NATALYA PETROVNA [to VERA]. Whom have you been out with all this time? I've seen nothing of you all day.
VERA. With Alexey Nikolaitch . . . with Kolya. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. Ah! [Turning round.] Kolya, what's the meaning of this?
KOLYA [dropping his voice]. Mr. Schaaf. . . Maman. . .
RAKITIN [to NATALYA PETROVNA]. They are making a kite, and you see, it's time for a lesson.
SCHAAF [with a sense of dignity]. Gnädige Frau. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [severely, to KOLYA]. You have been playing about enough to-day, do you hear. Go along with Mr. Schaaf.
SCHAAF [leading KOLYA towards the outer room]. Es ist unerhört!
KOLYA [to RAKITIN in a whisper as he goes out]. Ask for the glue, all the same. . .. [RAKITIN nods.]
SCHAAF [pulling KOLYA]. Kommen sie, mein Herr. . . [Goes out with him. RAKITIN follows them out.]
NATALYA PETROVNA [to VERA]. Sit down . . . you must be tired. . . . [Sits down herself.]
VERA [sitting down]. Not at all, Natalya Petrovna. r
NATALYA PETROVNA [to SHPIGELSKY, with a smile]. Shpigelsky, look at her, she is tired, isn't she?
SHPIGELSKY. But that's good for Vera Alexandrovna, you know.
NATALYA PETROVNA. I don't say it's not. . . . [To VERA.] Well, what have you been doing in the garden?
VERA. Playing, running about. First we looked at the men digging the dam, then Alexey Nikolaitch climbed up a tree after a squirrel, ever so high, and began shaking the tree-top. ... It really frightened us. ... The squirrel dropped at last, and Tresor nearly caught it. ... But it got away.
NATALYA PETROVNA [glancing with a smile at SHPIGELSKY]. And then?
VERA. Then Alexey Nikolaitch made Kolya a bow . . and so quickly . . . and then he stole up to our cow in the meadow and all at once leapt on her back . .. and the cow was scared and set off running and kicking . . . and he laughed [Laughs herself] and then Alexey Nikolaitch wanted to make us a kite and so we came in.
NATALYA PETROVNA [pats her cheek]. Child, child, you are a perfect child.... What do you think, Shpigelsky?
SHPIGELSKY [slowly, looking at NATALYA PETROVNA]. I agree with you.
NATALYA PETROVNA. I should think so.
SHPIGELSKY. But that's no hindrance. . . . On the contrary . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. You think so? [To VERA.] And you've been enjoying yourself?
VERA. Yes. . . . Alexey Nikolaitch is so amusing.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Oh, he is, is he? [.After a brief pause.] And, Vera, how old are you? [VERA looks at her with some surprise.] You're a child ... a child.
[RAKITIN comes in from the outer room.]
SHPIGELSKY [fussily]. Ah, I was forgetting . . . your coachman is ill ... and I haven't had a look at him yet. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA. What's the matter with him?
SHPIGELSKY. He's feverish, but it's nothing serious.
NATALYA PETROVNA [calling after him]. You are dining with us, Doctor?
SHPIGELSKY. With your kind permission. [Goes out by centre door.]
NATALYA PETROVNA. Mon enfant, vous feriez bien de mettre une autre robe pour le diner. . . . [VERA gets up.] Come to me. . . . [Kisses her on the forehead.] Child. . . . Child. [VERA kisses her hand and goes towards door on right.]
RAKITIN [aside to VERA with a wink]. I've sent Alexey Nikolaitch all you need.
VERA [aside]. Thank you, Mihail Alexandritch. [Goes out.]
RAKITIN [goes up to NATALYA PETROVNA, she holds out her hand to him. He at once presses it]. At last, we are alone. Natalya Petrovna, tell me, what's the matter?
NATALYA PETROVNA. Nothing, Michel, nothing. And if there were, it's all over now. Sit down. [RAKITIN sits down beside her.] That happens to everybody. Clouds pass over the sky. Why do you look at me like that?
RAKITIN. I'm looking at you. ... I am happy. NATALYA PETROVNA [smiles in answer to him]. Open the window, Michel. How lovely it is in the garden! [RAKITIN gets up and opens the window.] How I welcome the wind! [Laughs.] It seems to have been waiting for a chance to burst in. ... [Looks round.] How completely it's taken possession of the room. . . . There's no turning it out now. . . .
RAKITIN. You are as soft and sweet yourself now as an evening after a storm.
NATALYA PETROVNA [dreamily repeating the last words]. After a storm?... But has there been a storm?
RAKITIN [shaking his head]. It was gathering.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Really? [Gazing at him, after a short silence.] Do you know, Michel, I can't imagine a kinder man than you? [RAKITIN tries to stop her.] No, don't prevent my speaking out. You are sympathetic, affectionate, constant. You never change. I owe you so much.
RAKITIN. Natalya Petrovna, why are you telling me this just now?
NATALYA PETROVNA. I don't know; I feel light-hearted, I'm at rest; don't stop me from chattering, . . .
RAKITIN [pressing her hand]. You are kind as an angel. . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [laughing]. You wouldn't have said so this morning. But listen, Michel, you know me, you must make allowances for me. Our relations are so pure, so genuine,. . . and at the same time, not quite natural. .. . You and I have the right to look everybody in the face, not only Arkady. . . . Yes, but . . . [Sinking into thought.] That's what makes me sometimes depressed and ill at ease. I feel spiteful like a child, I'm ready to vent my spite on others, especially on you. . . . You don't resent that privilege?
RAKITIN [earnestly]. Quite the contrary.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Yes, at times it gives one pleasure to torture the man whom one loves . . . whom one loves. . . . Like Tatyana, I too can say, why not be frank?
RAKITIN. Natalya Petrovna, you . . . NATALYA PETROVNA [interrupting him]. Yes, I love you; but do you know, Rakitin? Do you know what sometimes seems strange to me? I love you . . . and the feeling is so clear, so peaceful. ... It does not agitate me. ... I am warmed by it. ... [Earnestly.] You have never made me cry .. . and it seems as though I ought to have. . . . [Breaking off.] What does that show?
RAKITIN [rather mournfully]. That's a question that needs no answer.
NATALYA PETROVNA [dreamily]. And we have known each other a long while.
RAKITIN. Four years. Yes, we are old friends.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Friends. . . . No, you are more to me than a friend.
RAKITIN. Natalya Petrovna, don't touch on that. . . . I'm afraid for my happiness, I'm afraid it may vanish at your touch.
NATALYA PETROVNA. No ... no ... no. The whole point is that you are too good. . . . You give way to me too much. . . . You have spoilt me. . . . You are too good, do you hear?
RAKITIN [with a smile]. I hear, madam.
NATALYA PETROVNA [looking at him]. I don't know what you feel but I desire no other happiness. Many women might envy me. [Holds out both hands to him.] Mightn't they?