THE ACTOR [thoughtfully] Where? Where is it?
LUKA. Oh—in some town or other . . . what do they call it—? I’ll tell you the name presently—only, in the meanwhile, get ready. Don’t drink so much! Take yourself in hand—and bear up! And then, when you’re cured, you’ll begin life all over again. Sounds good, brother, doesn’t it, to begin all over again? Well—make up your mind!
THE ACTOR [smiling] All over again—from the very beginning—that’s fine . . . yes . . . all over again . . . [Laughs] Well—then—I can, can’t I?
LUKA. Why not? A human being can do anything—if he only makes up his mind.
THE ACTOR [suddenly, as if coming out of a trance] You’re a queer bird! See you anon! [Whistles] Old man—au revoir! [Exit]
ANNA. Grand-dad!
LUKA. Yes, little mother?
ANNA. Talk to me.
LUKA [close to her] Come on—let’s chat . . .
[Kleshtch, glancing around, silently walks over to his wife, looks at her, and makes queer gestures with his hands, as though he wanted to say something.]