“‘Yes, for several days. Very well.’
“Vasíli Ivanovitch took out his handkerchief, and blew his nose, bending over till he almost touched the floor.
“‘Well, be it so. It shall be done. But I thought that you—longer. Three days—after three years of absence. It isn’t—it isn’t very long, Yevgéni.’
“‘I just told you that I would come right back. I must!’
“‘You must? Very well: before all things, one must do his duty. You want me to send the horses? Very well; but we did not expect this, Arina and I. She just went to ask a neighbor for some flowers to put in your room.’
“Vasíli Ivanovitch did not add that every morning at daybreak, in bare feet in his slippers, he went to find Timoféitch, handing him a torn bill, which he picked out from the bottom of his pocket-book with trembling fingers. This bill was designed for the purchase of different provisions, principally food and red wine, great quantities of which the young men consumed.
“‘There is nothing more precious than liberty; that’s my principle. It is not well to hinder people. One should not’—
“Vasíli suddenly stopped, and started for the door.
“‘We shall see each other soon again, father, I promise you.’
“But Vasíli Ivanovitch did not return. He left the room, making a gesture with his hand. Coming into his bed-chamber, he found his wife already asleep; and he began to pray in a low voice, so as not to disturb her slumber. However, she waked up.