ACT I
A country house on a terrace. In front of it a garden. In an avenue of
trees, under an old poplar, stands a table set for tea, with a samovar, etc.
Some benches and chairs stand near the table. On one of them is lying a
guitar. A hammock is swung near the table. It is three o\'clock in the
afternoon of a cloudy day.
MARINA, a quiet, grey-haired, little old woman, is sitting at the table
knitting a stocking.
ASTROFF is walking up and down near her.
MARINA. [Pouring some tea into a glass] Take a little tea, my son.
ASTROFF. [Takes the glass from her unwillingly] Somehow, I don\'t
seem to want any.
MARINA. Then will you have a little vodka instead?
ASTROFF. No, I don\'t drink vodka every day, and besides, it is too hot
now. [A pause] Tell me, nurse, how lo ng have we known each other?
MARINA. [Thoughtfully] Let me see, how long is it? Lord--help me
to remember. You first came here, into our parts--let me think--when was
it? Sonia\'s mother was still alive--it was two winters before she died; that
was eleven years ago--[thoughtfully] perhaps more.