‘Masha, do you know who this is?’—And in a whisper Praskovya Mikhaylovna told her daughter who he was, and together they then carried the bed and the cradle out of the tiny room and cleared it for Sergius.
Praskovya Mikhaylovna led him into it.
‘Here you can rest. Don’t take offence... but I must go out.’
‘Where to?’
‘I have to go to a lesson. I am ashamed to tell you, but I teach music!’
‘Music? But that is good. Only just one thing, Praskovya Mikhaylovna, I have come to you with a definite object. When can I have a talk with you?’
‘I shall be very glad. Will this evening do?’
‘Yes. But one thing more. Don’t speak about me, or say who I am. I have revealed myself only to you. No one knows where I have gone to. It must be so.’
‘Oh, but I have told my daughter.’
‘Well, ask her not to mention it.’