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And her son, like her husband, aroused in Anna a feeling akin to

disappointment. She had imagined him better than he was in

reality. She had to let herself drop down to the reality to enjoy

him as he really was. But even as he was, he was charming, with

his fair curls, his blue eyes, and his plump, graceful little

legs in tightly pulled-up stockings. Anna experienced almost

physical pleasure in the sensation of his nearness, and his

caresses, and moral soothing, when she met his simple, confiding,

and loving glance, and heard his naive questions. Anna took out

the presents Dolly's children had sent him, and told her son what

sort of little girl was Tanya at Moscow, and how Tanya could

read, and even taught the other children.

"Why, am I not so nice as she?" asked Seryozha.

"To me you're nicer than anyone in the world."

"I know that," said Seryozha, smiling.