Chekhov. The Cherry Orchard. Act III.

The living room, divided from the reception room by an archway. The chandelier is lit. The Jewish orchestra, mentioned in the second act, is heard playing in the reception room. It is evening. In the reception room they are dancing grand rond. The voice of Simeonov Pischik is heard: “Promenade a une paire!” The dancers come into the living room: in the first pair Pischik and Charlotte Ivanovna; in the second Trofimov and Lyubov Andreyevna; in the third Anya with the postal clerk; in the fourth Varya with the station master, and so on. Varya is quietly crying and wipes her tears away as she dances. Dunyasha is in the last pair. They pass through the living room and exit. Pischik shouts “Grand rond, balancez!” and “Les cavaliers à genoux et remerciez vos dames!” Feers, wearing tails, carries into the room a tray with soda water. Pischik and Trofimov enter.

PISCHIK I have high blood pressure, I’ve already had two strokes, it’s difficult for me to dance, but as they say, when you’re in the kennels, bark or don’t bark, but at least wag your tail. I’ve the constitution of a horse. My late father, a great joker, god rest his soul, used to say about our origins that the ancient family of Simeonov Pischik was descended from the horse that Caligula made a senator... (He sits down.) But the only trouble is, I’ve no money! A hungry dog only thinks of meat... (He snores then immediately wakes up.) It’s the same with me... I can only think of money.

From the adjoining room is heard the sound of billiards. Varya comes in and stands under the archway.

VARYA (Bitterly.) We’ve hired the musicians, and how are they to be paid? (She leaves.)

TROFIMOV (To Pischik.) If all that energy that you’ve expended throughout your life on searching for money to pay your mortgage interest you had used on something else, then probably in the end you could have revolutionised the world.

PISCHIK Nietzsche... the philosopher... a great one, renowned... a man of huge intellect, says in his works that it’s alright to forge money.

PISCHIK Well... Dashenka told me about it. But I’m in such a state now that I’d happily forge money... The day after tomorrow I’ve got to pay three hundred and ten roubles... I’ve already got a hundred and thirty... (He feels in his pockets anxiously.) The money’s gone! I’ve lost the money! (Tearfully.) Where’s the money? (Jubilantly.) Here it is, behind the lining... I even broke into a sweat...

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA (She hums a folk tune.) Why is Leonid so long? What’s he doing in the town? (To Dunyasha.) Dunyasha, offer the musicians some tea...

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA The musicians needn’t have come, and this dance was unnecessary... Well, it’s not important... (She sits down and hums quietly.)

CHARLOTTE (Gives a pack of cards to Pischik.) Here’s a pack of cards. Just think of one card.

CHARLOTTE Now shuffle the pack. That’s fine. Now give it to me my dear Mr. Pischik. Ein, zwei, drei! Now look for it in your side pocket...

PISCHIK (Takes the card out of his side pocket.) The eight of spades, that’s absolutely correct! (Astonished.) Just imagine it!

CHARLOTTE (Holds the pack in the palm of her hand. To Trofimov.) Tell me quickly, what card is on the top.

CHARLOTTE Here it is! (She claps her hands and the pack of cards disappears.) What wonderful weather it is today. (A mysterious female voice replies to her, as if from under the floor “Oh yes, the weather is splendid Madam.” You are so handsome, my ideal man... (The voice “And I also like you very much Madam.)

PISCHIK (Astonished.) Just imagine it. Most charming Charlotte Ivanovna... I’m deeply in love...

CHARLOTTE In love? (She shrugs her shoulders.) Can you really love? Guter Mensch, aber schlechter Musikant.[i]

CHARLOTTE Attention please! Still one more trick. (She takes a shawl from a chair.) This is a fine Scottish shawl, I would like to sell it... (She shakes it.) Would anyone like to buy it?

CHARLOTTE Ein, zwei, drei! (She briskly whisks away the shawl. Anya is standing behind it. She makes a curtsey, runs to her mother, embraces her and then runs back into the reception room to everyone’s delight.)

CHARLOTTE And now once more! Ein, zwei, drei. (She lifts aside the shawl, behind which stands Varya who bows.)

CHARLOTTE All finished. (She throws the shawl onto Pishik, makes a curtsey and runs off into the reception room.)

PISCHIK Follows her.) You crafty one... What do you think of that? What do you think of that? (He leaves.)

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA Still no Leonid. What can he be doing in the town for so long, I don’t understand it! After all everything will be finished there, the estate is sold, or the sale didn’t take place, but why keep us so long in suspense!

VARYA Grandma sent him authority to buy the estate in her name, with a transfer of the debt. She did it for Anya’s sake. And I’m convinced, God will help us, uncle will buy it.

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA Yaroslav grandma sent fifteen thousand to buy it in her name — she doesn’t trust us — but that money wouldn’t be enough even to pay the interest. (Covers her face with her hands.) Today my fate is being decided, my fate...

VARYA (Angrily.) Eternal student! You’ve already been sent down twice from University!

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA Why are you angry Varya? He’s teasing you about Lopakhin, well, what of it? If you want to, marry him. He’s a good and interesting man. If you don’t want to, don’t marry him. Nobody is forcing you my darling...

VARYA I do take it very seriously dear Mama, I can say it truly. He’s a good man, I like him.

VARYA Dear Mama, I can’t propose to him myself. It’s two years now since everyone talks to me about him, everyone, but he either keeps quiet or just makes jokes. I understand. He’s growing rich, busy with his work, he hasn’t time for me. If I had some money, just a little, even a hundred roubles, I would throw aside everything and set off far away. I would go to a monastery.

VARYA For a student you should be more intelligent! (In a softened tone, and tearfully.) How ugly you’ve become, Petya, how old! (To Lyubov Andreyevna, no longer crying.) But I must have work Mama. I need to have something to occupy me every minute.

YASHA (Barely managing to prevent himself from laughing.) Epihodov has just broken a billiard cue.

VARYA Why is Epihodov here? Who let him play billiards? I don’t understand these people. (She leaves.)

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA Don’t tease her Petya, you can see that even without that she’s unhappy.

TROFIMOV But she’s so fussy, she sticks her nose in other people’s business. All summer she didn’t leave me in peace, or Anya, she was afraid that some romance would strike up between us. Besides I didn’t give any indication of it, I’m far removed from vulgarity. We are superior to love!

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA And I suppose I must be inferior to love. (Seriously worried.) Why is Leonid not here? I only want to know, is the estate sold or not. It seems all so improbable, this disaster, that I don’t know at all what to think, I despair... I feel like screaming... I might do something stupid. Help me Petya. Tell me something, speak to me...

TROFIMOV Whether the estate is sold today or not — does it matter? Its day is past long ago, there’s no turning back, the road has grown over. Calm yourself my dear. You mustn’t deceive yourself, you must at least once in your life look truth in the eye.

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA What truth? You can see where truth is and where falsehood is, but I seem to have lost my sight, I don’t see anything. You settle boldly all life’s important problems, but tell me, dear fellow, isn’t that because you are young, because you haven’t endured a single one of those problems. You boldly look into the future, but isn’t that because you don’t expect or see anything terrible that will beset you, because life is still hidden from your young eyes. You are more daring, more honourable, deeper than us, but just think about it, have some generosity if only in your fingertips, don’t be cruel to me. After all I was born here, my mother and father lived here, my grandfather, I love this house, without the cherry orchard my life is meaningless, and if it must be sold, then sell me with it as well... (Embraces Trofimov and kisses his forehead.) And my son was drowned here... (She cries.) Pity me, Petya, you’re a good, an honest man.

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA But you must say it differently, differently... (She takes a handkerchief from her pocket and a telegram falls to the floor.) There’s a weight on my soul today, you can’t feel what it’s like. It’s so noisy, I tremble at every sound, I shake all over, but I can’t go to my room, being alone in the silence is terrifying. Don’t judge me Petya... I love you like family. I would happily marry you to Anya, I swear it, but dear fellow, you must study and finish your course. You don’t do anything, and fate tosses you from place to place, it’s so strange... Isn’t that true? Yes? And you should do something about your beard, to make it grow somehow... (She laughs.) You’re so funny!

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA It’s a telegram from Paris. I get one every day. Yesterday, and today. That wild man is ill again, things are bad for him again... He asks for forgiveness, begs me to come to him, and truthfully, I need to set out for Paris, to be beside him. I see you have a stern look on your face Petya, but what can I do, dear boy, what can I do, he’s ill, he’s alone and unhappy, and who can look after him, who can stop him making mistakes, who can give him his medicine on time? And why should I hide it, or keep quiet about it, I love him, that’s evident. I love him, I love him... It’s a stone round my neck, I’ll go with him the bottom, but I love that stone and I can’t live without it. (Presses Trofimov’s hand.) Don’t think badly of me Petya, don’t say anything, don’t speak...

TROFIMOV (Tearfully.) Forgive me for being frank, for God’s sake: he robbed you of everything!

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA No, no, no, you mustn’t speak like that... (She covers her ears.)

TROFIMOV But he’s just a worthless wretch, you’re the only one who doesn’t see it. He’s a pitiful wretch, a nothing!...

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA (Angrily, but restrained.) You’re twenty six or twenty seven, but you’re just a schoolboy of year two!

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA You should be a man. At your age you should understand those who love. And you should be in love yourself... You should fall in love! (Angrily.) Yes, yes. And you’re not pure, you’re just a prude, a ridiculous weirdo, a monster...

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA “I’m superior to love!” You’re not superior to love, you’re just a clumsy oaf, as Feers says. At your age you should have a lover!...

TROFIMOV (Horror struck.) This is terrible! What is she saying?! (He rushes into the reception room holding his head.) This is terrible... I can’t bear it. I’m going... (He leaves but immediately returns.) Everything is finished between us! (He leaves.)

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA (Shouts after him.) Petya, wait! You strange man, I was joking! Petya! (Someone is heard rushing down the stairs and then a clatter as they tumble down. Anya and Varya scream, then laughter is heard.)

The station master stands in the middle of the drawing room and recites from A. Tolstoy’s ‘The Sinner.’[ii] They listen to him but he has only said a few lines when the music of a waltz is heard striking up in the reception room and the recitation breaks off. Everyone dances. Trofimov, Anya, Varya and Lyubov Andreyevna proceed in from the reception room.

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA Come now, Petya... Come, you sweet soul... Forgive me... Let’s dance. (They dance.)

Anya and Varya dance. Feers enters. He stands his stick next to the side door. Yasha also comes in and looks at the dancers.

FEERS I’m not well. In old times at our dances we had generals, barons, admirals, and now we send out for post office clerks and station masters, and even they don’t come willingly. I’m growing weak. The late master, their grandfather, used to cure everyone with sealing wax, all illnesses. I take sealing wax every day, I have done for twenty years, or longer; that’s perhaps why I’m still alive.

Trofimov and Lyubov Andreyevna dance in the reception room, then in the drawing room.

ANYA (Excitedly.) Just now in the kitchen some man was saying that the cherry orchard was sold today.

ANYA He didn’t say. He’s gone. (She dances with Trofimov and they dance into the reception room.)

FEERS And Leonid Andreyich is not here, he’s not back yet. He’s only got a light overcoat, a mid season one, before you know it he’ll catch cold. These young green boobies!

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA (Slightly irritated.) What are you laughing at? Why so happy?

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA What’s the matter with your face? Are you ill? You know, you should go and have a lie down...

FEERS Yes... (He laughs.) If I go to bed who will serve here, who will make arrangements? I am the only one in the house who can.

YASHA (To Lyubov Andreyevna.) Lyubov Andreyevna! May I make a request of you, if you’d be so kind. If you go back to Paris again, please take me with you, please do. It’s just impossible for me to stay here. (He looks round, then in a low voice.) There’s no point in talking about it, you know yourself, the country is uneducated, the people are immoral, there’s the boredom, the food in the kitchen is foul, then there’s this Feers wandering around mumbling various inappropriate things. Do take me with you, be so kind!

PISCHIK Permit me to ask your hand... a little waltz... most beautiful lady. (Lyubov Andreyevna stands up and takes his hand.) All the same, I must have a hundred and eighty little roubles from you, enchantress... I must have it (They dance.) A hundred and eighty little roubles. (They dance off into the reception room.)

YASHA (Sings quietly.) “But will you understand, my heart yearns fitfully...”

In the reception room a figure in a grey top hat and check trousers waves its arms and leaps. Shouts are heard “Bravo Charlotte!”)

DUNYASHA (She stops to powder her face.) The mistress told me I must dance — there are lots of men, but not enough women, but when I dance my head spins, my heart thumps, Feers Nikolayevich, and just now the post office clerk said such a thing to me that it took my breath away.

You, Avdotya Fyodorovna, appear to wish not to see me... as if I were some sort of insect. (He sighs.) Oh, life!

EPIHODOV Undoubtedly, it’s possible, you are right. (He sighs.) Well, of course, if you look at it from a certain point of view, then you, if I may so express it, pardon me for being frank, you reduce me absolutely to a state of mind. I know my fate, every day some disaster befalls me, and I’ve long since grown used to it, so that I look with a smile at my fortune. You gave me your word, and although I...

EPIHODOV Every day some disaster happens to me, and I only, if I may so express it, I only smile, or even laugh.

VARYA (To Epihodov.) Are you still here Semyon? Why are you so disrespectful? (To Dunyasha.) You can leave, Dunyasha. (To Epihodov.) First you play billiards and break a cue, then you parade around the dance room as if you were a guest.

EPIHODOV To reproach me with that, if I may so express it, you are not permitted.

VARYA I am not reproaching you, I am merely stating it. It’s quite clear, you just walk about from place to place and you do no work. We keep a clerk, but heaven only knows why we bother.

EPIHODOV (Offended.) If I work or not, if I eat or go from place to place, or if I play billiards, only those who have understanding and seniority may make a judgement of it.

VARYA You dare to speak to me like that! (Flaring up.) How dare you! So evidently, I have no understanding! Get out of here! This very instant!

EPIHODOV (Losing his courage.) I must ask you to express yourself more politely.

VARYA (Losing her temper.) This very instant, get out of here! Get out! (He goes to the door. She follows.) Twenty two misfortunes. I don’t want even a whisker of you here. I don’t want to see a hair of your head! (Epihodov leaves. His voice is heard behind the door saying “I’ll make a complaint against you.” You’re coming back are you! (She seizes the stick left behind the door by Feers.) Come on then... Come on... Come on, I’ll show you... Ahh, so you’re coming? You’re coming? Then take this!... (She lets fly just as Lopakhin enters.)

VARYA It’s not worth the thanks. (She walks away and then turns and asks with concern.) Have I hurt you?

PISCHIK Talk of the devil! (He and Lopakhin kiss.) You smell of brandy dear fellow, old chap. We’ve been making merry here as well.

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA Is that you, Ermolay Alekseyich? Why have you been so long? Where’s Leonid?

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA (Agitated.) Well, is there news? Did the sale go ahead? Tell me!

LOPAKHIN (Embarassed, afraid to reveal his delight.) The sale finished at four... We were late for the train, we had to wait till half past nine. (He sighs deeply.) Ooof! My head is sort of spinning...

Gayev enters. In his right hand he holds some parcels. With his left he is wiping away tears.

LYUBOV ANDREYEVNA Lyonya, what news? Lyonya, tell me? (Impatiently, close to tears.) Tell me quickly, for heaven’s sake...

GAYEV (He does not reply, but only lifts up his hand. To Feers, crying.) Here, take these... Here’s the anchovies, and the herring from Kerch... I’ve not eaten all day... What I’ve had to put up with! (The door to the billiard room is open, the sound of the balls is heard and the voice of Yasha “Seven and eighteen.” Gayev’s expression changes and he stops crying.) I’m dreadfully tired. Feers, come and help me get changed. (He leaves followed by Feers.)

Lyubov Andreyevna is overcome, she would have fallen if she had not been standing beside an armchair and a table. Varya undoes a bunch of keys from her waist and throws them on the floor in the middle of the room, then she leaves.

LOPAKHIN I bought it! Wait a moment, good folks, if you’d be so kind, my head is in a turmoil, I can’t speak... (He laughs.) We got to the sale, Deriganov was already there. Leonod Andreyich only had fifteen thousand, and Deriganov immediately bid thirty thousand above the debt. I saw what the situation was and decided to take him on, so I bid forty thousand. He bid forty five thousand and I bid fifty five. Evidently he was going up five at a time, and I was going up ten... In the end it finished. I bid ninety thousand above the debt and I won it. The cherry orchard is now mine! Mine! (He laughs loudly.) God Almighty, Lord above, the cherry orchard is mine! Tell me that I’m drunk, that I’m out of my mind, that this is all a dream... (He stamps his feet.) Don’t laugh at me! If my father and my grandfather could rise out of their graves and could see all this, if they could see how their Ermolay, their beaten and ill educated Ermolay, who went barefoot in winter, how that same Ermolay has bought an estate which has no rival on this earth. I’ve bought an estate where my father and grandfather were serfs, where they wouldn’t even allow them into the kitchen. I’m dreaming, this is something just imagined, it only seems to be... This is a fruit of your imagination, covered with the darkness of uncertainty... (He picks up the keys and gently smiles.) She threw down the keys, she wanted to show that she’s no longer in charge here... (He jangles the bunch of keys.) Well, it doesn’t matter. (The music starts up again.) Hey, Musicians, play, I want to listen to you! Come on all of you and see how Ermolay Lopakhin will take an axe to the cherry trees and how they will fall down. We will build dachas and our grandchildren and great grandchildren will see a new life beginning here... Music, Play on!

LOPAKHIN (Reproachfully.) Why oh why didn’t you listen to me? My poor dear beautiful lady, there’s no going back. (Tearfully.) If only this could all be over and done with, if only our disjointed, unhappy lives could be changed for something better.

PISCHIK (Takes him under the arm and speaks softly.) She’s crying. Come with me into the other room, leave her alone... Come with me... (Takes him by the arm and leads him into the reception room.)

LOPAKHIN What’s that? Music, play, let me hear you! Let everything be as I wish it! (Ironically.) Here comes the new landowner, the owner of the cherry orchard! (He bumps into a small table nearly upsetting the candelabra.) I can pay for everything... (He leaves with Pischik.)

Only Lyubov Andreyevna remains on stage huddled in an armchair and weeping bitterly. The music plays. Any and Trofimov enter quickly. Anya hurries up to her mother and sinks to her knees in front of her. Trofimov stays beside the entrance to the reception room.

ANYA Mama!... Mama, are you crying? My dearest, my good, my lovely, beautiful Mama, I love you... I bless you. The cherry orchard is sold, it is no more, that is true, but don’t cry, Mama, you still have your life before you, you still have your fine, your pure soul... Come with me, come, away from here, come with me, my dearest!... We will plant a new orchard, more luxuriant than this one, you will see it, you’ll understand, and a quiet, deep joy will sink into your soul like sun in the evening, and you will smile, Mama! Come with me, my dearest, come with me...

[i] A good man but a bad musician.

[ii] The first lines are “The crowd seethes, laughter, happiness,/ The sound of strings, the cymbals clash.” The poem is by Alexey Konstantinovich Tolstoy 1817 – 1875. For an English audience it would probably be best to select a better known poem such as The Ancient Mariner or Tennyson’s Morte D’Arthur.