won't she understand me? I hate all that rhetoric of hers, that
morality of indolence, that absurd talk about the destruction of
the world--- [A pause] Oh, how I have been deceived! For years I
have worshipped that miserable gout-ridden professor. Sonia and I
have squeezed this estate dry for his sake. We have bartered our
butter and curds and peas like misers, and have never kept a
morsel for ourselves, so that we could scrape enough pennies
together to send to him. I was proud of him and of his learning;
I received all his words and writings as inspired, and now? Now
he has retired, and what is the total of his life? A blank! He is
absolutely unknown, and his fame has burst like a soap-bubble. I
have been deceived; I see that now, basely deceived.

ASTROFF comes in. He has his coat on, but is without his
waistcoat or collar, and is slightly drunk. TELEGIN follows him,
carrying a guitar.

ASTROFF. Play!

TELEGIN. But every one is asleep.

ASTROFF. Play!

TELEGIN begins to play softly.

ASTROFF. Are you alone here? No women about? [Sings with his arms
akimbo.]

"The hut is cold, the fire is dead;
Where shall the master lay his head?"