ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. But what will become of him if he believes you? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. He need not believe _me_. But if he saw the truth, it would be well for him and for everybody. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. If it were really so good, everyone would be ready to believe you. As it is, no one believes you, and your wife least of all. She _can't_ believe you. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Who told you that? ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, just you try and explain it to her! She will never understand, nor shall I, nor anyone else in the world, that one must care for other people and abandon one's own children. Go and try to explain that to Mary! NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Yes, and Mary will certainly understand. Forgive me, Alexándra, but if it were not for other people's influence, to which she is very susceptible, she would understand me and go with me. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. To beggar your children for the sake of drunken Yefím and his sort? Never! But if I have made you angry, please forgive me. I can't help speaking out. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I am not angry. On the contrary, I am even glad you have spoken out and given me the opportunity--challenged me--to explain to Mary my whole outlook on life. On my way home to-day I was thinking of doing so, and I will speak to her at once; and you will see that she will agree, because she is wise and good. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, as to that, allow me to have my doubts. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. But I have no doubts. For you know, this is not any invention of my own; it is only what we all of us know, and what Christ revealed to us. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, you think Christ revealed this, but I think he revealed something else. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. It cannot be anything else. Shouts from the tennis ground. LYÚBA. Out! VÁNYA. No, we saw it. LISA. I know. It fell just here! LYÚBA. Out! Out! Out! VÁNYA. It's not true. LYÚBA. For one thing, it's rude to say "It's not true." VÁNYA. And it's rude to say what is not true! NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Just wait a bit, and don't argue, but listen. Isn't it true that at any moment we may die, and either cease to exist, or go to God who expects us to live according to His will? ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Well, what can I do in this life other than what the supreme judge in my soul, my conscience--God--requires of me? And my conscience--God--requires that I should regard everybody as equal, love everybody, serve everybody. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Your own children too? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Naturally, my own too, but obeying all that my conscience demands. Above all, that I should understand that my life does not belong to me--nor yours to you--but to God, who sent us into the world and who requires that we should do His will. And His will is ... ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And you think that you will persuade Mary of this? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Certainly. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And that she will give up educating the children properly, and will abandon them? Never!