MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, I know the parable--and that he paid them all equally. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH [after a pause] No, it's not that. But do, Mary, consider one thing--that we have only one life, and can live it well, or can waste it. MARY IVÁNOVNA. I can't think and argue! I don't sleep at night; I am nursing. I have to manage the whole house, and instead of helping me, you say things to me that I don't understand. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Mary! MARY IVÁNOVNA. And now these visitors. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. No, let us come to an understanding. [Kisses her] Shan't we? MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, only be like you used to be. NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. I can't, but now listen. The sound of bells and an approaching vehicle are heard. MARY IVÁNOVNA. I can't now--they have arrived! I must go to meet them. [Exit behind corner of house. Styópa and Lyúba follow her]. VÁNYA. We shan't abandon it; we must finish the game later. Well, Lyúba, what now? LYÚBA [seriously] No nonsense, please. Alexándra Ivánovna, with her husband and Lisa, come out on to the verandah. Nicholas Ivánovich paces up and down wrapt in thought. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Well, have you convinced her? NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Alína, what is going on between us is very important. Jokes are out of place. It is not I who am convincing her, but life, truth, God: they are convincing her--therefore she cannot help being convinced, if not to-day then to-morrow, if not to-morrow ... It is awful that no one ever has time. Who is it that has just come? PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. It's the Cheremshánovs. Catiche Cheremshánov, whom I have not met for eighteen years. The last time I saw her we sang together: "La ci darem la mano." [Sings]. ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. Please don't interrupt us, and don't imagine that I shall quarrel with Nicholas. I am telling the truth. [To Nicholas Ivánovich] I am not joking at all, but it seemed to me strange that you wanted to convince Mary just when she had made up her mind to have it out with you! NICHOLAS IVÁNOVICH. Very well, very well. They are coming. Please tell Mary I shall be in my room. [Exit]. Curtain. ACT II SCENE 1 In the same country-house, a week later. The scene represents a large dining-hall. The table is laid for tea and coffee, with a samovár. A grand piano and a music-stand are by the wall. Mary Ivánovna, the Princess and Peter Semyónovich are seated at the table. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Ah, Princess, it does not seem so long ago since you were singing Rosina's part, and I ... though nowadays I am not fit even for a Don Basilio. PRINCESS. Our children might do the singing now, but times have changed. PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Yes, these are matter-of-fact times ... But your daughter plays really seriously and well. Where are the young folk? Not asleep still, surely? MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, they went out riding by moonlight last night, and returned very late. I was nursing baby and heard them.