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"Quite so. So then from a feeling of humanity and so to speak

compassion, I should be glad to be of service to her in any way,

foreseeing her unfortunate position. I believe the whole of this

poverty-stricken family depends now entirely on you?"

"Allow me to ask," Sonia rose to her feet, "did you say something

to her yesterday of the possibility of a pension? Because she

told me you had undertaken to get her one. Was that true?"

"Not in the slightest, and indeed it's an absurdity! I merely

hinted at her obtaining temporary assistance as the widow of an

official who had died in the service--if only she has

patronage... but apparently your late parent had not served his

full term and had not indeed been in the service at all of late.

In fact, if there could be any hope, it would be very ephemeral,

because there would be no claim for assistance in that case, far

from it.... And she is dreaming of a pension already,

he-he-he!... A go-ahead lady!"