I don't want to know anything that isn't my business.

VASILiSA PEREGRiNOVNA. But did you see how Nadya and Liza--the hussies!--looked at me? Did you see how the snakes looked? Ha! I must look after them, I must! [POTaPYCH, _with a wave of his hand, goes out_] Bah!

you! you old blockhead! What people! What people! There's no one to whom I can talk, and relieve my heart. [_She goes out_.

III

_Part of the garden; to the rear, a pond, on the sh.o.r.e of which is a boat.

Starry night. A choral song is heard in the far distance. For a while the stage is empty._

SCENE I

_Enter_ NaDYA _and_ LiZA

LiZA. Oh, Nadya, what's this we're doing? When the mistress hears of this, it'll be your last day on earth.

NaDYA. If you're afraid, take yourself home.

LiZA. No, I'll wait for you. But all the same, my girl, it's awful, no matter what you say! Lord preserve us when she finds it out.

NaDYA. Always singing the same tune! If you fear the wolf, keep out of the woods.

LiZA. But what has happened to you? Before, you didn't talk like this. You used to hide yourself; and now you go to him of your own accord.

NaDYA. Yes, before I ran away from him; now I don't want to. [_She stands musing_] Now I myself don't know what has suddenly happened within me! Just when the mistress said, a short while ago, that I shouldn't dare to argue, but marry the man she said to marry, just then my whole heart revolted.

"Oh, Lord, what a life for me!" I thought. [_She weeps_] What's the use in my living purely, guarding myself not merely from every word, but even from every look? Even so, evil seized upon me. "Why," I thought, "should I guard myself?" I don't want to! I don't want to! It was just as if my heart died within me. It seemed that if she said another word, I should die on the spot.

LiZA. What are you saying! Why, I really thought you were coming to the master as a joke.

NaDYA. As a joke! I can't bear an insult! I cannot. [_Silence_] Oh, Liza, if life were better, I shouldn't have come into the garden at night. You know how it used to be, when I would think about myself--I suppose it must have come into your head, too--that here you are, an honest girl; you live like a bird, suddenly you're fascinated by some man, he makes love to you, comes to see you often, kisses you.... You're abashed before him, yet happy to see him. That's the way it always is. Although you may not be rich; although it may be you have to sit with your lover in the servants' room; yet it is as if you were a queen, just as if every day were a holiday for you. Then they marry you, and all congratulate you. Well, then, no matter how hard married life may be, perhaps there may be lots of work, in spite of that you live as if in paradise; just as if you were proud of something.

LiZA. Naturally, my girl.

NaDYA. But when they say to you: "Pack off to this drunkard, and don't you dare argue, and don't you dare cry over yourself!".... Oh, Liza!.... And then you think how that horrid man will make fun of you, will bully you, show his authority, will begin to ruin your life, all for nothing! You grow old by his side without having a chance to live. [_She weeps_] It breaks your heart even to tell about it! [_Waving her hand_] And so, indeed, the young master is better.

LiZA. Oh, Nadya; it would be better if you hadn't spoken, and I hadn't listened!

NaDYA. Stop, Liza! Why are you playing the prude with me? What would you do yourself if the master fell in love with you?

LiZA. [_Stammering_] Well, how should I know? Of course, what shall I say.... the old Nick is strong.

NaDYA. There you are!.... [_Silence_] Here is what I wanted to say to you, Liza. What a strange inspiration has come over me! When such thoughts came into my head, and, Liza, when I began to think about the master--then how dear he became to me!.... so dear, that, really, I can't tell.... Before, when he ran after me, I didn't care; but now it's just as if something drew me to him.

LiZA. Oh, my girl! Just think of it; surely this is fate!

NaDYA. And such a spirit came into me, I am afraid of nothing! I feel as if you could cut me to pieces, and still I'd not change my mind. And why this is so, I don't know. [_Silence_] I could hardly wait till night! It seems as if I could fly to him on wings! The one thing that I have in mind is that, at any rate, I am not a pretty girl for nothing; I shall have something by which to remember my youth. [_Musingly_] I thought to myself: "What a young man, how handsome! Am I, silly girl that I am, worth his loving me?" May I be choked here, in this lonely spot, if he does not.

LiZA. What's this, Nadya? You seem beside yourself.

NaDYA. And I really am beside myself. While she spoiled me, caressed me, then I thought that I was a person like other people; and my thoughts about life were entirely different. But when she began to command me, like a doll; when I saw that I was to have no will of my own, and no protection, then, Liza, despair fell upon me. What became of my fear, of my shame--I don't know. "Only one day, but mine!" I thought; "then come what may, I don't care to inquire. Marry me off to a herdsman, lock me in a castle with thirty locks!.... it's all the same to me!"

LiZA. I think the master's coming.

LEONiD _enters from the opposite side, in a cloak._

NaDYA. Well, Liza, isn't he handsome, ha?

LiZA. Oh, stop! You're either sick or half out of your head!

SCENE II

_The_ same _and_ LEONiD

LEONiD. [_Approaching_] I was thinking you would deceive me by not coming.

NaDYA. Why did you think so?

LEONiD. Well, you see, you said you didn't love me.

NaDYA. No matter what girls say, don't you believe them. How could one help loving such a handsome fellow?

LEONiD. [_Surprised_] Why, Nadya! He takes her hand, for a short time holds it, then kisses it.

NaDYA. [_In fright withdrawing her hand_] Oh! why did you do that? Dear, kind master! Aren't you ashamed?

LEONiD. I love you ever so much, Nadya!

NaDYA. You love me? Well, then, you might give me a kiss!

LEONiD. May I, Nadya? Will you let me?

NaDYA. What's the harm in it?

LEONiD. [_Turning about_] Oh, and you, Liza, here....

LiZA. I'm going, I'm going ... I shan't meddle.

LEONiD. [_Confused_] I didn't mean that. Where did you get that idea?

LiZA. Oh, don't dodge. We know, too....

[_She goes out behind the shrubs._