"Is it with thy own?" cried Kranitski, "surely with thy own! I know that mother is spending her capital this good while—"
She came back with the checkered kerchief over her head, without spectacles, and ready for the errand.
"Well, what if I do spend it? Hast thou not Lipovka? Thou hast, and what I lend thou wilt return. Oi, oi! I stand with one foot in the grave, and should I fight about a rouble when thou art in need of it?"
Kranitski raised his hands and his eyes:
"What a heart!" whispered he; "what attachment! No one can equal the old servants of our ancient families!"
After a few minutes steps were heard in the antechamber of people coming in, and the fresh voice of a man cried:
"May one see the master of this place?"
Kranitski ran to the antechamber.
"Of course, my dears! You make me happy, altogether happy!"
And indeed he had the face of a man made happy, and also tilled with emotion; for, taking his place in one of the armchairs opposite Maryan, who sat in another, he listened to the baron's narrative, which gave details of his recent expedition. Baron Emil was uncommonly vivacious, but at the same time he feigned to be more nervous and excited than usual.