ISLAEV

What time is it? It must be time for dinner. I’ve been on my feet since morning—no end of work. I haven’t been to the building site yet. The time just disappears. Terrible! Can’t keep up with it all!

Rakitin smiles.

I see you’re laughing at me . . . What can I do, brother? To each his own. I’m a plain man, born to be a farmer—and nothing else. There was a time I dreamed of something else; but I was brought up short, brother! Got my fingers burnt—but good! Why hasn’t Belyaev come?

RAKITIN

Who is Belyaev?

ISLAEV

Our new tutor, Russian. Still a bit untamed; but he’ll get used to us. Got a head on his shoulders . . . I just asked him to check on the building site . . .

Belyaev enters.

Here he is! Well? What’s going on there? Most likely nothing—eh?

BELYAEV

No, sir, they’re working.

ISLAEV

Have they finished the second frame?

BELYAEV

They’ve started the third.

ISLAEV

You told them about the beams?

BELYAEV

Yes.

ISLAEV

Well—what did they say?

BELYAEV

They said they’ve never done it any other way.

ISLAEV

Hm. Is the carpenter Ermil there?

BELYAEV

Yes, he is.

ISLAEV

Ah! . . . Well, thank you.

Natalya Petrovna enters.

Ah! Natasha! Hello!

RAKITIN

Why are you greeting everybody twenty times today?

ISLAEV

I told you, I’ve been running around! By the way, have I shown you my new winnowing machine? Let’s go; it’s interesting. Imagine—it blows up a storm, a real hurricane. We’ve got time before dinner . . . Want to?

RAKITIN

All right.

ISLAEV

And you, Natasha, won’t you come with us?

NATALYA

What do I know about your winnowing machines! Go by yourselves—just don’t get stuck there.

ISLAEV

(Exiting with Rakitin) We’ll be right back . . .

Belyaev is about to follow them.

NATALYA

(To Belyaev) Where are you off to, Alexei Nikolaich?

BELYAEV

Me, ma’am? . . . I . . .

NATALYA

However, if you want to go out again . . .

BELYAEV

No, ma’am, I was outside all morning!

NATALYA

Ah! In that case, sit down . . . Sit down here. (Points to a chair) We haven’t had a proper talk yet, Alexei Nikolaich. We haven’t gotten acquainted yet.

Belyaev bows and sits down.

And I wish to get acquainted with you.

BELYAEV

I . . . I’m very flattered, ma’am.

NATALYA

(Smiling) You’re afraid of me now, I see that . . . but wait, you’ll get to know me, and you’ll stop being afraid of me . . . Tell me . . . Tell me, how old are you?

BELYAEV

Twenty-one, ma’am.

NATALYA

Are your parents living?

BELYAEV

My mother is dead. My father’s living.

NATALYA

Did your mother pass away long ago?

BELYAEV

Yes, ma’am.

NATALYA

But you remember her?

BELYAEV

Why, yes . . . I do, ma’am.

NATALYA

And your father lives in Moscow?

BELYAEV

No, ma’am, in the country.

NATALYA