AFONYA.  I will try to subdue my heart, grandfather. [BABAYEV comes in] Let us go.  Some strange gentleman is walking here; he would probably laugh at our talk.

ARKHIP. [Following AFONYA] My soul magnifies God. They go out.

SCENE II

BABAYEV alone

BABAYEV.  When you are waiting for something pleasant the time seems to drag!  I purposely came by the longest road so as not to arrive too early, but nevertheless I got here before they did.  How I hate to wait!  What a foolish situation!  Women generally like to torment:  it’s their nature; they like to have someone wait for them.  Of course, that doesn’t apply to Tanya; I believe she’s very, very glad that I have arrived.  I speak of women of our own sort.  I think they torment, because—­how shall I express it—­the idea is entirely original—­in order to compensate themselves in advance for the rights which they lose later.  That’s the result of being in a lovely landscape face to face with nature!  What brilliant thoughts come to one!  If this thought were developed at leisure, in the country, it might form a small novel, even a comedy on the order of Alfred de Musset.  But such things are not played in our country.  They must be presented delicately, very delicately—­here the principal thing is the—­bouquet.  I think some one is coming.  Is it they?  How shall we meet?  Two years of separation mean much.

TATYANA and LUKERYA come in.

SCENE III

BABAYEV, TATYANA, and LUKERYA

TATYANA. [Extending her hand to BABAYEV] How do you do, Valentin Pavlich! 
I was so happy when sister told me that you had returned.

BABAYEV.  So, do you still remember me?

TATYANA.  Indeed I do!  We frequently, that is, sister and I, very frequently speak of you.  She tells me that you have forgotten us.

BABAYEV.  No, I have not forgotten you.  There are memories, my darling Tatyana Danilovna, which are not readily forgotten.  My acquaintance with you was of that sort.  Isn’t that so?

TATYANA. [Dropping her eyes] Yes, sir.

BABAYEV.  Let me assure you that as soon as I could tear myself away from St. Petersburg, and come to the country, I continually sought an occasion to visit this city and to find you without fail.

LUKERYA.  Have you never found such an occasion before now?  Don’t tell me that!

BABAYEV.  I assure you.

LUKERYA.  Much we believe you!  Tanya, do not believe the gentlemen; they always deceive.

BABAYEV.  Why speak so to me?

LUKERYA.  That doesn’t apply just to you, but to all other fine young gentlemen.

TATYANA.  Shall you remain long in this city?

BABAYEV.  Shall I remain long?  At first I thought it would depend upon the clerks who have my affair in hand, but now I see that it will depend upon you, my darling Tatyana Danilovna.