He winked at his hostesses. They both had gay smiles. Peredonov asked gruffly, contemptuously screwing up his eyes:
"What is it? Have you found a bride? Has she a big dowry?"
Mourin went on as if he had not heard these questions:
"Natalya Afanasyevna there—may God be good to her—has agreed to take charge of my Vaniushka. He'll live here as if he were in Christ's bosom, and my mind will be at rest, knowing that he won't be spoiled."
"He'll get into mischief with Vladya," said Peredonov morosely. "They'll burn the house down."
"He wouldn't dare," shouted Mourin. "Don't you worry about that, my dear Natalya Afanasyevna, you'll find him as straight as a fiddle-string."
To cut short this conversation, Vershina said with her wry smile:
"I should like to eat something tart."
"Perhaps you'd like some bilberries and apples—I'll get them," said Marta quickly rising from her chair.
"Do, please."