'I am certainly, if you like . . . I am a lady by birth; only I want to get rid of all that, and to become like all . . . like all simple women.'
'Ah, so that's it! Well, now I understand. You're one of them, I suppose, that want to be simplified. There are a good few of them about nowadays.'
'What did you say, Tatyana? To be simplified?'
'Yes . . . that's the word that's come up among us now. To be on a level with simple folks, it means—simplification. To be sure, it is a good work—to teach the peasants good sense. Only it's a difficult job! Oy, oy, di-ifficult! God give you good speed!'
'Simplification!' repeated Marianna. 'Do you hear, Alyosha? you and I are simplified creatures now!'
Nezhdanov laughed, and even repeated:
'Simplified creatures!'
'And what will he be to you—your good man or your brother?' asked Tatyana, carefully washing the cups with her large deft hands, as she looked with a kindly smile from Nezhdanov to Marianna.
'No,' answered Marianna, 'he's not my husband and not my brother.'
Tatyana raised her head.
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