“Get dressed, that is what!”
Face distorted, she firmly snatched her clothes and said in a flat voice, “Turn away....”
I turned away, pressed my forehead against the glass. Light, figures, sparks, were trembling in the black, wet mirror.... No, all this was I, myself,—within me.... What did he call me for? Is it possible that he knows already about her, about me, about everything?
U-, already dressed, was at the door. I made a step toward her and pressed her hand as hard as though I hoped to squeeze out of it drop by drop what I needed.
“Listen.... Her name, you know whom I am talking of,—did you report her name? No?
Tell the truth, I must.... I care not what happens, but tell the truth!”
“No.”
“No? But why not, since you....”
Her lower lip turned out like the lip of that boy and her face ... tears were running down her cheeks.
“Because I ... I was afraid that if I did you might ... you would stop lov— Oh, I cannot, I could not!”