be a lot of talk and guesswork; people will think I gave it to you. I don’t fancy having to perform a post-mortem on you. Do you think I should find it interesting?
Sonia comes in.
Voitski. Leave me alone.
Astroff. [To Sonia] Sonia, your uncle has stolen a bottle of morphine out of my medicine-case and won’t give it up. Tell him that his behaviour is—well, unwise. I haven’t time, I must be going.
Sonia. Uncle Vanya, did you take the morphine?
Astroff. Yes, he took it. [A pause] I am absolutely sure.
Sonia. Give it up! Why do you want to frighten us? [Tenderly] Give it up, Uncle Vanya! My misfortune is perhaps even greater than yours, but I am not plunged in despair. I endure my sorrow, and shall endure it until my life comes to a natural end. You must endure yours, too. [A pause] Give it up! Dear, darling Uncle Vanya. Give it up! [She weeps] You are so good, I am sure you will have pity on us and give it up. You must endure your sorrow, Uncle Vanya; you must endure it.
Voitski takes a bottle from the drawer of the table and hands it to Astroff.
Voitski. There it is! [To Sonia] And now, we must get to work at once; we must do something, or else I shall not be able to endure it.
Sonia. Yes, yes, to work! As soon as we have seen them off we shall go to work. [She nervously straightens out the papers on the table] Everything is in a muddle!
Astroff. [Putting the bottle in his case, which he straps together] Now I can be off.
Helena comes in.
Helena. Are you here, Ivan? We are starting in a moment. Go to Alexander, he wants to speak to you.
