"Once upon a time a wench
Appeared before a judge's bench.."
III
Before he went to bed Agrenev laid out cards to play Patience, ate a cold supper, stood a long time staring at the light from under Anna's door, then knocked.
"Come in."
He entered for a moment, and found her sitting at a table with a book, which she laid down upon an open copybook diary. When, when is he to know what is written there?
He spoke curtly:
"I go to Moscow the first thing to-morrow on Detachment. Here is some money for the housekeeping."
"Thanks. When do you return?"
"In a week—that is, Friday next week. Is there anything you need?"
"No thanks." She rose, came close and kissed him on the cheek near his lips. "A safe journey. Goodbye. Do not waken Asya."