Sorin. [Losing his temper] What the deuce did he mean by his impudence?  I want all the horses brought here at once!

Nina. [To Paulina] How could he refuse anything to Madame Arkadina, the famous actress?  Is not every wish, every caprice even, of hers, more important than any farm work?  This is incredible.

Paulina. [In despair] What can I do about it?  Put yourself in my place and tell me what I can do.

Sorin. [To Nina] Let us go and find my sister, and all beg her not to go. [He looks in the direction in which Shamraeff went out] That man is insufferable; a regular tyrant.

Nina. [Preventing him from getting up] Sit still, sit still, and let us wheel you. [She and Medviedenko push the chair before them] This is terrible!

Sorin.  Yes, yes, it is terrible; but he won’t leave.  I shall have a talk with him in a moment. [They go out.  Only Dorn and Paulina are left.]

Dorn.  How tiresome people are!  Your husband deserves to be thrown out of here neck and crop, but it will all end by this old granny Sorin and his sister asking the man’s pardon.  See if it doesn’t.

Paulina.  He has sent the carriage horses into the fields too.  These misunderstandings occur every day.  If you only knew how they excite me!  I am ill; see!  I am trembling all over!  I cannot endure his rough ways. [Imploringly] Eugene, my darling, my beloved, take me to you.  Our time is short; we are no longer young; let us end deception and concealment, even though it is only at the end of our lives. [A pause.]

Dorn.  I am fifty-five years old.  It is too late now for me to change my ways of living.

Paulina.  I know that you refuse me because there are other women who are near to you, and you cannot take everybody.  I understand.  Excuse me—­I see I am only bothering you.

Nina is seen near the house picking a bunch of flowers.

Dorn.  No, it is all right.

Paulina.  I am tortured by jealousy.  Of course you are a doctor and cannot escape from women.  I understand.

Dorn. [To Nina, who comes toward him] How are things in there?

Nina.  Madame Arkadina is crying, and Sorin is having an attack of asthma.

Dorn.  Let us go and give them both some camomile tea.

Nina. [Hands him the bunch of flowers] Here are some flowers for you.

Dorn.  Thank you. [He goes into the house.]

Paulina. [Following him] What pretty flowers! [As they reach the house she says in a low voice] Give me those flowers!  Give them to me!

Dorn hands her the flowers; she tears them to pieces and flings them away.  They both go into the house.