Matryona Ivanovna, tired of lying in a faint, opened one eye and asked:
"Where am I? Doctor, will you see if I am still alive?"
No one answered her and Matryona Ivanovna opened her other eye. The room was empty except for Vanka, who stood in the center looking around, much astonished. Anya and Katya also revived and they, too, were amazed. Something horrible must have happened.
"You're a fine birthday child, I must say!" simultaneously exclaimed the Dolls, addressing Vanka, who did not know what to answer.
Someone hit him; he hit someone. Why? Wherefore? He did not know.
"I really do not know how it all happened," said Vanka. "The thing that hurts most is that I love them all. All without exception."
"We know how it all happened," called Slipper and Rabbit from under the couch. "We saw it all."
"It is all your fault," said Matryona Ivanovna, accusing little Slipper and Rabbit. "Of course, it is you who are to blame. You started the row and then you ran away and hid."
"They're to blame! They're to blame!" screamed Anya and Katya in chorus.
"Now I see it all," cried Vanka, joyfully. "Get out, you rascals! You only visit people to start quarrels."