Astroff. You didn’t? Very well, I shall have to wait a little longer, and then you will have to forgive me if I resort to force. We shall have to bind you and search you. I mean what I say.
Voitski. Do as you please. [A pause] Oh, to make such a fool of myself! To shoot twice and miss him both times! I shall never forgive myself.
Astroff. When the impulse came to shoot, it would have been as well had you put a bullet through your own head.
Voitski. [Shrugging his shoulders] Strange! I attempted murder, and am not going to be arrested or brought to trial. That means they think me mad. [With a bitter laugh] Me! I am mad, and those who hide their worthlessness, their dulness, their crying heartlessness behind a professor’s mask, are sane! Those who marry old men and then deceive them under the noses of all, are sane! I saw you kiss her; I saw you in each other’s arms!
Astroff. Yes, sir, I did kiss her; so there.
Voitski. [His eyes on the door] No, it is the earth that is mad, because she still bears us on her breast.
Astroff. That is nonsense.
Voitski. Well? Am I not a madman, and therefore irresponsible? Haven’t I the right to talk nonsense?
Astroff. This is a farce! You are not mad; you are simply a ridiculous fool. I used to think every fool was out of his senses, but now I see that lack of sense is a man’s normal state, and you are perfectly normal.
Voitski. [Covers his face with his hands] Oh! If you knew how ashamed I am! These piercing pangs of shame are like nothing on earth. [In an agonised voice] I can’t endure them! [He leans against the table] What can I do? What can I do?
