Astroff. Are you alone here? No women about?
“The hut is cold, the fire is dead;
Where shall the master lay his head?”
The thunderstorm woke me. It was a heavy shower. What time is it?
Voitski. The devil only knows.
Astroff. I thought I heard Helena’s voice.
Voitski. She was here a moment ago.
Astroff. What a beautiful woman! [Looking at the medicine bottles on the table] Medicine, is it? What a variety we have; prescriptions from Moscow, from Kharkoff, from Tula! Why, he has been pestering all the towns of Russia with his gout! Is he ill, or simply shamming?
Voitski. He is really ill.
Astroff. What is the matter with you to-night? You seem sad. Is it because you are sorry for the professor?
Voitski. Leave me alone.
Astroff. Or in love with the professor’s wife?
Voitski. She is my friend.
Astroff. Already?
Voitski. What do you mean by “already”?
Astroff. A woman can only become a man’s friend after having first been his acquaintance and then his beloved—then she becomes his friend.
Voitski. What vulgar philosophy!
Astroff. What do you mean? Yes, I must confess I am getting vulgar, but then, you see, I am drunk. I usually only drink like this once a month. At such times my audacity and temerity know no bounds. I feel capable of anything. I attempt the most difficult operations and do them magnificently. The most brilliant plans for the future take
