(listens) They’re coming this way, it’s the Mistress and that lot.

Dunyasha kisses him impulsively.

YASHA (cont.)Go back to the house—take the path from the river as though you’ve been for a swim, otherwise you’ll meet them and they’ll think I’m keeping company with you—I can’t be doing with that.

DUNYASHA (quietly coughing)Your cigar’s given me a headache.

Dunyasha goes out.

Yasha puts out his cigar and remains, sitting beside the chapel. Liubov Andreevna, Gaev, and Lopakhin enter.

LOPAKHINYou have to decide once and for all. Time will not wait for you. The question couldn’t be simpler. Will you agree to give the land over to building plots, or not? Yes or no?

LIUBOVWho’s been smoking cheap cigars?

Liubov sits down.

GAEVIt’s so convenient now they’ve built the railway—lunch in town and home again. (sitting down) Pot red into the middle pocket. I wouldn’t mind going up to the house for a game now . . .

LIUBOVYou’ll have plenty of time.

LOPAKHINJust say one word! (pleading) Give me an answer!

GAEV (yawning)To what?

LIUBOV (looking in her purse)There was lots of money in here yesterday, and now there’s hardly any. Poor Varya’s economising, feeding us on slops, and the old ones in the kitchen only get dried peas . . . and here am I spending money without a thought, I don’t know where it goes . . . (the purse drops, scattering coins) And now I’ve dropped it everywhere . . .

Liubov is annoyed. Yasha gathers the coins.

YASHAAllow me, I’ll pick it up.

LIUBOVBe so kind, Yasha. And why ever did I go out for lunch? That frightful restaurant of yours, with that music and tablecloths smelling of soap . . . Why do you drink so much, Lyonya? And eat so much? Why do you talk so much? In the restaurant you were rambling on about the seventies and the Decadents, and for whose benefit? Who but you would lecture the waiters about the Decadent movement?

LOPAKHINNo one.

GAEV (making a dismissive gesture)Clearly I’m beyond help. (irritably, to Yasha) Why are you always hovering about in front of my face?

YASHA (laughs)Just hearing your voice makes me laugh.

GAEV (to his sister)It’s him or me.

LIUBOVGo away, Yasha, go on.

YASHA (handing Liubov her purse)I’m going. (barely restraining his laughter) I’ve gone.

Yasha goes out.

LOPAKHINThat millionaire Deriganov wants to buy your estate. They say he’s coming to the auction in person.

LIUBOVWho told you?

LOPAKHINIt’s what they’re saying in town.

GAEVOur aunt in Yaroslavl has promised to let us have some money, we don’t know how much . . .

LOPAKHINA hundred thousand? Two hundred thousand?

LIUBOVOh, really! Ten, perhaps fifteen thousand, and lucky to get that.

LOPAKHINForgive me for saying so, but you two are the most irresponsible, the strangest, most unbusinesslike people I’ve ever met. I’m telling you in words of one syllable that your house and land are about to be sold off, and it just doesn’t get through.

LIUBOVWell, what are we supposed to do about it? Go on, tell us.

LOPAKHINI tell you every day. I keep telling you.