[G-I-6]

[Deemer]

(Masha exits to enter the garden. She sees Treplev making a circuitous way toward the stage, to avoid the others who are approaching. Everyone goes into the house except Irina.)

IRINA: Does he hate me?

MASHA: I think it's me he hates.

IRINA: Of course he doesn't hate you.

MASHA: He's in love with Nina.

IRINA: I'm sure that's just a passing phase. Playwrights are always falling in love with their actresses. I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt, of course. He's not much of a playwright.

MASHA: I liked the play.

IRINA: My dear, it wasn't even a play! It was - I don't know what it was. An eccentric kind of lecture.

MASHA: I found it very interesting.

IRINA: I think your infatuation is speaking.

MASHA: I'm not infatuated with him.

IRINA: Of course you are. You should see the way you look at him. One woman can recognize infatuation in another, believe me.

MASHA: He won't give me the time of day.

IRINA: You have to be patient, my dear.

MASHA: That's easy for you to say. Your heart isn't ripped in two every day.

IRINA: I've done a bit of waiting in my time, too. Patience is a woman's greatest strength.

MASHA: Why are you so critical of him?

IRINA: I shouldn't be, I know. He's my son, I should encourage him. But I'm a professional actress - it's hard to be silent when presented with something like what I saw today.

MASHA: He says he expected you to hate it.

IRINA: I do hate it. But I shouldn't have spoken up like I did. I do want to apologize for that to him. Maybe you'd be so kind to give him the message. We have too little time to be angry with one another. Can you do that for me? Ask him to join us for tea.

MASHA: I can try.

(She exits to find Treplev again. Irina moves inside, to the living room.)

[follow Masha]

[follow Irina]