KULIGIN (singing). "Amidst the level dales, upon a sloping hillside,"... (ceases singing) Wonderful, one really must say it's wonderful! Kudriash! Do you know, I've looked upon the Volga every day these fifty years and I can never get tired of looking upon it.
KUDRIASH. How's that?
KULIGIN. It's a marvellous view! Lovely! It sets my heart rejoicing.
KUDRIASH. It's not bad.
KULIGIN. It's exquisite! And you say "not bad"! You are tired of it, or you don't feel the beauty there is in nature.
KUDRIASH. Come, there's no use talking to you! You're a genuine antique, we all know, a chemical genius.
KULIGIN. Mechanical, a self-taught mechanician.
KUDRIASH. It's all one.
[Silence.
KULIGIN (pointing away). Look, Kudriash, who's that waving his arms about over there?