ACT IV
A sitting-room in Sorin’s house, which has been converted into a writing-room for Treplieff. To the right and left are doors leading into inner rooms, and in the centre is a glass door opening onto a terrace. Besides the usual furniture of a sitting-room there is a writing-desk in the right-hand corner of the room. There is a Turkish divan near the door on the left, and shelves full of books stand against the walls. Books are lying scattered about on the window-sills and chairs. It 1s evening. The room is dimly lighted by a shaded lamp on a table. The wind moans in the tree tops and whistles down the chimney. The watchman in the garden is heard sounding his rattle. Medviedenko and Masha come in.
Masha. [Calling Treplieff] Mr. Constantine, where are you? [Looking about her] There is no-one here. His old uncle is forever asking for Constantine, and can’t live without him for an instant.
Medviedenko. He dreads being left alone. [Listening to the wind] This is a wild night. We have had this storm for two days.
Masha. [Turning up the lamp] The waves on the lake are enormous.
Medviedenko. It is very dark in the garden. Do you know, I think that old theatre ought to be knocked down. It is still standing there, naked and hideous as a skeleton, with the curtain flapping in the wind. I thought I heard a voice weeping in it as I passed there last night.
204
