SHPIGELSKY
(Interrupting her) I forgot to tell you one other thing, Lizaveta Bogdanovna. I’m a very inquisitive man, but I can’t stand inquisitive women. Let me explain: in my opinion, a wife should keep her eyes and ears open—that can even be very useful for her husband—but only with others . . . You understand: with others. However, if you absolutely must know what I think about Natalya Petrovna, Vera Alexandrovna, Mr. Belyaev and everybody else around here, listen then, I’ll sing you a little song. I have a most vile voice, forgive me.
LIZAVETA
(Surprised) A little song!
SHPIGELSKY
Listen. First verse:
There once was a granny with a little gray goat,
There once was a granny with a little gray goat,
Hop one! hop two! little gray goat!
Hop one! hop two! little gray goat!
Second verse:
The little gray goat thought he’d go to the woods,
The little gray goat thought he’d go to the woods,
Hop one! hop two! go to the woods!
Hop one! hop two! go to the woods!
LIZAVETA
I really don’t understand . . .
SHPIGELSKY
Listen, now. Third verse:
The gray wo-olves ate the wee little goat,
The gray wo-olves ate the wee little goat,
(Jumping up and down) Hop one! hop two! ate the wee goat!
Hop one! hop two! ate the wee goat!
And now let’s go. By the way, I have something to talk over with Natalya Petrovna. I hope she won’t bite. Unless I’m wrong, she still has need of me. Let’s go.
They exit to the garden.
KATYA
(Warily coming from behind the column) They just wouldn’t leave! What a nasty one that doctor is . . . talked and talked, and the things he said! And that singing! I’m afraid Alexei Nikolaich may have gone back to the house by now . . . They just had to come right here! (Goes to the window) And Lizaveta Bogdanovna? She’ll be a doctor’s wife . . . (Laughs) Think of it . . . I don’t envy her . . . (Looks out the window) The grass has been washed so nicely . . . What a good smell . . . It’s the bird cherry that smells like that . . . Ah, here he comes. (Waiting a little) Alexei Nikolaich! . . . Alexei Nikolaich! . . .
BELYAEV
(From off) Who’s calling? Ah, it’s you, Katya. (Comes to the window) What do you want?
KATYA
Come inside . . . I have something to tell you.
BELYAEV
Ah! All right. (Leaves the window and a moment later comes in the door) Here I am.
KATYA
Did you get caught in the rain?
BELYAEV
No . . . I sat in the greenhouse with Potap . . . he’s your uncle, isn’t he?
KATYA
Yes, sir, he is.
BELYAEV
How pretty you are today!
Katya smiles and lowers her eyes. He takes a peach from his pocket.
Would you like a peach?
KATYA
(Refusing) No, thank you very much . . . eat it yourself.