"But if it is difficult——"
"Well, you see, I manage to improve somewhat their lot after all. Another one in my place would hardly exert himself as I do. It is no easy matter to handle two thousand people. They are also human and one feels pity for them, and yet they can't be allowed to have all their own way."
And the inspector related the case of a recent fight among the prisoners which ended in murder.
His story was interrupted by the entrance of Maslova, who was preceded by the warden.
Nekhludoff got sight of her when she appeared on the threshold and before she saw the inspector. Her face was red, and she walked briskly behind the warden, smiling and shaking her head. Noticing the inspector she gazed at him with frightened face, but immediately recovered herself and boldly and cheerfully turned to Nekhludoff.
"How do you do?" she said, drawlingly, smiling and vigorously shaking his hand, not as on the former occasion.
"Here I have brought you the petition to sign," said Nekhludoff, somewhat surprised at the forward manner in which she accosted him. "The lawyer wrote it. It must be signed and sent to St. Petersburg."
"Why, certainly. I will do anything," she said, winking one eye and smiling.
"May she sign it here?" Nekhludoff asked of the inspector.
"Come here and sit down," said the inspector. "Here is a pen for you. Can you write?"