Darling and Other Stories

LENKA, the daughter of the retired collegiate assessor, Plemyanniakov, was sitting in her back porch, lost in thought. It was hot, the flies were persistent and teasing, and it was pleasant to reflect that it would soon be evening. Dark rainclouds were gathering from the east, and bringing from time to time a breath of moisture in the air.Kukin, who was the manager of an open-air theatre called the Tivoli, and who lived in the lodge, was standing in the middle of the garden looking at the sky.Again! he observed despairingly. Its going to rain again! Rain every day, as though to spite me. I might as well hang myself! Its ruin! Fearful losses every day.He flung up his hands, and went on, addressing Olenka:There! thats the life we lead, Olga Semyonovna. Its enough to make one cry. One works and does ones utmost, one wears oneself out, getting no sleep at night, and racks ones brain what to do for the best.