HELENA. Why are you crying?

SONIA. I don't know. It is nothing.

HELENA. There, there, don't cry. [She weeps] Silly! Now I am
crying too. [A pause] You are angry with me because I seem to
have married your father for his money, but don't believe the
gossip you hear. I swear to you I married him for
love. I was fascinated by his fame and learning. I know now that
it was not real love, but it seemed real at the time. I am
innocent, and yet your clever, suspicious eyes have been
punishing me for an imaginary crime ever since my marriage.

SONIA. Peace, peace! Let us forget the past.

HELENA. You must not look so at people. It is not becoming to
you. You must trust people, or life becomes impossible.

SONIA. Tell me truly, as a friend, are you happy?

HELENA. Truly, no.

SONIA. I knew it. One more question: do you wish your husband
were young?

HELENA. What a child you are! Of course I do. Go on, ask
something else.

SONIA. Do you like the doctor?