(embracing her uncle) I feel calmer now! I’m quite calm! I’m happy!

Firs enters.

FIRS (reproachfully)Leonid Andreevich—aren’t you ashamed of yourself?—when are you going to bed?

GAEVI’m coming right this minute. You go off, Firs. I’ll undress myself. Night-night, my children—we’ll settle the details tomorrow, but now time for bed. (kissing Anya and Varya) I’m a man of the eighties. That was a period people don’t think much of nowadays, but I can say I’ve suffered for my convictions in my time. It’s not for no reason that I’m loved by the peasant people—one has to know the peasant!—one has to know with whom you’re—

ANYAYou’re doing it, uncle!

VARYAJust be quiet, uncle dear, be quiet.

FIRS (angrily)Leonid Andreevich!

GAEVI’m going, I’m going. Off to bed. Cushion, cushion, and into the middle pocket!—pot white!

Gaev goes out, Firs shuffles after him.

ANYA (as they go)Thank you, uncle. I’m easier in my mind now. I don’t fancy going to my great-aunt’s, I don’t like her . . . but I do feel better.

Anya sits down.

VARYAYou must go to sleep. I’m going to. Something really upsetting happened while you were away. You know the old servants’ quarters—nobody lives there now except a few of the ancients—Yefimyushka, Polya, Yevstignei, oh, and Karp, too. Well, they started letting stray people stay the night, suspicious characters passing through. I said nothing about it. Only, then I hear they’re putting it about I’d given orders that they’re fed on nothing but dried peas. Out of meanness, if you please, and Yevstignei’s behind it. Right, I thought—if that’s the case, just you wait. I send for him. (yawns) He comes in. What’s this you’ve been saying about me, you old fool? (glancing at Anya) Anechka! . . . (pause) Fallen asleep . . .

Varya takes Anya by the arm.

VARYA (cont.)Let’s be off to bed .