"The youngster might suddenly get into a fit," thought Peredonov, "and begin to bite; human spit, they say, is poisonous."
He moved closer to Volodin, so that in case of danger he could hide behind him. Nadezhda said to her brother:
"Pavel Vassilyevitch asks for my hand."
"Hand and heart," corrected Peredonov.
"And heart," added Volodin modestly but with dignity.
Misha covered his face with his handkerchief and choking with suppressed laughter said:
"No, don't marry him. What would become of me?"
Volodin, hurt but agitated, said in a trembling voice:
"I'm surprised, Nadezhda Vassilyevna, that you are asking your brother, who is besides quite a child. Even if he were a grown-up young man you might speak for yourself. But at your asking him now, Nadezhda Vassilyevna, I am not only surprised but shocked."
"To ask little boys seems ridiculous to me," said Peredonov gravely.