!

Lopakhin looks in, moos, and disappears.

VARYA (on the brink of tears)Oh, I’d like to . . .

Varya makes a fist. Anya embraces her gently.

ANYAVarya, has he proposed yet?

Varya shakes her head.

ANYA (cont.)But it’s obvious he loves you. Why can’t the two of you come to an understanding? What are you waiting for?

VARYAIf you want to know what I think, nothing’s going to come of it. He’s busy with his affairs, he hasn’t got time. He doesn’t take any notice of me. Well, good luck to him. I don’t want to see him, it just makes me unhappy. People keep talking about our marriage, some of them even congratulate me, but it’s all built on nothing, it’s all a fantasy. (with a change of tone) Oh—you’re wearing a new brooch, it’s a bumble bee.

ANYA (despairing)Mama just had to buy it for me.

Anya goes into her room, talking cheerfully, a child again.

ANYA (cont.)In Paris I went up in a hot-air balloon!

VARYA (laughs happily)Now I know you’re back! My Anya is home!

Dunyasha has returned with a coffee pot and is pouring the coffee. Varya talks to Anya through the door.

VARYA (cont.)All day long while I’m seeing to the house, I’m racking my brains. If only we could get you married off to some rich man, it would be such a weight off my mind. I could disappear into a retreat somewhere, disappear further and further, to Kiev, to Moscow. I’d go on a pilgrimage around all the holy places, I’d walk forever, oh, what a glorious thought!

ANYAThe birds are singing in the orchard! What time is it?

VARYAIt must be well after two. Bedtime for you, my pet.

She follows Anya into her room.

VARYA (cont.). . . Yes . . . what a glorious thought.

YASHA enters with a rug and a travelling bag, and crosses the stage with exaggerated discretion.

YASHAMay one intrude?—just passing through.

DUNYASHAI wouldn’t have known you, Yasha. Abroad has changed you.

YASHAOh yes?—and who might you be?

DUNYASHAWhen you left I was so-high . . . (indicating height from the floor) Dunyasha, Fyodor Kozoedov’s daughter. You don’t remember!

YASHAAh yes . . . and ripe for plucking!

Yasha looks around and then puts his arms around her; she shrieks and drops a saucer. Yasha hurries out.

VARYA (in the doorway, irritably)What’s going on?

DUNYASHA (on the brink of tears)I’ve broken a saucer .