"Akh! but if you only knew, my friend, how hard, how hard, it is for me to remain here. When there was no near possibility for me to escape from this degradation, from this misery, I kept myself by main force in a deathly apathy. But now, my friend, it is too suffocating in this foul, wretched atmosphere!"
"Patience, patience, Viéra Pavlovna. We shall find something." Here is an example of their talk for a week.
Tuesday.—"Patience, patience, Viéra Pavlovna, we shall find something."
"My friend, how much trouble this is causing you! What a waste of time! How can I repay you?"
"You will repay me, my dear, by not getting vexed." Lopukhóf said this, and became confused. Viérotchka looked at him. No, it was not that he did not finish his sentence; he did not intend to add to it, and he is waiting for her answer.
"What should I be vexed about? What have you done?" Lopukhóf became still more confused, and seemed to be grieved.
"What is the matter, my friend?"
"To think you did not notice it at all!" He spoke so sorrowfully, and then he laughed so gayly. "Akh, bozhe moï! how stupid I am, how stupid! Forgive me, my friend."
"Nu! what is the matter?"
"Nothing; you have already given me my reward."
"Akh! what do you mean? What a jester you are! Well, all right, you may call me so."
On Thursday came the "Trial of Hamlet," according to Sakson's Grammar. For several days after that, Marya Alekséyevna takes some little—though not much—rest from her inspection.
Saturday.—After tea, Marya Alekséyevna goes out to count over the clothes which the laundress had brought.
"My dear, I think the matter will be successful."
"Really? If that is so, Akh, bozhe moï! Akh, bozhe moï! arrange it as soon as possible! It seems to me that I shall die if this is to go on much longer. When will it be, and how?"
"It will be decided to-morrow. The hope is almost, almost certain."
"What is it? How is it?"
"Keep calm, my friend; you'll be noticed. Here you are
