Anton Chekhov

Plays By Anton Chekhov, Second Series

The scene is laid in TIHON'S bar. On the right is the bar-counter and shelves with bottles. At the back is a door leading out of the house. Over it, on the outside, hangs a dirty red lantern. The floor and the forms, which stand against the wall, are closely occupied by pilgrims and passers-by. Many of them, for lack of space, are sleeping as they sit. It is late at night. As the curtain rises thunder is heard, and lightning is seen through the door. TIHON is behind the counter. FEDYA is half-lying in a heap on one of the forms, and is quietly playing on a concertina. Next to him is BORTSOV, wearing a shabby summer overcoat. SAVVA, NAZAROVNA, and EFIMOVNA are stretched out on the floor by the benches. EFIMOVNA. To NAZAROVNA Give the old man a nudge dear! Can't get any answer out of him. NAZAROVNA. Lifting the corner of a cloth covering of SAVVA'S face Are you alive or are you dead, you holy man?