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THE SAME AND SONYA

SONYA (aside): I don’t know what to do with myself! …

(Walking about and laughing.)

ORLOVSKY: Puss, darling, where are you going? Do sit with us a while.

SONYA: Fedya, come here… (Taking FYODOR aside.) Come here… .

FYODOR: What do you want? Why such a radiant face?

SONYA: Give me your word that you will do what I ask you!

FYODOR: Well?

SONYA: Drive over to the … Wood Demon.

FYODOR: What for?

SONYA: Just so … just drive over to him … ask him why he has kept away so long … a fortnight now.

FYODOR: Blushing! Shame! Here, Sonya’s in love!

ALL: Shame! Shame!

[SONYA covers her face and runs away.

FYODOR: She’s flitting about, like a shadow, from room to room, and doesn’t know what to do with herself. She’s in love with the Wood Demon.

ORLOVSKY: She’s a glorious little girl. … I love her. I longed, Fyodor dear, that you should marry her, you won’t easily find a better bride. But well, probably God wills it so… And what a pleasure and delight mine would be! Ishould come over to you, you with your young wife, your family hearth, the samovar chirping away on the table… .

FYODOR: I’m unskilled in these matters. If the crazy notion of marriage ever came into my head, I should in any case marry Julie. She, at any rate, is little, and of all evils one should always choose the least. And then, too, she’s a good housekeeper… (Clapping his forehad.) That’s an idea!

ORLOVSKY: What is it?

FYODOR: Let’s have champagt!

VOYNITSKY: It’s too early, and o it’s hot … you wait awhile… .

ORLOVSKY (admiringly): My sonny, my beauty! … He wants champagne, the dear soul! …

ENTER ELENA ANDREYEVNA.