RAKITIN

Fine . . . What shall I tell you? . . . You know, I spent a few days with the Krinitsyns . . . Imagine, our young couple is already bored.

NATALYA

How could you tell?

RAKITIN

Can boredom be hidden? Everything else . . . but not boredom.

NATALYA

(Glancing at him) Everything else?

RAKITIN

(After a brief pause) I think so.

NATALYA

(Lowering her eyes) So what were you doing at the Krinitsyns’?

RAKITIN

Nothing. To be bored with friends is a terrible thing: you’re relaxed, you’re at ease, you like them, there’s nothing to irritate you, and yet you’re so bored, and there’s a stupid gnawing at your heart, like from hunger.

NATALYA

You must often be bored with your friends.

RAKITIN

As if you don’t know what it’s like to be with someone you love and yet be sick of him!

NATALYA

(Slowly) Someone you love . . . that’s a big word. You love words too much.

RAKITIN

Love words . . . ?

NATALYA

Yes, that’s your shortcoming. You know what, Rakitin? You’re very intelligent, of course, but . . . (Pause) Sometimes when we talk, it’s like we’re making lace . . . Have you ever seen how they make lace? In stuffy rooms, stuck to their seats . . . Lace is a fine thing, but a drink of cool water on a hot day is much better.

RAKITIN

Natalya Petrovna, today you’re . . .

NATALYA

What?

RAKITIN

You’re angry with me for some reason.

NATALYA

Oh, subtle people, how imperceptive you are, in spite of all your subtlety! . . . No, I’m not angry with you.

ANNA

Ah! At last, he’s overbid! We’ve got him! (To Natalya Petrovna) Natasha, our villain has to pay up.

SCHAAF

(Sourly) Ist Lisafet Bogdanovna’s fault.

LIZAVETA

(Irritably) Excuse me, sir, but how was I to know Anna Semyonovna had no hearts?

SCHAAF

Ins futur no partners mit Lisafet Bogdanovna.

ANNA

(To Schaaf) Why is it her fault?

SCHAAF

(In exactly the same voice) Ins futur no partners mit Lisafet Bogdanovna.

LIZAVETA

As if I care! Really! . . .

RAKITIN

The more I look at you today, Natalya Petrovna, the less I recognize your face.

NATALYA

(With some curiosity) Really?

RAKITIN

It’s true. I find some sort of change in you.

NATALYA

Oh? . . . In that case, do me a favor . . . You know me—try to guess what’s changed, what’s happened inside me—hm?

RAKITIN

Give me a minute . . .

Kolya suddenly comes running noisily from the ballroom straight to Anna Semyonovna.

KOLYA

Grandma, grandma! Look what I’ve got! (Shows her a bow and arrow) Look!

ANNA

Show me, darling . . . Ah, what a nice bow! Who made it for you?

KOLYA

It was him . . . him . . . (Points to Belyaev, who has stopped by the door to the ballroom)

ANNA

Ah! It’s very well made . . .

KOLYA