FEDOTIK. Wait just a minute! (Takes a snapshot.) One! Hold it just a bit more . . . (Takes another snapshot.) Two! Now we’re through!
They take the basket and go into the reception room, where they are greeted boisterously.
RODÉ (loudly). Congratulations, I wish you the best of everything, the best of everything! Enchanting weather today, simply splendid. All this morning I was out on a hike with the high school students. I teach gymnastics at the high school . . .
FEDOTIK. You may move now, Irina Sergeevna, yes you may! (Takes a snapshot.) You are an interesting model today. (Pulls a humming-top out of his pocket.) And in addition, look, a humming-top . . . Makes a wonderful sound . . .
IRINA. What a treasure!
MASHA. “On the curved seashore a green oak stands, a golden chain wound round that oak . . . A golden chain wound round that oak . . .” (Tearfully.) Now, why do I keep saying that? Those lines have been stuck in my head since this morning . . .
KULYGIN. Thirteen at table!
RODÉ (loudly). Ladies and gentlemen, how can you possibly lend credence to superstitions?
Laughter.
KULYGIN. If there are thirteen at table, that means there are lovers here. Might you be one, Doctor, perish the thought . . .
Laughter.
CHEBUTYKIN. I’ve been a sinner from way back, but, look, why Nataliya Ivanovna should get embarrassed is something I simply cannot understand.
Loud laughter. NATASHA runs out of the reception room into the drawing-room, followed by ANDREY.
ANDREY. Never mind, don’t pay any attention! Wait . . . Stop, please . . .
NATASHA. I’m embarrassed . . . I don’t know what to do with myself, and they’re all poking fun at me. I just left the table, and I know it’s impolite, but I can’t . . . I can’t . . . (Hides her face in her hands.)
ANDREY. My dearest, please, I beg you, don’t get upset. I swear to you, they’re only joking, it’s all in good fun. My dearest, my own, they’re all kind, loving people, and they love me and you. Come over here to the window where they can’t see us . . . (Looking around.)
NATASHA. I’m so unaccustomed to being in society! . . .
ANDREY. Oh, youth, wonderful, beautiful youth. My dearest, my own, don’t get so upset! . . . Believe me, believe me . . . I feel so good, my heart is brimming over with love, delight . . . Oh, they can’t see us! They can’t see! Why I fell in love with you, when I fell in love with you — oh, I have no idea. My dearest, good, pure love, be my wife! I’d love you, love you . . . like no one ever . . . (A kiss.)
TWO OFFICERS enter and, on seeing the kissing couple, stop in amazement.
Curtain
ACT TWO
Same set as in Act One.
Eight o’clock at night. From offstage, as if from the street, one can faintly hear a concertina playing. No lights.
Enter NATALIYA IVANOVNA in a housecoat and carrying a candle; she walks around and stops by the door leading to Andrey’s room.
NATASHA. Andryusha, what’re you doing? Reading? Never mind, I’m just . . . (Walks around, opens another door and, after peeping in, closes it again.) Seeing if there’s a light . . .
ANDREY (enters, holding a book). You what, Natasha?
NATASHA. I’m checking to see if there’s a light . . . Now that it’s carnival week,25 the servants are out of control, you have to keep a sharp lookout to see that nothing goes wrong. Last night at midnight I was walking through the dining room and there was a candle burning. Who lit it, I never did manage to find out. (Puts down the candle.) What time is it?
ANDREY (after a look at his watch). Quarter past eight.
NATASHA. And Olga and Irina not back yet. They aren’t here. Still at work, poor things. Olga at the faculty meeting, Irina at the telegraph office . . . (Sighs.) Just this morning I was saying to your sister, “Take care of yourself,” I say, “Irina, love.” But she doesn’t listen. A quarter past eight, you said? I’m worried our Bobik26 isn’t at all well. Why is he so cold? Yesterday he had a fever and today he’s cold all over . . . I’m so worried!
ANDREY. It’s nothing, Natasha. The boy’s healthy.
NATASHA. But even so we’d better put him on a diet. I’m worried. And at nine o’clock tonight, they were saying, the masqueraders27 will be here. It’d be better if they didn’t put in an appearance, Andryusha.
ANDREY. I really don’t know. After all, they were sent for.
NATASHA. This morning the little darling woke up and looks at me, and suddenly he smiled, which means he recognized me. “Bobik,” I say, “morning! morning! darling!” And he laughs. Children do understand, they understand perfectly well. So, in that case, Andryusha, I’ll tell the servants not to let the masqueraders in.
ANDREY (indecisively). But, after all, that’s up to my sisters. They’re in charge here.
NATASHA. Oh, they are too, I’ll tell them. They’re considerate . . . (Walks around.) For supper I ordered some yogurt. Doctor says you shouldn’t eat anything but yogurt, otherwise you won’t lose weight. (Stops.) Bobik is cold. I’m worried, it’s too cold for him in his room, most likely. At least until the weather gets warmer we should put him in another room. For instance, Irina’s room is just right for a baby, it’s dry and sunny all day long. I’ll have to tell her, meanwhile she can double up with Olga in the same room . . . It doesn’t matter, she’s not at home during the day, only spends the night here . . . (Pause.) Andryusha sweetie-pie, why don’t you say something?
ANDREY. No reason, I was thinking . . . Besides there’s nothing to be said . . .
NATASHA. Right . . . Something I wanted to tell you . . . Oh, yes. Ferapont’s out there, sent by the council, he’s asking to see you.
ANDREY (yawns). Send him in.
NATASHA exits; ANDREY, hunched over the candle she’s forgotten, reads a book. Enter FERAPONT; he is wearing an old threadbare overcoat with a turned-up collar, his ears covered by a kerchief.
ANDREY. ‘Evening, old-timer. What have you got to say for yourself?
FERAPONT. Chairman sent a book and a paper of some sort. Here . . . (Hands over a book and a paper.)
ANDREY. Thanks. Fine. But why didn’t you get here earlier? After all, it’s past eight already.
FERAPONT. How’s that?
ANDREY (Louder). I said, you’ve come so late, it’s already past eight.
FERAPONT. Right you are. When I got here it was still light, but they wouldn’t let me in all this time. The master, they say, is busy. Well, that’s that. Busy’s busy, I got no cause to rush. (Thinking that Andrey is asking him something.) How’s that?
ANDREY. Nothing. (Examining the book.) Tomorrow’s Friday, we don’t meet, but I’ll go there all the same . . . I’ll find something to do, it’s boring at home . . .