MASHA. You talk and talk the whole day long. [Going] You live in a climate like this, where it might snow any moment, and there you talk.... [Stops] I won’t go into the house, I can’t go there.... Tell me when Vershinin comes.... [Goes along the avenue] The migrant birds are already on the wing.... [Looks up] Swans or geese.... My dear, happy things.... [Exit.] ANDREY. Our house will be empty. The officers will go away, you are going, my sister is getting married, and I alone will remain in the house. CHEBUTIKIN. And your wife? [FERAPONT enters with some documents.] ANDREY. A wife’s a wife. She’s honest, well-bred, yes; and kind, but with all that there is still something about her that degenerates her into a petty, blind, even in some respects misshapen animal. In any case, she isn’t a man. I tell you as a friend, as the only man to whom I can lay bare my soul. I love Natasha, it’s true, but sometimes she seems extraordinarily vulgar, and then I lose myself and can’t understand why I love her so much, or, at any rate, used to love her.... CHEBUTIKIN. [Rises] I’m going away to-morrow, old chap, and perhaps we’ll never meet again, so here’s my advice. Put on your cap, take a stick in your hand, go... go on and on, without looking round. And the farther you go, the better. [SOLENI goes across the back of the stage with two officers; he catches sight of CHEBUTIKIN, and turns to him, the officers go on.] SOLENI. Doctor, it’s time. It’s half-past twelve already. [Shakes hands with ANDREY.] CHEBUTIKIN. Half a minute. I’m tired of the lot of you. [To ANDREY] If anybody asks for me, say I’ll be back soon.... [Sighs] Oh, oh, oh! SOLENI. “He didn’t have the time to sigh. The bear sat on him heavily.” [Goes up to him] What are you groaning about, old man? CHEBUTIKIN. Stop it! SOLENI. How’s your health? CHEBUTIKIN. [Angry] Mind your own business. SOLENI. The old man is unnecessarily excited. I won’t go far, I’ll only just bring him down like a snipe. [Takes out his scent-bottle and scents his hands] I’ve poured out a whole bottle of scent to-day and they still smell... of a dead body. [Pause] Yes.... You remember the poem “But he, the rebel seeks the storm, As if the storm will bring him rest...”? CHEBUTIKIN. Yes. “He didn’t have the time to sigh, The bear sat on him heavily.” [Exit with SOLENI.] [Shouts are heard. ANDREY and FERAPONT come in.] FERAPONT. Documents to sign.... ANDREY. [Irritated]. Go away! Leave me! Please! [Goes away with the perambulator.] FERAPONT. That’s what documents are for, to be signed. [Retires to back of stage.] [Enter IRINA, with TUZENBACH in a straw hat; KULIGIN walks across the stage, shouting “Co-ee, Masha, co-ee!”] TUZENBACH. He seems to be the only man in the town who is glad that the soldiers are going. IRINA. One can understand that. [Pause] The town will be empty. TUZENBACH. My dear, I shall return soon. IRINA. Where are you going?