SONIA comes in.
SONIA. Father, you sent for Dr. Astroff, and now when he comes you refuse to see him. It is not nice to give a man so much trouble for nothing.
SEREBRAKOFF. What do I care about your Astroff? He understands medicine about as well as I understand astronomy.
SONIA. We can't send for the whole medical faculty, can we, to treat your gout?
SEREBRAKOFF. I won't talk to that madman!
SONIA. Do as you please. It's all the same to me. [She sits down.]
SEREBRAKOFF. What time is it?
HELENA. One o'clock.
SEREBRAKOFF. It is stifling in here. Sonia, hand me that bottle on the table.
SONIA. Here it is. [She hands him a bottle of medicine.]