BELYAEV

For what?

VERA

I’ve heard . . . you had an unpleasant talk with Natalya Petrovna . . . You’re leaving . . . You’ve been dismissed.

BELYAEV

Who told you that?

VERA

Natalya Petrovna herself . . . I saw her after your talk. She told me you don’t want to stay here any longer. But I think you’ve been dismissed.

BELYAEV

Tell me, do they know about it in the house?

VERA

No . . . Only Katya . . . I had to tell her . . . I wanted to talk with you, to ask your forgiveness. Now imagine how painful it must be for me . . . I’m the cause of it all, Alexei Nikolaich. I alone am to blame.

BELYAEV

You, Vera Alexandrovna?

VERA

I never expected . . . that Natalya Petrovna . . . But I can excuse her. You must excuse me, too . . . This morning I was a stupid child, but now . . . (Stops herself)

BELYAEV

Nothing’s been decided yet, Vera Alexandrovna . . . Maybe I’ll stay.

VERA

(Sadly) You say nothing’s been decided, Alexei Nikolaich . . . No, everything’s been decided, everything’s over. See how you are with me now; and remember, just yesterday, in the garden . . . (Pause) Oh, I see Natalya Petrovna has told you everything.

BELYAEV

(With embarrassment) Vera Alexandrovna . . .

VERA

She’s told you everything, I see it . . . She wanted to snare me, and I stupidly threw myself into her net . . . But she also gave herself away . . . I’m not such a child after all. (Lowering her voice) Oh, no!

BELYAEV

What are you trying to say?

VERA

(Glancing at him) Alexei Nikolaich, you want to leave us, is that correct?

BELYAEV

Yes.

VERA

Why?

Belyaev is silent.

You won’t answer me?

BELYAEV

You weren’t mistaken, Vera Alexandrovna . . . Natalya Petrovna has told me everything.

VERA

(In a weak voice) What, for instance.

BELYAEV

Vera Alexandrovna . . . It’s really impossible for me . . . You understand.

VERA

Maybe she told you that I love you?

BELYAEV

(Hesitantly) Yes.

VERA

(Quickly) But it’s not true . . .

BELYAEV

(With embarrassment) What?! . . .

VERA

(Covers her face with her hands and whispers hollowly through her fingers) At least I didn’t tell her so, I don’t remember . . . (Raising her head) She used me so cruelly! And you . . . that’s why you want to leave?

BELYAEV

Vera Alexandrovna, judge for yourself . . .

VERA

(Glancing at him) He doesn’t love me! (Covers her face again)

BELYAEV

(Sits down beside her and tries to take her hand) Vera Alexandrovna, give me your hand . . . Listen, I don’t want any misunderstandings between us. I love you like a sister; I love you because it’s impossible not to love you. Forgive me if I . . . Never in my life have I been in a situation like this . . . I wouldn’t want to hurt you . . . I won’t start pretending; I know that you like me, that you’ve fallen in love with me . . . But what can come of it? Judge for yourself. I’m only twenty, and I haven’t got a penny to my name. Please don’t be angry with me. I really don’t know what to say to you.