MARY IVÁNOVNA. But, all the same, he was then quite changed.
PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. In what way?
MARY IVÁNOVNA. He was completely indifferent to his family, and purely and simply had l'idée fixe. He read the Gospels for days on end, and did not sleep. He used to get up at night to read, made notes and extracts, and then began going to see bishops and hermits—consulting them about religion.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. And did he fast, or prepare for communion?
MARY IVÁNOVNA. From the time of our marriage—that's twenty years ago—till then he had never fasted nor taken the sacrament, but at that time he did once take the sacrament in a monastery, and then immediately afterwards decided that one should neither take communion nor go to church.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. That's what I say—thoroughly inconsistent!
MARY IVÁNOVNA. Yes, a month before, he would not miss a single service, and kept every fast-day; and then he suddenly decided that it was all unnecessary. What can one do with such a man?
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. I have spoken and will speak to him again.
PETER SEMYÓNOVICH. Yes! But the matter is of no great importance.
ALEXÁNDRA IVÁNOVNA. No? Not to you! Because you men have no religion.