o you notice how the young master is
running after you?

NADYA. Much good it'll do him! Of course, he's a pretty fellow, you might
even say, a beauty; only he has nothing to expect from me; because I am
decidedly not of that sort; and on the other hand, I'm trying now in every
way that there may be no scandal of any sort about me. I have but one thing
in mind: to get married.

LIZA. Even married life is sometimes no joy! You may get such a husband
that ... God help you!

NADYA. What a joy it would be to me to marry a really fine man! I, thank
God, am able to distinguish between people: who is good, who bad. That's
easy to see at once from their manners and conversation. But the mistress
is so unreasonable in holding us in so strictly, and in keeping everlasting
watch over us! Indeed, it's insulting to me! I'm a girl that knows how to
take care of herself without any watching.

LIZA. It looks as if the master were coming.

NADYA. Then let's go. [_They rise and go out._

LEONID _comes in with a gun._

SCENE II

LEONID _and then_ POTAPYCH

LEONID. Wait a bit! Hey, you, where are you going? Why are they always
running away from me? You can't catch them anyhow! [_He stands musing.
Silence._

A GIRL _sings behind the rail fence:_

"No man may hope to flee the sting
Of cruel affliction's pain;
New love within the heart may sing--
Regret still in its train."

LEONID. [_Running up to the fence_] What a pretty girl you are!

GIRL. Pretty, but not yours!

LEONID. Come here!

GIRL. Where?

LEONID. To me in the garden.

GIRL. Why go to you?

LEONID. I'll go to town and buy you earrings.

GIRL. You're only a kid!

_She laughs loudly and goes out._ LEONID _stands with bowed head musing._
POTAPYCH _enters in hunting-dress, with a gun._

POTAPYCH. One can't keep up with you, sir; you have young legs.

LEONID. [_All the while lost in thought_] All this, Potapych, will be mine.

POTAPYCH. All yours, sir, and we shall all be yours.... Just as we served
the old master, so we must serve you.... Because you're of the same
blood.... That's the right way. Of course, may God prolong your dear
mamma's days....

LEONID. Then I shan't enter the service, Potapych; I shall come directly to
the country, and here I shall live.

POTAPYCH. You must enter the service, sir.

LEONID. What's that you say? Much I must! They'll make me a copying clerk!
[_He sits down upon a bench._

POTAPYCH