Very small . . . Nothing like here.
VERA
But what’s the use of so many rooms?
BELYAEV
What’s the use? One day you’ll find out what the rooms are for.
VERA
One day . . . When?
BELYAEV
When you become mistress of your own house.
VERA
(Pensively) You think so?
BELYAEV
You’ll see. (After a pause) So, then, Vera Alexandrovna, shall I go and get Kolya?
VERA
Why don’t you call me Verochka?
BELYAEV
And could you call me Alexei? . . .
VERA
Why couldn’t I . . . (She suddenly gives a start) Ah!
BELYAEV
What is it?
VERA
(In a low voice) Natalya Petrovna’s coming.
BELYAEV
(Also in a low voice) Where?
VERA
(Nodding in that direction) There—on the path, with Mikhail Alexandrych.
BELYAEV
(Getting up) Let’s see about Kolya . . . He must be done with his lesson.
VERA
Yes, let’s . . . I’m afraid she’ll scold me . . .
They get up and quickly exit left. Katya hides in the raspberry bushes again. Natalya Petrovna and Rakitin enter right.
NATALYA
(Stopping) Wasn’t that Mr. Belyaev going off with Verochka?
RAKITIN
Yes, it was . . .
NATALYA
They seem to be running away from us.
RAKITIN
Maybe so.
NATALYA
(After a pause) Anyway I don’t think Verochka should . . . like that, alone with a young man, in the garden . . . Of course, she’s a child; but even so it’s improper . . . I’ll tell her.
RAKITIN
How old is she?
NATALYA
Seventeen! She’s already seventeen . . . It’s hot today. I’m tired. Let’s sit down.
They sit on the bench that Vera and Belyaev were sitting on.
Has Shpigelsky gone?
RAKITIN
Yes.
NATALYA
Too bad you didn’t keep him here. I don’t know why the man ever thought of becoming a country doctor . . . He’s very amusing. He makes me laugh.
RAKITIN
And I was thinking you weren’t in the mood to laugh today.
NATALYA
Why did you think that?
RAKITIN
I just did!
NATALYA
Because I don’t like talking about feelings today? True! I warn you, absolutely nothing can touch me today. But that doesn’t keep me from laughing. On the contrary. Besides, I had to talk with Shpigelsky.
RAKITIN
May I ask about what?
NATALYA
No, you may not. As it is, you know everything I think, everything I do . . . It’s boring.
RAKITIN
I beg your pardon . . . I didn’t mean . . .
NATALYA
I feel like concealing at least something from you.
RAKITIN
Good God! You make it sound as if I know everything . . .
NATALYA
(Interrupting him) Don’t you?
RAKITIN
You’re just laughing at me.
NATALYA
So you insist that you don’t know everything that goes on inside me? In that case, “congratulations.” A man watches me from morning till night . . .
RAKITIN
What’s that, a reproach?
NATALYA
A reproach? (After a pause) No, I see now: you’re not very perceptive.