BELYAEV

Did I refuse when you offered me raspberries yesterday? Take it . . . I picked it for you . . . I did.

KATYA

Thank you, then. (Takes the peach)

BELYAEV

That’s better. So what did you want to tell me?

KATYA

The young miss . . . Vera Alexandrovna asked me . . . She wishes to see you.

BELYAEV

Ah! I’ll go to her at once.

KATYA

No, sir . . . She’ll come here herself. She needs to have a talk with you.

BELYAEV

(With some astonishment) She’ll come here?

KATYA

Yes, sir. Here, you know . . . Nobody comes here. You won’t be interrupted . . . (Sighs) She loves you very much, Alexei Nikolaich . . . She’s so kind. I’ll go and get her now, shall I? Will you wait?

BELYAEV

Of course, of course.

KATYA

One minute . . . (Starts out, then stops) Alexei Nikolaich, is it true what they say, that you’re leaving us?

BELYAEV

Me? No . . . Who told you?

KATYA

So you’re not leaving? Well, thank God! (With embarrassment) We’ll be back in a minute.

Exits through the door to the house.

BELYAEV

(Remains motionless for a while) Amazing! Amazing things are happening to me! I never expected all this . . . Vera loves me . . . Natalya Petrovna knows . . . Vera has confessed everything to her . . . Amazing! Vera—such a dear, kind child; but then . . . what does this note mean? (Takes a small scrap of paper from his pocket) From Natalya Petrovna . . . in pencil. “Don’t leave, don’t decide anything until I have a talk with you.” What does she want to talk with me about? (Pause) Where do I get these stupid ideas?! I find this all extremely embarrassing. If somebody had told me a month ago that I . . . I . . . I can’t get over that talk with Natalya Petrovna. What makes my heart beat like this? And now Vera wants to see me . . . What will I say? At least I’ll find out what it’s all about . . . Maybe Natalya Petrovna is angry with me? . . . But why? (Studies the note again) It’s strange, very strange.

The door opens quietly. He quickly hides the note. Vera and Katya appear on the threshold. He goes to them. Vera is very pale. She does not raise her eyes or move from the spot.

KATYA

Don’t be afraid, miss. Go to him. I’ll keep watch . . . Don’t be afraid. (To Belyaev) Ah, Alexei Nikolaich!

She closes the windows, exits to the garden, and closes the door behind her.

BELYAEV

Vera Alexandrovna . . . you wanted to see me. Come here, sit down.

He takes her by the hand and leads her to the bench. Vera sits down.

There, now. (Looking at her in astonishment) You’ve been crying?

VERA

(Not raising her eyes) It’s nothing . . . I’ve come to ask your forgiveness, Alexei Nikolaich.