“Ah, he’s busy.”

“What’s he busy with?”

“Never mind, he’s busy.”

“What’s he busy with?... Uncle Vanya... Uncle Vanya...”

“Shto?”

“Isn’t it true that Michael’s dead now?”

“So they say.”

“Is it true?”

“Uncle Vanya... Uncle Vanya....”

The message had passed along that Nina was tired and wanted to go. We all moved out through the passage and into the cold fresh air.