Paulin (the wife of the agent): (To the doctor): You have taken off your hat. Put it on again, you will catch cold.

Arkadina: The doctor has taken off his hat to the devil, the father of the material universe.

Constantine (losing his temper): The play’s over. Enough! Curtain!

Arkadina: Why are you angry?

Constantine: Enough! Pull down the curtain! (The curtain is let down.) I am sorry I forgot, it is only certain chosen people that may write plays and act. I infringed the monopoly, I ... (He tries to say something, but waves his arm and goes out.)

Arkadina: What is the matter with you?

Sorin (her brother): My dear, you should be more gentle with the amour propre of the young.

Arkadina: What did I say to him?

Sorin: You offended him.

Arkadina: He said himself it was a joke, and I took his play as a joke.