In the estate of Raisa Pavlovna Gurmyzhskaya, “a very rich landowner,” Bulanov, “a young man who did not finish school at the gymnasium”, is adhering to the pupil Aksyusha. Aksyusha leaves, and the footman Karp hints to Bulanova: whether he should pay attention to the lady.

At this time, Gurmyzhskaya herself and with her “rich neighbors-landowners” appeared: the retired cavalryman Bodaev and Milonov. The hostess says that she wants to do “three good deeds at once” - to give Aksyusha for Bulanov and take care of the deceased husband’s nephew; she had not seen him for fifteen years, and he is her only relative and legal heir. He sends her small gifts from all over Russia, but where is he, what is with him is unknown.

The merchant Vosmibratov came to buy a forest and wed his son Peter for Aksyusha. He, however, “did not seize money for the already purchased forest.” Gurmyzhskaya refuses: “There is already a groom, he lives in a house. Maybe some nonsense is being said in the city, so you know: this is the bridegroom. ” “Only you put your father into fools. Wait, you are with me! ” - threatens the son of a merchant. But the forest was bought with profit. This time, as if by chance, the merchant does not leave a receipt. Father and son are leaving. Karp leads Aksyusha and Ulit. Trying to humiliate Aksyusha, Raisa Pavlovna tells her to play the role of Bulanov’s bride: "I need it so much." But the contempt shown by Aksyusha Bulanova infuriates her. She asks Ulita about them, she pleases her: "She is very kind to him, but he seems to be so ... ... I do not want to."

Peter and Aksyusha meet in the forest. They love each other, but Peter's father does not want to hear about a daughter-in-law without a dowry. They are going away. Two familiar actors appear from different sides of Lucky and Unlucky: a comedian and a tragedian. They meet by chance on the way one from Vologda to Kerch, another from Kerch to Vologda. And now they tell each other that neither in Kerch, nor in Vologda there is no troupe, there is no place to play. Both walk, without money. In Gennady Demyanovich Neschastlivtsev’s satchel there is a “pair of a good dress”, “a folding hat”, something else and a broken gun. Arkady Schastlivtsev has all his property - a bundle on a stick and the “lightest” coat, and in the bundle “library”, “plays thirty”, and fake orders. “And did you all get it?” (meaning pulled, pulled). “And I don’t think for sin: the salary is delayed.” They dream of their own troupe: “Now, if we could find a dramatic, young, good actress <...> A woman will throw herself in a whirlpool with love’s head - this is the actress. Yes, so that I myself saw, otherwise I won’t believe it. I’ll get it out of the pool, then I will believe it. Well, obviously, go. " "Where?" - asks Arkady. And he reads the inscription: "To the estate" Hemp "of Mrs. Gurmyzhskaya." They are "slowly leaving."

In the morning in the garden of the Gurmyzhskaya estate, flirting with Bulanov, he tells him a dream that her nephew “came and killed you with a pistol before my eyes.” She is concerned: “... And suddenly he will appear! <...> It will be necessary to give him some part too! And I will have to take away from the one I love. " They decide better and not talk about nephew. Karp enters and reports: the samovar is ready, and at night "the master arrived." And with the words “Don’t Believe Dreams,” Gurmyzhskaya and Bulanov go to drink tea.

Actors come in. Neschastladytsev, “dressed very well,” decides Arkady, who is in his “former suit,” to declare here his lackey, and himself a retired officer.

Vosmibratov and Peter come. Karp does not want to report about them to the lady: “... Busy with the colonel. Their nephew came. ” “Colonel?” “Of course, Colonel.” Merchants leave.

Bulanov confesses with Neschastlivtsev: "Mama says, my mind is not like that, not for learning, sir." "Which one?" "Practical-s." “Well, thank the creator that there is at least some. And it often happens that there is none. ” “Yes, and that's nothing, sir.” It would only be more land, but understand your interest, landowner; and even crazy You can live, sir! ” “Yes, you brother, well done at all!” The actor exclaims when Bulanov asks to teach him card “volts” to cheat.

Settled the guests in the gazebo. And when Neschastlivtsev goes there with Bulanov, Vosmibratov immediately comes to Gurmyzhskaya and deceives her in the simplest way, taking the receipt, missing a thousand rubles and hinting at unsuccessful matchmaking. “Day robbery,” says Raisa Pavlovna, and shares the trouble with the incoming Bulanov. With him Neschastlivtsev. He said to Gurmyzhskaya: “Now there is nothing to do”, according to the remark “with ardor” exclaims: “How is it nothing? Rotate it! (Raising his eyes to the sky.) What will I do with him! God, what will I do with him! <...> Arkashka, submit my orders! ”

Vosmibratov is brought with his son, and the tragedy uses the loudest words to portray the formidable gentleman. The mistress is scared, the merchants are not very. But in the end, the actor manages to hurt the "honor" of the merchant, and he gives the money.

“Here is your money, get it,” says Neschastlivtsev Gurmyzhskaya. (“He goes to the side and stands with his hands crossed and his head crossed.”) Gurmyzhskaya thanks and says that she owes him “exactly that amount” (which was discussed even before he came to the estate). The actor replies: “I don’t believe”, he says flowery phrases about the delicacy, the nobility of Gurmyzhskaya and with tears and words: “Enough mercies! Pretty affectionate! I will become an idolater, I will pray for you! ”, He covers his face with his hands and leaves. Outraged Arkady hides in the bushes and watches as Gurmyzhskaya, chuckling at Neschastlivtsev, gives money to Bulanov.

And at night, in another part of the garden, he praises Neschastlivtsev: "A smart man will not disappear anywhere." "Smart? Who are you talking about? ” "About myself, sir." “Well, who told you that you are smart? You, brother, do not believe, you were deceived. " But Arkady is quite satisfied with himself: he dined from the master's table, “said he was so accustomed to you”, “got in with the housekeeper and, on this occasion <...> borrowed money from her, and I also had a bottle of liquor in the corner near the bed, like a wax ". And he condemns the comrade: “You say that you are smart, and the high school student is obviously smarter: he plays a better role here than yours.” "What role, brother? Well, what is he? Boy, nothing more. " "What is the role? First lover, sir. ” "Lover? Whose?" “Your aunts! <...> He plays a lover, but you ... a simpleton! ” Arkady says the last words “from behind a bush”, fleeing from a seriously angry tragedian. Arkady runs away, but the deed is done. “He lied, shamelessly lied,” the tragedy begins. And he continues: “But if my pious aunt ...” ending like this: “Laugh at the feeling, at the artist’s warm tears!” No, such resentment does not forgive Neschastlivtsev! ”

Karp, Ulita, then Arkady appear. The carp makes fun of STREET, which apparently appeared on a date; gossiping about the ruinous novels of the lady: he himself drove mail to the doctor, a Frenchman, a topographer, some Italian. Julitta gasps, and, left with Arkady, begins to pour out his soul, complaining of a dependent position. Arkady is afraid of Neschastlivtsev, who is wandering around the garden, and blabs out with annoyance. Ulite that he is not an officer, he is not his servant, both are actors "and both drunkards."

Peter and Aksinya come to the garden. Vosmibratov, the father again scolded his son for an hour, but now he agrees to take the dowry to take two thousand - but no less. The couple comes to the idea of ​​asking for money "from a brother, from Gennady Demyanovich" - no one else. Aksinya, meanwhile, begins to despair: "Everything pulls into the water, <...> I look at the lake." Peter is afraid, she reassures him, he leaves, and Aksinya suddenly meets with Neschastlivtsev. He is in some ecstasy and acts in front of himself and Aksinya: “A woman, a beautiful woman ... Are you a woman or a shadow? .. Ah! I see that you are a woman. And on this beautiful night I would like to talk with the afterlife ... Many secrets, many sufferings, they took with them to the grave. My soul is gloomy, I don’t have to live ... Off! ” "Brother, and I suffered a lot and am suffering." Aksyusha’s lively, completely open speech suddenly falls into the tone of Neschastlivtsev’s affectation - it seems that Aksyusha’s full confidence - and most importantly, both of them have their misfortunes. They immediately become clear: the actor can only answer to a desperate request for two thousand: “Forgive me, forgive me! I’m poorer than you <...> it’s not for you to ask me for money, but you don’t refuse me a patch of copper when I knock under your window and ask for a hangover. I’m a piglet, a piglet! That is who I am. ” Here the pathos of the tragedy is fully consistent with reality: Aksinya runs to the lake. Behind her Neschastlivtsev shouted: “No, no, sister! It’s too early for you to die! ” With the words: “Well, I ran away somewhere. Is it really drowning? That would be good. There he is dear ... "- goes to the arbor Arkady.

Going to leave, he encounters a friend and the girl he saved. A tragedian at the peak of a spiritual upsurge: everything seemed to follow his tone, words, declarations: a woman threw love into the water before his eyes. And he convinces Aksyusha to go to the actress: literally, now in his troupe. Desperate, half-chilled, Aksyusha seemed to agree: “It will not be worse. <...> As you wish. I am ready for anything. ” “I have several roles, I read to you. <...> That night I dedicate you to actresses. <...> Wait, the fugitive! I am generous, I forgive you. Triumph, Arkashka! We have an actress; you and I will go round all theaters and surprise all of Russia. ”

The three of them go into the arbor, they are replaced by Raisa Pavlovna with ULITA, she passes the news to the lady; the turn of events suits her.

Julitta invites Bulanov and disappears. Raisa Pavlovna recklessly flirts with Bulanov, demanding that he guess what she loves. And when, having heard: “You fool! you! ”, he muttered:“ Yes, sir ... ... It’s long since you ... sir, that’s better, Raisynka! ” How long would you ... "climbs kissing, pushes him:" What are you, crazy? Go away! You ignoramus, scoundrel, boy! ” and leaves. Bulanov in horror. “What have I done foolishly! Tomorrow me ... From here <...> In three necks! Guilty, sir! <...> Gone, gone, gone! ”

But Bulanov did not disappear. The next morning, in the hall, he is smoking over Karp: “I will not tolerate disturbances in the house! I’m not Raisa Pavlovna for you ... ”Karp leaves with a maliciously emphasized humility. “Hello, Mr. Neschastlivtsev!” - Greets the actor Bulanov. “Do you know that I am Neschastlivtsev?” “I know.” “I am very happy, brother. So you know who you are dealing with, and you will behave carefully and respectfully. " Bulanov is clearly afraid of the actor, and he aptly scoffs at him; but still, now he has to leave, since such is the will of the mistress. When leaving, he notices a money box accidentally left on the table.

Gurmyzhskaya enters. Bulanov with her on you, he makes plans. Sorry for the dowry of Aksyusha. Raisa Pavlovna with Bulanov in difficulty, and here Aksyusha herself enters. Bulanov is sent, and Gurmyzhskaya starts a conversation with Aksyusha about him. They only lead to an exchange of taunts not in favor of the mistress, and in the end she admits that she is jealous of Bulanova for Aksyusha. When Aksyusha says that she herself decided to leave Penkov, Raisa Pavlovna is almost touched. Aksyushu is replaced by Neschastlivtsev, and very decisively. “They don’t listen to any reason,” says Karp. The actor sends him: "Do not let anyone in." He is in his travel suit. He takes the bell from the lady and puts the gun near the casket. “Do not be afraid, we will talk very peacefully, even kindly. You know what? Give it to me as a souvenir (box). ” "Oh, you can’t, my friend, here are important papers, documents on the estate." "You were mistaken, money is here." So, in a fright, the actor manages to persuade Raisa Pavlovna to give him money from the box. As a result, Gurmyzhskaya gives away a thousand, which she must (in which she confesses), and says that she is “not angry,” or the tragedian threatens to shoot herself right there. The actor orders a troika, looks forward to lucrative contracts, benefits. Arkady is delighted. Guests are gathering in the house. Aksyusha is looking for Peter: say goodbye. It turns out that the last condition of the father: "If only a thousand were given for you, a fool." Aksyusha rushes to the tragedian: "Ask for aunt, <...> now only a thousand rubles are needed, only a thousand." “And what about the actress, my child? With your feeling ... "" Brother ... feeling ... I need it at home. " And the actor with the words "Let me inspire myself well ..." goes to the dining room.

Enter Milonov, Bodaev, the mistress with Bulanov, and the reason for the triumph is found out: Gurmyzhskaya marries Bulanov. Neschastlivtsev appears. At the door of the Vosmibratovs, Aksyusha, Arkady. "Aunt, are you happy?" - asks Neschastlivtsev and convinces her to do a good deed - to arrange the happiness of her niece by a small amount for herself: Gurmyzhskaya refuses. Bulanov assented her. And the actor, to the horror of Arkady, gives money to Aksyusha. They are taken by the Vosmibratov and counted. Aksyusha warmly thanks Neschastlivtseva. Milonov wants to "print an act in the newspapers", and Bodaev invites him to come, but they refuse to drink at the Brudershaft with the actor. “You seem to be going,” recalls Bulanov. “And indeed, brother Arkady, <...> how did we get into this dense cheese? Everything is in order, as in the forest should be. Old women marry high school students, young girls drown from the bitter life of their relatives: forest, brother, ”says the tragedian. “Comedians,” Raisa Pavlovna shrugs. “Comedians?” No, we are artists, and comedians are you. <...> What have you done? who was fed? who was comforted? <...> A girl runs to drown, who pushes her into the water? Aunt. Who is saving? Actor Neschastlivtsev. “People, people! Spawn of crocodiles! “” And the actor reads the monologue of Karl Moor from “The Robbers”, ending with the words: “Oh, if I could fool all the bloodthirsty inhabitants of the forests against this hellish generation!” “But let me, you can answer for these words!” “Yes, just to the camp. We are all witnesses! ” - respond Milonov and Bulanov.

"Me? You are mistaken. Censored. See: approved for submission. Oh you malignant man! Where do you talk to me! I feel and speak like Schiller, and you - like a clerk. Well, enough. On the road, Arkashka. <...> Listen, Carp! If the troika arrives, you turn her into a city, brother, and say that the gentlemen have gone on foot. Hand, comrade! (She gives her hand to Schastlivtsev and slowly leaves.) "