LIZA.  Do it!

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA looks about on both sides, then approaches the pond.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Ha, what’s this?  Do tell, what tricks they’re up to!  In the boat!  Hugging each other!  How tender that is!  Just like a picture!  You ought to have thought to take a guitar along and sing love-songs!...  They’re kissing each other!  Very good!  Delightful!  Again!  Excellent!  What could be better?  Phew, what an abomination!  It’s disgusting to look at!  Well, my dears, you will remember me. Now I have nothing to say to you. To-morrow I shall! [She goes out.

LIZA.  What devil brought her here?  You can’t clear up the mess now!

LEONID and NADYA reach the shore and disembark from the boat.

SCENE VI

LIZA, NADYA, and LEONID

LIZA.  What have you done, what have you done!...

NADYA. [Not listening to her, softly to LEONID] You will come to-morrow?

LEONID.  I will.

LIZA.  What’s the matter, don’t you hear?

NADYA.  If I can’t come, I’ll send a note somehow or other.

LEONID.  Good!

NADYA.  Well, good-by. [They kiss.

LIZA. [Loudly] Nadya!

NADYA. [Goes up to LIZA.  LEONID sits down upon the bench] What’s the matter?

LIZA.  Vasilisa Peregrinovna saw you rowing on the pond.

NADYA.  Well, deuce take her!

LIZA.  My dear girl, don’t carry your head too high!

LEONID.  Nadya! [NADYA goes to him] Oh, Nadya, what a vile, good-for-nothing fellow I am!

NADYA.  What do you mean?

LEONID.  Little Nadya! [He whispers in her ear.

NADYA. [Shakes her head] Oh, my precious darling, why did that come into your head?  I’m not sorry for this, but you are.  How kind you are!  Now, good-by!  It’s high time.  I shouldn’t leave you, but I can’t help it; I’m not my own mistress.

LEONID.  Good-by, then!

Slowly, as if unwillingly, they separate. NADYA returns, overtakes LEONID and gazes into his eyes.

NADYA.  Do you love me?

LEONID.  I do love you, indeed I do!

[They kiss and go out in different directions.

IV

Same room as in second picture

SCENE I[1]

[Footnote 1:  The whole scene in a whisper.]

POTAPYCH is leaning against the door-jamb, his hand to his head. VASILISA
PEREGRINOVNA enters quietly.

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Result of yesterday evening, I suppose, my friend?

POTAPYCH.  Wha-a-t?

VASILISA PEREGRINOVNA.  Your head aches.

POTAPYCH.  Did you put up the money?