Large room on the ground floor. There is no chandelier, there are no paintings on the walls; there is some furniture left, piled up in one corner as if for a sale. There is a feeling of emptiness. Suitcases, bundles, and so on are piled up by the exit door and at the back of the stage. The door to the left is open; Varya and Anya’s voices come from there. Lopakhin stands waiting. Yasha holds a tray of glasses filled with champagne. In the front hall Epikhodov is tying up a box. Noise comes from deep backstage. It is peasants who have come to say good-bye. Gaev’s voice says: “Thank you, brothers, thank you.”
YASHA
The simple folk have come to say good-bye. My opinion is this, Ermolai Alexeich: they’re good folk, but they understand very little.
The noise dies down. Lyubov Andreevna and Gaev enter through the front hall. She no longer weeps, but she is pale, her face twitches, and she is unable to speak.
You gave them your purse, Lyuba. Impossible! Impossible!
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
I couldn’t help it! I couldn’t help it!
Both exit.
LOPAKHIN
(Through the doorway, calls after them) Wait, I humbly beg you! A little glass for the road. I didn’t think to bring it from town, and they only had one bottle at the station. Wait!
Pause.
So, you don’t want to? (Steps away from the door) If I’d known, I wouldn’t have bought it. Well, I won’t drink either, then.
Yasha carefully sets the tray on a chair.
Yasha, you drink at least.
YASHA
To those who are leaving! Good luck to those who are staying! (He drinks) This is not real champagne, I can assure you.
LOPAKHIN
Eight roubles a bottle.
Pause.
It’s damned cold here.
YASHA
Didn’t heat it today. We’re leaving anyway. (Laughs into his fist)
What’s with you?
YASHA
I’m delighted.
LOPAKHIN
It’s October, but sunny and calm, like summer. Good for building. (Glancing at his watch, says through the door) Bear in mind, ladies and gentlemen, that the train comes in forty-six minutes! Which means you should leave for the station in twenty minutes. Hurry it up.
Trofimov enters from outside wearing an overcoat.
TROFIMOV
I suppose it’s already time to go. They’ve brought the horses. Devil knows where my galoshes are. Vanished. (Through the door) Anya, where are my galoshes? I can’t find them!
LOPAKHIN
And I must go to Kharkov. I’m taking the same train as you. I’ll spend the whole winter in Kharkov. All this hanging around with you and doing nothing has worn me out. I can’t get by without work, I don’t know what to do with my hands, they hang there somehow strangely, like somebody else’s.
TROFIMOV
We’ll be gone soon, and you can go back to your useful labors.
LOPAKHIN
Have a little glass.
TROFIMOV
None for me.
So, it’s Moscow now?
TROFIMOV
Yes, I’ll see them off in town, and tomorrow it’s Moscow.
LOPAKHIN
Yes . . . No doubt the professors are holding off their lectures, waiting for you to come!
TROFIMOV
That’s none of your business.
LOPAKHIN
How many years have you been studying at the university?
TROFIMOV
Try thinking up something new. That’s old and stale. (Pause) You know, we may just never see each other again, so allow me to give you a piece of parting advice: stop waving your arms! Get out of this habit of waving your arms. And building summer houses, calculating that in time the summer people will turn into independent farmers, calculating like that—is also waving your arms . . . Anyhow, I still like you. You have fine, delicate fingers, like an artist; you have a fine, delicate soul . . .
LOPAKHIN
(Embraces him) Good-bye, dear boy. Thanks for everything. Take some money from me for the road, if you need it.
TROFIMOV
Why should I? There’s no need.
LOPAKHIN
But you haven’t got any!
Yes, I have. Thanks very much. I got some for a translation. It’s right here in my pocket. (Anxiously) But where are my galoshes?!
VARYA
(From the other room) Here, take the vile things! (Throws a pair of rubber galoshes onto the stage)
TROFIMOV
What are you angry about, Varya? Hm . . . No, these aren’t my galoshes.
LOPAKHIN
I sowed three thousand acres of poppies in the spring, and just made forty thousand. When my poppies flowered, what a picture it was! So, as I say, I made forty thousand, and I’m offering to lend you some, because I can. Why turn up your nose? I’m a peasant . . . let’s keep it simple.
TROFIMOV
Your father was a peasant, mine was a druggist, and from that follows—absolutely nothing.
Lopakhin takes out his wallet.
Stop, stop . . . I won’t take it, even if it’s two hundred thousand. I’m a free man. Nothing that all of you, rich and poor, value so highly and dearly, has the least power over me, any more than this bit of fluff floating in the air. I can get along without you, I can pass you by, I’m strong and proud. Mankind is striding towards the highest truth, towards the highest happiness possible on earth, and I am in the forefront!
LOPAKHIN
Will you get there?
I will get there, or I will show others the way.
The sound of an axe striking wood is heard.
LOPAKHIN
Well, good-bye, dear boy. It’s time to go. Here we are turning up our noses at each other, and meanwhile life is passing by. When I work for a long time without a break, my thoughts become lighter, and it seems as if I also know why I exist. But there are so many people in Russia, brother, who exist with no idea why. Well, never mind, that’s not what keeps things circulating. Leonid Andreich has taken a position in the bank, six thousand a year . . .
ANYA
(In the doorway) Mama asks you to wait till she leaves before you cut down the orchard.
TROFIMOV
You might indeed show a bit more tact . . . (Exits through front hall)
LOPAKHIN
All right, all right . . . What’s with them, really! (Exits after him)
ANYA
Has Firs been sent to the hospital?
YASHA
I told them this morning. I suppose it’s been done.
ANYA
(To Epikhodov, who passes through the room) Semyon Panteleich, please find out if Firs has been sent to the hospital.
YASHA
(Offended) I told Egor this morning. Why ask ten times!
The long-lived Firs, in my definitive opinion, is not fit for repair. He ought to join his ancestors. And I can only envy him. (Steps on something hard) Well, there, of course. I just knew it. (Exits)
YASHA
(Mockingly) Two-and-twenty Catastrophes . . .
VARYA
(Behind the door) Has Firs been taken to the hospital?
ANYA
Yes, he has.
VARYA
Why didn’t they take the letter for the doctor?
ANYA
They’ll have to send it after him . . . (Exits)
VARYA
(From the next room) Where’s Yasha? Tell him his mother has come and wants to say good-bye to him.
YASHA
(Waves his hand) I’m at the end of my patience!
Dunyasha has been fussing with the luggage all the while; now that Yasha is left alone, she goes up to him.
DUNYASHA
You might look at me at least once, Yasha. You’re leaving . . . you’re abandoning me . . . (Weeps and throws herself on his neck)
YASHA
Why cry? (Drinks champagne) In six days I’ll be back in Paris. Tomorrow we’ll get on the express and go rolling off, and that’s the last you’ll see of us. I can hardly believe it. Veev la France! . . . I can’t live here, it’s not for me . . . that’s how it is. I’ve had enough of looking at this ignorance. (Drinks champagne) Why cry? If you behaved yourself properly, you wouldn’t cry.
DUNYASHA
(Looks in a small mirror and powders her nose) Send me a letter from Paris. I loved you, Yasha, I loved you so!
YASHA
They’re coming. (Busies himself with the suitcases, humming softly) “Oh, wilt thou grasp the stirrings of my soul . . .”
Lyubov Andreevna, Gaev, Anya and Charlotta Ivanovna enter.
GAEV
We ought to go. There’s not much time left. (Looking at Yasha) Who smells of herring?
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
So, in about five minutes let’s get into the carriages . . . (Gazes around the room) Good-bye, dear house, old grandfather. Winter will pass, spring will come, and you’ll be no more, you’ll be torn down. These walls have seen so much! (Kisses her daughter warmly) You’re beaming, my treasure, your dear eyes are sparkling like two diamonds. So you’re glad? Very glad?
ANYA
Very! It’s the beginning of a new life, mama!
GAEV
In fact, all’s well now. Before the sale of the cherry orchard, we were all upset, we suffered, but once the question was decided finally, irrevocably, we all calmed down, became cheerful even . . . I’m a bank official, a financier . . . yellow into the side . . . and you, Lyuba, are looking better, after all, no doubt about it.
Yes. My nerves are better, it’s true.
She is given her hat and coat.
I sleep well. Carry my things out, Yasha. It’s time. (To Anya) My dear girl, we’ll see each other soon . . . I’m going to Paris, I’ll live there on the money your great-aunt from Yaroslavl sent to buy the estate—long live our great-aunt!—and that money won’t last long. Well, uncle has got a position in a bank . . .
ANYA
You’ll come back soon, mama, very soon . . . won’t you? I’ll study, pass the exams at school, and then I’ll work, I’ll help you. We’ll read all kinds of books together, mama . . . Won’t we? (Kisses her mother’s hands) We’ll read in the autumn evenings, we’ll read lots of books, and a new, wonderful world will open before us . . . (Dreamily) Come back, mama . . .
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
I will, my jewel. (Embraces Anya)
Lopakhin enters. Charlotta softly hums a little song.
GAEV
Happy Charlotta: she’s singing!
CHARLOTTA
(Picks up a bundle which looks like a swaddled baby) Bye-o, baby, bye-o . . .
Sound of a baby crying: “Wah, wah!”
Hush, my sweet, my dear little boy.
“Wah! Wah!”
I’m so sorry for you! (Throws the bundle back where it had been) So, find me a position, please. I can’t go on like this.
LOPAKHIN
We will, Charlotta Ivanovna, don’t worry.
GAEV
Everybody’s abandoning us, Varya’s leaving . . . we’ve suddenly become unnecessary.
CHARLOTTA
I’ve got nowhere to live in your town . . . I have to leave . . . (Hums) Who cares . . .
Pishchik enters.
LOPAKHIN
A wonder of nature! . . .
PISHCHIK
(Breathless) Oh, let me catch my breath . . . I’m worn out . . . My esteemed friends . . . Give me some water . . .
GAEV
In need of money, no doubt? Your humble servant, I’ll get out of harm’s way . . . (Exits)
PISHCHIK
Haven’t been here for quite some time . . . most beautiful lady . . . (To Lopakhin) So you’re here . . . glad to see you . . . a man of vast intellect . . . here . . . take this . . . (Hands Lopakhin money) Four hundred roubles . . . I still owe you eight hundred and forty . . .
LOPAKHIN
(Shrugs his shoulders in bewilderment) Am I dreaming? . . . Where’d you get it?
Wait . . . I’m hot . . . A most extraordinary event . . . Some Englishmen came to me and found some sort of white clay in my soil . . . (To Lyubov Andreevna) Four hundred for you . . . my beautiful, astonishing lady . . . (Hands her the money) The rest later. (Drinks water) Just now a young man on the train was telling how some . . . great philosopher supposedly recommends jumping off the roof . . . “Jump!” he says. That’s all there is to it. Water!
LOPAKHIN
Who are these Englishmen?
PISHCHIK
I leased them the plot with the clay for twenty-four years . . . (With surprise) Imagine that! And now, forgive me, no time . . . I must gallop on . . . I’m going to Znoikov . . . to Kardamonov . . . I owe them all . . . (Drinks) Be well . . . I’ll come by on Thursday . . .
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
We’re moving to town now, and tomorrow I’m going abroad . . .
PISHCHIK
What’s that? (Alarmed) Why to town? Aha, I see, the furniture . . . suitcases . . . Well, never mind . . . (Through tears) Never mind . . . They’re people of vast intelligence . . . these Englishmen . . . Never mind . . . I wish you all happiness . . . God will help you . . . Never mind . . . Everything in this world must come to an end . . . (Kisses Lyubov Andreevna’s hand) And when the news reaches you that I’ve met my end, remember this old horse and say: “Once upon a time there lived a . . . a . . . Simeonov-Pishchik . . . a horse . . . God rest his soul” . . . Most wonderful weather . . . Yes . . . (Exits, but comes back at once and says from the doorway) Dashenka sends her greetings! (Exits)
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
Now we can go. I’m leaving with two worries. The first is the ailing Firs. (Glancing at her watch) Another five minutes . . .
Firs has been sent to the hospital, mama. Yasha sent him this morning.
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
My second grief is—Varya. She’s used to getting up early and working, and now, without work, she’s like a fish out of water. The poor thing’s grown thin, pale, and she keeps crying . . .
Pause.
As you know very well, Ermolai Alexeich, I dreamed . . . of giving her away to you, and it did look as if you were going to marry her. (Whispers to Anya, who nods to Charlotta, and both exit) She loves you, you’re fond of her, and I don’t know, I don’t know why it is that you seem to avoid each other. I don’t understand!
LOPAKHIN
I admit, I don’t understand it either. It’s all somehow strange . . . If there’s still time, I’m ready right now . . . Let’s finish it at once—and be done!
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
Excellent. It will only take a minute. I’ll call her at once . . .
LOPAKHIN
There’s champagne, as it happens. (Looks at the glasses) They’re empty. Somebody drank it all.
Yasha coughs.
That’s what’s known as slurping it up . . .
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
(Animated) Wonderful. We’ll step outside . . . Yasha, allez! I’ll call her . . . (Through the door) Varya, drop everything and come here. Come! (Exits with Yasha)
(Glancing at his watch) Hm, yes . . .
Pause.
Restrained laughter and whispering behind the door; Varya finally enters.
VARYA
(Examining the luggage for a long time) Strange, I just can’t find . . .
LOPAKHIN
What are you looking for?
VARYA
I packed it myself and now I don’t remember.
Pause.
LOPAKHIN
Where will you be going now, Varvara Mikhailovna?
VARYA
Me? To the Ragulins’ . . . We’ve arranged for me to look after their household . . . as housekeeper or something.
LOPAKHIN
In Yashnevo, isn’t it? Some fifty miles from here.
Pause.
So life in this house is over . . .
VARYA
(Looking over the luggage) Where is that . . . Maybe I packed it in the trunk . . . Yes, life is over in this house . . . there won’t be any more . . .
And I’m about to leave for Kharkov . . . on this train. There’s a lot to do. I’m leaving Epikhodov here . . . I’ve hired him.
VARYA
Well, there!
LOPAKHIN
Last year around this time it was already snowing, if you remember, and now it’s clear, calm, sunny. Only it’s cold . . . Three below.
VARYA
I didn’t look . . .
Pause.
Besides, our thermometer’s broken . . .
Pause.
Voice through the door from outside: “Ermolai Alexeich!”
LOPAKHIN
(As if he had long been waiting for that call) Coming! (Quickly exits)
Varya sits down on the floor, her head on a bundle of clothes, and softly weeps.
The door opens, Lyubov Andreevna enters cautiously.
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
Well?
Pause.
We must go.
(No longer weeping, her tears wiped) Yes, it’s time, mama. I’ll hurry off to the Ragulins’ today, if only I’m not late for the train . . .
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
(Through the door) Anya, put your coat on!
Anya enters, then Gaev and Charlotta Ivanovna. Gaev is wearing a warm coat with a hood. Servants and coachmen gather. Epikhodov busies himself with the luggage.
Now we can be on our way.
ANYA
(Joyfully) On our way!
GAEV
My friends, my dear, good friends! In leaving this house forever, how can I be silent, how can I keep from expressing, by way of farewell, the feelings that now fill my whole being . . . My friends, you who have deeply felt, just as I have, who know . . .
ANYA
(Entreating) Oh, uncle!
VARYA
Dearest uncle, don’t!
GAEV
Double the yellow into the side . . . I’ll be quiet . . .
Trofimov enters, then Lopakhin.
TROFIMOV
Well, ladies and gentlemen, it’s time to go!
Epikhodov, my coat!
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
I’ll sit down for one little minute more. It’s as if I never saw before what sort of walls this house has, what sort of ceilings, and now I look at them greedily, with such tender love . . .
GAEV
I remember when I was six years old, sitting in this window at Pentecost and watching my father walk to church . . .
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
Has all the luggage been taken out?
LOPAKHIN
It seems so. (To Epikhodov, putting on his coat) Epikhodov, see that everything’s in order.
EPIKHODOV
(Speaking in a husky voice) Don’t you worry, Ermolai Alexeich!
LOPAKHIN
What’s wrong with your voice?
EPIKHODOV
I just took a drink of water and swallowed something.
YASHA
(Laughs into his fist) Ignorance . . .
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
We’ll leave—and there won’t be a soul left here . . .
LOPAKHIN
Till spring.
(Pulls an umbrella from a bundle, looks as if she’s raising it to hit him; Lopakhin jumps away) Don’t worry, don’t worry . . . I wasn’t going to . . .
TROFIMOV
Let’s get into the carriages, ladies and gentlemen . . . It’s time! The train’s about to come!
VARYA
Here are your galoshes, Petya, next to this suitcase. (In tears) They’re so dirty, so old . . .
TROFIMOV
(Putting on his galoshes) Let’s go, ladies and gentlemen!
GAEV
(Very confused, afraid he will start weeping) The train . . . the station . . . Croisé into the side . . . double the white into the corner . . .
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
Let’s go!
LOPAKHIN
Everybody here? Nobody in there? (Locks the side door to the left) Things have been put in storage there, it’s got to be locked up. Let’s go! . . .
ANYA
Good-bye, house! Good-bye, old life!
TROFIMOV
Hello, new life! . . . (Exits with Anya)
Varya looks around the room and exits unhurriedly. Exit Yasha and Charlotta with her little dog.
Till spring, then. Step out, ladies and gentlemen . . . Bye-bye! . . . (Exits)
Lyubov Andreevna and Gaev remain alone. As if they had been waiting for it, they throw themselves on each other’s necks and weep restrainedly, softly, for fear of being heard.
GAEV
(In despair) My sister, my sister . . .
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
Oh, my dear, my tender, my beautiful orchard! . . . My life, my youth, my happiness, good-bye! . . . Good-bye! . . .
Anya’s voice: “Mama! . . .” Trofimov’s voice: “Yoo-hoo! . . .”
(Weeps) I must cry softly . . . they’ll hear me . . . One last look at these walls, these windows . . . Our late mother liked to walk about in this room . . .
GAEV
My sister, my sister! . . .
Anya’s voice: “Mama! . . .” Trofimov’s voice: “Yoo-hoo! . . .”
LYUBOV ANDREEVNA
We’re coming! . . .
They exit.
The stage is empty. There is the sound of keys turning in both doors, then of the carriages driving off. Then all is quiet. Amidst the quiet there is the muted noise of an axe striking wood, sounding solitary and sad. Footsteps are heard. From the door to the right, Firs appears. He is dressed as usual in a jacket and white waistcoat, with slippers on his feet. He is ill.
(Goes to the door, tries the handle) Locked. They’ve gone . . . (Sits down on the sofa) Forgot about me . . . Never mind . . . I’ll sit here for a bit . . . I’ll sit . . . It’s good, it’s nice like this . . . Leonid Andreich probably didn’t put on his fur coat, went just in his topcoat . . . (Preoccupied sigh) I didn’t check on him . . . Green youth! (Mutters something incomprehensible) Life’s gone by, as if I never lived. (Lies down) I’ll lie down for a bit . . . You’ve got no strength, you’ve got nothing left, nothing . . . Eh, you . . . blunderhead! . . . (Lies still)
A distant sound, as if from the sky, the sound of a breaking string, dying away, sad. Silence ensues, and the only thing heard is an axe striking wood far off in the orchard.
Curtain.