VERSHININ. What else can I say in parting? Can I philosophize about anything? [Laughs] Life is heavy. To many of us it seems dull and hopeless, but still, it must be acknowledged that it is getting lighter and clearer, and it seems that the time is not far off when it will be quite clear. [Looks at his watch] It’s time I went! Mankind used to be absorbed in wars, and all its existence was filled with campaigns, attacks, defeats, now we’ve outlived all that, leaving after us a great waste place, which there is nothing to fill with at present; but mankind is looking for something, and will certainly find it. Oh, if it only happened more quickly. [Pause] If only education could be added to industry, and industry to education. [Looks at his watch] It’s time I went.... OLGA. Here she comes. [Enter MASHA.] VERSHININ. I came to say good-bye.... [OLGA steps aside a little, so as not to be in their way.] MASHA. [Looking him in the face] Good-bye. [Prolonged kiss.] OLGA. Don’t, don’t. [MASHA is crying bitterly] VERSHININ. Write to me.... Don’t forget! Let me go.... It’s time. Take her, Olga Sergeyevna... it’s time... I’m late... [He kisses OLGA’S hand in evident emotion, then embraces MASHA once more and goes out quickly.] OLGA. Don’t, Masha! Stop, dear.... [KULIGIN enters.] KULIGIN. [Confused] Never mind, let her cry, let her.... My dear Masha, my good Masha.... You’re my wife, and I’m happy, whatever happens... I’m not complaining, I don’t reproach you at all.... Olga is a witness to it. Let’s begin to live again as we used to, and not by a single word, or hint... MASHA. [Restraining her sobs] “There stands a green oak by the sea, And a chain of bright gold is around it.... And a chain of bright gold is around it....” I’m going off my head... “There stands... a green oak... by the sea.”... OLGA. Don’t, Masha, don’t... give her some water.... MASHA. I’m not crying any more.... KULIGIN. She’s not crying any more... she’s a good... [A shot is heard from a distance.] MASHA. “There stands a green oak by the sea, And a chain of bright gold is around it... An oak of green gold....” I’m mixing it up.... [Drinks some water] Life is dull... I don’t want anything more now... I’ll be all right in a moment.... It doesn’t matter.... What do those lines mean? Why do they run in my head? My thoughts are all tangled. [IRINA enters.] OLGA. Be quiet, Masha. There’s a good girl.... Let’s go in. MASHA. [Angrily] I shan’t go in there. [Sobs, but controls herself at once] I’m not going to go into the house, I won’t go.... IRINA. Let’s sit here together and say nothing. I’m going away to-morrow.... [Pause.] KULIGIN. Yesterday I took away these whiskers and this beard from a boy in the third class.... [He puts on the whiskers and beard] Don’t I look like the German master.... [Laughs] Don’t I? The boys are amusing. MASHA. You really do look like that German of yours. OLGA. [Laughs] Yes. [MASHA weeps.] IRINA. Don’t, Masha!