Helena and Sonia come in; after them comes Mme. Voitskaya carrying a book. She sits down and begins to read. Some one hands her a glass of tea which she drinks without looking up.
Sonia. [Hurriedly, to the nurse] There are some peasants waiting out there. Go and see what they want. I shall pour the tea.
Marina goes out. Helena takes a glass and sits drinking in the hammock.
Astroff. I have come to see your husband. You wrote me that he had rheumatism and I know not what else, and that he was very ill, but he appears to be as lively as a cricket.
Helena. He had a fit of the blues yesterday evening and complained of pains in his legs, but he seems all right again to-day.
Astroff. And I galloped over here twenty miles at break-neck speed! No matter, though, it is not the first time. Once here, however, I am going to stay until to-morrow, and at any rate sleep quantum satis.
Sonia. Oh, splendid! You so seldom spend the night with us. Have you had dinner yet?
Astroff. No.
Sonia. Good. So you will have it with us. We dine at seven now. [Drinks her tea] This tea is cold!
Telegin. Yes, the samovar has grown cold.
Helena. Don’t mind, Monsieur Ivan, we will drink cold tea, then.
Telegin. I beg your pardon, my name is not Ivan, but Ilia, ma’am—Ilia Telegin, or Waffles, as I am sometimes called on account of my pock-marked face. I am Sonia’s godfather, and his Excellency, your husband, knows me very well, I now live with you, ma’am, on this estate, and per-
