Pagina 575 di 2288

And he gave his hand to the scared child. Seryozha had been shy

of his father before, and now, ever since Alexey Alexandrovitch

had taken to calling him young man, and since that insoluble

question had occurred to him whether Vronsky were a friend or a

foe, he avoided his father. He looked round towards his mother as

though seeking shelter. It was only with his mother that he was

at ease. Meanwhile, Alexey Alexandrovitch was holding his son by

the shoulder while he was speaking to the governess, and Seryozha

was so miserably uncomfortable that Anna saw he was on the point

of tears.

Anna, who had flushed a little the instant her son came in,

noticing that Seryozha was uncomfortable, got up hurriedly, took

Alexey Alexandrovitch's hand from her son's shoulder, and kissing

the boy, led him out onto the terrace, and quickly came back.

"It's time to start, though," said she, glancing at her watch.

"How is it Betsy doesn't come?..."