Masha.  It is not that. [She takes snuff] I am touched by your affection, but I cannot return it, that is all. [She offers him the snuff-box] Will you take some?

Medviedenko.  No, thank you. [A pause.]

Masha.  The air is sultry; a storm is brewing for to-night.  You do nothing but moralise or else talk about money.  To you, poverty is the greatest misfortune that can befall a man, but I think it is a thousand times easier to go begging in rags than to—­You wouldn’t understand that, though.

Sorin leaning on a cane, and TREPLIEFF come in.

Sorin.  For some reason, my boy, country life doesn’t suit me, and I am sure I shall never get used to it.  Last night I went to bed at ten and woke at nine this morning, feeling as if, from oversleep, my brain had stuck to my skull. [Laughing] And yet I accidentally dropped off to sleep again after dinner, and feel utterly done up at this moment.  It is like a nightmare.

TREPLIEFF.  There is no doubt that you should live in town. [He catches sight of Masha and Medviedenko] You shall be called when the play begins, my friends, but you must not stay here now.  Go away, please.

Sorin.  Miss Masha, will you kindly ask your father to leave the dog unchained?  It howled so last night that my sister was unable to sleep.

Masha.  You must speak to my father yourself.  Please excuse me; I can’t do so. [To Medviedenko] Come, let us go.

Medviedenko.  You will let us know when the play begins?

Masha and Medviedenko go out.

Sorin.  I foresee that that dog is going to howl all night again.  It is always this way in the country; I have never been able to live as I like here.  I come down for a month’s holiday, to rest and all, and am plagued so by their nonsense that I long to escape after the first day. [Laughing] I have always been glad to get away from this place, but I have been retired now, and this was the only place I had to come to.  Willy-nilly, one must live somewhere.

Jacob. [To TREPLIEFF] We are going to take a swim, Mr. Constantine.

TREPLIEFF.  Very well, but you must be back in ten minutes.

Jacob.  We will, sir.

TREPLIEFF. [Looking at the stage] Just like a real theatre!  See, there we have the curtain, the foreground, the background, and all.  No artificial scenery is needed.  The eye travels direct to the lake, and rests on the horizon.  The curtain will be raised as the moon rises at half-past eight.

Sorin.  Splendid!

TREPLIEFF.  Of course the whole effect will be ruined if Nina is late.  She should be here by now, but her father and stepmother watch her so closely that it is like stealing her from a prison to get her away from home. [He straightens SORIN’S collar] Your hair and beard are all on end.  Oughtn’t you to have them trimmed?