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She hardly knew at times what it was she feared, and what she

hoped for. Whether she feared or desired what had happened, or

what was going to happen, and exactly what she longed for, she

could not have said.

"Ah, what am I doing!" she said to herself, feeling a sudden

thrill of pain in both sides of her head. When she came to

herself, she saw that she was holding her hair in both hands,

each side of her temples, and pulling it. She jumped up, and

began walking about.

"The coffee is ready, and mademoiselle and Seryozha are waiting,"

said Annushka, coming back again and finding Anna in the same

position.

"Seryozha? What about Seryozha?" Anna asked, with sudden

eagerness, recollecting her son's existence for the first time

that morning.

"He's been naughty, I think," answered Annushka with a smile.

"In what way?"

"Some peaches were lying on the table in the corner room. I think

he slipped in and ate one of them on the sly."