Антон Чехов - The Cherry Orchard / Вишневый сад. Книга для чтения на английском языке

Serebryakov.Ah! Why should I ask questions? What good would it do?

Voynitsky.The price was ninety-five thousand roubles. My father paid seventy and left a debt of twenty-five. Now listen! This place could never have been bought had I not renounced my inheritance in favour of my sister, whom I deeply loved – and what’s more, I worked for ten years like an ox, and paid off the debt.

Serebryakov.I regret ever having started this conversation.

Voynitsky.Thanks entirely to my own personal efforts, the place is entirely clear of debts, and now, when I have grown old, you want to throw me out, neck and crop!

Serebryakov.I can’t imagine what you are driving at.

Voynitsky.For twenty-five years I’ve managed this place, and have sent you the returns from it like the most honest of servants, and you’ve never given me one single word of thanks for my work, not one – neither in my youth nor now. You allowed me a meagre salary of five hundred roubles a year, a beggar’s pittance, and have never even thought of adding a rouble to it.

Serebryakov.What did I know about such things, Ivan? I am not a practical man and don’t understand them. You might have helped yourself to all you wanted.

Voynitsky.Yes, why didn’t I steal? Don’t you all despise me for not stealing, when it would have been only justice? And I should not now have been a beggar!

Mme.Voynitskaya. [ Sternly ] Jean!

Telegin.[ Agitated ] Vanya, old man, don’t talk in that way. Why spoil such pleasant relations? [ He embraces him ] Do stop!

Voynitsky.For twenty-five years I’ve been sitting here with my mother like a mole in a burrow. Our every thought and hope was yours and yours only. By day we talked with pride of you and your work, and spoke your name with veneration; our nights we wasted reading the books and papers which my soul now loathes.

Telegin.Don’t, Vanya, don’t. I can’t stand it.

Serebryakov.[ Wrathfully ] What under heaven do you want, anyway? I don’t understand!

Voynitsky.I used to think of you as a superior being and knew your articles by heart; but now the scales have fallen from my eyes and I see you as you are! You write on art without knowing anything about it. Those books of yours which I used to admire are not worth one copper kopeck. You’ve made fools of us all!

Serebryakov.Can’t any one make him stop? I am going!

Helena.Ivan, I command you to stop this instant! Do you hear me?

Voynitsky.I refuse! [ Serebryakov tries to get out of the room, but Voynitsky bars the door ] Wait! I haven’t done yet! You’ve wrecked my life. I’ve never lived. My best years have gone for nothing, have been ruined, thanks to you. You’re my most bitter enemy!

Telegin.I can’t stand it; I can’t stand it. I am going. [ He goes out in great excitement. ]

Serebryakov.But what do you want? What earthly right have you to use such language to me? Nonentity! If this estate is yours, then take it, I don’t want it!

Helena.I’m going away out of this hell this minute. [ Shrieks ] This is too much!

Voynitsky.My life has been a failure. I’m clever and brave and strong. If I had lived a normal life I might have become another Schopenhauer or Dostoyevsky. I’m losing my head! I’m going crazy! Mother, I’m in despair! Oh, mother!

Mme.Voynitskaya. [ Sternly ] Listen to Alexander!

Sonya falls on her knees beside Marina and nestles against her.

Sonya.Oh, Nanny, Nanny!

Voynitsky.Mama! What shall I do? But no, don’t speak! I know what to do. [ To Serebryakov] And you will understand me!

He goes out through the door in the centre of the room and mme. Voynitskaya follows him.

Serebryakov.Tell me, what on earth is the matter? Take this lunatic out of my sight! I cannot possibly live under the same roof with him. His room [ He points to the centre door ] is almost next door to mine. Let him take himself off into the village or into a cottage on the estate, or I shall leave here at once. I cannot stay in the same house with him.

Helena.[ To her husband ] We’re leaving today; we must get ready right now for our departure.

Serebryakov.What a perfectly dreadful man!

Sonya.[ On her knees beside Marina and turning to her father. She speaks through tears ] You must be kind to us, papa. Uncle Vanya and I are so unhappy! [ Controlling her despair ] Have pity on us. Remember how Uncle Vanya and Granny used to copy and translate your books for you every night – every, every night. Uncle Vanya and I have toiled without rest; he would never spend a penny on us, we sent it all to you. We’ve not eaten the bread of idleness. I’m not saying this as I should like to, but you must understand us, papa, you must show some sympathy.

Helena.[ Very upset, to her husband ] For heaven’s sake, Alexander, go and have a talk with him – explain! Please!

Serebryakov.Very well, I shall have a talk with him, but I won’t apologise for a thing. I am not angry with him, but you must confess that his behaviour has been strange, to say the least. Excuse me, I shall go to him.

[He goes out through the centre door.]

Helena.Be gentle with him; try to quiet him. [ She follows him out. ]

Sonya.[ Nestling nearer to Marina] Nanny, oh, Nanny!

Marina.It’s all right, my baby. When the geese have cackled they will be still again. First they cackle and then they stop.

Sonya.Nanny!

Marina.[ Strokes her hair ] You’re trembling all over, as if you were freezing. There, there, little motherless child, God is merciful. A little lime-flower tea, and it’ll all pass away. Don’t cry, my sweetest. [ Looking angrily at the door in the centre of the room ] See, the geese have all gone now. The devil take them!

A shot is heard. Helena screams behind the scenes. Sonya shudders.

Marina.Oh, a curse on you!

Serebryakov.[ Comes in reeling with terror ] Stop him! stop him! He’s gone mad!

Helena and Voynitsky are seen struggling in the doorway.

Helena.[ Trying to wrest the revolver from him ] Give it to me; give it to me, I tell you!

Voynitsky.Let me go, Helena, let me go! [ He frees himself and rushes in, looking everywhere for Serebryakov] Where is he? Ah, there he is! [ He shoots at him. A pause ] I didn’t get him? I missed again? [ Furiously ] Damnation! Damnation! To hell with him!

He flings the revolver on the floor, and drops helpless into a chair. Serebryakov stands as if stupefied. Helena leans against the wall, almost fainting.

Helena.Take me away! Take me away! I can’t stay here – I don’t care if you kill me, but I can’t stay here…