BELIAYEV. Yes. [Hurriedly.] I didn't think . . . the pond is such a long way off. ... I didn't think it could be heard from here.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Are you apologizing? You have a very pleasant musical voice and you sing so well. You have studied music?
BELIAYEV. No, not at all. I only sing by ear ... only simple songs.
NATALYA PETROVNA. You sing them capitally. ... I'll ask you some time . . . not just now, but when we know each other better, when we are friends. . . . We are going to be friends, Alexey Nikolaitch, aren't we? I feel confidence in you; the way I've been chattering is a proof of it. . . . [She holds out her hand for him to shake hands. BELIAYEV takes it irresolutely and after some hesitation, not knowing what to do with the hand, kisses it. NATALYA PETROVNA flushes and draws away her hand. At that moment SHPIGELSKY comes in from the outer room, stops short, then takes a step forward, NATALYA PETROVNA gets up quickly, BELIAYEV does the same.] NATALYA PETROVNA [embarrassed]. Oh, it's you, Doctor . . . here Alexey Nikolaitch and I have been having
. . . [Stops.]
SHPIGELSKY [in a loud, free and easy voice]. Really, Natalya Petrovna, the goings on in your house! I walk into the servants' hall and ask for the sick coachman, and my patient is sitting at the table gobbling up pancake and onion. Much good it is being a doctor and relying on illness for getting a living.
NATALYA PETROVNA [with a constrained smile]. Really. [BELIAYEV is about to go away.] Alexey Nikolaitch, I forgot to tell you . . .
VERA [running in from the outer room]. Alexey Nikolaitch! Alexey Nikolaitch! [She stops abruptly at the sight of NATALYA PETROVNA.]
NATALYA PETROVNA [with some surprise]. What is it?
What do you want?
VERA [blushing and dropping her eyes, indicates BELIAYEV].
He is wanted.
NATALYA PETROVNA. By whom?
VERA. Kolya . . . that is Kolya asked me . . . about the kite. . ..
NATALYA PETROVNA. Oh! [Aside to VERA.] On n'entre pas comme cela dans une chambre. . . . Cela ne convient pas. [Turning to SHPIGELSKY.] What time is it, Doctor? Your watch is always right. . . . It's time for dinner.
SHPIGELSKY. Allow me. [Takes out his watch.] It is just... I beg to inform you . . . just exactly twenty minutes past four.
NATALYA PETROVNA. There, you see, it's dinner-time. [Goes to the looking-glass and tidies her hair. Meanwhile VERA whispers something to BELIAYEV. Both laugh. NATALYA PETROVNA sees them reflected in the looking-glass. SHPIGELSKY gives her a sidelong look.]
BELIAYEV [laughing, in a low voice]. Really?
VERA [nodding and speaking in a low voice too]. Yes, yes, she just went flop.
NATALYA PETROVNA [turning with assumed indifference to VERA]. What? Who went flop?
VERA [in confusion]. Oh no ... Alexey Nikolaitch made us a swing, and so nurse took it into her head . . .
NATALYA PETROVNA [without waiting for her to finish, turns to SHPIGELSKY]. Oh, by the way, Shpigelsky, come here. . . . [She draws him aside and speaks again to VERA.] She wasn't hurt, I hope?
VERA. Oh, no!
NATALYA PETROVNA. But ... all the same, Alexey Nikolaitch, you shouldn't have done it.
MATVEY [enters from the outer room and announces]. Dinner is served.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Ah! But where is Arkady Sergey-itch? They'll be late again, he and Mihail Alexandritch.
MATVEY. The gentlemen are in the dining-room.
NATALYA PETROVNA. And mother?
MATVEY. Madam is in the dining-room too.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Well, then, come along. [Motioning to BELIAYEV.] Vera, allez en avant avec monsieur.
[MATVEY goes out, followed by VERA and BELIAYEV. SHPIGELSKY [to NATALYA PETROVNA]
You had something to say to me.
NATALYA PETROVNA. Oh yes! To be sure. ... You see ... we'll have another talk about. ... your proposal. SHPIGELSKY. Concerning . . . Vera Alexandrovna? NATALYA PETROVNA. Yes . . .I will think about it.
I'll think about it. [Both go out.]
ACT II
The garden. Seats to Right and to Left under trees; in the foreground raspberry bushes. KATYA and MATVEY come in on Right. KATYA has a basket in her hand.
MATVEY. So how is it to be, Katerina Vassilyevna? Kindly explain yourself, I beg you earnestly.
KATYA. Matvey Yegoritch, I really can't.
MATVEY. You are very well aware, Katerina Vassilyevna, what my feelings, I may say, are for you. To be sure, I'm older than you in years, there's no denying that, certainly; but I can still hold my own, I'm still in my prime. I'm of mild disposition, as you are aware; I should like to know what more you want?
KATYA. Matvey Yegoritch, believe me, I feel it very much, I'm very grateful, Matvey Yegoritch. . . . But you see ... Better wait a bit, I think.
MATVEY. But, dear me, what is there to wait for, Katerina Vassilyevna? You used not to say that, allow me to tell you. And as for consideration, I can answer for that, I believe I may say------ You couldn't ask for more consideration than you will get from me, Katerina Vassilyevna. And I'm not given to drink, and I never hear a word of blame from the master and mistress either.
KATYA. Really, Matvey Yegoritch, I don't know what to say. . . .
MATVEY. Ah, Katerina Vassilyeina, something's come over you lately. . . .
KATYA [blushing a little]. Lately? Why lately?
MATVEY. I don't know . . . but there was a time when you didn't treat me like this.
KATYA [glancing hurriedly behind the scene]. Mind.... The German's coming.
MATVEY [with annoyance]. Bother him, the long-nosed crane! ... I must talk to you again. [He goes out to Right. KATYA is moving towards the raspberries. Enter SCHAAF from the Left with a fishing-rod on his shoulder.]
SCHAAF [calling after KATYA]. Vere you go, vere you go,
Katerin?
KATYA [stopping]. We've been told to pick raspberries, Adam Ivanitch.
SCHAAF. Raspberries? . . . The raspberry is a pleasant fruit. You love raspberries?
KATYA. Yes, I like them.
SCHAAF. He ... he! And I do too! I love all that you love. [Seeing that she is going.] Oh, Katerin, vait a leetle.
KATYA. I've no time to spare. The housekeeper will scold me.
SCHAAF. Oh! That's nothing. You see I'm going . . . [Points to the rod] how do you say ... to feesh, you understand, to feesh, that is, to catch feesh. You love feesh?
KATYA. Yes.
SCHAAF. He, he, I do too, I do too. Do you know vhat I vill tell you, Katerin. There's a song in German: [Sings] Katrinchen, Katrinchen, wie lieb ich dich so sehr! that is, in Russian, O Katrinushka, Katrinushka, you are so pretty I love you! [Tries to put one arm round her.]
KATYA. Give over, give over, for shame. . . . Here's the mistress coming! [Escapes into the raspberry patch.]
SCHAAF [assuming a glum expression, aside]. Das ist dumm. . . .