this way . . .

They go into Anya’s room.

TROFIMOV (moved)My little ray of sunshine! My springtime!

CURTAIN

ACT TWO

Outdoors among open fields: an old, long-abandoned, leaning little chapel; alongside it a well, large stones, which appear to be old gravestones, and an old bench. The track leading to the Gaevs’ estate can be seen. To one side, rise up the dark shapes of poplars where the cherry orchard begins. In the distance there is a row of telegraph poles, and beyond, on the horizon, a large town can just be made out, visible only on clear days. The sun will soon be setting.

Charlotta, Yasha and Dunyasha are sitting on the bench, lost in thought, while YEPIKHODOV stands beside them, playing something sad on a guitar. Charlotta, wearing an old cap, has taken a gun from her shoulder and is adjusting the buckle on the strap.

CHARLOTTA (meditatively)I’ve never had any proper papers, I don’t know how old I am, and I always think of myself as young. When I was little my father and Mama used to go round the fairs doing their shows, very good shows they were, too. And I’d do the leap of death and other tricks. Then when papa and Mama died, a German lady took me in and started giving me lessons. Well and good, so I grew up and went to be a governess. But who I am and where I’m from, I really don’t know, or who my parents were or whether perhaps they weren’t married, I don’t know. (takes a cucumber from her pocket and eats it) I don’t know anything. I long to have someone to talk to, but there isn’t anybody. I don’t have anyone.

YEPIKHODOV (plays the guitar and sings)“What do I care for the noisy world? Friend or foe, I hear you not . . .”

It’s a lovely thing to play the mandolin!

DUNYASHAIt’s not a mandolin, it’s a guitar.

Dunyasha looks in a small hand-mirror and powders herself.

YEPIKHODOVFor us who are mad for love it’s a mandolin . . . (starts to sing and Yasha joins in) “If only the girl I gave my heart would give her heart to me . . .”

CHARLOTTAWhat a horrible noise. They sing like hyenas, these people.

DUNYASHA (to Yasha)Still, you’re so lucky to have been abroad.

YASHAYes, I have to agree.

Yasha yawns, then lights a cigar.

YEPIKHODOVNaturally. Abroad has been going on for ages, it’s arrived at a certain state of arrival.

YASHAStands to reason.

YEPIKHODOVI’m someone who keeps up, I’ve read all sorts of amazing books, and yet I can’t work out the tendency of my inclination, to be or to shoot myself, that is the question. So I always carry a revolver to be on the safe side, look. (shows the revolver)

CHARLOTTADone. I’m off. (slinging the rifle over her shoulder) Yepikhodov, you’re a brilliant fellow and very scary. Women should be throwing themselves at you.