforts，theplaceisentirelyclearofdebts，andnow，whenIhavegrownold，youwanttothrowmeout，neckandcrop！
SEREBRAKOFF。Ican’timaginewhatyouaredrivingat。
VOITSKI。Fortwenty-fiveyearsIhavemanagedthisplace，andhavesentyouthereturnsfromitlikethemosthonestofservants，andyouhavenevergivenmeonesinglewordofthanksformywork，notone——neitherinmyyouthnornow。Youallowedmeameagresalaryoffivehundredroublesayear，abeggar’spittance，andhavenevereventhoughtofaddingaroubletoit。
SEREBRAKOFF。WhatdidIknowaboutsuchthings，Ivan？Iamnotapracticalmananddon’tunderstandthem。Youmighthavehelpedyourselftoallyouwanted。
VOITSKI。Yes，whydidInotsteal？Don’tyoualldespisemefornotstealing，whenitwouldhavebeenonlyjustice？AndIshouldnotnowhavebeenabeggar！
MME。VOITSKAYA。[Sternly]Jean！
TELEGIN。[Agitated]Vanya，oldman，don’ttalkinthatway。Whyspoilsuchpleasantrelations？[Heembraceshim]Dostop！
VOITSKI。Fortwenty-fiveyearsIhavebeensittingherewithmymotherlikeamoleinaburrow。Oureverythoughtandhopewasyoursandyoursonly。Bydaywetalkedwithprideofyouandyourwork，andspokeyournamewithveneration；ournightswewastedreadingthebooksandpaperswhichmysoulnowloathes。
TELEGIN。Don’t，Vanya，don’t。Ican’tstandit。
SEREBRAKOFF。[Wrathfully]Whatunderheavendoyouwant，anyway？
VOITSKI。Weusedtothinkofyouasalmostsuperhuman，butnowthescaleshavefallenfrommyeyesandIseeyouasyouare！Youwriteonartwithoutknowinganythingaboutit。ThosebooksofyourswhichIusedtoadmirearenotworthonecopperkopeck。Youareahoax！
SEREBRAKOFF。Can’tanyonemakehimstop？Iamgoing！
HELENA。Ivan，Icommandyoutostopthisinstant！Doyouhearme？
VOITSKI。Irefuse！[SEREBRAKOFFtriestogetoutoftheroom，butVOITSKIbarsthedoor]Wait！Ihavenotdoneyet！Youhavewreckedmylife。Ihaveneverlived。Mybestyearshavegonefornothing，havebeenruined，thankstoyou。Youaremymostbitterenemy！
TELEGIN。Ican’tstandit；Ican’tstandit。Iamgoing。[Hegoesoutingreatexcitement。]
SEREBRAKOFF。Butwhatdoyouwant？Whatearthlyrighthaveyoutousesuchlanguagetome？Ruination！Ifthisestateisyours，thentakeit，andletmeberuined！
HELENA。Iamgoingawayoutofthishellthisminute。[Shrieks]
Thisistoomuch！
VOITSKI。Mylifehasbeenafailure。Iamcleverandbraveandstrong。IfIhadlivedanormallifeImighthavebecomeanotherSchopenhauerorDostoieffski。Iamlosingmyhead！Iamgoingcrazy！Mother，Iamindespair！Oh，mother！
MME。VOITSKAYA。[Sternly]Listen，Alexander！
SONIAfallsonherkneesbesidethenurseandnestlesagainsther。
SONIA。Oh，nurse，nurse！
VOITSKI。Mother！WhatshallIdo？Butno，don’tspeak！Iknowwhattodo。[ToSEREBRAKOFF]Andyouwillunderstandme！
HegoesoutthroughthedoorinthecentreoftheroomandMME。
VOITSKAYAfollowshim。
SEREBRAKOFF。Tellme，whatonearthisthematter？Takethislunaticoutofmysight！Icannotpossiblyliveunderthesameroofwithhim。Hisroom[Hepointstothecentredoor]isalmostnextdoortomine。Lethimtakehimselfoffintothevillageorintothewingofthehouse，orIshallleavehereatonce。I
cannotstayinthesamehousewithhim。
HELENA。[Toherhusband]Weareleavingto-day；wemustgetreadyatonceforourdeparture。
SEREBRAKOFF。Whataperfectlydreadfulman！
SONIA。[Onherkneesbesidethenurseandturningtoherfather。
Shespeakswithemotion]Youmustbekindtous，papa。UncleVanyaandIaresounhappy！[Controllingherdespair]Havepityonus。RememberhowUncleVanyaandGrannyusedtocopyandtranslateyourbooksforyoueverynight——every，everynight。
UncleVanyahastoiledwithoutrest；hewouldneverspendapennyonus，wesentitalltoyou。Wehavenoteatenthebreadofidleness。IamnotsayingthisasIshouldliketo，butyoumustunderstandus，papa，youmustbemercifultous。
HELENA。[Veryexited，toherhusband]Forheaven’ssake，Alexander，goandhaveatalkwithhim——explain！
SEREBRAKOFF。Verywell，Ishallhaveatalkwithhim，butIwon’tapologiseforathing。Iamnotangrywithhim，butyoumustconfessthathisbehaviourhasbeenstrange，tosaytheleast。
Excuseme，Ishallgotohim。
[Hegoesoutthroughthecentredoor。]
HELENA。Begentlewithhim；trytoquiethim。[Shefollowshimout。]
SONIA。[NestlingnearertoMARINA]Nurse，oh，nurse！
MARINA。It’sallright，mybaby。Whenthegeesehavecackledtheywillbestillagain。Firsttheycackleandthentheystop。
SONIA。Nurse！
MARINA。Youaretremblingallover，asifyouwerefreezing。
There，there，littleorphanbaby，Godismerciful。Alittlelinden-tea，anditwillallpassaway。Don’tcry，mysweetest。
[Lookingangrilyatthedoorinthecentreoftheroom]See，thegeesehaveallgonenow。Thedeviltakethem！
Ashotisheard。HELENAscreamsbehindthescenes。SONIA
shudders。
MARINA。Bang！What’sthat？
SEREBRAKOFF。[Comesinreelingwithterror]Holdhim！holdhim！
Hehasgonemad！
HELENAandVOITSKIareseenstrugglinginthedoorway。
HELENA。[Tryingtowresttherevolverfromhim]Giveittome；
giveittome，Itellyou！
VOITSKI。Letmego，Helena，letmego！[Hefreeshimselfandrushesin，lookingeverywhereforSEREBRAKOFF]Whereishe？Ah，thereheis！[Heshootsathim。Apause]Ididn’tgethim？I
missedagain？[Furiously]Damnation！Damnation！Tohellwithhim！
Heflingstherevolveronthefloor，anddropshelplessintoachair。SEREBRAKOFFstandsasifstupefied。HELENAleansagainstthewall，almostfainting。
HELENA。Takemeaway！Takemeaway！Ican’tstayhere——Ican’t！
VOITSKI。[Indespair]Oh，whatshallIdo？WhatshallIdo？
SONIA。[Softly]Oh，nurse，nurse！
Thecurtainfalls。
ACTIV
VOITSKI’Sbedroom，whichisalsohisoffice。Atablestandsnearthewindow；onitareledgers，letterscales，andpapersofeverydescription。NearbystandsasmallertablebelongingtoASTROFF，withhispaintsanddrawingmaterials。Onthewallhangsacagecontainingastarling。ThereisalsoamapofAfricaonthewall，obviouslyofnousetoanybody。Thereisalargesofacoveredwithbuckram。Adoortotheleftleadsintoaninnerroom；onetotherightleadsintothefronthall，andbeforethisdoorliesamatforthepeasantswiththeirmuddybootstostandon。Itisanautumnevening。Thesilenceisprofound。TELEGINandMARINAaresittingfacingoneanother，windingwool。
TELEGIN。Bequick，Marina，orweshallbecalledawaytosaygood-byebeforeyouhavefinished。Thecarriagehasalreadybeenordered。
MARINA。[Tryingtowindmorequickly]Iamalittletired。
TELEGIN。TheyaregoingtoKharkofftolive。
MARINA。Theydowelltogo。
TELEGIN。Theyhavebeenfrightened。Theprofessor’swifewon’tstayhereanhourlonger。\"Ifwearegoingatall，let’sbeoff，\"
saysshe，\"weshallgotoKharkoffandlookaboutus，andthenwecansendforourthings。\"Theyaretravellinglight。Itseems，Marina，thatfatehasdecreedforthemnottolivehere。
MARINA。Andquiterightly。Whatastormtheyhavejustraised！Itwasshameful！
TELEGIN。Itwasindeed。ThescenewasworthyofthebrushofAibazofski。
MARINA。IwishI’dneverlaideyesonthem。[Apause]Nowweshallhavethingsastheywereagain：teaateight，dinneratone，andsupperintheevening；everythinginorderasdecentfolks，asChristiansliketohaveit。[Sighs]ItisalongtimesinceIhaveeatennoodles。
TELEGIN。Yes，wehaven’thadnoodlesforages。[Apause]Notforages。AsIwasgoingthroughthevillagethismorning，Marina，oneoftheshop-keeperscalledafterme，\"Hi！youhanger-on！\"I
feltitbitterly。
MARINA。Don’tpaytheleastattentiontothem，master；wearealldependentsonGod。YouandSoniaandallofus。Everyonemustwork，noonecansitidle。WhereisSonia？
TELEGIN。Inthegardenwiththedoctor，lookingforIvan。Theyfearhemaylayviolenthandsonhimself。
MARINA。Whereishispistol？
TELEGIN。[Whispers]Ihiditinthecellar。
VOITSKIandASTROFFcomein。
VOITSKI。Leavemealone！[ToMARINAandTELEGIN]Goaway！Goawayandleavemetomyself，ifbutforanhour。Iwon’thaveyouwatchingmelikethis！
TELEGIN。Yes，yes，Vanya。[Hegoesoutontiptoe。]
MARINA。Thegandercackles；ho！ho！ho！
[Shegathersupherwoolandgoesout。]
VOITSKI。Leavemebymyself！
ASTROFF。Iwould，withthegreatestpleasure。Ioughttohavegonelongago，butIshan’tleaveyouuntilyouhavereturnedwhatyoutookfromme。
VOITSKI。Itooknothingfromyou。
ASTROFF。Iamnotjesting，don’tdetainme，Ireallymustgo。
VOITSKI。Itooknothingofyours。
ASTROFF。Youdidn’t？Verywell，Ishallhavetowaitalittlelonger，andthenyouwillhavetoforgivemeifIresorttoforce。Weshallhavetobindyouandsearchyou。ImeanwhatI
say。
VOITSKI。Doasyouplease。[Apause]Oh，tomakesuchafoolofmyself！Toshoottwiceandmisshimbothtimes！Ishallneverforgivemyself。
ASTROFF。Whentheimpulsecametoshoot，itwouldhavebeenaswellhadyouputabulletthroughyourownhead。
VOITSKI。[Shrugginghisshoulders]Strange！Iattemptedmurder，andamnotgoingtobearrestedorbroughttotrial。Thatmeanstheythinkmemad。[Withabitterlaugh]Me！Iammad，andthosewhohidetheirworthlessness，theirdullness，theircryingheartlessnessbehindaprofessor’smask，aresane！Thosewhomarryoldmenandthendeceivethemunderthenosesofall，aresane！I
sawyoukissher；Isawyouineachother’sarms！
ASTROFF。Yes，sir，Ididkissher；sothere。[Heputshisthumbtohisnose。]
VOITSKI。[Hiseyesonthedoor]No，itistheearththatismad，becauseshestillbearsusonherbreast。
ASTROFF。Thatisnonsense。
VOITSKI。Well？AmInotamadman，andthereforeirresponsible？
Haven’tItherighttotalknonsense？
ASTROFF。Thisisafarce！Youarenotmad；youaresimplyaridiculousfool。Iusedtothinkeveryfoolwasoutofhissenses，butnowIseethatlackofsenseisaman’snormalstate，andyouareperfectlynormal。
VOITSKI。[Covershisfacewithhishands]Oh！IfyouknewhowashamedIam！Thesepiercingpangsofshamearelikenothingonearth。[Inanagonisedvoice]Ican’tendurethem！[Heleansagainstthetable]WhatcanIdo？WhatcanIdo？
ASTROFF。Nothing。
VOITSKI。Youmusttellmesomething！Oh，myGod！Iamforty-sevenyearsold。Imaylivetosixty；Istillhavethirteenyearsbeforeme；aneternity！HowshallIbeabletoendurelifeforthirteenyears？WhatshallIdo？HowcanIfillthem？Oh，don’tyousee？[HepressesASTROFF’Shandconvulsively]Don’tyousee，ifonlyIcouldlivetherestofmylifeinsomenewway！IfI
couldonlywakesomestill，brightmorningandfeelthatlifehadbegunagain；thatthepastwasforgottenandhadvanishedlikesmoke。[Heweeps]Oh，tobeginlifeanew！Tellme，tellmehowtobegin。
ASTROFF。[Crossly]Whatnonsense！WhatsortofanewlifecanyouandIlookforwardto？Wecanhavenohope。
VOITSKI。None？
ASTROFF。None。OfthatIamconvinced。
VOITSKI。Tellmewhattodo。[Heputshishandtohisheart]I
feelsuchaburningpainhere。
ASTROFF。[Shoutsangrily]Stop！[Then，moregently]Itmaybethatposterity，whichwilldespiseusforourblindandstupidlives，willfindsomeroadtohappiness；butwe——youandI——havebutonehope，thehopethatwemaybevisitedbyvisions，perhapsbypleasantones，aswelierestinginourgraves。[Sighing]Yes，brother，therewereonlytworespectable，intelligentmeninthiscounty，youandI。Tenyearsorsoofthislifeofours，thismiserablelife，havesuckedusunder，andwehavebecomeascontemptibleandpettyastherest。Butdon’ttrytotalkmeoutofmypurpose！Givemewhatyoutookfromme，willyou？
VOITSKI。Itooknothingfromyou。
ASTROFF。Youtookalittlebottleofmorphineoutofmymedicine-case。[Apause]Listen！Ifyouarepositivelydeterminedtomakeanendtoyourself，gointothewoodsandshootyourselfthere。Giveupthemorphine，ortherewillbealotoftalkandguesswork；peoplewillthinkIgaveittoyou。Idon’tfancyhavingtoperformapost-mortemonyou。DoyouthinkIshouldfinditinteresting？
SONIAcomesin。
VOITSKI。Leavemealone。
ASTROFF。[ToSONIA]Sonia，yourunclehasstolenabottleofmorphineoutofmymedicine-caseandwon’tgiveitup。Tellhimthathisbehaviouris——well，unwise。Ihaven’ttime，Imustbegoing。
SONIA。UncleVanya，didyoutakethemorphine？
ASTROFF。Yes，hetookit。[Apause]Iamabsolutelysure。
SONIA。Giveitup！Whydoyouwanttofrightenus？[Tenderly]
Giveitup，UncleVanya！Mymisfortuneisperhapsevengreaterthanyours，butIamnotplungedindespair。Ienduremysorrow，andshallendureituntilmylifecomestoanaturalend。Youmustendureyours，too。[Apause]Giveitup！Dear，darlingUncleVanya。Giveitup！[Sheweeps]Youaresogood，Iamsureyouwillhavepityonusandgiveitup。Youmustendureyoursorrow，UncleVanya；youmustendureit。
VOITSKItakesabottlefromthedrawerofthetableandhandsittoASTROFF。
VOITSKI。Thereitis！[ToSONIA]Andnow，wemustgettoworkatonce；wemustdosomething，orelseIshallnotbeabletoendureit。
SONIA。Yes，yes，towork！Assoonaswehaveseenthemoffweshallgotowork。[Shenervouslystraightensoutthepapersonthetable]Everythingisinamuddle！
ASTROFF。[Puttingthebottleinhiscase，whichhestrapstogether]NowIcanbeoff。
HELENAcomesin。
HELENA。Areyouhere，Ivan？Wearestartinginamoment。GotoAlexander，hewantstospeaktoyou。
SONIA。Go，UncleVanya。[ShetakesVOITSKI’Sarm]Come，youandpapamustmakepeace；thatisabsolutelynecessary。
SONIAandVOITSKIgoout。
HELENA。Iamgoingaway。[ShegivesASTROFFherhand]Good-bye。
ASTROFF。Sosoon？
HELENA。Thecarriageiswaiting。
ASTROFF。Good-bye。
HELENA。Youpromisedmeyouwouldgoawayyourselfto-day。
ASTROFF。Ihavenotforgotten。Iamgoingatonce。[Apause]Wereyoufrightened？Wasitsoterrible？
HELENA。Yes。
ASTROFF。Couldn’tyoustay？Couldn’tyou？To-morrow——intheforest——
HELENA。No。Itisallsettled，andthatiswhyIcanlookyousobravelyintheface。Ourdepartureisfixed。OnethingImustaskofyou：don’tthinktoobadlyofme；Ishouldlikeyoutorespectme。
ASTROFF。Ah！[Withanimpatientgesture]Stay，Iimploreyou！
Confessthatthereisnothingforyoutodointhisworld。Youhavenoobjectinlife；thereisnothingtooccupyyourattention，andsoonerorlateryourfeelingsmustmasteryou。Itisinevitable。ItwouldbebetterifithappenednotinKharkofforinKursk，buthere，innature’slap。Itwouldthenatleastbepoetical，evenbeautiful。Hereyouhavetheforests，thehouseshalfinruinsthatTurgenieffwritesof。
HELENA。Howcomicalyouare！IamangrywithyouandyetIshallalwaysrememberyouwithpleasure。Youareinterestingandoriginal。YouandIwillnevermeetagain，andsoIshalltellyou——whyshouldIconcealit？——thatIamjustalittleinlovewithyou。Come，onemorelastpressureofourhands，andthenletuspartgoodfriends。Letusnotbeareachotheranyillwill。
ASTROFF。[Pressingherhand]Yes，go。[Thoughtfully]Youseemtobesincereandgood，andyetthereissomethingstrangelydisquietingaboutallyourpersonality。Nosoonerdidyouarriveherewithyourhusbandthaneveryonewhomyoufoundbusyandactivelycreatingsomethingwasforcedtodrophisworkandgivehimselfupforthewholesummertoyourhusband’sgoutandyourself。Youandhehaveinfecteduswithyouridleness。Ihavebeensweptoffmyfeet；Ihavenotputmyhandtoathingforweeks，duringwhichsicknesshasbeenrunningitscourseuncheckedamongthepeople，andthepeasantshavebeenpasturingtheircattleinmywoodsandyoungplantations。Gowhereyouwill，youandyourhusbandwillalwayscarrydestructioninyourtrain。Iamjokingofcourse，andyetIamstrangelysurethathadyoustayedhereweshouldhavebeenovertakenbythemostimmensedesolation。Iwouldhavegonetomyruin，andyou——youwouldnothaveprospered。Sogo！Efinitalacomedia！
HELENA。[SnatchingapenciloffASTROFF’Stable，andhidingitwithaquickmovement]Ishalltakethispencilformemory！
ASTROFF。Howstrangeitis。Wemeet，andthensuddenlyitseemsthatwemustpartforever。Thatisthewayinthisworld。Aslongaswearealone，beforeUncleVanyacomesinwithabouquet——allowme——tokissyougood-bye——mayI？[Hekissesheronthecheek]So！Splendid！
HELENA。Iwishyoueveryhappiness。[Sheglancesabouther]Foronceinmylife，Ishall！andscorntheconsequences！[Shekisseshimimpetuously，andtheyquicklypart]Imustgo。
ASTROFF。Yes，go。Ifthecarriageisthere，thenstartatonce。
[Theystandlistening。]
ASTROFF。Efinita！
VOITSKI，SEREBRAKOFF，MME。VOITSKAYAwithherbook，TELEGIN，andSONIAcomein。
SEREBRAKOFF。[ToVOITSKI]Shameonhimwhobearsmaliceforthepast。IhavegonethroughsomuchinthelastfewhoursthatI
feelcapableofwritingawholetreatiseontheconductoflifefortheinstructionofposterity。Igladlyacceptyourapology，andmyselfaskyourforgiveness。[HekissesVOITSKIthreetimes。]
HELENAembracesSONIA。
SEREBRAKOFF。[KissingMME。VOITSKAYA’Shand]Mother！
MME。VOITSKAYA。[Kissinghim]Haveyourpicturetaken，Alexander，andsendmeone。Youknowhowdearyouaretome。
TELEGIN。Good-bye，yourExcellency。Don’tforgetus。
SEREBRAKOFF。[Kissinghisdaughter]Good-bye，good-byeall。
[ShakinghandswithASTROFF]Manythanksforyourpleasantcompany。Ihaveadeepregardforyouropinionsandyourenthusiasm，butletme，asanoldman，giveonewordofadviceatparting：dosomething，myfriend！Work！Dosomething！[Theyallbow]Goodlucktoyouall。[HegoesoutfollowedbyMME。
VOITSKAYAandSONIA。]
VOITSKI[KissingHELENA’Shandfervently]Good-bye——forgiveme。I
shallneverseeyouagain！
HELENA。[Touched]Good-bye，dearboy。
Shelightlykisseshisheadashebendsoverherhand，andgoesout。
ASTROFF。Tellthemtobringmycarriagearoundtoo，Waffles。
TELEGIN。Allright，oldman。
ASTROFFandVOITSKIareleftbehindalone。ASTROFFcollectshispaintsanddrawingmaterialsonthetableandpacksthemawayinabox。
ASTROFF。Whydon’tyougotoseethemoff？
VOITSKI。Letthemgo！I——Ican’tgooutthere。Ifeeltoosad。I
mustgotoworkonsomethingatonce。Towork！Towork！
Herummagesthroughhispapersonthetable。Apause。Thetinklingofbellsisheardasthehorsestrotaway。
ASTROFF。Theyhavegone！Theprofessor，Isuppose，isgladtogo。
Hecouldn’tbetemptedbacknowbyafortune。
MARINAcomesin。
MARINA。Theyhavegone。[Shesitsdowninanarm-chairandknitsherstocking。]
SONIAcomesinwipinghereyes。
SONIA。Theyhavegone。Godbewiththem。[Toheruncle]Andnow，UncleVanya，letusdosomething！
VOITSKI。Towork！Towork！
SONIA。Itislong，long，sinceyouandIhavesattogetheratthistable。[Shelightsalamponthetable]Noink！[Shetakestheinkstandtothecupboardandfillsitfromanink-bottle]Howsaditistoseethemgo！
MME。VOITSKAYAcomesslowlyin。
MME。VOITSKAYA。Theyhavegone。
Shesitsdownandatoncebecomesabsorbedinherbook。SONIA
sitsdownatthetableandlooksthroughanaccountbook。
SONIA。First，UncleVanya，letuswriteuptheaccounts。Theyareinadreadfulstate。Come，begin。YoutakeoneandIwilltaketheother。
VOITSKI。Inaccountwith[Theysitsilentlywriting。]
MARINA。[Yawning]Thesand-manhascome。
ASTROFF。Howstillitis。Theirpensscratch，thecricketsings；
itissowarmandcomfortable。Ihatetogo。[Thetinklingofbellsisheard。]
ASTROFF。Mycarriagehascome。Therenowremainsbuttosaygood-byetoyou，myfriends，andtomytablehere，andthen——away！[Heputsthemapintotheportfolio。]
MARINA。Don’thurryaway；sitalittlelongerwithus。
ASTROFF。Impossible。
VOITSKI。[Writing]Andcarryforwardfromtheolddebttwoseventy-five——
WORKMANcomesin。
WORKMAN。Yourcarriageiswaiting，sir。
ASTROFF。Allright。[HehandstheWORKMANhismedicine-case，portfolio，andbox]Lookout，don’tcrushtheportfolio！
WORKMAN。Verywell，sir。
SONIA。Whenshallweseeyouagain？
ASTROFF。Hardlybeforenextsummer。Probablynotthiswinter，though，ofcourse，ifanythingshouldhappenyouwillletmeknow。[Heshakeshandswiththem]Thankyouforyourkindness，foryourhospitality，foreverything！[HegoesuptoMARINAandkissesherhead]Good-bye，oldnurse！
MARINA。Areyougoingwithoutyourtea？
ASTROFF。Idon’twantany，nurse。
MARINA。Won’tyouhaveadropofvodka？
ASTROFF。[Hesitatingly]Yes，Imight。
MARINAgoesout。
ASTROFF。[Afterapause]Myoff-wheelerhasgonelameforsomereason。InoticedityesterdaywhenPeterwastakinghimtowater。
VOITSKI。Youshouldhavehimre-shod。
ASTROFF。Ishallhavetogoaroundbytheblacksmith’sonmywayhome。Itcan’tbeavoided。[HestandslookingupatthemapofAfricahangingonthewall]IsupposeitisroastinghotinAfricanow。
VOITSKI。Yes，Isupposeitis。
MARINAcomesbackcarryingatrayonwhichareaglassofvodkaandapieceofbread。
MARINA。Helpyourself。
ASTROFFdrinksMARINA。Toyourgoodhealth！[Shebowsdeeply]Eatyourbreadwithit。
ASTROFF。No，Ilikeitso。Andnow，good-bye。[ToMARINA]Youneedn’tcomeouttoseemeoff，nurse。
Hegoesout。SONIAfollowshimwithacandletolighthimtothecarriage。MARINAsitsdowninherarmchair。
VOITSKI。[Writing]Onthe2dofFebruary，twentypoundsofbutter；onthe16th，twentypoundsofbutteragain。Buckwheatflour——[Apause。Bellsareheardtinkling。]
MARINA。Hehasgone。[Apause。]
SONIAcomesinandsetsthecandlestickonthetable。
SONIA。Hehasgone。
VOITSKI。[Addingandwriting]Total，fifteen——twenty-five——
SONIAsitsdownandbeginstowrite。
[Yawning]Oh，ho！TheLordhavemercy。
TELEGINcomesinontiptoe，sitsdownnearthedoor，andbeginstotunehisguitar。
VOITSKI。[ToSONIA，strokingherhair]Oh，mychild，Iammiserable；ifyouonlyknewhowmiserableIam！
SONIA。Whatcanwedo？Wemustliveourlives。[Apause]Yes，weshalllive，UncleVanya。Weshalllivethroughthelongprocessionofdaysbeforeus，andthroughthelongevenings；weshallpatientlybearthetrialsthatfateimposesonus；weshallworkforotherswithoutrest，bothnowandwhenweareold；andwhenourlasthourcomesweshallmeetithumbly，andthere，beyondthegrave，weshallsaythatwehavesufferedandwept，thatourlifewasbitter，andGodwillhavepityonus。Ah，thendear，dearUncle，weshallseethatbrightandbeautifullife；weshallrejoiceandlookbackuponoursorrowhere；atendersmile——and——weshallrest。Ihavefaith，Uncle，fervent，passionatefaith。[SONIAkneelsdownbeforeheruncleandlaysherheadonhishands。Shespeaksinawearyvoice]Weshallrest。[TELEGINplayssoftlyontheguitar]Weshallrest。Weshallheartheangels。Weshallseeheavenshininglikeajewel。
Weshallseeallevilandallourpainsinkawayinthegreatcompassionthatshallenfoldtheworld。Ourlifewillbeaspeacefulandtenderandsweetasacaress。Ihavefaith；Ihavefaith。[Shewipesawayhertears]Mypoor，poorUncleVanya，youarecrying！[Weeping]Youhaveneverknownwhathappinesswas，butwait，UncleVanya，wait！Weshallrest。[Sheembraceshim]Weshallrest。[TheWATCHMAN’Srattleisheardinthegarden；
TELEGINplayssoftly；MME。VOITSKAYAwritessomethingonthemarginofherpamphlet；MARINAknitsherstocking]Weshallrest。
Thecurtainslowlyfalls。