Grrr! (as she goes) I’m surrounded by brainy idiots. There’s no one I can talk to, I’m all alone, utterly alone, I have no one, and who I am and what I’m doing here is a mystery.

Charlotta goes out, unhurriedly.

YEPIKHODOVSpeaking for myself, I’ll say one thing about me apart from anything else, which is that fate has got it in for me like a big storm for a small boat. If I’m wrong, supposing, why is it, for instance, that when I woke up this morning there was an enormous spider sitting on my chest? As big as this. (indicating with both his hands) Another example. I have a drink and there at the bottom of my glass is something utterly revolting, a cockroach or something. (pause) Have you read Buckle’s History of Civilisation in England? (pause) Dunyasha, could I trouble you for a couple of words?

DUNYASHAGo ahead.

YEPIKHODOVI’d prefer to have them in private.

Yepikhodov sighs, Dunyasha is embarrassed.

DUNYASHAOh, all right . . . but first could you bring my cape from indoors beside the cupboard . . . I’m feeling the damp out here.

YEPIKHODOVYes, all right. I’ll go and fetch it. Now I know what to do with my revolver . . .

Yepikhodov takes the guitar and begins to play as he goes out.

YASHAPoor old Catastrophe! Entre nous, the man’s a moron. (yawns)

DUNYASHAGod, I hope he’s not going to shoot himself. (pause) Everything makes me nervous, I’m so anxious all the time. Master and Mistress took me in when I was a little girl, and I’ve got unused to simple ways. Look at my hands, they’re white like a lady’s hands. I’ve become so sensitive I’m frightened of everything, it’s awful. If you deceive me, Yasha, I don’t know if my nerves could stand it.

YASHA (kissing her)My little cabbage! Of course, a girl must know her place. If there’s one thing I can’t stand it’s a girl who doesn’t know how to behave herself.

DUNYASHAI’m terribly in love with you. You’re educated. You know what to think about everything. (pause)

YASHA (yawns)True, true. To my way of thinking, if a girl falls in love, she’s asking for it. (pause) There’s nothing like a cigar in the fresh air . . .