Oh God, what’s to be done? How is she to tell her mother this terrible thing?
Or should she conceal it? And do everything that could be done by herself? But no, she could do ridiculously little herself!
It is necessary to tell. It must be done quickly. She must not lose an instant. Perhaps it is still possible to save Boris, by going, by petitioning.
Why is she sitting still then? It is necessary to act at once.
Natasha seizes the telephone. What a long time the operator takes to answer.
At last she is connected. She can hear sounds of music and the hum of voices.
A cheerful, familiar voice asks:
“Who’s there?”
“It is Natasha Ozoreva.”
“Good evening, Natasha,” says Marusya Lareyeva loudly. “What a pity you did not come. We are having a fine time.”