Thank you so much. And are you going to order me to come in a frock coat too?
Karandyshov. As you wish, don’t stand on ceremony. Still, there’ll be ladies.
Vozhevatov (bowing). Yes, sir. I hope I won’t disgrace myself.
Karandyshov (walks over to Knurov). Moky Parmenych, wouldn’t you like to come and have dinner with me tonight?
Knurov (looks at him in astonishment). With you?
Mme Ogudalov. Moky Parmenych, it’s the same as with us; this is a dinner for Larisa.
Knurov. I see, so it’s you who’s inviting me? Fine, I’ll come.
Karandyshov. I’ll look forward to seeing you, then.
Knurov. I already said I’d come. (He reads his newspaper.)
Mme Ogudalov. Yuly Kapitonych is my future son-inlaw; I’m letting him marry Larisa.
Knurov (continuing to read). That’s your affair.
Karandyshov. Yes, sir, Moky Parmenych, I took the risk. In general I’ve always been above prejudices.
Knurov hides behind the newspaper.
Vozhevatov (to Mme Ogudalov). Moky Parmenych is stern.
Karandyshov (moving from Knurov to Vozhevatov). I wish that Larisa Dmitriyevna be surrounded only by choice people.
Vozhevatov. Which means I’m one of the elect? Thank you, that’s something I wasn’t expecting. (To Gavrilo.) Gavrilo, how much do I owe you for the tea?
Gavrilo. You had two orders?
Vozhevatov. Yes, two orders.
Gavrilo. Then you should know yourself, Vasily Danilych, it’s not the first time… Thirteen rubles, sir.
Vozhevatov. I just thought it might have gotten cheaper.
Gavrilo. How could it have gotten cheaper! With the rate of exchange and the customs tax, really!
Vozhevatov. But I’m not arguing with you, why talk about it! Take your money and forget it! (He gives him the money.)
Karandyshov. But why is it so expensive? I don’t understand.
Gavrilo. It’s expensive for some but not for others. You don’t drink that kind of tea.
Mme Ogudalov (to Karandyshov). Stop it, don’t meddle in other people’s affairs.
Ivan. Vasily Danilych, the Swallow is coming in.
Vozhevatov. Moky Parmenych, the Swallow is coming in, wouldn’t you like to take a look? We won’t go down, we can look from the hill.
Knurov. Let’s go. I’m curious. (He gets up.)
Mme Ogudalov. Vasya, I’m going home in your carriage.
Vozhevatov. Take it, only send it back soon. (He goes over to Larisa and speaks quietly with her.)
Mme Ogudalov (goes over to Knurov). Moky Parmenych, we’ve embarked on a wedding, you just can’t believe how many troubles there are.
Knurov. Yes.
Mme Ogudalov. And suddenly there are unexpected expenses… And tomorrow’s Larisa’s birthday, I’d like to give her a present.
Knurov. Good, I’ll drop in on you.
Mme Ogudalov goes off.
Larisa (to Vozhevatov). Good-bye, Vasya!
Vozhevatov and Knurov leave. Larisa approaches Karandyshov.
Larisa. Just now I was looking across the Volga. How nice it is on the other side! Let’s go to the country as soon as we can!
Karandyshov. You were looking across the Volga? And what was Vozhevatov talking with you about?
Larisa. Nothing really, just little things. I want so much to go to the other side of the Volga, into the woods… (Thoughtfully.) Let’s go, let’s leave here!
Karandyshov. But it’s so strange! What could he have to talk with you about?
Larisa. Well, whatever he talked about, what business is it of yours?
Karandyshov. You call him Vasya. Why so familiar with a young man?
Larisa. We’ve known each other since childhood. When we were little we played together. So I’ve gotten used to calling him that.
Karandyshov. You’ll have to throw off your old habits. There’s no reason to be friends with a shallow and stupid boy. It’s not possible to tolerate the sort of life you’ve had so far.
Larisa (offended). There hasn’t been anything bad in our life.
Karandyshov. It’s been a gypsy camp, miss, that’s what it’s been. (Larisa wipes away some tears.) But why are you so offended!
Larisa. So maybe it has been a gypsy camp, but at least it’s been fun. Will you be able to give me something better than this camp?
Karandyshov. Of course.
Larisa. Why do you keep on reproaching me with it? Do you really think I’ve liked our kind of life? Mama told me how she wanted things, and so, whether I wanted to or not, I had to lead that kind of life. Throwing this gypsy life at me all the time is either stupid or heartless. If I weren’t looking for quiet and solitude, I wouldn’t be wanting to run away from people, and would I really be marrying you? So try to understand that and don’t go assigning my choice to your virtues, I don’t see them yet. I still only want to fall in love with you; I’m drawn to the quiet family life, it looks like some kind of heaven. You can see I’m standing at the crossroads, so give me support, I need encouragement and sympathy. Deal with me tenderly, with affection. Seize these moments, don’t let them pass.
Karandyshov. Larisa Dmitriyevna, I didn’t mean to offend you at all, somehow the words just came to my tongue…
Larisa. What is that “somehow”? You mean you weren’t thinking, that you didn’t understand your words might be offensive?
Karandyshov. Exactly, I did it without any intent.
Larisa. That makes it even worse. You should think about what you say. Chatter away with others if you like, but with
