Plays by Anton Chekhov, Second Series

by Anton Pavlovich Chekhov

POPOVA. Like this?

SMIRNOV. Yes, like this.... Then you cock the trigger, and take aim like this.... Put your head back a little! Hold your arm out properly.... Like that.... Then you press this thing with your finger—and that’s all. The great thing is to keep cool and aim steadily.... Try not to jerk your arm.

POPOVA. Very well.... It’s inconvenient to shoot in a room, let’s go into the garden.

SMIRNOV. Come along then. But I warn you, I’m going to fire in the air.

POPOVA. That’s the last straw! Why?

SMIRNOV. Because... because... it’s my affair.

POPOVA. Are you afraid? Yes? Ah! No, sir, you don’t get out of it! You come with me! I shan’t have any peace until I’ve made a hole in your forehead... that forehead which I hate so much! Are you afraid?

SMIRNOV. Yes, I am afraid.

POPOVA. You lie! Why won’t you fight?

SMIRNOV. Because... because you... because I like you.