Natalya comes in, followed by Vera. Natalya and Rakitin greet each other, but Beliayev says nothing, apparently confused. Rakitin and Natalya make small talk about how beautiful the morning has been, with Natalya saying to Beliayev that she and Vera had been hoping to meet him while they were walking in the garden. Rakitin abruptly tells Natalya that he's leaving and that he doesn't know when he'll be back. Natalya urges him to return as soon as possible and then makes pointedly casual comments about Beliayev's sketches, shown to her by Kolya. Rakitin makes a pointed comment in response about how more of Beliayev's talents are being discovered all the time, leading Natalya to ask Beliayev to see more sketches. Rakitin goes to pack, and Natalya reminds him to say good-bye.....
