ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What indeed! Stop him! Explain to him that this cannot go on. You have your children! What sort of an example is it for them? MARY IVÁNOVNA. Of course, it is hard; but I go on bearing it, and hoping it will pass, like his former infatuations. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Yes, but "_Aide toi et Dieu t'aidera!_"[12] You must make him feel that he has not only himself to think of, and that one can't live like that. [12] God helps those who help themselves. MARY IVÁNOVNA. The worst of all is that he no longer troubles about the children, and I have to decide everything myself. I have an unweaned baby, besides the older children: girls and boys, who have to be looked after, and need guidance. And I have to do it all single-handed. He used to be such an affectionate and attentive father, but now he seems no longer to care. Yesterday I told him that Ványa is not studying properly, and will not pass his exam., and he replied that it would be by far the best thing for him to leave school altogether. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. To go where? MARY IVÁNOVNA. Nowhere! That's the most terrible thing about it; everything we do is wrong, but he does not say what would be right. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. That's odd. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What is there odd about it? It is just _your_ usual way. Condemn everything, and do nothing yourself! MARY IVÁNOVNA. Styópa has now finished at the University, and ought to choose a career; but his father says nothing about it. He wanted to take a post in the Civil Service, but Nicholas Ivánovich says he ought not to do so. Then he thought of entering the Horse-Guards, but Nicholas Ivánovich quite disapproved. Then the lad asked his father: "What am I to do then--not go and plough after all?" and Nicholas Ivánovich said: "Why not plough? It is much better than being in a Government Office." So what was he to do? He comes to me and asks, and I have to decide everything, and yet the authority is all in his hands. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, you should tell him so straight out. MARY IVÁNOVNA. So I must! I shall have to talk to him. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And tell him straight out that you can't go on like this. That you do your duty, and he must do his; or if not--let him hand everything over to you. MARY IVÁNOVNA. It is all so unpleasant! ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I will tell him, if you like. _Je lui dirai son fait._[13] [13] I'll tell him the truth. Enter a young priest, confused and agitated. He carries a book, and shakes hands all round. PRIEST. I have come to see Nicholas Ivánovich. I have, in fact, come to return a book. MARY IVÁNOVNA. He has gone to town, but will be back soon. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. What book are you returning? PRIEST. Oh, it's Mr. Renan's _Life of Jesus_. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Dear me! What books you read! PRIEST [much agitated, lights a cigarette] It was Nicholas Ivánovich gave it to me to read.