NATALYA
(Without waiting for her to finish, to Shpigelsky) Ah, by the way, Shpigelsky, come here . . . (She leads him aside and turns again to Vera) She didn’t hurt herself?
VERA
Oh, no, ma’am!
NATALYA
Well . . . but still, Alexei Nikolaich, you shouldn’t have . . .
MATVEI
(Enters from the ballroom and announces) Dinner is served.
NATALYA
Ah! But where is Arkady Sergeich? He and Mikhail Alexandrych will be late again.
MATVEI
They’re already in the dining room, ma’am.
NATALYA
And mama?
MATVEI
She’s in the dining room, too, ma’am.
NATALYA
Ah! Well, come along, then. (Pointing to Belyaev) Vera, allez en avant avec monsieur.11
Matvei exits, Belyaev and Vera follow.
SHPIGELSKY
(To Natalya Petrovna) You wanted to tell me something?
NATALYA
Ah, yes! Right . . . So you see . . . We must talk more about . . . about what you proposed.
SHPIGELSKY
Concerning . . . Vera Alexandrovna?
NATALYA
Yes . . . I’ll think it over . . . I’ll think it over.
Both exit to the ballroom.
Curtain.
ACT TWO
A garden. The next day. To right and left, benches under the trees; straight ahead, raspberry bushes. Katya and Matvei enter from the right. Katya is carrying a basket.
MATVEI
So what about it, Katerina Vassilievna? Please tell me, finally, I beg you.
KATYA
Matvei Yegorych, really, I . . .
MATVEI
You know very well how I feel about you, Katerina Vassilievna. Of course, I’m older than you; no arguing about that; but I can still hold my own, there’s plenty of juice in me. And you know I’m the quiet sort. What more do you want?
KATYA
Matvei Yegorych, believe me, I appreciate . . . I’m very grateful to you . . . But . . . I think we should wait.
MATVEI
For God’s sake, Katerina Vassilievna, what’s there to wait for? Let me remind you, that’s not what you said before. As for treating you well, I mean, I think I can guarantee that. You’ll be treated so well, Katerina Vassilievna, nobody could ask for more. Besides, I’m not a drinker, and I’ve never had a bad word from my masters.
KATYA
Really, Matvei Yegorych, I don’t know what to say . . .
MATVEI
Eh, Katerina Vassilievna, it’s only lately you’ve started . . .
KATYA
(Blushing slightly) Lately? Why lately?
MATVEI
That I don’t know . . . only before . . . you acted differently with me before.
KATYA
(Looking off, hastily) Watch it . . . The German’s coming.
MATVEI
(Annoyed) Ah, that long-nosed goose! . . . And I’ve got more to say to you, miss.
Exits right. Katya is about to go into the raspberry bushes. Schaaf enters left with a fishing pole on his shoulder.
SCHAAF
(Following Katya) Vere to? Vere to, Katerin?
KATYA
(Stops) I’ve been told to pick raspberries, Adam Ivanych.
SCHAAF
Rassperry? . . . rassperry, das ist agreeaple frukt. You like rassperry?