NATASHA. They’re already at lunch... I’m late... [Carefully examines herself in a mirror, and puts herself straight] I think my hair’s done all right.... [Sees IRINA] Dear Irina Sergeyevna, I congratulate you! [Kisses her firmly and at length] You’ve so many visitors, I’m really ashamed.... How do you do, Baron! OLGA. [Enters from dining-room] Here’s Natalia Ivanovna. How are you, dear! [They kiss.] NATASHA. Happy returns. I’m awfully shy, you’ve so many people here. OLGA. All our friends. [Frightened, in an undertone] You’re wearing a green sash! My dear, you shouldn’t! NATASHA. Is it a sign of anything? OLGA. No, it simply doesn’t go well... and it looks so queer. NATASHA. [In a tearful voice] Yes? But it isn’t really green, it’s too dull for that. [Goes into dining-room with OLGA.] [They have all sat down to lunch in the dining-room, the sitting-room is empty.] KULIGIN. I wish you a nice fiancée, Irina. It’s quite time you married. CHEBUTIKIN. Natalia Ivanovna, I wish you the same. KULIGIN. Natalia Ivanovna has a fiancé already. MASHA. [Raps with her fork on a plate] Let’s all get drunk and make life purple for once! KULIGIN. You’ve lost three good conduct marks. VERSHININ. This is a nice drink. What’s it made of? SOLENI. Blackbeetles. IRINA. [Tearfully] Phoo! How disgusting! OLGA. There is to be a roast turkey and a sweet apple pie for dinner. Thank goodness I can spend all day and the evening at home. You’ll come in the evening, ladies and gentlemen.... VERSHININ. And please may I come in the evening! IRINA. Please do. NATASHA. They don’t stand on ceremony here. CHEBUTIKIN. Nature only brought us into the world that we should love! [Laughs.] ANDREY. [Angrily] Please don’t! Aren’t you tired of it? [Enter FEDOTIK and RODE with a large basket of flowers.] FEDOTIK. They’re lunching already. RODE. [Loudly and thickly] Lunching? Yes, so they are.... FEDOTIK. Wait a minute! [Takes a photograph] That’s one. No, just a moment.... [Takes another] That’s two. Now we’re ready! [They take the basket and go into the dining-room, where they have a noisy reception.] RODE. [Loudly] Congratulations and best wishes! Lovely weather to-day, simply perfect. Was out walking with the High School students all the morning. I take their drills. FEDOTIK. You may move, Irina Sergeyevna! [Takes a photograph] You look well to-day. [Takes a humming-top out of his pocket] Here’s a humming-top, by the way. It’s got a lovely note! IRINA. How awfully nice! MASHA. “There stands a green oak by the sea, And a chain of bright gold is around it... And a chain of bright gold is around it...” [Tearfully] What am I saying that for? I’ve had those words running in my head all day.... KULIGIN. There are thirteen at table! RODE. [Aloud] Surely you don’t believe in that superstition? [Laughter.]