a clever girl she is, master! In talking, and in
everything.

NADYA. Come, what's the use!

GAVRILOVNA. Well, there's no harm in it! I was young once. I didn't run
away from the gentlemen, and you see they didn't eat me. Perhaps even he
won't bite you. Quit playing the prude, and stay here! But I'm going to get
the tea ready! Good-by, good master! [_She goes out._

LEONID. Why did you not wish to remain with me?

POTAPYCH. What's this, sir! You talk to her as if she were a young lady!
Call her Nadya!

LEONID. What are you afraid of, Nadya?

NADYA _is silent._

POTAPYCH. Talk! What are you keeping still for? And I'm going, sir; I must
get dressed for tea, too. [_He goes out._

SCENE IV

LEONID, NADYA, _and then_ LIZA

NADYA. Of course I'm a girl of humble position, but, indeed, even we do not
want anybody to speak evil of us. Pray consider yourself, after such talk,
who would marry me?

LEONID. Are you going to get married?

NADYA. Yes, sir. Every girl hopes to get married some time.

LEONID. But have you a suitor?

NADYA. Not yet, sir.

LEONID. [_Timidly_] If you have no suitor, then, maybe you're in love with
somebody?

NADYA. You want to know a lot! Well, no, I needn't fib about it, I'm not in
love with anybody, sir.

LEONID. [_With great joy_] Then love me!

NADYA. It's impossible to force the heart, sir.

LEONID. Why? Don't you like me?

NADYA. Well, how could I help liking you? But I'm not your equal! What sort
of love is that? Clean ruin! Here comes Liza running after me, I suppose.
Good-by. Good luck to you! [_She goes away._

LIZA _comes in._

LIZA. Master, if you please! Your mamma has come.

LEONID. Liza!

LIZA. [_Approaching_] What is it, please?

LEONID. [_He embraces_ LIZA; _she trembles with pleasure_] Why won't Nadya
love me?

LIZA. [_Affectedly_] What are you talking about, master! Girls of our sort
must look out for themselves!

LEONID. Look out for yourselves how?

LIZA. [_Looks him in the face and smiles_] Why, everybody knows. What are
you talking like a child for?

LEONID. [_Sadly_] What shall I do now? Indeed, I don't know. They all run
away from me.

LIZA. But don't lose courage; just make love a little bit. Heavens, our
hearts aren't of stone!

LEONID. But see here! I asked her: she said she didn't love me.

LIZA. Well, if you aren't a queer one! Whoever asked girls right out
whether they were in love or not! Even if one of us girls was in love,