Strona 194 z 2288

"And after that he will tell me.... What! can I believe him?

Never! No, everything is over, everything that once made my

comfort, the reward of my work, and my sufferings.... Would you

believe it, I was teaching Grisha just now: once this was a joy

to me, now it is a torture. What have I to strive and toil for?

Why are the children here? What's so awful is that all at once my

heart's turned, and instead of love and tenderness, I have

nothing but hatred for him; yes, hatred. I could kill him."

"Darling Dolly, I understand, but don't torture yourself. You are

so distressed, so overwrought, that you look at many things

mistakenly."

Dolly grew calmer, and for two minutes both were silent.

"What's to be done? Think for me, Anna, help me. I have thought

over everything, and I see nothing."

Anna could think of nothing, but her heart responded instantly to

each word, to each change of expression of her sister-in-law.