SOLENI. They say it’s going down. No, I absolutely don’t see why the Baron can, and I can’t? [Scents his hands.] VERSHININ. Trum-tum-tum. MASHA. Trum-tum. VERSHININ. [Laughs to SOLENI] Let’s go into the dining-room. SOLENI. Very well, we’ll make a note of it. “If I should try to make this clear, the geese would be annoyed, I fear.” [Looks at TUZENBACH] There, there, there.... [Goes out with VERSHININ and FEDOTIK.] IRINA. How Soleni smelt of tobacco.... [In surprise] The Baron’s asleep! Baron! Baron! TUZENBACH. [Waking] I am tired, I must say.... The brickworks.... No, I’m not wandering, I mean it; I’m going to start work soon at the brickworks... I’ve already talked it over. [Tenderly, to IRINA] You’re so pale, and beautiful, and charming.... Your paleness seems to shine through the dark air as if it was a light.... You are sad, displeased with life.... Oh, come with me, let’s go and work together! MASHA. Nicolai Lvovitch, go away from here. TUZENBACH. [Laughs] Are you here? I didn’t see you. [Kisses IRINA’S hand] good-bye, I’ll go... I look at you now and I remember, as if it was long ago, your name-day, when you, cheerfully and merrily, were talking about the joys of labour.... And how happy life seemed to me, then! What has happened to it now? [Kisses her hand] There are tears in your eyes. Go to bed now; it is already day... the morning begins.... If only I was allowed to give my life for you! MASHA. Nicolai Lvovitch, go away! What business... TUZENBACH. I’m off. [Exit.] MASHA. [Lies down] Are you asleep, Feodor? KULIGIN. Eh? MASHA. Shouldn’t you go home. KULIGIN. My dear Masha, my darling Masha.... IRINA. She’s tired out. You might let her rest, Fedia. KULIGIN. I’ll go at once. My wife’s a good, splendid... I love you, my only one.... MASHA. [Angrily] Amo, amas, amat, amamus, amatis, amant. KULIGIN. [Laughs] No, she really is wonderful. I’ve been your husband seven years, and it seems as if I was only married yesterday. On my word. No, you really are a wonderful woman. I’m satisfied, I’m satisfied, I’m satisfied! MASHA. I’m bored, I’m bored, I’m bored.... [Sits up] But I can’t get it out of my head.... It’s simply disgraceful. It has been gnawing away at me... I can’t keep silent. I mean about Andrey.... He has mortgaged this house with the bank, and his wife has got all the money; but the house doesn’t belong to him alone, but to the four of us! He ought to know that, if he’s an honourable man. KULIGIN. What’s the use, Masha? Andrey is in debt all round; well, let him do as he pleases. MASHA. It’s disgraceful, anyway. [Lies down] KULIGIN. You and I are not poor. I work, take my classes, give private lessons... I am a plain, honest man... _Omnia mea mecum porto_, as they say. MASHA. I don’t want anything, but the unfairness of it disgusts me. [Pause] You go, Feodor.