Vet. Because you served in the barin's house and the mistress liked you. Just chance! And then the barin died and Travinski got hold of everything.
Cath. But the Shepherd came.
Vet. Another chance! Life oughtn't to owe itself to that. It isn't living. Those two awful years before the Shepherd came—when Andrei died—they were real. A part of what is. We were like our neighbors then. Yes.
[Stops talking as Vera crosses to her grandmother]
Vera. [Leaning affectionately against Catherine] How you must love Vasil, grandmamma, to make him an embroidered blouse out of a piece of your best blanket!
Cath. He is leaving us, my child.
Vera. You said I should have this if I married Alexander.
Cath. Perhaps these bad times will be over then, and we may be able to get something new.
Vera. O, these bad times! They will never be over. I've been waiting for that ever since I was born.
Cath. And we waited before you, child.