LEONÍD. [Confused] I didn't mean that. Where did you get that idea?
LÍZA. Oh, don't dodge. We know, too….
[She goes out behind the shrubs.
LEONÍD. And so you will let me kiss you? [He kisses her timidly] No, no, let me kiss your hand.
NÁDYA. [Hides her hand] No, no, how could you! What do you mean….
LEONÍD. Why not? I'll tell you what, you are the most precious thing on earth to me.
NÁDYA. Is that really so?
LEONÍD. You see, no one ever loved me before.
NÁDYA. Aren't you fooling?
LEONÍD. No, truly!…. Truly, no one has ever loved me. Honest to God….