The appearance of a new face in the village is always an event. a new home teacher appeared in the rich estate of the Islaevs, the already established balance was somehow upset or, in any case, shaken.
From the very first day, his pupil, ten-year-old Kolya Islaev, fell in love with Alexei Nikolayevich. The teacher made him a bow, gets along with a kite, promises to teach him how to swim. And how cleverly he climbs trees! This is not the old boring Schaaf who teaches him German.
Easy and fun with the new teacher and seventeen-year-old pupil of the Islaevs Vera: went to see the dam, caught the squirrel, walked for a long time, fooled a lot. Twenty-year-old servant Katya also noticed a young man and somehow changed her place to Matvey caring for her.
But the most subtle processes took place in the soul of the mistress - Natalya Petrovna Islaeva. Her Arkady Sergeyevich is constantly busy, always building something, improving, putting it in order. Natalya Petrovna is alien and boring husband's economic concerns. The conversations of a friend of Rakitin’s house are boring. Anyway, he’s always at hand, he doesn’t have to be won, he’s completely tame, non-dangerous: “Our relations are so pure, so sincere <...> We have the right not only to Arcadia, but to everyone directly look into the eyes ... ”And yet, such a relationship is not entirely natural. His feeling is so peaceful, it does not bother her ....
Rakitin is worried that recently, Natalya Petrovna is constantly out of sorts, a change is taking place in her. Not in relation to him? When Aleksey Nikolaevich appears, she is clearly animated. This was also noticed by Shpigelsky, a district doctor who came to help Bolshintsov to embrace Vera. The applicant is forty-eight years old, clumsy, dumb, uneducated. Natalya Petrovna was surprised by the proposal: Vera was still young ... However, when she saw Vera whispering something to Belyaev and both laugh, she nevertheless returns to talking about matchmaking.
Rakitin is becoming more and more worried: is he starting to bother her? Nothing is more tiring than a gloomy mind. He has no illusions, but he hoped that her calm feeling over time ... Yes, now his situation is pretty funny. Here Natalya Petrovna spoke with Belyaev, and immediately in the face of vivacity and gaiety, which had never happened after a conversation with him. She even admits in a friendly manner: this Belyaev made a rather strong impression on her. But do not exaggerate. This man infected her with his youth - and nothing more.
Alone with herself, she seems to catch herself: it is time to stop all this. Verine tears in response to Bolshintsov’s offer seemed to return her ability to see herself in the true light. Let the girl not cry. Bolshintsov is no longer a question. But jealousy flares up again when Vera admits that she likes Belyaev. Natalya Petrovna is now clear who is the rival. "But hey, it's not over yet." And then she is horrified: what is she doing? The poor girl wants to marry an old man. Is she jealous of Vera? What is she, in love, or what? Well, yes, in love! First. But it's time to come to your senses. Michelle (Rakitin) should help her.
Rakitin believes that it is necessary to recommend the teacher to leave. Yes, and he will leave. Suddenly, Islaev appears. Why is this wife, leaning on Rakitin’s shoulder, presses a handkerchief to her eyes? Mikhail Alexandrovich is ready to explain, but a little later.
Natalya Petrovna is going to announce to Belyaev about the need to leave. At the same time he finds out (it is impossible to resist), does he really like this girl? But from a conversation with the teacher it turns out that he does not like Vera at all and is ready to tell her about it, only after that it is unlikely for him to be comfortable staying in the house.
Meanwhile, Anna Semenovna, mother Islaeva, was also a witness to the scene that aroused the jealousy of her son, Lizaveta Bogdanovna reports this news to Shpigelsky, but he reassures: Mikhailo Aleksandrovich has never been a dangerous person, these clever men have a tongue out and talk. He himself is not like that. His proposal to Lizaveta Bogdanovna is like a business proposal, and it was heard quite favorably.
Belyaev presented himself a chance to explain himself to Vera quickly. It is clear to Vera that he does not love her and that Natalya Petrovna betrayed her secret. The reason is clear: Natalya Petrovna herself is in love with the teacher. Hence the attempts to pass her off as Bolshintsov. In addition, Belyaev remains in the house. It can be seen that Natalya Petrovna herself is still hoping for something, because Vera is not dangerous to her. Yes, and Alexei Nikolaevich, maybe she loves her. The teacher blushes, and it is clear to Vera that she was not mistaken. The girl presents this discovery to Natalya Petrovna. She is no longer a meek young pupil, but a woman insulted in her feeling.
The rival is again ashamed of her actions. It's time to stop cunning. It was decided: they see Belyaev for the last time. She informs him of this, but admits that she loves him, that she was jealous of Vera, mentally passed her off as Bolshintsova, and cunningly revealed her secret.
Belyaev is amazed at the recognition of the woman whom he considered a higher being, so now he cannot force himself to leave. No, Natalya Petrovna is adamant: they break up forever. Belyaev obeys: yes, we must leave, and tomorrow. He says goodbye and wants to leave, having heard a quiet “stay”, stretches his arms to her, but then Rakitin appears: what did Natalya Petrovna decide about Belyaev? Nothing. Their conversation should be forgotten, it's over, it's all over. Gone? Rakitin saw Belyaev mingle, run away ...
The appearance of Islaev makes the situation even more piquant: “What is this? Continuation of today's explanation? " He does not hide discontent and anxiety. Let Michelle talk about them with Natasha. Rakitin's confusion makes him ask directly whether he loves his wife? Loves? So what to do? Michelle is about to leave ... Well, it was invented right. But he will not leave for long, because there is no one to replace him here. At this moment Belyaev appears, and Mikhail Alexandrovich informs him that he is leaving: for the peace of friends, a decent person must sacrifice something. And Alexei Nikolaevich would have done the same, would he?
Meanwhile, Natalya Petrovna begs Vera to forgive her, kneels before her. But it’s hard for one to overcome the hostility to the rival, who is kind and soft only because she feels loved. And Faith must remain in her house! No way, She cannot bear her smiles, she cannot see how Natalya Petrovna is basking in her happiness. The girl turns to Shpigelsky: is Bolshintsov surely a good and kindly person. The doctor warrants that he is excellent, honest and kind. (His eloquence is understandable. For Verino, three horses are promised his consent.) Well, then, Vera asks to convey that she accepts the offer. When Belyaev comes to say goodbye, Vera, in response to his explanations why he should not stay in the house, says that she herself will not stay here long and will not disturb anyone.
A minute after Belyaev’s departure, she becomes a witness to the rival’s despair and anger: he didn’t even want to say goodbye ... Who allowed him to interrupt so stupidly ... This contempt, finally ... Why does he know that she would never have decided ... Now they are both equal with Faith ...
Natalia Petrovna’s voice and gaze hate, and Vera tries to calm her down, saying that she will not be a painer for the beneficiary for a short time. They can’t live together. Natalya Petrovna, however, had come to her senses again. Does Verochka really want to leave her? But both of them are now saved ... Everything again came to order.
Islaev, having made his wife upset, reproaches Rakitin for not preparing Natasha. It was not so necessary to suddenly announce his departure. But does Natasha understand that Mikhail Alexandrovich is one of the best people? Yes, she knows that he is a wonderful person and they are all wonderful people ... And meanwhile ... Without finishing it, Natalya Petrovna runs out, covering her face with her hands. Rakitin is especially bitter about such a farewell, but rightly a chatterbox, and all for the better - it was time to stop these painful, these consumptive relationships. However, the time to go. Islaev has tears in his eyes: “But still ... thank you! You are a friend, for sure! ” But the end of the surprises is not expected. Alexey Nikolaevich disappeared somewhere. Rakitin explains the reason: Verochka fell in love with a teacher, and he, as an honest man ...
Islaev, of course, has a head spinning. Everyone is snoozing, and all because honest people. Anna Semenovna is perplexed even more. Belyaev left, Rakitin was leaving, even the doctor, even Shpigelsky, hurried to the sick. Again, only Shaaf da Lizaveta Bogdanovna will remain nearby. What does she, by the way, think about this whole story? The companion sighs, lowers her eyes: "... Maybe I will not have to stay here long ... And I'm leaving."
