OLGA. [Confusedly] Excuse me, I don’t understand either...
NATASHA. She’s no good here. She comes from the country, she ought to live there.... Spoiling her, I call it! I like order in the house! We don’t want any unnecessary people here. [Strokes her cheek] You’re tired, poor thing! Our head mistress is tired! And when my little Sophie grows up and goes to school I shall be so afraid of you.
OLGA. I shan’t be head mistress.
NATASHA. They’ll appoint you, Olga. It’s settled.
OLGA. I’ll refuse the post. I can’t... I’m not strong enough.... [Drinks water] You were so rude to nurse just now... I’m sorry. I can’t stand it... everything seems dark in front of me....
NATASHA. [Excited] Forgive me, Olga, forgive me... I didn’t want to annoy you.
[MASHA gets up, takes a pillow and goes out angrily.]
OLGA. Remember, dear... we have been brought up, in an unusual way, perhaps, but I can’t bear this. Such behaviour has a bad effect on me, I get ill... I simply lose heart!
NATASHA. Forgive me, forgive me.... [Kisses her.]
OLGA. Even the least bit of rudeness, the slightest impoliteness, upsets me.