t is 8 p.m. Somebody is heard playing a concertina
outside in' the street. There is no fire. NATALIA IVANOVNA enters in
indoor dress carrying a candle; she stops by the door which leads into
ANDREY'S room.]

NATASHA. What are you doing, Andrey? Are you reading? It's nothing, only
I.... [She opens another door, and looks in, then closes it] Isn't there
any fire....

ANDREY. [Enters with book in hand] What are you doing, Natasha?

NATASHA. I was looking to see if there wasn't a fire. It's Shrovetide,
and the servant is simply beside herself; I must look out that something
doesn't happen. When I came through the dining-room yesterday midnight,
there was a candle burning. I couldn't get her to tell me who had
lighted it. [Puts down her candle] What's the time?

ANDREY. [Looks at his watch] A quarter past eight.

NATASHA. And Olga and Irina aren't in yet. The poor things are still at
work. Olga at the teacher's council, Irina at the telegraph office....
[Sighs] I said to your sister this morning, "Irina, darling, you must
take care of yourself." But she pays no attention. Did you say it was a
quarter past eight? I am afraid little Bobby is quite ill. Why is he so
cold? He was feverish yesterday, but to-day he is quite cold... I am so
frightened!

ANDREY. It's all right, Natasha. The boy is well.

NATASHA. Still, I think we ought to put him on a diet. I am so afraid.
And the entertainers were to be here after nine; they had better not
come, Audrey.

ANDREY. I don't know. After all, they were asked.

NATASHA. This morning, when the little boy woke up and saw me he
suddenly smiled; that means he knew me. "Good morning, Bobby!" I said,
"good morning, darling." And he laughed. Children understand, they
understand very well. So I'll tell them, Andrey dear, not to receive the
entertainers.

ANDREY. [Hesitatingly] But what about my sisters. This is their flat.

NATASHA. They'll do as I want them. They are so kind.... [Going] I
ordered sour milk for supper. The doctor says you must eat sour milk
and nothing else, or you won't get thin. [Stops] Bobby is so cold. I'm
afraid his room is too cold for him. It would be nice to put him into
another room till the warm weather comes. Irina's room, for instance,
is just right for a child: it's dry and has the sun all day. I must tell
her, she can share Olga's room. It isn't as if she was at home in the
daytime, she only sleeps here.... [A pause] Andrey, darling, why are you
so si