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"I sometimes speak too much from the heart, so that Dounia finds

fault with me.... But, dear me, what a cupboard he lives in! I

wonder whether he is awake? Does this woman, his landlady,

consider it a room? Listen, you say he does not like to show his

feelings, so perhaps I shall annoy him with my... weaknesses? Do

advise me, Dmitri Prokofitch, how am I to treat him? I feel quite

distracted, you know."

"Don't question him too much about anything if you see him frown;

don't ask him too much about his health; he doesn't like that."

"Ah, Dmitri Prokofitch, how hard it is to be a mother! But here

are the stairs.... What an awful staircase!"

"Mother, you are quite pale, don't distress yourself, darling,"

said Dounia caressing her, then with flashing eyes she added: "He

ought to be happy at seeing you, and you are tormenting yourself

so."

"Wait, I'll peep in and see whether he has waked up."