Fédya (up R.—half to himself). If I'd finished just now, you would have cried bitterly perhaps, my Masha, but you would have lived past it.
Masha. Oh, damn you, don't be so sure I'd cry at all. Can't you even be sorry for me?
[She tries to conceal her tears.
Fédya. Oh God, I only wanted to make everybody happier.
Masha. Yourself happier, you mean.
Fédya (smiling). Would I have been happier to be dead now?
Masha (sulkily). I suppose you would. (Suddenly in a tender voice, crossing to him.) But, Fédya, do you know what you want? Tell me, what do you want?
Fédya (R). I want so many things.
Masha (impatiently and clinging to him). But what? What?
Fédya. First of all, I want to set them free. How can I lie? How can I crawl through the muck and filth of a divorce? I can't. (Moves to end of table and stands there facing front.) But I must set them free somehow. They're such good people, my wife and Victor. I can't bear having them suffer.