home. It can't be avoided. [He stands looking up at the map of
Africa hanging on the wall] I suppose it is roasting hot in
Africa now.

VOITSKI. Yes, I suppose it is.

MARINA comes back carrying a tray on which are a glass of vodka
and a piece of bread.

MARINA. Help yourself.

ASTROFF drinks

MARINA. To your good health! [She bows deeply] Eat your bread
with it.

ASTROFF. No, I like it so. And now, good-bye. [To MARINA] You
needn't come out to see me off, nurse.

He goes out. SONIA follows him with a candle to light him to the
carriage. MARINA sits down in her armchair.

VOITSKI. [Writing] On the 2d of February, twenty pounds of
butter; on the 16th, twenty pounds of butter again. Buckwheat
flour--[A pause. Bells are heard tinkling.]

MARINA. He has gone. [A pause.]

SONIA comes in and sets the candle stick on the table.