IRINA. How unpleasant!
OLGA. Yes, it’s awful. He’s always doing silly things.
“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....”
[Gets up and sings softly.]
OLGA. You’re not very bright to-day, Masha. [MASHA sings, putting on her hat] Where are you off to?
MASHA. Home.
IRINA. That’s odd....
TUZENBACH. On a name-day, too!
MASHA. It doesn’t matter. I’ll come in the evening. Good-bye, dear. [Kisses MASHA] Many happy returns, though I’ve said it before. In the old days when father was alive, every time we had a name-day, thirty or forty officers used to come, and there was lots of noise and fun, and to-day there’s only a man and a half, and it’s as quiet as a desert... I’m off... I’ve got the hump to-day, and am not at all cheerful, so don’t you mind me. [Laughs through her tears] We’ll have a talk later on, but good-bye for the present, my dear; I’ll go somewhere.
IRINA. [Displeased] You are queer....