oats; let him go abroad, say, for a time. It wouldn’t cost much.
Arkadina. Yes, but— However, I think I-might manage about his clothes, but I couldn’t let him go abroad. And no, I don’t think I can let him have his clothes even, now. [Decidedly] I have no money at present.
Sorin laughs.
Arkadina. I haven’t indeed.
Sorin. [Whistles] Very well. Forgive me, darling; don’t be angry. You are a noble, generous woman!
Arkadina. [Weeping] I really haven’t the money.
Sorin. If I had any money of course I should let him have some myself, but I haven’t even a penny. The farm manager takes my pension from me and puts it all into the farm or into cattle or bees, and in that way it is always lost forever. The bees die, the cows die, they never let me have a horse.
Arkadina. Of course I have some money, but I am an actress and my expenses for dress alone are enough to bankrupt me.
Sorin. You are a dear, and I am very fond of you, indeed I am. But something is the matter with me again. [He staggers] I feel giddy. [He leans against the table] I feel faint, and all.
Arkadina. [Frightened] Peter! [She tries to support him] Peter! dearest! [She calls] Help! Help!
Treplieff and Medviedenko come in; Treplieff has a bandage around his head.
Arkadina. He is fainting!
Sorin. I am all right. [He smiles and drinks some water] It is all over now.
Treplieff. [To his mother] Don’t be frightened, mother, these attacks are not dangerous; my uncle often has them now. [To his uncle] You must go and lie down, Uncle.
