"Never mind, sit still," replied Liudmilla affectionately. "You yourself said you liked to caress."
She stroked his head. He gently put his head against her. She said:
"You're very handsome, Sasha."
Sasha grew red and laughed.
"What an idea!" said he.
Conversations and thoughts about beauty, when applied to himself, somehow perplexed him; he had never as yet been curious to find out whether people considered him handsome or a monster.
Liudmilla pinched Sasha's cheek, which made him smile. A pretty red spot showed on his cheek. Liudmilla pinched the other cheek also. Sasha did not protest. He only took her hand, kissed it and said:
"You've done enough pinching. It hurts me, and you'll make your fingers stiff."
"It may be painful, but what a flatterer you've become."
"I shall have to do my lessons," said Sasha. "You must caress me a little while longer for good luck, so that I can get a five for my Greek."