NÁDYA. What a joy it would be to me to marry a really fine man! I, thank
God, am able to distinguish between people: who is good, who bad. That's
easy to see at once from their manners and conversation. But the mistress
is so unreasonable in holding us in so strictly, and in keeping everlasting
watch over us! Indeed, it's insulting to me! I'm a girl that knows how to
take care of herself without any watching.

LÍZA. It looks as if the master were coming.

NÁDYA. Then let's go. [_They rise and go out._

LEONÍD _comes in with a gun._



SCENE II

LEONÍD _and then_ POTÁPYCH


LEONÍD. Wait a bit! Hey, you, where are you going? Why are they always
running away from me? You can't catch them anyhow! [_He stands musing.
Silence._

A GIRL _sings behind the rail fence:_

"No man may hope to flee the sting
Of cruel affliction's pain;
New love within the heart may sing--