RAKITIN

Oh, Natalya Petrovna, please don’t worry . . . What for? That’s the way it is. But it’s so obvious that Mr. Belyaev is still a novice! Why did he get so embarrassed, run away? . . . However, in time . . . (In a low voice and quickly) The two of you will learn to pretend . . . (Aloud) Let’s go.

Natalya Petrovna makes as if to go up to him and stops. Just then Islaev’s voice comes from outside the door to the garden: “He went in here, you say?” and after that Islaev and Shpigelsky enter.

ISLAEV

Right . . . here he is. Well, well, well! And Natalya Petrovna’s here, too! (Going to her) What’s this, a continuation of today’s talk? It’s obviously an important subject.

RAKITIN

I ran into Natalya Petrovna here . . .

ISLAEV

Ran into her? (Looks around) A busy place, is it?

NATALYA

Well, you’re here . . .

ISLAEV

I’m here because . . . (Stops)

NATALYA

You were looking for me?

ISLAEV

(After a pause) Yes, I was looking for you. Wouldn’t you like to go back to the house? Tea’s ready. It’ll be dark soon.

NATALYA

(Takes his arm) Let’s go.

ISLAEV

(Looking around) This could be turned into two good rooms for the gardeners—or more servants’ quarters—what do you think, Shpigelsky?

SHPIGELSKY

Certainly.

ISLAEV

Let’s go through the garden, Natasha.

They go to the garden door. During this scene he has not once glanced at Rakitin. On the threshold, he half turns.

What are you waiting for, gentlemen? Let’s go and have tea.

Exits with Natalya Petrovna.

SHPIGELSKY

(To Rakitin) Well, Mikhail Alexandrych, let’s go . . . Give me your arm . . . Evidently you and I are fated to be in the rearguard . . .

RAKITIN

(With vexation) May I tell you something, mister doctor? I’m awfully sick of you . . .

SHPIGELSKY

(With feigned good-naturedness) If you only knew, Mikhail Alexandrych, how sick I am of myself!

Rakitin smiles involuntarily.

Let’s go, let’s go . . .

They both exit through the garden door.

Curtain.

ACT FIVE

Morning of the next day. The same decor as in the first and third acts. Islaev sits at the table looking through some papers. He suddenly gets up.

ISLAEV

No! I really can’t work today. It’s like a nail’s been driven into my head. (Paces the room) I must say I didn’t expect this; I didn’t expect I’d be as upset . . . as I am now. What am I supposed to do? . . . that’s the problem. (Ponders, then suddenly shouts) Matvei!

MATVEI

(Enters) What is it, sir?

ISLAEV

Send for the foreman . . . And tell the diggers at the dam to wait for me . . . Off you go.

MATVEI

Yes, sir. (Exits)

ISLAEV

(Going to the table again and leafing through the papers) Yes . . . the problem!