it all to you. We have not eaten the bread of idleness. I am not saying this as I should like to, but you must understand us, papa, you must be merciful to us.
Helena. [Very excited, to her husband] For heaven’s sake, Alexander, go and have a talk with him—explain!
Serebrakoff. Very well, I shall have a talk with him, but I won’t apologise for a thing. I am not angry with him, but you must confess that his behaviour has been strange, to say the least. Excuse me, I shall go to him.
Helena. Be gentle with him; try to quiet him.
Sonia. [Nestling nearer to Marina] Nurse, oh, nurse!
Marina. It’s all right, my baby. When the geese have cackled they will be still again. First they cackle and then they stop.
Sonia. Nurse!
Marina. You are trembling all over, as if you were freezing. There, there, little orphan baby, God is merciful. A little linden-tea, and it will all pass away. Don’t cry, my sweetest. [Looking angrily at the door in the centre of the room] See, the geese have all gone now. The devil take them!
A shot is heard. Helena screams behind the scenes. Sonia shuddders.
Marina. Bang! What’s that?
Serebrakoff. [Comes in reeling with terror] Hold him! hold him! He has gone mad!
Helena and Voitski are seen struggling in the doorway.
Helena. [Trying to wrest the revolver from him] Give it to me; give it to me, I tell you!
Voitski. Let me go, Helena, let me go! [He frees himself and rushes in, looking everywhere for Serebrakoff] Where is he? Ah, there he is! [He shoots at him. A pause] I didn’t
