Is there really no one even to talk to? We might as well be living in Australia: no common interests, no solidarity ... Everyone lives separate lives ... But I must go ... it’s time. [Takes his cap.] Time is precious ... [Gives Lebedev his hand.] I pass! ...

[Laughter.]

[KOSYKH goes out and in the doorway collides with Avdotya Nazarovna.]

IV

[SHABELSKY, LEBEDEV, BORKIN and AVDOTYA NAZAROVNA.]

AVDOTYA NAZAROVNA [shrieking]: Drat you — knocking me over!

ALL: Aha-a-a! ... One can’t get away from her! ...

ADVOTYA NAZAROVNA: There they are, and I’ve been looking all over the house. Good day, my masters, greetings ... [Greets them.]

LEBEDEV : Why have you come here?

AVDOTYA NAZAROVNA:On a matter of business, sir. [To the Count] Business concerning you, Your Highness. [Bows.] She asked me to greet you and enquire after your health ... and my little pet asked me to say that if you don’t come by this evening, she will cry her pretty eyes out. The dear girl said, take him aside and whisper privately in his ear. But why privately? Here we’re all among friends. And in this business matter we’re not stealing chickens, we’re acting by law and by love, by mutual consent. For my sins, I never drink, but on such an occasion I will have a drink!

LEBEDEV: And I’ll have one. [Pours.] And you, my old starling, you’re everlasting. I’ve known you as an old woman for thirty years now ...

AVDOTYA NAZAROVNA: And I’ve lost count of the years. I’ve buried two husbands and I’d have still gone for a third, but nobody wants to take you without a dowry. There were eight children ... [Takes a glass.] Well, God willing we’ve started something good, God willing we’ll complete it! They will live happily ever after and we will look at them and be glad. We’ll give them our advice and our love ... [Drinks.] This is some vodka!

SHABELSKY [laughing loudly, to Lebedev]: But you see, what is strangest of all is that they seriously think that I ... Amazing! [Gets up.] Pasha, but why in fact don’t I do the filthy deed myself? To spite everyone ... There, he says, you old dog, eat! How about it, Pasha? Really ...

LEBEDEV: You’re talking nonsense, Count. You and I, my friend, should be thinking about meeting our maker, the Marfutkas and their cash have left us behind long ago ... Our time has passed.

SHABELSKY: No, I will arrange it. I will, word of honour!

[Enter IVANOV and LVOV.]

V

[The same, IVANOV and LVOV.]

LVOV: I ask you to find me just five minutes.

LEBEDEV: Nikolasha! [Goes to meet Ivanov and kisses him.] How are you, old chap? ... I’ve been waiting for you a whole hour.

AVDOTYA NAZAROVNA [bowing]: Good day, sir.

IVANOV [bitterly] : Gentlemen, you’ve again set up a drinking shop in my study ... I have asked each and every one of you a thousand times not to do that ...