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

[Takes the pills, turns them out into the palm of his hand, blows on them, puts them into his mouth, and drinks some kvass] There!

Lubov. [Frightened] You’re off your head!

Pischin. I’ve taken all the pills.

Lopakhin. Gormandizer!

All laugh.

Fiers. They were here in Easter week and ate half a pailful of cucumbers… [Mumbles.]

Lubov. What’s he driving at?

Varya. He’s been mumbling away for three years. We’re used to that.

Yasha. Senile decay.

Charlotta Ivanovnacrosses the stage, dressed in white: she is very thin and tightly laced; has a lorgnette at her waist.

Lopakhin. Excuse me, Charlotta Ivanovna, I haven’t said “How do you do” to you yet. [Tries to kiss her hand.]

Charlotta. [Takes her hand away] If you let people kiss your hand, then they’ll want your elbow, then your shoulder, and then…

Lopakhin. My luck’s out today! [All laugh] Show us a trick, Charlotta Ivanovna!

Lubov Andreyevna.

Charlotta. It’s not necessary. I want to go to bed. [Exit.]

Lopakhin. We shall see each other in three weeks. [KissesLubov Andreyevna’shand] Now, good-bye. It’s time to go. [ToGaev] See you again. [KissesPischin] Au revoir. [Gives his hand toVarya, then toFiersand toYasha] I don’t want to go away. [ToLubov Andreyevna]. If you think about the villas and make up your mind, then just let me know, and I’ll raise a loan of 50,000 roubles at once.

Varya. [Angrily] Do go, now!

Lopakhin. I’m going, I’m going… [Exit.]

Gaev. Snob. Still, I beg pardon… Varya’s going to marry him, he’s Varya’s young man.

Varya. Don’t talk too much, uncle.

Lubov. Why not, Varya? I should be very glad. He’s a good man.

Pischin. To speak the honest truth… he’s a worthy man… And my Dashenka… also says that… she says lots of things. [Snores, but wakes up again at once] But still, dear madam, if you could lend me… 240 roubles… to pay the interest on my mortgage tomorrow…

Varya.

Lubov. It’s quite true. I’ve nothing at all.

Pischin. I’ll find it all right [Laughs] I never lose hope. I used to think, “Everything’s lost now. I’m a dead man,” when, lo and behold, a railway was built over my land… and they paid me for it.