Masha.  It must be lunch-time. [She walks away languidly, with a dragging step] My foot has gone to sleep.

Dorn.  She is going to have a couple of drinks before lunch.

Sorin.  The poor soul is unhappy.

Dorn.  That is a trifle, your honour.

Sorin.  You judge her like a man who has obtained all he wants in life.

Arkadina.  Oh, what could be duller than this dear tedium of the country?  The air is hot and still, nobody does anything but sit and philosophise about life.  It is pleasant, my friends, to sit and listen to you here, but I had rather a thousand times sit alone in the room of a hotel learning a role by heart.

Nina. [With enthusiasm] You are quite right.  I understand how you feel.

Sorin.  Of course it is pleasanter to live in town.  One can sit in one’s library with a telephone at one’s elbow, no one comes in without being first announced by the footman, the streets are full of cabs, and all—–­

Dorn. [Sings]

“Tell her, oh flowers—–­”

Shamraeff comes in, followed by Paulina.

Shamraeff.  Here they are.  How do you do? [He kisses ARKADINA’S hand and then Nina’s] I am delighted to see you looking so well. [To Arkadina] My wife tells me that you mean to go to town with her to-day.  Is that so?

Arkadina.  Yes, that is what I had planned to do.

Shamraeff.  Hm—­that is splendid, but how do you intend to get there, madam?  We are hauling rye to-day, and all the men are busy.  What horses would you take?

Arkadina.  What horses?  How do I know what horses we shall have?

Sorin.  Why, we have the carriage horses.

Shamraeff.  The carriage horses!  And where am I to find the harness for them?  This is astonishing!  My dear madam, I have the greatest respect for your talents, and would gladly sacrifice ten years of my life for you, but I cannot let you have any horses to-day.

Arkadina.  But if I must go to town?  What an extraordinary state of affairs!

Shamraeff.  You do not know, madam, what it is to run a farm.

Arkadina. [In a burst of anger] That is an old story!  Under these circumstances I shall go back to Moscow this very day.  Order a carriage for me from the village, or I shall go to the station on foot.

Shamraeff. [losing his temper] Under these circumstances I resign my position.  You must find yourself another manager. [He goes out.]

Arkadina.  It is like this every summer:  every summer I am insulted here.  I shall never set foot here again.

She goes out to the left, in the direction of the wharf.  In a few minutes she is seen entering the house, followed by Trigorin, who carries a bucket and fishing-rod.