The Light Shines in Darkness Part 3

LISA. I only say what I heard.

STYoPA. I know you always agree with Papa. Do you know, Aunt, that Lisa takes Papa's side entirely in everything?

LISA. What is true ...

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. Don't I know that Lisa always takes up with any kind of nonsense. She scents nonsense. _Elle flaire cela de loin._[18]

[18] She scents it from afar.

Enter Vanya running in with a telegram in his hand, followed by the dogs. He wears a red shirt.

VaNYA [to Lyuba]. Guess who is coming?

LYuBA. What's the use of guessing? Give it here [stretching towards him.

Vanya does not let her have the telegram].

VaNYA. I'll not give it you, and I won't say who it is from. It's someone who makes you blush!

LYuBA. Nonsense! Who is the telegram from?

VaNYA. There, you're blushing! Aunty, she is blushing, isn't she?

LYuBA. What nonsense! Who is it from? Aunty, who is it from?

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. The Cheremshanovs.

LYuBA. Ah!

VaNYA. There you are! Why are you blushing?

LYuBA. Let me see the telegram, Aunt. [Reads] "Arriving all three by the mail train. Cheremshanovs." That means the Princess, Boris, and Tonya.

Well, I am glad!

VaNYA. There you are, you're glad! Styopa, look how she is blushing.

STYoPA. That's enough--teasing over and over again.

VaNYA. Of course, because you're sweet on Tonya! You'd better cast lots; for two men must not marry one another's sisters.[19]

[19] In Russia the relationships that are set up by marriage debar a marriage between a woman's brother-in-law and her sister.

STYoPA. Don't humbug! Shut up! How often have you been told to?

LISA. If they are coming by the mail train, they will be here directly.

LYuBA. That's true, so we can't go for mushrooms.

Enter Peter Semyonovich with his cigarettes.

LYuBA. Uncle Peter, we are not going!

PETER SEMYoNOVICH. Why not?

LYuBA. The Cheremshanovs are coming directly. Better let's play tennis till they come. Styopa, will you play?

STYoPA. I may as well.

LYuBA. Vanya and I against you and Lisa. Agreed? Then I'll get the b.a.l.l.s and call the boys. [Exit].

PETER SEMYoNOVICH. So I'm to stay here after all!

PRIEST [preparing to go]. My respects to you.

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. No, wait a bit, Father. I want to have a talk with you. Besides, Nicholas Ivanovich will be here directly.

PRIEST [sits down, and lights another cigarette]. He may be a long time.

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. There, someone is coming. I expect it's he.

PETER SEMYoNOVICH. Which Cheremshanova is it? Can it be Golitzin's daughter?

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. Yes, of course. It's the Cheremshanova who lived in Rome with her aunt.

PETER SEMYoNOVICH. Dear me, I shall be glad to see her. I have not met her since those days in Rome when she used to sing duets with me. She sang beautifully. She has two children, has she not?

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. Yes, they are coming too.

PETER SEMYoNOVICH. I did not know that they were so intimate with the Sarntsovs.

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. Not intimate, but they lodged together abroad last year, and I believe that _la princesse a des vues sur Lyuba pour son fils. C'est une fine mouche, elle flaire une jolie dot._[20]

[20] The princess has her eye on Lyuba for her son. She is a knowing one, and scents a nice dowry.

PETER SEMYoNOVICH. But the Cheremshanovs themselves were rich.

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. They _were_. The prince is still living, but he has squandered everything, drinks, and has quite gone to the dogs. She pet.i.tioned the Emperor, left her husband, and so managed to save a few sc.r.a.ps. But she has given her children a splendid education. _Il faut lui rendre cette justice._[21] The daughter is an admirable musician; and the son has finished the University, and is charming. Only I don't think Mary is quite pleased. Visitors are inconvenient just now. Ah!

here comes Nicholas.

[21] One must do her that much justice.

Enter Nicholas Ivanovich.

NICHOLAS IVaNOVICH. How d'you do, Alina;[22] and you, Peter Semyonovich.

[To the Priest] Ah! Vasily Nikanorych. [Shakes hands with them].

[22] Alina is an abbreviation, and a pet name, for Alexandra.

ALEXaNDRA IVaNOVNA. There is still some coffee left. Shall I give you a cup? It's rather cold, but can easily be warmed up. [Rings].