“Because—”
And her cheeks flushed somewhat, though the child did not know and did not dare to express her thought, which might be expressed in the words: “Because he does not love me any more; he loves only thee, and looks only at thee.”
But he approached, freeing himself from the children, and repeating,—
“Do not hang on, little rogues, or I’ll throw you.”
And he extended his hand to Marynia, looking at her in the eyes, with an entreaty for a pleasant smile and a greeting even a whit less indifferent than usual; then he turned to Litka,—
“But is the dearest kitten well?”
At sight of him, and under the influence of his voice, she, forgetting all the suffering of her little heart, gave him both hands, saying,—
“Oh, yes, well; but yesterday Pan Stas did not come to us, and it was sad. To-day I’ll take Pan Stas to mamma to give account.”
After a while all were on the veranda.
“How are Pani Kraslavski and her daughter?” asked Pani Emilia.