(Hastily) But Vera Alexandrovna doesn’t know anything yet?

SHPIGELSKY

Of course not!

BOLSHINTSOV

Anyway, I’m counting on you . . .

He blows his nose. From left enter Natalya Petrovna, Vera, Belyaev, with the kite, and Kolya, followed by Rakitin and Lizaveta Bogdanovna. Natalya Petrovna is in very high spirits.

NATALYA

(To Bolshintsov and Shpigelsky) Greetings, gentlemen. Shpigelsky. I wasn’t expecting you today, but I’m always glad to see you. Greetings, Afanasy Ivanych.

Bolshintsov makes his bows in some perplexity.

SHPIGELSKY

(To Natalya Petrovna, pointing to Bolshintsov) This gentleman absolutely insisted on bringing me here . . .

NATALYA

(Laughing) I’m much obliged to him . . . But must you really be forced to visit us?

SHPIGELSKY

Good God! But I . . . only this morning . . . From here . . . Good God! . . .

NATALYA

Ah, he’s confused, mister diplomat’s confused!

SHPIGELSKY

I’m very pleased, Natalya Petrovna, to see you in such—so far as I can observe—such high spirits.

NATALYA

Ah! You consider it necessary to tell me that . . . Does it really happen to me so rarely?

SHPIGELSKY

Oh, good God, no . . . but . . .

NATALYA

Monsieur le diplomate, you’re getting more and more confused.

KOLYA

(Who all the while has been fidgeting nervously around Belyaev and Vera) So, maman, when are we going to fly the kite?

NATALYA

Whenever you like . . . Alexei Nikolaich and you, Verochka, let’s go to the meadow . . . (Turning to the rest) I don’t think this can interest you all that much, gentlemen. Lizaveta Bogdanovna and you, Rakitin, I leave you in charge of our good Afanasy Ivanych.

RAKITIN

Why do you think it won’t interest us, Natalya Petrovna?

NATALYA

You’re intelligent people . . . All this must seem silly to you . . . However, as you like. We’re not preventing you from coming with us . . . (To Belyaev and Verochka) Let’s go.

Natalya, Vera, Belyaev and Kolya exit right.

SHPIGELSKY

(Looking with some surprise at Rakitin and Bolshintsov) Our good Afanasy Ivanych, offer Lizaveta Bogdanovna your arm.

BOLSHINTSOV

(Hastily) With great pleasure . . . (He takes Lizaveta Bogdanovna under the arm)

SHPIGELSKY

(To Rakitin) And we’ll go together, if you don’t mind, Mikhail Alexandrych. (Takes him under the arm) Look at them running down the path. Let’s go and watch how they fly the kite, even if we are intelligent people . . . Afanasy Ivanych, why don’t you go first?

BOLSHINTSOV

(To Lizaveta Bogdanovna, as they walk) The weather, today, is very, you might say, pleasant, ma’am.

LIZAVETA

(Mincing) Oh, very!

SHPIGELSKY

(To Rakitin) I need to talk with you, Mikhail Alexandrych . . .

Rakitin suddenly laughs.

What are you . . . ?

RAKITIN

Just . . . never mind . . . I find it funny that we’ve wound up in the rear guard.

SHPIGELSKY

You know, it’s very easy for the advance guard to become the rear guard . . . All it takes is a change of direction.