Lomov: You take that back! My dog could best your dog any day of the week. He’s lost a big of speed but still more nimble than your fleabag and could still hunt like the grace of a cheetah. Natalya: Oh my! Such fantasies. Did you not grow out of those as a young boy?… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 15

Guess: What do you mean, we’re going hunting tomorrow. Aren’t you excited? No more of this undesirable dullness and misfortune. Squeezer: Oh, you silly beat. Have you not gotten it through your gnarly muzzle yet? All those kids care about it competing with one another. You and I are only props in their competitive game… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 16

LOMOV. I assure you that his lower jaw is shorter than the upper. NATALYA STEPANOVNA. Have you measured? LOMOV. Yes. He’s all right at following, of course, but if you want him to get hold of anything . . . NATALYA STEPANOVNA. In the first place, our Squeezer is a thoroughbred animal, the son of… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 17

LOMOV. I see, Natalya Stepanovna, that you consider me either blind or a fool. You must realize that Squeezer is overshot! NATALYA STEPANOVNA. It’s not true. LOMOV. He is! NATALYA STEPANOVNA. It’s not true! LOMOV. Why shout, madam? NATALYA STEPANOVNA. Why talk rot? It’s awful! It’s time your Guess was shot, and you compare him… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 18

NATALYA STEPANOVNA. I shan’t shut up until you acknowledge that Squeezer is a hundred times better than your Guess! LOMOV. A hundred times worse! Be hanged to your Squeezer! His head . . . eyes . . . shoulder . . . NATALYA STEPANOVNA. There’s no need to hang your silly Guess; he’s halfdead already!… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 19

LOMOV. Stepan Stepanovitch, I implore you to tell me just one thing: is your Squeezer overshot or not? Yes or no? CHUBUKOV. And suppose he is? What does it matter? He’s the best dog in the district for all that, and so on. LOMOV. But isn’t my Guess better? Really, now? CHUBUKOV. Don’t excite yourself,… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 20

LOMOV. And with good reason. The dogs are running after a fox, when Squeezer goes and starts worrying a sheep! CHUBUKOV. It’s not true! . . . My dear fellow, I’m very liable to lose my temper, and so, just because of that, let’s stop arguing. You started because everybody is always jealous of everybody… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 21

LOMOV. And are you a hunter? You only go hunting to get in with the Count and to intrigue. . . . Oh, my heart! . . . You’re an intriguer! CHUBUKOV. What? I an intriguer? [Shouts] Shut up! LOMOV. Intriguer! CHUBUKOV. Boy! Pup! LOMOV. Old rat! Jesuit! CHUBUKOV. Shut up or I’ll shoot you… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 22

NATALYA But what of the passersby? Perhaps one of them heard our discourse as it’s passions grew. Will they not report this once news of his passing has spread? How might our intentions appear then? Everyone knows of his fragile heart for he spoke of it at every opportunity. Will we then not be blamed… Continue reading The Russian Corpse 24