TATYANA.  Don’t go!

KRASNOV.  Don’t you really want me to go?  Don’t act spoiled!  Business before pleasure!  If I don’t make the collection to-day, I can’t get my money for a whole week.  It’s so far to go, too!  I wish he’d—­Why, it’s on the other side of the river!  It’ll take an hour; confound him! [Takes his cap] So you don’t want me to go?

TATYANA.  Of course not!

KRASNOV.  Oh, what a woman you are! [Embraces her] I know your kind, and very well too!  You just wait for me an hour, you’ll live through it! [Kisses her] Good-by!  Otherwise I’d really be bound to stay with you.  You women were created for man’s temptation in this world! [Starts off.

TATYANA.  Come back soon!

KRASNOV.  I’ll be back ’fore you can count ten!  Speaking seriously, I can’t return within an hour. [He goes out.

SCENE VII

TATYANA alone

TATYANA. [As soon as her husband goes] Well, good-by!  At last he’s gone!  I’m unfortunate, unfortunate!  They say one ought to love one’s husband; but how can I love him?  He’s vulgar, uneducated—­and he fondles me as a bear would!  Sits there—­and swaggers like a peasant; and I have to pretend to love him, to humor him; how disgusting!  I’d give anything on earth not to have to do that.  But how can I help it!  I have to submit to one I don’t love! [Silence] I wonder where everybody is?  Here I am all alone!  Such loneliness! [Sits down at the window] Even the streets are deserted, and there’s no one to look at.  Where’s my sister? [Sings softly.

    “O, mother I’m sad! 
    Sad, my lady! 
    My heart is cast down,
    Cast down and aching;
    My beloved knows not
    How my heart is bleeding.”

SCENE VIII

TATYANA and LUKERYA

LUKERYA.  What, is he gone?

TATYANA.  Yes.

LUKERYA.  Far?

TATYANA.  Across the river.

LUKERYA.  Will he be long?

TATYANA.  He said, not sooner than an hour.

LUKERYA.  Now you might run over.  I was just there—­he’s waiting.  He leaves to-day.

TATYANA.  Surely not to-day?  How can that be, Lusha, my dear?  He didn’t tell me.  If I could only see him!

LUKERYA.  Take my kerchief and cover yourself all up with it.  It’s so dark outside that no one will know you.

TATYANA.  You think it’ll be all right?

LUKERYA.  If you’re afraid of the wolf don’t go into the woods.  It isn’t far, you can run over in a minute.  But don’t stay too long!

TATYANA.  No, no, of course I shan’t. [Puts the kerchief on.

LUKERYA.  You’d better be watching out!  God forbid that Lev Rodionych should return first.  What should I do then!  Shall I say that you went for some thread to a neighbor?  It’ll be lucky if he believes it.  What did you say to him when you were alone?