The Cherry Orchard Read online

  GAEV (off)Thank you, brothers, I thank you all.

  YASHAThe villagers have come to say goodbye. Peasants have their heart in the right place in my opinion, they’re just a bit thick.

  The murmur of voices dies down. Liubov and Gaev enter from the entrance hall. She is not crying but is pale, her face trembles and she is unable to speak.

  GAEVYou gave them your purse, Lyuba. You mustn’t do things like that!—really you mustn’t!

  LIUBOVI couldn’t help myself! I just couldn’t!

  They both go out. Lopakhin goes after them.

  LOPAKHIN (in the doorway)Won’t you please join me in a drink before you go? Please? I didn’t think to bring any with me and they only had one bottle at the station. Please do!

  Pause.

  LOPAKHIN (Cont.)No?

  He moves away from the door.

  LOPAKHIN (cont.)If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bought it. Well, I shan’t have one either in that case.

  Yasha carefully puts the tray down on a chair.

  LOPAKHIN (cont.)You might as well have a drink, Yasha, help yourself.

  YASHATo us on our way! And to those left behind! (drinks) It’s not real champagne, I can tell you that much.

  LOPAKHINEight roubles a bottle. (pause) It’s damn cold in here.

  YASHAThey haven’t lit the stoves. Well, so what?—we’re off.

  Yasha laughs.

  LOPAKHINWhy are you laughing?

  YASHASheer happiness.

  LOPAKHINIt’s October outside, but still sunny like summer and not a breath of “wind. Good building weather.

  Lopakhin glances at his watch, speaking through the door.

  LOPAKHIN (cont.)Just to remind you all! We have to set off for the station in twenty minutes! You’d better hurry things up a bit.

  Trofimov in an overcoat enters from outside.

  TROFIMOVIsn’t it time we were going? The horses have been brought round. Where the devil are my galoshes. They’ve disappeared. (in the doorway) Anya, I can’t find my galoshes!

  LOPAKHINAnd I have to be on my way to Kharkov—I can get your train. I’ll be in Kharkov for the winter. I’ve been hanging around here too long doing nothing. I hate not being busy. I don’t know what to do with my hands, they look so odd without anything to do, as though they didn’t belong to me.

  TROFIMOVWe’ll be out of your way soon, and you’ll be able to resume your many profitable activities.

  LOPAKHINHelp yourself to a glass.

  TROFIMOVNo, not for me.

  LOPAKHINSo you’re off to Moscow?

  TROFIMOVYes, I’m going to see them off, and tomorrow to Moscow.

  LOPAKHINYes, I expect the professors won’t have given their lectures yet—they’ll be waiting till you get there.

  TROFIMOVWell, it’s nothing to do with you.

  LOPAKHINHow many years is it that you’ve been studying?

  TROFIMOVTry to think of something original—that one’s been done to death.

  Trofimov continues to look for his galoshes.

  TROFIMOV (cont.)Look, since we’ll probably never see each other again, do you mind if I give you one piece of advice to take with you? You wave your arms about too much. Try and break the habit, all that arm waving. Also, all the talk about building cottages, and working out how many summer visitors you’ll turn into settlers and smallholders—boasting and calculating—that’s a kind of arm waving too. Still, I like you anyway. You’ve the hands of an artist, and the soul of an artist, too.

  LOPAKHIN (embracing him)Goodbye, then, my dear chap. Thanks for everything. Let me give you some money for the journey, in case.

  TROFIMOVWhat for? I won’t need it.

  LOPAKHINBut you haven’t got any.

  TROFIMOVYes, I have. Thank you anyway. I got paid for a translation. I’ve got money in my pocket. (anxiously) What I haven’t got is my galoshes!

  VARYA (from another room)Here!—take the smelly things!

  Varya throws a pair of rubber galoshes onto the stage.

  TROFIMOVWhat’s gotten into you, Varya? Anyway, these aren’t mine!

  LOPAKHINLast spring I planted three thousand acres with poppies, and I’ve already cleared forty thousand roubles on them. They were a picture when they were in bloom! What I’m trying to say is, I made forty thousand, which means I can afford to make you a loan, so I’m offering it. Don’t give me that look. I’m just a peasant, I don’t dress things up.

  TROFIMOVYour father was a peasant, mine had a chemist’s shop. It means nothing.

  Lopakhin takes out his wallet.

  TROFIMOV (cont.)Put it away. You can offer me two hundred thousand and I still wouldn’t take it. I’m a free man. The stuff that rich men and beggars hold in such high regard hasn’t the slightest power over me, it may as well be thistledown blowing on the wind. I can get on without you, or go by you, I’ve got my strength and my pride. Mankind is moving on to a higher truth, toward the greatest possible happiness on earth, and I’m in the front rank.

  LOPAKHINWill you get there?

  TROFIMOVI will. (pause) I’ll get there or show the way to those behind.

  An axe can be heard striking at a tree in the distance.

  LOPAKHINSo—goodbye. Time to go. We may turn up our noses at each other, but life goes on regardless. The only time my mind is at peace is when I work nonstop for hours at a stretch. Then I feel I know why I’m here. How many people in Russia exist without knowing why? Well, perhaps that’s not the point. I gather Leonid Andreevich has taken a job at the bank for six thousand a year. He won’t last, he’s too lazy.

  ANYA (in the doorway)Mama says would you mind not cutting down the cherry orchard till she’s gone.

  TROFIMOVWell, of course not! You could have had more tact.

  Trofimov goes out through the entrance hall.

  LOPAKHINI’ll go and stop them, you’re quite right, it’s a good point . . .

  Lopakhin follows Trofimov out.

  ANYAHave they sent Firs off to the hospital?

  YASHAI told them this morning. They must have done.

  Yepikhodov crosses the room to Anya.

  ANYA (to Yepikhodov)Semyon Panteleevich—will you go and ask if Firs has been taken to hospital?

  YASHA (offended)I told Yegor this morning—you don’t have to ask them ten times!

  YEPIKHODOVOur ancient Firs, in my considered opinion, is beyond repair. He should be with his forefathers. I wish I was.

  Yepikhodov puts a suitcase down on a hat-box and squashes it.

  YEPIKHODOV (cont.)What did I tell you! Uncanny!

  He goes out.

  YASHA (jeers)Catastrophe Corner!

  VARYA (in the doorway)Have they taken Firs to the hospital?

  ANYAYes.

  VARYASo why didn’t they take the letter for the doctor?

  ANYATsk! I’ll get it sent on after him.

  Varya goes back in. Anya leaves.

  VARYA (from the room next door)Where’s Yasha? His mother’s come to say goodbye to him.

  YASHA (waving his hand dismissively)That woman would try the patience of a saint.

  Dunyasha has been busying herself among the packing all this time; now that Yasha is alone she goes up to him.

  DUNYASHAYou might look at me, just for a moment, Yasha. You’re going away . . . you’re leaving me . . .

  Dunyasha starts to cry and throws herself on his neck.

  YASHAThere’s nothing to cry about. (drinking champagne) In six days I’ll be in Paris again. Tomorrow I’ll take my seat in the express and off we go, in a puff of smoke. I can hardly believe it. Vive la France! This place doesn’t suit me, I can’t live here, and there’s nothing I can do about that. I’ve had my fill of ignorance. (drinking champagne) What are you crying about? Well-behaved girls don’t make a fuss.

  Dunyasha takes out a little mirror and powders herself.

  DUNYASHAWrite to me from Paris. I really did love you, Yasha, I loved you so! I’ve got a sensitive nature, you see.

  YASHAThey’re comi
ng.

  Yasha busies himself around the suitcases, softly hums.

  Liubov enters, followed by Gaev, Anya, and Charlotta.

  GAEVWe ought to be going. There’s not much time. (looking at Yasha) There’s a smell of herring coming from somewhere.

  LIUBOVWe’ve still got ten minutes before we have to get in the carriages.

  Liubov looks around.

  LIUBOV (cont.)Goodbye, old house, old grandfather house. Come the spring, you won’t be here anymore, they’re going to pull you down. What these walls have seen!

  She embraces Anya fervently.

  LIUBOV (cont.)My treasure, your eyes are shining, sparkling like diamonds. You’re happy, aren’t you, so, so happy?

  ANYAYes, I am. It’s a new life starting, Mama!

  GAEV (gaily)She’s right. Everything’s going to be all right now. Until the cherry orchard was sold we were all so worried and worked up, but once the question was settled once and for all, everybody felt calmer, you could even say quite cheerful. I work for the bank now, I’m a financier. Yellow into the middle. And you’re looking better, Lyuba, you really are, inspite of everything.

  LIUBOVYes. My nerves are better. It’s true.

  She is handed her hat and overcoat.

  LIUBOV (cont.)I’m sleeping well. Bring my things, Yasha. It’s time. (to Anya) Darling, we’ll see each other again before long. Paris here I come, with great-aunt’s money she sent to buy the estate. Here’s to her! Well, it won’t last long.

  ANYABut you’ll come back soon, won’t you, Mama? You will, won’t you? I’ll study hard and pass my exams and then I’ll go to work, so I’ll be able to help you. We’ll read all kinds of books together, Mama, won’t we? (kissing her mother’s hand) A wonderful new world will open for us. (to herself) So come back, Mama.

  LIUBOVI will, my darling.

  Liubov embraces Anya.

  Lopakhin enters. Charlotta begins to softly hum a tune.

  GAEVCharlotta’s happy. She’s singing.

  Charlotta picks up a bundle resembling a swaddled baby.

  CHARLOTTABye-bye, my baby . . .

  The baby’s cry is heard: wah, wah.

  CHARLOTTA (cont.)Hush, my little baby boy . . .

  The baby is still crying: wah, wah.

  CHARLOTTA (cont.)My poor baby!

  Charlotta throws the bundle aside.

  CHARLOTTA (cont.)So I’m counting on you to find me a place. I can’t stay here.

  LOPAKHINWe’ll find something, don’t worry.

  GAEVEveryone’s deserting me. Varya’s going away, suddenly nobody needs me.

  CHARLOTTAI’ve nowhere to live in town. I’ll have to move on. (hums) Well, so what?

  Pishchik enters.

  LOPAKHINLook what the wind’s blown in, “Fancy That” himself!

  PISHCHIK (out of breath)Oof—let me get my breath. I’m exhausted. Dear friend, a glass of water!

  GAEVOn the scrounge again, I suppose. No disrespect, I’m getting out of the line of fire.

  Gaev goes out.

  PISHCHIKQuite some time since I was here. You’re as enchanting as ever. (to Lopakhin) You’re here, too? Delighted to see you. A man of enormous intellect. Here, take this.

  He hands Lopakhin some money.

  PISHCHIK (cont.)Four hundred roubles. That leaves eight hundred and forty I still owe you.

  LOPAKHIN (in disbelief, shrugs his shoulders)Somebody pinch me. Where did you get it from?

  PISHCHIKTell you in a minute. I’m boiling. A most unexpected occurrence. Some Englishmen turned up on my property and found some kind of white clay on my land. (to Liubov) And four hundred for you, you beautiful, wonderful woman. (he hands Liubov some money) The rest later. (he drinks some water) There was a young man on the train who was saying that a great philosopher advises us to go and jump off the roof. “Jump!” he tells us. There’s no problem it doesn’t solve, he says. It’s his whole philosophy in a nutshell. (astonished) Fancy that! More water.

  LOPAKHINWhat Englishmen?

  PISHCHIKI’ve given them a twenty-four year lease on the part with the clay. But now, forgive me, time’s up. I must trot along. I’m going to Znoikov’s. And to Kardamonov’s. Owe them all money. (he finishes his drink) Cheers! I’ll drop in on Thursday.

  LIUBOVWe’re moving into town in a minute, and tomorrow I’m going abroad.

  PISHCHIKWhat? (alarmed) Moving to town? Oh, I see. So that’s why the furniture! And the luggage! Well, never mind! (on the brink of tears) Never mind. Extraordinarily intelligent, these English. Never mind. Be happy. God be with you. Never mind. All things come to an end.

  He kisses Liubov’s hand.

  PISHCHIK (cont.)And if you hear that I’ve come to mine, spare a thought for this old, this old horse, and say, “There once was a man called Simeonov-Pishchik, God give him peace.” Most remarkable weather. Quite.

  He goes out in a flurry, but returns immediately to speak from the doorway.

  PISHCHIK (cont.)Dashenka asks to be remembered.

  Pishchik goes out.

  LIUBOVNow we can go. I’m taking two worries with me. There’s Firs who isn’t well. (glancing at her watch) Perhaps we’ve got five minutes.

  ANYAMama, they’ve already taken Firs to the hospital. Yasha sent him off this morning.

  LIUBOVAnd I’m worried about Varya. She’s used to rising early and getting down to work, and now with nothing to occupy her she’ll be like a fish out of water. She’s got thin and pale, and she’s always in tears, poor thing.

  Pause.

  LIUBOV (cont.)You know what I’m saying, Yermolai Alekseevich. It was my hope to see her married to you, indeed things looked to be going that way.

  She whispers to Anya, who nods her head to Charlotta and they both go out.

  LIUBOV (cont.)She loves you, and you—you feel something for her, and, I don’t know, I don’t know, but it’s as if you two are determined to lose each other. I don’t understand why.

  LOPAKHINNor do I, I must admit it’s all very strange. If it’s not too late, I’m ready to propose to her. So let’s settle it, get it over with—basta. With you gone, I don’t think I’d ever get around to proposing.

  LIUBOVGood! It’ll only take a minute. I’ll fetch her.

  LOPAKHINIt just so happens there’s some champagne.

  Lopakhin looks at the glasses.

  LOPAKHIN (cont.)No there isn’t. Someone’s had it all.

  Yasha coughs.

  LOPAKHIN (cont.)Siphoned it up.

  LIUBOV (animatedly)Excellent! Out we go. Yasha, allez! I’ll call her. (in the doorway) Varya, leave everything, and come here. Come along.

  Liubov goes out with Yasha.

  LOPAKHIN (glancing at his watch)Yes . . .

  Pause.

  There is restrained laughter behind the door, whispering, and finally in comes Varya. She spends some time checking the luggage.

  VARYAThat’s strange, I just can’t seem to find . . .

  LOPAKHINWhat are you looking for?

  VARYAI packed it myself, and I’ve forgotten where I . . .

  Pause.

  LOPAKHINWhat are your plans now, Varvara Mikhailovna?

  VARYAMe? I’m going to the Ragulins. I’ve agreed to look after things for them, be their housekeeper, I suppose.

  LOPAKHINThat’s in Yashnevo, isn’t it? Must be forty or fifty miles away. (pause) Well, this house has come to the end of its life.

  VARYAOh, where can it be? Perhaps I put it in the trunk. Yes, life’s over for this house. All over.

  LOPAKHINAnd I’ve got to go to Kharkov now, on the same train. Lots to do. I’m leaving Yepikhodov in charge here. I’ve taken him on.

  VARYAReally?

  LOPAKHINThis time last year the snow had come, do you remember? But this year it’s sunny and calm. Cold, though. Three degrees of frost.

  VARYAI didn’t look. (pause) And anyway, our thermometer is broken.

  Pause.

  A voice is heard through the door from outside: “Yermolai Alekseevich! .
. .”

  LOPAKHIN (as though long awaiting this summons)I’m coming!

  Lopakhin goes out quickly.

  Varya sits down on the floor, rests her head on a bundle of clothes and sobs quietly. The door opens and Liubov cautiously comes in.

  LIUBOVWell? (pause) We have to go.

  VARYA (stops crying and wipes her eyes)Yes, it’s time, Mama. I’ll get to the Ragulins today, so long as we don’t miss the train.

  LIUBOV (in the doorway)Anya, put your things on!

  Anya enters, then Gaev and Charlotta. Gaev is wearing a warm overcoat with a hood. The servants gather, and the drivers. Yepikhodov fusses around with the baggage.

  LIUBOVAnd now we can be on our way at last.

  ANYA (joyfully)On our way!

  GAEVMy dears—my dear friends and loved ones! We’re leaving this house for the last time. How can I remain silent, how may I not express at this moment of parting, the feelings which fill my entire being at this—

  ANYA (imploringly)Uncle!

  VARYAThere’s no need, uncle!

  GAEV (despondently)Yellow—off the cushion—into the middle pocket . . . I am silent.

  Trofimov enters followed by Lopakhin.

  TROFIMOVSo, come on everybody.

  LOPAKHINYepikhodov—my coat!

  LIUBOVI’ll just sit for one more minute. I never took the slightest notice of the walls and ceilings before, and now I want to look at them forever, they break my heart.

  GAEVI can remember being six years old one Trinity Sunday, sitting by this window watching my father going off to church.

  LIUBOVHave we got everything?

  LOPAKHINLooks like everything. (to Yepikhodov, putting on his overcoat) Make sure you keep everything in order, Yepikhodov.

  YEPIKHODOV (speaking in a hoarse voice)Count on me, sir.

  LOPAKHINWhat’s happened to your voice?

  YEPIKHODOVI had a drink of water and I think I swallowed something.

  YASHA (with contempt)These country bumpkins!

  LIUBOVWe’re leaving, and there’ll be no one left . . .

  LOPAKHINUntil the spring.