“We must look in the water-closet ... Perhaps she’s there?” surmised Zoe.
But this institution was locked from the inside with a bolt. Emma Edwardovna knocked on the door with her fist.
“Jennie, do come out at last! What foolishness is this?”
And, raising her voice, she cried out impatiently and threateningly:
“Do you hear, you swine? ... Come out this minute—the doctor’s waiting!”
But there was no answer of any sort.
All exchanged glances with fear in their eyes, with one and the same thought in mind.
Emma Edwardovna shook the door by the brass knob, but the door did not yield.
“Go after Simeon!” Anna Markovna directed.
Simeon was called ... He came, sleepy and morose, as was his wont. By the distracted faces of the girls and the housekeepers, he already saw that some misunderstanding or other had occurred, in which his professional cruelty and strength were required. When they explained to him what the matter was, he silently took the door-knob with both hands, braced himself against the wall, and gave a yank.