Errand.

by Raymond Carver
2011-01-10 19:50:34 Chekhov. On the evening of March 22, 1897, he went to inner in Mo!cow with hi! frien an confi ant "#e$ei %&vorin. 'hi! %&vorin wa! a ver( rich new!)a)er an *ook )&*#i!her, a reactionar(, a !e#f-+a e +an who!e father wa! a )rivate at the *att#e of ,oro ino. -ike Chekhov, he wa! the gran !on of a !erf. 'he( ha that in co++on: each ha )ea!ant.! *#oo in hi! vein!. Otherwi!e, )o#itica##( an te+)era+enta##(, the( were +i#e! a)art. /everthe#e!!, %&vorin wa! one of Chekhov.! few inti+ate!, an Chekhov en0o(e hi! co+)an(. /at&ra##(, the( went to the *e!t re!ta&rant in the cit(, a for+er town ho&!e ca##e the 1er+itage--a )#ace where it co&# take ho&r!, ha#f the night even, to get thro&gh a ten-co&r!e +ea# that wo&# , of co&r!e, inc#& e !evera# wine!, #i2&e&r!, an coffee. Chekhov wa! i+)ecca*#( re!!e , a! a#wa(!--a ark !&it an wai!tcoat, hi! &!&a# )ince-ne3. 1e #ooke that night ver( +&ch a! he #ook! in the )hotogra)h! taken of hi+ &ring thi! )erio . 1e wa! re#a$e , 0ovia#. 1e !hook han ! with the +aitre ., an with a g#ance took in the #arge ining roo+. 4t wa! *ri##iant#( i##&+inate *( ornate chan e#ier!, the ta*#e! occ&)ie *( e#egant#( re!!e +en an wo+en. 5aiter! ca+e an went cea!e#e!!#(. 1e ha 0&!t *een !eate acro!! the ta*#e fro+ %&vorin when !& en#(, witho&t warning, *#oo *egan g&!hing fro+ hi! +o&th. %&vorin an two waiter! he#)e hi+ to the gent#e+en.! roo+ an trie to !tanch the f#ow of *#oo with ice )ack!. %&vorin !aw hi+ *ack to hi! own hote# an ha a *e )re)are for Chekhov in one of the roo+! of the !&ite. -ater, after another he+orrhage, Chekhov a##owe hi+!e#f to *e +ove to a c#inic that !)ecia#i3e in the treat+ent of t&*erc&#o!i! an re#ate re!)irator( infection!. 5hen %&vorin vi!ite hi+ there, Chekhov a)o#ogi3e for the 6!can a#6 at the re!ta&rant three night! ear#ier *&t contin&e to in!i!t there wa! nothing !erio&!#( wrong. 61e #a&ghe an 0e!te a! &!&a#,6 %&vorin note in hi! iar(, 6whi#e !)itting *#oo into a #arge ve!!e#.6 Maria Chekhov, hi! (o&nger !i!ter, vi!ite Chekhov in the c#inic &ring the #a!t a(! of March. 'he weather wa! +i!era*#e7 a !#eet !tor+ wa! in )rogre!!, an fro3en hea)! of !now #a( ever(where. 4t wa! har for her to wave own a carriage to take her to the ho!)ita#. ,( the ti+e !he arrive !he wa! fi##e with rea an an$iet(. 6"nton 8av#ovich #a( on hi! *ack,6 Maria wrote in her Me+oir!. 61e wa! not a##owe to !)eak. "fter greeting hi+, 4 went over to the ta*#e to hi e +( e+otion!.6 'here, a+ong *ott#e! of cha+)agne, 0ar! of caviar, *o&2&et! of f#ower! fro+ we##-wi!her!, !he !aw !o+ething that terrifie

her: a freehan rawing, o*vio&!#( one *( a !)ecia#i!t in the!e +atter!, of Chekhov.! #&ng!. 4t wa! the kin of !ketch a octor often +ake! in or er to !how hi! )atient what he think! i! taking )#ace. 'he #&ng! were o&t#ine in *#&e, *&t the &))er )art! were fi##e in with re . 64 rea#i3e the( were i!ea!e ,6 Maria wrote. -eo 'o#!to( wa! another vi!itor. 'he ho!)ita# !taff were awe to fin the+!e#ve! in the )re!ence of the co&ntr(.! greate!t writer. 'he +o!t fa+o&! +an in 9&!!ia: Of co&r!e the( ha to #et hi+ in to !ee Chekhov, even tho&gh 6none!!entia#6 vi!itor! were for*i en. 5ith +&ch o*!e2&io&!ne!! on the )art of the n&r!e! an re!i ent octor!, the *ear e , fierce-#ooking o# +an wa! !hown into Chekhov.! roo+. ;e!)ite hi! #ow o)inion of Chekhov.! a*i#itie! a! a )#a(wright <'o#!to( fe#t the )#a(! were !tatic an #acking in an( +ora# vi!ion. 65here o (o&r character! take (o&:6 he once e+an e of Chekhov. 6=ro+ the !ofa to the 0&nk roo+ an *ack6>, 'o#!to( #ike Chekhov.! !hort !torie!. =&rther+ore, an 2&ite !i+)#(, he #ove the +an. 1e to# ?ork(, 65hat a *ea&tif&#, +agnificent +an: +o e!t an 2&iet, #ike a gir#. 1e even wa#k! #ike a gir#. 1e.! !i+)#( won erf&#.6 "n 'o#!to( wrote in hi! 0o&rna# <ever(one ke)t a 0o&rna# or a iar( in tho!e a(!>, 64 a+ g#a 4 #ove... Chekhov.6 'o#!to( re+ove hi! woo##en !carf an *ear!kin coat, then #owere hi+!e#f into a chair ne$t to Chekhov.! *e . /ever +in that Chekhov wa! taking +e ication an not )er+itte to ta#k, +&ch #e!! carr( on a conver!ation. 1e ha to #i!ten, a+a3e #(, a! the Co&nt *egan to i!co&r!e on hi! theorie! of the i++orta#it( of the !o&#. Concerning that vi!it, Chekhov #ater wrote, 6'o#!to( a!!&+e! that a## of &! <h&+an! an ani+a#! a#ike> wi## #ive on in a )rinci)#e <!&ch a! rea!on or #ove> the e!!ence an goa#! of which are a +(!ter( to &!.... 4 have no &!e for that kin of i++orta#it(. 4 on.t &n er!tan it, an -ev /iko#a(evich wa! a!toni!he 4 i n.t.6 /everthe#e!!, Chekhov wa! i+)re!!e with the !o#icit& e !hown *( 'o#!to(.! vi!it. ,&t, &n#ike 'o#!to(, Chekhov i n.t *e#ieve in an after#ife an never ha . 1e i n.t *e#ieve in an(thing that co&# n.t *e a))rehen e *( one or +ore of hi! five !en!e!. "n a! far a! hi! o&t#ook on #ife an writing went, he once to# !o+eone that he #acke 6a )o#itica#, re#igio&!, an )hi#o!o)hica# wor# view. 4 change it ever( +onth, !o 4.## have to #i+it +(!e#f to the e!cri)tion of how +( heroe! #ove, +arr(, give *irth, ie, an how the( !)eak.6 @ar#ier, *efore hi! t.*. wa! iagno!e , Chekhov ha re+arke , 65hen a )ea!ant ha! con!&+)tion, he !a(!, 'here.! nothing 4 can o. 4.## go off

in the !)ring with the +e#ting of the !now!..6 <Chekhov hi+!e#f ie in the !&++er, &ring a heat wave.> ,&t once Chekhov.! own t&*erc&#o!i! wa! i!covere he contin&a##( trie to +ini+i3e the !erio&!ne!! of hi! con ition. 'o a## a))earance!, it wa! a! if he fe#t, right &) to the en , that he +ight *e a*#e to throw off the i!ea!e a! he wo&# a #ingering catarrh. 5e## into hi! fina# a(!, he !)oke with !ee+ing conviction of the )o!!i*i#it( of an i+)rove+ent. 4n fact, in a #etter written !hort#( *efore hi! en , he went !o far a! to te## hi! !i!ter that he wa! 6getting fat6 an fe#t +&ch *etter now that he wa! in ,a enwei#er. ,a enwei#er i! a !)a an re!ort cit( in the we!tern area of the ,#ack =ore!t, not far fro+ ,a!e#. 'he Ao!ge! are vi!i*#e fro+ near#( an(where in the cit(, an in tho!e a(! the air wa! )&re an invigorating. 9&!!ian! ha *een going there for (ear! to !oak in the hot +inera# *ath! an )ro+ena e on the *o&#evar !. 4n B&ne, 1904, Chekhov went there to ie. @ar#ier that +onth, he. +a e a iffic&#t 0o&rne( *( train fro+ Mo!cow to ,er#in. 1e trave#e with hi! wife, the actre!! O#ga Cni))er, a wo+an he. +et in 1898 &ring rehear!a#! for 6'he %eag&##.6 1er conte+)orarie! e!cri*e her a! an e$ce##ent actre!!. %he wa! ta#ente , )rett(, an a#+o!t ten (ear! (o&nger than the )#a(wright. Chekhov ha *een i++e iate#( attracte to her, *&t wa! !#ow to act on hi! fee#ing!. "! a#wa(!, he )referre a f#irtation to +arriage. =ina##(, after a three-(ear co&rt!hi) invo#ving +an( !e)aration!, #etter!, an the inevita*#e +i!&n er!tan ing!, the( were at #a!t +arrie , in a )rivate cere+on( in Mo!cow, on Ma( 25, 1901. Chekhov wa! enor+o&!#( ha))(. 1e ca##e O#ga hi! 6)on(,6 an !o+eti+e! 6 og6 or 6)&))(.6 1e wa! a#!o fon of a re!!ing her a! 6#itt#e t&rke(6 or !i+)#( a! 6+( 0o(.6 4n ,er#in, Chekhov con!&#te with a renowne !)ecia#i!t in )&#+onar( i!or er!, a ;r. Car# @wa# . ,&t, accor ing to an e(ewitne!!, after the octor e$a+ine Chekhov he threw &) hi! han ! an #eft the roo+ witho&t a wor . Chekhov wa! too far gone for he#): thi! ;r @wa# wa! f&rio&! with hi+!e#f for not *eing a*#e to work +irac#e!, an with Chekhov for *eing !o i##. " 9&!!ian 0o&rna#i!t ha))ene to vi!it the Chekhov! at their hote# an !ent *ack thi! i!)atch to hi! e itor: 6Chekhov.! a(! are n&+*ere . 1e !ee+! +orta##( i##, i! terri*#( thin, co&gh! a## the ti+e, ga!)! for *reath at the !#ighte!t +ove+ent, an i! r&nning a high te+)erat&re.6 'hi! !a+e 0o&rna#i!t !aw the Chekhov! off at 8ot! a+ %tation when the(

*oar e their train for ,a enwei#er. "ccor ing to hi! acco&nt, 6Chekhov ha tro&*#e +aking hi! wa( &) the !+a## !tairca!e at the !tation. 1e ha to !it own for !evera# +in&te! to catch hi! *reath.6 4n fact, it wa! )ainf&# for Chekhov to +ove: hi! #eg! ache contin&a##( an hi! in!i e! h&rt. 'he i!ea!e ha attacke hi! inte!tine! an !)ina# cor . "t thi! )oint he ha #e!! than a +onth to #ive. 5hen Chekhov !)oke of hi! con ition now, it wa!, accor ing to O#ga, 6with an a#+o!t reck#e!! in ifference.6 ;r. %chwohrer wa! one of the +an( ,a enwei#er )h(!ician! who earne a goo #iving *( treating the we##-to- o who ca+e to the !)a !eeking re#ief fro+ vario&! +a#a ie!. %o+e of hi! )atient! were i## an infir+, other! !i+)#( o# an h()ochon riaca#. ,&t Chekhov.! wa! a !)ecia# ca!e: he wa! c#ear#( *e(on he#) an in hi! #a!t a(!. 1e wa! a#!o ver( fa+o&!. @ven ;r. %chwohrer knew hi! na+e: he. rea !o+e of Chekhov.! !torie! in a ?er+an +aga3ine. 5hen he e$a+ine the writer ear#( in B&ne, he voice hi! a))reciation of Chekhov.! art *&t ke)t hi! +e ica# o)inion! to hi+!e#f. 4n!tea , he )re!cri*e a iet of cocoa, oat+ea# renche in *&tter, an !traw*err( tea. 'hi! #a!t wa! !&))o!e to he#) Chekhov !#ee) at night. On B&ne 13, #e!! than three week! *efore he ie , Chekhov wrote a #etter to hi! +other in which he to# her hi! hea#th wa! on the +en . 4n it he !ai , 64t.! #ike#( that 4.## *e co+)#ete#( c&re in a week.6 5ho know! wh( he !ai thi!: 5hat co&# he have *een thinking: 1e wa! a octor hi+!e#f, an he knew *etter. 1e wa! (ing, it wa! a! !i+)#e an a! &navoi a*#e a! that. /everthe#e!!, he !at o&t on the *a#con( of hi! hote# roo+ an rea rai#wa( ti+eta*#e!. 1e a!ke for infor+ation on !ai#ing! of *oat! *o&n for O e!!a fro+ Mar!ei##e!. ,&t he knew. "t thi! !tage he ha to have known. Det in one of the #a!t #etter! he ever wrote he to# hi! !i!ter he wa! growing !tronger *( the a(. 1e no #onger ha an( a))etite for #iterar( work, an ha n.t for a #ong ti+e. 4n fact, he ha ver( near#( fai#e to co+)#ete 'he Cherr( Orchar the (ear *efore. 5riting that )#a( wa! the har e!t thing he. ever one in hi! #ife. 'owar the en , he wa! a*#e to +anage on#( !i$ or !even #ine! a a(. 64.ve !tarte #o!ing heart,6 he wrote O#ga. 64 fee# 4.+ fini!he a! a writer, an ever( !entence !trike! +e a! worth#e!! an of no &!e whatever... ,&t he i n.t !to). 1e fini!he hi! )#a( in Octo*er, 1903. 4t wa! the #a!t thing he ever wrote, e$ce)t for #etter! an a few entrie! in hi! note*ook. " #itt#e after +i night on B&#( 2, 1904, O#ga !ent !o+eone to fetch ;r. %chwohrer. 4t wa! an e+ergenc(: Chekhov wa! e#irio&!. 'wo (o&ng 9&!!ian! on ho#i a( ha))ene to have the a 0acent roo+, an O#ga h&rrie ne$t oor to e$)#ain what wa! ha))ening. One of the (o&th! wa! in hi!

*e a!#ee), *&t the other wa! !ti## awake, !+oking an rea ing. 1e #eft the hote# at a r&n to fin ;r. %chwohrer. 64 can !ti## hear the !o&n of the grave# &n er hi! !hoe! in the !i#ence of that !tif#ing B&#( night,6 O#ga wrote #ater on in her +e+oir!. Chekhov wa! ha##&cinating, ta#king a*o&t !ai#or!, an there were !natche! of !o+ething a*o&t the Ba)ane!e. 6Do& on.t )&t ice on an e+)t( !to+ach,6 he !ai when !he trie to )#ace an ice )ack on hi! che!t. ;r. %chwohrer arrive an &n)acke hi! *ag, a## the whi#e kee)ing hi! ga3e fa!tene on Chekhov, who #a( ga!)ing in the *e . 'he !ick +an.! )&)i#! were i#ate an hi! te+)#e! g#i!tene with !weat. ;r. %chwohrer.! face i n.t regi!ter an(thing. 1e wa! not an e+otiona# +an, *&t he knew Chekhov.! en wa! near. %ti##, he wa! a octor, !worn to o hi! &t+o!t, an Chekhov he# on to #ife, however ten&o&!#(. ;r. %chwohrer )re)are a h()o er+ic an a +ini!tere an in0ection of ca+)hor, !o+ething that wa! !&))o!e to !)ee &) the heart. ,&t the in0ection i n.t he#)-- nothing, of co&r!e, co&# have he#)e . /everthe#e!!, the octor +a e known to O#ga hi! intention of !en ing for o$(gen. %& en#(, Chekhov ro&!e hi+!e#f, *eca+e #&ci , an !ai 2&iet#(, 65hat.! the &!e: ,efore it arrive! 4.## *e a cor)!e.6 ;r. %chwohrer )&##e on hi! *ig +o&!tache an !tare at Chekhov. 'he writer.-! cheek! were !&nken an gra(, hi! co+)#e$ion wa$en7 hi! *reath wa! ra!)(. ;r. %chwohrer knew the ti+e co&# *e reckone in +in&te!. 5itho&t a wor , witho&t conferring with O#ga, he went over to an a#cove where there wa! a te#e)hone on the wa##. 1e rea the in!tr&ction! for &!ing the evice. 4f he activate it *( ho# ing hi! finger on a *&tton an t&rning a han #e on the !i e of the )hone, he co&# reach the #ower region! of the hote#--the kitchen. 1e )icke &) the receiver, he# it to hi! ear, an i a! the in!tr&ction! to# hi+. 5hen !o+eone fina##( an!were , ;r. %chwohrer or ere a *ott#e of the hote#.! *e!t cha+)agne. 61ow +an( g#a!!e!:6 he wa! a!ke . 6'hree g#a!!e!E6 the octor !ho&te into the +o&th)iece. 6"n h&rr(, o (o& hear:6 4t wa! one of tho!e rare +o+ent! of in!)iration that can ea!i#( eno&gh *e over#ooke #ater on, *eca&!e the action i! !o entire#( a))ro)riate it !ee+! inevita*#e. 'he cha+)agne wa! *ro&ght to the oor *( a tire -#ooking (o&ng +an who!e *#on hair wa! !tan ing &). 'he tro&!er! of hi! &nifor+ were wrink#e , the crea!e! gone, an in hi! ha!te he. +i!!e a #oo) whi#e *&ttoning hi! 0acket. 1i! a))earance wa! that of !o+eone who. *een re!ting <!#&+)e in a chair, !a(, o3ing a #itt#e>, when off in the i!tance the )hone ha c#a+ore in the ear#(-+orning ho&r!--great ?o in 1eavenE--an the ne$t thing he knew he wa! *eing !haken awake *( a !&)erior an to# to e#iver a *ott#e of Moet to 9oo+ 211. 6"n h&rr(, o (o& hear:6

'he (o&ng +an entere the roo+ carr(ing a !i#ver ice *&cket with the cha+)agne in it an a !i#ver tra( with three c&t-cr(!ta# g#a!!e!. 1e fo&n a )#ace on the ta*#e for the *&cket an g#a!!e!, a## the whi#e craning hi! neck, tr(ing to !ee into the other roo+, where !o+eone )ante ferocio&!#( for *reath. 4t wa! a rea f&#, harrowing !o&n , an the (o&ng +an #owere hi! chin into hi! co##ar an t&rne awa( a! the ratchet( *reathing wor!ene . =orgetting hi+!e#f, he !tare o&t the o)en win ow towar the arkene cit(. 'hen thi! *ig i+)o!ing +an with a thick +o&!tache )re!!e !o+e coin! into hi! han --a #arge ti), *( the fee# of it--an !& en#( the (o&ng +an !aw the oor o)en. 1e took !o+e !te)! an fo&n hi+!e#f on the #an ing, whfere he o)ene hi! han an #ooke at the coin! in a+a3e+ent. Metho ica##(, the wa( he i ever(thing, the octor went a*o&t the *&!ine!! of working the cork o&t of the *ott#e. 1e i it in !&ch a wa( a! to +ini+i3e, a! +&ch a! )o!!i*#e, the fe!tive e$)#o!ion. 1e )o&re three g#a!!e! an , o&t of ha*it, )&!he the cork *ack into the neck of the *ott#e. 1e then took the g#a!!e! of cha+)agne over to the *e . O#ga +o+entari#( re#ea!e her gri) on Chekhov.! han --a han , !he !ai #ater, that *&rne her finger!. %he arrange another )i##ow *ehin hi! hea . 'hen !he )&t the coo# g#a!! of cha+)agne again!t Chekhov.! )a#+ an +a e !&re hi! finger! c#o!e aro&n the !te+. 'he( e$change #ook!--Chekhov, O#ga, ;r. %chwohrer. 'he( i n.t to&ch g#a!!e!. 'here wa! no toa!t. 5hat on earth wa! there to rink to: 'o eath: Chekhov !&++one hi! re+aining !trength an !ai , 64t.! *een !o #ong !ince 4.ve ha cha+)agne.6 1e *ro&ght the g#a!! to hi! #i)! an rank. 4n a +in&te or two O#ga took the e+)t( g#a!! fro+ hi! han an !et it on the night!tan . 'hen Chekhov t&rne onto hi! !i e. 1e c#o!e hi! e(e! an !ighe . " +in&te #ater, hi! *reathing !to))e . ;r. %chwohrer )icke &) Chekhov.! han fro+ the *e !heet. 1e he# hi! finger! to Chekhov.! wri!t an rew a go# watch fro+ hi! ve!t )ocket, o)ening the #i of the watch a! he i !o. 'he !econ han on the watch +ove !#ow#(, ver( !#ow#(. 1e #et it +ove aro&n the face of the watch three ti+e! whi#e he waite for !ign! of a )&#!e. 4t wa! three o.c#ock in the +orning an !ti## !&#tr( in the roo+. ,a enwei#er wa! in the gri) of it! wor!t heat wave in (ear!. "## the win ow! in *oth roo+! !too o)en, *&t there wa! no !ign of a *ree3e. " #arge, *#ack-winge +oth f#ew thro&gh a win ow an *ange wi# #( again!t the e#ectric #a+). ;r. %chwohrer #et go of Chekhov.! wri!t. 64t.! over,6 he !ai . 1e c#o!e the #i of hi! watch an ret&rne it to hi! ve!t )ocket.

"t once O#ga rie her e(e! an !et a*o&t co+)o!ing her!e#f. %he thanke the octor for co+ing. 1e a!ke if !he wante !o+e +e ication --#a& an&+, )erha)!, or a few ro)! of va#erian. %he !hook her hea . %he i have one re2&e!t, tho&gh: *efore the a&thoritie! were notifie an the new!)a)er! fo&n o&t, *efore the ti+e ca+e when Chekhov wa! no #onger in her kee)ing, !he wante to *e a#one with hi+ for a whi#e. Co&# the octor he#) with thi!: Co&# he withho# , for a whi#e an(wa(, new! of what ha 0&!t occ&rre : ;r. %chwohrer !troke hi! +o&!tache with the *ack of a finger. 5h( not: "fter a##, what ifference wo&# it +ake to an(one whether thi! +atter *eca+e known now or a few ho&r! fro+ now: 'he on#( etai# that re+aine wa! to fi## o&t a eath certificate, an thi! co&# *e one at hi! office #ater on in the +orning, after he. !#e)t a few ho&r!. ;r. %chwohrer no e hi! agree+ent an )re)are to #eave. 1e +&r+&re a few wor ! of con o#ence. O#ga inc#ine her hea . 6"n honor,6 ;r. %chwohrer !ai . 1e )icke &) hi! *ag an #eft the roo+ an , for that +atter, hi!tor(. 4t wa! at thi! +o+ent that the cork )o))e o&t of the cha+)agne *ott#e7 foa+ !)i##e own onto the ta*#e. O#ga went *ack to Chekhov.! *e !i e. %he !at on a foot!too#, ho# ing hi! han , fro+ ti+e to ti+e !troking hi! face. 6'here were no h&+an voice!, no ever( a( !o&n !,6 !he wrote. 6'here wa! on#( *ea&t(, )eace, an the gran e&r of eath.6 %he !ta(e with Chekhov &nti# a(*reak, when thr&!he! *egan to ca## fro+ the gar en *e#ow. 'hen ca+e the !o&n of ta*#e! an chair! *eing +ove a*o&t own there. ,efore #ong, voice! carrie &) to her. 4t wa! then a knock !o&n e at the oor. Of co&r!e !he tho&ght it +&!t *e an officia# of !o+e !ort--the +e ica# e$a+iner, !a(, or !o+eone fro+ the )o#ice who ha 2&e!tion! to a!k an for+! for her to fi## o&t, or +a(*e, 0&!t +a(*e, it co&# *e ;r. %chwohrer ret&rning with a +ortician to ren er a!!i!tance in e+*a#+ing an tran!)orting Chekhov.! re+ain! *ack to 9&!!ia. ,&t, in!tea , it wa! the !a+e *#on (o&ng +an who. *ro&ght the cha+)agne a few ho&r! ear#ier. 'hi! ti+e, however, hi! &nifor+ tro&!er! were neat#( )re!!e , with !tiff crea!e! in front, an ever( *&tton on hi! !n&g green 0acket wa! fa!tene . 1e !ee+e 2&ite another )er!on. /ot on#( wa! he wi e awake *&t hi! )#&+) cheek! were !+ooth-!haven, hi! hair wa! in )#ace, an he a))eare an$io&! to )#ea!e. 1e wa! ho# ing a )orce#ain va!e with three #ong-!te++e (e##ow ro!e!. 1e )re!ente the!e to O#ga with a !+art c#ick of hi! hee#!. %he !te))e *ack an #et hi+ into the roo+. 1e wa! there, he !ai , to co##ect the g#a!!e!, ice *&cket, an tra(, (e!. ,&t he a#!o wante to !a( that, *eca&!e of the

e$tre+e heat, *reakfa!t wo&# *e !erve in the gar en thi! +orning. 1e ho)e thi! weather wa!n.t too *other!o+e7 he a)o#ogi3e for it. 'he wo+an !ee+e i!tracte . 5hi#e he ta#ke , !he t&rne her e(e! awa( an #ooke own at !o+ething in the car)et. %he cro!!e her ar+! an he# her e#*ow!. Meanwhi#e, !ti## ho# ing hi! va!e, waiting for a !ign, the (o&ng +an took in the etai#! of the roo+. ,right !&n#ight f#oo e thro&gh the o)en win ow!. 'he roo+ wa! ti ( an !ee+e &n i!t&r*e , a#+o!t &nto&che . /o gar+ent! were f#&ng over chair!, no !hoe!, !tocking!, *race!, or !ta(! were in evi ence, no o)en !&itca!e!. 4n !hort, there wa! no c#&tter, nothing *&t the &!&a# heav( )iece! of hote#-roo+ f&rnit&re. 'hen, *eca&!e the wo+an wa! !ti## #ooking own, he #ooke own, too, an at once !)ie a cork near the toe of hi! !hoe. 'he wo+an i not !ee it--!he wa! #ooking !o+ewhere e#!e. 'he (o&ng +an wante to *en over an )ick &) the cork, *&t he wa! !ti## ho# ing the ro!e! an wa! afrai of !ee+ing to intr& e even +ore *( rawing an( f&rther attention to hi+!e#f. 9e#&ctant#(, he #eft the cork where it wa! an rai!e hi! e(e!. @ver(thing wa! in or er e$ce)t for the &ncorke , ha#f-e+)t( *ott#e of cha+)agne that !too a#ong!i e two cr(!ta# g#a!!e! over on the #itt#e ta*#e. 1e ca!t hi! ga3e a*o&t once +ore. 'hro&gh an o)en oor he !aw that the thir g#a!! wa! in the *e roo+, on the night!tan . ,&t !o+eone !ti## occ&)ie the *e E 1e co&# n.t !ee a face, *&t the fig&re &n er the cover! #a( )erfect#( +otion#e!! an 2&iet. 1e note the fig&re an #ooke e#!ewhere. 'hen, for a rea!on he co&# n.t &n er!tan , a fee#ing of &nea!ine!! took ho# of hi+. 1e c#eare hi! throat an +ove hi! weight to the other #eg. 'he wo+an !ti## i n.t #ook &) or *reak her !i#ence. 'he (o&ng +an fe#t hi! cheek! grow war+. 4t occ&rre to hi+, 2&ite witho&t hi! having tho&ght it thro&gh, that he !ho&# )erha)! !&gge!t an a#ternative to *reakfa!t in the gar en. 1e co&ghe , ho)ing to foc&! the wo+an.! attention, *&t !he i n.t #ook at hi+. 'he i!ting&i!he foreign g&e!t! co&# , he !ai , take *reakfa!t in their roo+! thi! +orning if the( wi!he . 'he (o&ng +an <hi! na+e ha!n.t !&rvive , an it.! #ike#( he )eri!he in the ?reat 5ar> !ai he wo&# *e ha))( to *ring &) a tra(. 'wo tra(!, he a e , g#ancing &ncertain#( once again in the irection of the *e roo+. 1e fe## !i#ent an ran a finger aro&n the in!i e of hi! co##ar. 1e i n.t &n er!tan . 1e wa!n.t even !&re the wo+an ha *een #i!tening. 1e i n.t know what e#!e to o now7 he wa! !ti## ho# ing the va!e. 'he !weet o or of the ro!e! fi##e hi! no!tri#! an ine$)#ica*#( ca&!e a )ang of regret. 'he entire ti+e he. *een waiting, the wo+an ha a))arent#( *een #o!t in tho&ght. 4t wa! a! if a## the whi#e he. *een !tan ing there, ta#king, !hifting hi! weight, ho# ing hi! f#ower!, !he ha *een !o+e)#ace e#!e, !o+ewhere far fro+ ,a enwei#er. ,&t now !he

ca+e *ack to her!e#f, an her face a!!&+e another e$)re!!ion. %he rai!e her e(e!, #ooke at hi+, an then !hook her hea . %he !ee+e to *e !tr&gg#ing to &n er!tan what on earth thi! (o&ng +an co&# *e oing there in the roo+ ho# ing a va!e with three (e##ow ro!e!. =#ower!: %he ha n.t or ere f#ower!. 'he +o+ent )a!!e . %he went over to her han *ag an !coo)e &) !o+e coin!. %he rew o&t a n&+*er of *anknote! a! we##. 'he (o&ng +an to&che hi! #i)! with hi! tong&e7 another #arge ti) wa! forthco+ing, *&t for what: 5hat i !he want hi+ to o: 1e. never *efore waite on !&ch g&e!t!. 1e c#eare hi! throat once +ore. /o *reakfa!t, the wo+an !ai . /ot (et, at an( rate. ,reakfa!t wa!n.t the i+)ortant thing thi! +orning. %he re2&ire !o+ething e#!e. %he nee e hi+ to go o&t an *ring *ack a +ortician. ;i he &n er!tan her: 1err Chekhov wa! ea , (o& !ee. Co+)rene3-vo&!: Do&ng +an: "nton Chekhov wa! ea . /ow #i!ten caref&##( to +e, !he !ai . %he wante hi+ to go own!tair! an a!k !o+eone at the front e!k where he co&# go to fin the +o!t re!)ecte +ortician in the cit(. %o+eone re#ia*#e, who took great )ain! in hi! work an who!e +anner wa! a))ro)riate#( re!erve . " +ortician, in !hort, worth( of a great arti!t. 1ere, !he !ai , an )re!!e the +one( on hi+. 'e## the+ own!tair! that 4 have !)ecifica##( re2&e!te (o& to )erfor+ thi! &t( for +e. "re (o& #i!tening: ;o (o& &n er!tan what 4.+ !a(ing to (o&: 'he (o&ng +an gra))#e to take in what !he wa! !a(ing. 1e cho!e not to #ook again in the irection of the other roo+. 1e ha !en!e that !o+ething wa! not right. 1e *eca+e aware of hi! heart *eating ra)i #( &n er hi! 0acket, an he fe#t )er!)iration *reak o&t on hi! forehea . 1e i n.t know where he !ho&# t&rn hi! e(e!. 1e wante to )&t the va!e own. 8#ea!e o thi! for +e, the wo+an !ai . 4.## re+e+*er (o& with gratit& e. 'e## the+ own!tair! that 4 in!i!t. %a( that. ,&t on.t ca## an( &nnece!!ar( attention to (o&r!e#f or to the !it&ation. B&!t !a( that thi! i! nece!!ar(, that 4 re2&e!t it--an that.! a##. ;o (o& hear +e: /o if (o& &n er!tan . "*ove a##, on.t rai!e an a#ar+. @ver(thing e#!e, a## the re!t, the co++otion--that.## co+e !oon eno&gh. 'he wor!t i! over. ;o we &n er!tan each other: 'he (o&ng +an.! face ha grown )a#e. 1e !too rigi , c#a!)ing the va!e. 1e +anage to no hi! hea . "fter !ec&ring )er+i!!ion to #eave the hote# he wa! to )rocee 2&ieri( an re!o#&te#(, tho&gh witho&t an( &n*eco+ing ha!te, to the +ortician.!.

1e wa! to *ehave e$act#( a! if he were engage on a ver( i+)ortant erran , nothing +ore. 1e wa! engage on an i+)ortant erran , !he !ai . "n if it wo&# he#) kee) t&.! +ove+ent! )&r)o!ef&# he !ho&# i+agine hi+!e#f a! !o+eone +oving own the *&!( !i ewa#k carr(ing in hi! ar+! a )orce#ain va!e of ro!e! that he ha to e#iver to an i+)ortant +an. <%he !)oke 2&iet#(, a#+o!t confi entia##(, a! if to a re#ative or a frien .> 1e co&# even te## hi+!e#f that the +an he wa! going to !ee wa! e$)ecting hi+, wa! )erha)! i+)atient for hi+ to arrive with hi! f#ower!. /everthe#e!!, the (o&ng +an wa! not to *eco+e e$cite an r&n, or otherwi!e *reak hi! !tri e. 9e+e+*er the va!e he wa! carr(ingE 1e wa! to wa#k *ri!k#(, co+)orting hi+!e#f at a## ti+e! in a! ignifie a +anner a! )o!!i*#e. 1e !ho&# kee) wa#king &nti# he ca+e to the +ortician.! ho&!e an !too *efore the oor. 1e wo&# then rai!e the *ra!! knocker an #et it fa##, once, twice, three ti+e!. 4n a +in&te the +ortician hi+!e#f wo&# an!wer. 'hi! +ortician wo&# *e in hi! fortie!, no o&*t, or +a(*e ear#( fiftie!--*a# , !o#i #( *&i#t, wearing !tee#-fra+e !)ectac#e! !et ver( #ow on hi! no!e. 1e wo&# *e +o e!t, &na!!&+ing, a +an who wo&# a!k on#( the +o!t irect an nece!!ar( 2&e!tion!. "n a)ron. 8ro*a*#( he wo&# *e wearing an a)ron. 1e +ight even *e wi)ing hi! han ! on a ark towe# whi#e he #i!tene to what wa! *eing !ai . 'here. *e a faint whiff of for+a# eh( e on hi! c#othe!. ,&t it wa! a## right, an the (o&ng +an !ho&# n.t worr(. 1e wa! near#( a grown-&) now an !ho&# n.t *e frightene or re)e##e *( an( of thi!. 'he +ortician wo&# hear hi+ o&t. 1e wa! a +an of re!traint an *earing, thi! +ortician, !o+eone who co&# he#) a##a( )eo)#e.! fear! in thi! !it&ation, not increa!e the+. -ong ago he. ac2&ainte hi+!e#f with eath in a## it! vario&! g&i!e! an for+!7 eath he# no !&r)ri!e! for hi+ an( #onger, no hi en !ecret!. 4t wa! thi! +an who!e !ervice! were re2&ire thi! +orning. 'he +ortician take! the va!e of ro!e!. On#( once whi#e the (o&ng +an i! !)eaking oe! the +ortician *etra( the #ea!t f#icker of intere!t, or in icate that he.! hear an(thing o&t of the or inar(. ,&t the one ti+e the (o&ng +an +ention! the na+e of the ecea!e , the +ortician.! e(e*row! ri!e 0&!t a #itt#e. Chekhov, (o& !a(: B&!t a +in&te, an 4.## *e with (o&. ;o (o& &n er!tan what 4.+ !a(ing, O#ga !ai to the (o&ng +an. -eave the g#a!!e!. ;on.t worr( a*o&t the+. =orget a*o&t cr(!ta# wineg#a!!e! an !&ch. -eave the roo+ a! it i!. @ver(thing i! rea ( now. 5e.re rea (. 5i## (o& go: ,&t at that +o+ent the (o&ng +an wa! thinking of the cork !ti## re!ting near the toe of hi! !hoe. 'o retrieve it he wo&# have to *en over,

!ti## gri))ing the va!e. 1e wo&# o thi!. 1e #eane over. 5itho&t #ooking own, he reache o&t an c#o!e it into hi! han .