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!

ANNA

(Entering and going to Islaev) Arkasha!

ISLAEV

Ah, it’s you, mama. How are you today?

ANNA

(Sitting down on the sofa) I’m well, thank God. (Sighs) I’m well. (Sighs louder) Thank God. (Seeing that Islaev is not listening to her, she sighs very loudly, with a slight moan)

ISLAEV

You’re sighing . . . What’s the matter?

ANNA

(Sighs again, but not so loudly now) Ah, Arkasha, as if you don’t know why I’m sighing!

ISLAEV

What do you mean?

ANNA

(After a pause) I’m your mother, Arkasha. Of course, you’re a grown-up, reasonable man, but still—I’m your mother. It’s a great word: mother!

ISLAEV

Kindly explain yourself.

ANNA

You know what I’m hinting at, my dear. Your wife, Natasha . . . of course, she’s an excellent woman—and her behavior up to now has been quite exemplary . . . but she’s still so young, Arkasha! And youth . . .

ISLAEV

I see what you want to say . . . You think her relationship with Rakitin . . .

ANNA

God forbid! I never thought . . .

ISLAEV

You didn’t let me finish . . . You think her relationship with Rakitin is not quite . . . clear. These secret conversations, these tears—you find it all a bit strange.

ANNA

Arkasha, has he finally told you what those conversations between them were about? . . . He’s said nothing to me.

ISLAEV

I haven’t asked him any questions, mama, and he’s obviously in no hurry to satisfy my curiosity.

ANNA

What are you going to do now?

ISLAEV

Me, mama? Why, nothing.

ANNA

What do you mean, nothing?

ISLAEV

Just that: nothing.

ANNA

(Getting up) I must say that surprises me. Of course, you’re the master in your own house, and you know better than I do what’s good and what’s bad. But think of the consequences . . .

ISLAEV

Mama, really, you’re getting upset over nothing.

ANNA

My dear boy, I am your mother . . . but you know best. (Pause) I confess, I came intending to offer my assistance . . .

ISLAEV

(Hastily) No, mama, I beg you not to trouble yourself about it . . . Do me a favor!

ANNA

As you wish, Arkasha, as you wish. I won’t say another word. I’ve warned you, I’ve done my duty—and now—I hold my tongue.

A brief silence.

ISLAEV

You’re not going anywhere today?

ANNA

Only I must warn you: you’re too trusting, my dear; you judge everybody by yourself! Believe me: real friends are all too rare in our time!

ISLAEV

(Impatiently) Mama . . .

ANNA