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.
[Pours out some glasses of 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.