The sisters scented themselves with clematis. They came in tranquil, cheerful, attractive, pretty as always; they filled the drawing-room with their charming chatter and gaiety. Ekaterina Ivanovna was immediately fascinated by them.
"So these are the corrupters!" she thought, with vexation at the school pedagogues. But then she thought that perhaps they were assuming this modesty. She decided not to yield to their fascination.
"You must forgive me, young ladies, but I have something serious to discuss with you," she said, trying to make her voice dry and business-like.
The sisters made her sit down and kept up a gay chatter.
"Which of you——" Ekaterina Ivanovna began irresolutely.
Liudmilla, as if she were a graceful hostess trying to get a visitor out of a difficulty, said cheerfully:
"It was I who spent most of the time with your nephew. We have similar views and tastes in many things."
"Your nephew is a very charming boy," said Darya, as if she were confident that her praise would please the visitor.
"Really most charming, and so entertaining," said Liudmilla.
Ekaterina Ivanovna felt more and more awkward. She suddenly realised that she had no reasonable cause for complaint and this made her angry—Liudmilla's last words gave her an opportunity to express her vexation—she said angrily: