[Exits quietly L. U.

FEDYA (business with MASHA). Where's the fur coat? Gone, eh? All
right. May the devil go with it.

FEDYA. Do you know who that was?

MASHA. I heard his name.

FEDYA. Ah, he's a splendid fellow. He came to take me home to my wife.
You see she loves even a fool like me, (caressing her hair) and look
what I'm doing.

MASHA. You should go back to her and be very sorry.

FEDYA. Do you think I should? (He kisses her.) Well, I think I
shouldn't.

MASHA. Of course, you needn't go back to her if you don't love her.
Love is all that counts.

FEDYA (smiling). How do you know that?

MASHA (looking at him timidly). I don't know, but I do.

FEDYA. Now, let's have "No More at Evening." (As the gypsies sing,
MASHA lies on her back across his lap, looking up into his face, which
she draws down to her, and they kiss until the music begins to cease.)
That's wonderful! Divine! If I could only lie this way forever, with