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Dounia looked at her brother with incredulous wonder. He held his

cap in his hand, he was preparing to leave them.

"One would think you were burying me or saying good-bye for

ever," he said somewhat oddly. He attempted to smile, but it did

not turn out a smile. "But who knows, perhaps it is the last time

we shall see each other..." he let slip accidentally. It was what

he was thinking, and it somehow was uttered aloud.

"What is the matter with you?" cried his mother.

"Where are you going, Rodya?" asked Dounia rather strangely.

"Oh, I'm quite obliged to..." he answered vaguely, as though

hesitating what he would say. But there was a look of sharp

determination in his white face.