VERSHININ. Yes. I went to school in Moscow and began my service there; I was there for a long time until at last I got my battery and moved over here, as you see. I don’t really remember you, I only remember that there used to be three sisters. I remember your father well; I have only to shut my eyes to see him as he was. I used to come to your house in Moscow.... OLGA. I used to think I remembered everybody, but... VERSHININ. My name is Alexander Ignateyevitch. IRINA. Alexander Ignateyevitch, you’ve come from Moscow. That is really quite a surprise! OLGA. We are going to live there, you see. IRINA. We think we may be there this autumn. It’s our native town, we were born there. In Old Basmanni Road.... [They both laugh for joy.] MASHA. We’ve unexpectedly met a fellow countryman. [Briskly] I remember: Do you remember, Olga, they used to speak at home of a “lovelorn Major.” You were only a Lieutenant then, and in love with somebody, but for some reason they always called you a Major for fun. VERSHININ. [Laughs] That’s it... the lovelorn Major, that’s got it! MASHA. You only wore moustaches then. You have grown older! [Through her tears] You have grown older! VERSHININ. Yes, when they used to call me the lovelorn Major, I was young and in love. I’ve grown out of both now. OLGA. But you haven’t a single white hair yet. You’re older, but you’re not yet old. VERSHININ. I’m forty-two, anyway. Have you been away from Moscow long? IRINA. Eleven years. What are you crying for, Masha, you little fool.... [Crying] And I’m crying too. MASHA. It’s all right. And where did you live? VERSHININ. Old Basmanni Road. OLGA. Same as we. VERSHININ. Once I used to live in German Street. That was when the Red Barracks were my headquarters. There’s an ugly bridge in between, where the water rushes underneath. One gets melancholy when one is alone there. [Pause] Here the river is so wide and fine! It’s a splendid river! OLGA. Yes, but it’s so cold. It’s very cold here, and the midges.... VERSHININ. What are you saying! Here you’ve got such a fine healthy Russian climate. You’ve a forest, a river... and birches. Dear, modest birches, I like them more than any other tree. It’s good to live here. Only it’s odd that the railway station should be thirteen miles away.... Nobody knows why. SOLENI. I know why. [All look at him] Because if it was near it wouldn’t be far off, and if it’s far off, it can’t be near. [An awkward pause.] TUZENBACH. Funny man. OLGA. Now I know who you are. I remember. VERSHININ. I used to know your mother. CHEBUTIKIN. She was a good woman, rest her soul. IRINA. Mother is buried in Moscow. OLGA. At the Novo-Devichi Cemetery. MASHA. Do you know, I’m beginning to forget her face. We’ll be forgotten in just the same way.