Cao Yu's The Thunderstorm - Triceratops Home

Puyuan Oh, about what?
Ping I would like to go to the mine tomorrow.
Puyuan Did you finish up that thing for the company here?
Ping It's just about done. I would like it if Father would give me something
concrete to do; I don't like staring at things that are already finished.
Puyuan (stops, looks at Ping) Can you deal with hard labor? If you do something, it
should be done to the utmost. I won't have my son being talked about by
bystanders.
Ping It's been too comfortable doing things here for two years. My heart wants to
go inland, to the countryside.
Puyuan Let me think. —(stops) You can leave tomorrow. As for the kind of work—I'll
send a telegraph when you get to the mine.
[Sifeng enters from the kitchen door, carrying a bowl of Pu'er tea.
Chong (hesitatingly) Dad.
Puyuan (knows he has a trick up his sleeves) Yes?
Chong I have something important that I want to discuss with you.
Puyuan What?
Chong (bows his head) I want to separate out a part of my tuition.
Puyuan Oh.
Chong (drums up courage) And I want to give that part to-
[Sifeng sets the bowl of tea in front of Puyuan.
Puyuan Sifeng, —(to Chong) Wait. —(to Sifeng) What happened to the medicine I told
you to prepare for the Mistress?
Sifeng It's finished.
Puyuan Why didn't you bring it?
Sifeng (looks at Fanyi, is silent.)
Fanyi (perceives her surroundings and has a bad feeling) She brought it to me a
little while ago, but I didn't drink it.
Puyuan Why? (stops, to Sifeng) And the medicine?
Fanyi (talking quickly) It's gone, I told Sifeng to pour it out.
Puyuan (slowly) Poured out? Oh? (even slower) Poured out! —(to Sifeng) Is there any
left?
Sifeng There's still a little in the medicine jar.
Puyuan (low and unhurried) Bring it here.
Fanyi (resisting) I don't want to drink bitter things like that.
Puyuan (to Sifeng, loudly) Bring it here.
[Sifeng walks to stage left to get the medicine.
Chong Dad, Mom doesn't want to, why are you forcing her like this?
Puyuan You and your mother both have no idea what your illness is. (softly, to Fanyi)
When you drink it, you'll feel better. (sees Sifeng hesitate, points to the
medicine) Bring it here, to the Mistress.
Fanyi (endures and obeys) Alright, put it here first.
Puyuan (not happily) No. It's best if you drink it now.
Fanyi (suddenly) Sifeng, take it away.
Puyuan (suddenly strict) Drink it. Don't be headstrong, like a child.
Fanyi (voice trembling) I don't want to drink it.