idleness. I am not saying this as I should like to, but you must
understand us, papa, you must be merciful to us.

HELENA. [Very excited, to her husband] For heaven's sake,
Alexander, go and have a talk with him--explain!

SEREBRAKOFF. Very well, I shall have a talk with him, but I won't
apologise for a thing. I am not angry with him, but you must
confess that his behaviour has been strange, to say the least.
Excuse me, I shall go to him.

[He goes out through the centre door.]

HELENA. Be gentle with him; try to quiet him. [She follows him
out.]

SONIA. [Nestling nearer to MARINA] Nurse, oh, nurse!

MARINA. It's all right, my baby. When the geese have cackled they
will be still again. First they cackle and then they stop.

SONIA. Nurse!

MARINA. You are trembling all over, as if you were freezing.
There, there, little orphan baby, God is merciful. A little
linden-tea, and it will all pass away. Don't cry, my sweetest.
[Looking angrily at the door in the centre of the room] See, the
geese have all gone now. The devil take them!

A shot is heard. HELENA screams behind the scenes. SONIA