The Cherry Orchard

A room that to this day is called the nursery. One of the doors leads into anya's room. Dawn, the sun will soon be rising. It is already May, the cherry trees are in bloom; but in the orchard it's cold, a morning frost. The windows in the room are closed. DUNYASHA

with a candle, and lopahin with a book in his hand.

LOPAHIN

The train is in, thank God. What time is it?

DUNYASHA

Nearly two. (Blows out the candle) It's already daylight.

LOPAHIN

Just how late was the train? At least two hours. (Yawns and stretches) I'm priceless—I really am—look at the stupid thing I did! I drove here on purpose just to meet her at the station, and then all of a sudden I oversleep! Fell asleep sitting up. Stupid ... You could've at least woke me up.

DUNYASHA

I thought you'd gone. (Listens) Listen. I think they're coming.

LOPAHIN

(Listening) No .. . what with the luggage and everything. (Pause) Lyuboff Andrevevna's lived abroad five years. I don't know what she's like now—she's a good person. An easygoing, simple person. I remember when I was a boy, about fifteen years old, my father, who's at rest now—he ran a shop here in the village then—slugged me in the face with his fist; blood ran from my nose. We'd come to the yard together for something, and he was a little gassed. Lyuboff Andreyevna, I still remember, so very young, so slim, took me to the washbasin here in this very room, the nursery. "Don't cry," she says. "My little peasant, it'll heal before your wedding." (Pause) Little peasant... My father, it's true, was a peasant, and here I am in a white vest and yellow shoes. Like a pig feasting in a bakery ... Only I'm rich, lots of money, but if you really stop and think about it, I'm nothing but a peasant. (Thumbs through a book) Here I was reading a book and didn't understand a thing. I was reading and fell asleep. (Pause)

DUNYASHA

And all night long the dogs didn't get a wink of sleep; they know their owners are coming.

LOPAHIN

What's wrong, Dunyasha, you're so ...

DUNYASHA

My hands are trembling. I'm going to pass out.

LOPAHIN

You're just too delicate, Dunyasha. And dressed up like a countess and a hairdo to match. Better not remember who you are.

EPIHODOFF enters with a bouquet

he wears a jacket and. highly polished boots that squeak loudly. As he enters, he drops the bouquet.

EPIHODOFF

(Picks up the bouquet) Here, the gardener sent these; he says they're for the dining room. (Gives the bouquet to dunyasha)

LOPAHIN

And bring me some kvass.

DUNYASHA

Yes, sir. (Exits)

EPIHODOFF

There's a morning frost now, three degrees; and all the cherry trees are in bloom. I don't approve of our climate. (Sighs) I don't. Our climate can never quite make up its mind. Listen, Yermolay Alexeyevich, allow me to elaborate. I bought myself boots the day before yesterday, and they, I want you to know, squeak so much that it's impossible. What could I grease them with?

LOPAHIN

Stop it. I'm fed up with you.

EPIHODOFF

Every day bad luck haunts me. But I don't complain; I'm used to it and even smile, (dunyasha enters; serves lopahin the kvass) I'm going. (Stumbles across a chair, which falls over) There ... (As if triumphing) there, you see, pardon the expression, a thing like that, among others ... It's downright remarkable. (Exits)

DUNYASHA

And I have to confess, Yermolay Alexeyevich, Epihodoff has proposed to me.

LOPAHIN

Ah!

DUNYASHA

I don't really know what to do. He is a quiet man, but sometimes when he starts talking, you can't understand a thing he says. It's all very nice, and full of feeling, only it doesn't make much sense. I sort of like him. He's crazy about me. He's an unhappy man; everyday there's

something or other. They've nicknamed him around here

Mister Twenty-Two Disasters . ..

LOPAHIN

(Cocks his ears) Listen, I think they're coming . . .

DUNYASHA

They are! But what's wrong with me ... I'm cold all over.

LOPAHIN

They're really coming. Let's go meet them. Will she recognize me? It's been five years since we've seen each other.

DUNYASHA

(Excitedly) I'm going to pass right out. Ah, I'm going to!

Two carriages are heard driving up to the house. lopahin and dunyasha quickly exit. The stage is empty. In the adjoining rooms a noise begins.