“Let papa sit near me here,” said she; “we will be happy side by side, won’t we?”
“As in heaven! as in heaven!” replied Plavitski, stroking his knees with his palms time after time, and thrusting out the tip of his tongue from enjoyment.
Zavilovski drew up to Lineta and said,—
“I am so happy to be able to come every day. But shall I not occupy your time, really?”
“Of course you will occupy it,” answered she, looking him in the eyes; “but you will occupy it as no one else can. I was really too timid to urge, because I am afraid of you.”
Then he looked into the depth of her eyes, and answered with emphasis,—
“Be not afraid.”
Lineta dropped her eyelids, and a moment of rather awkward suspense followed; then the lady inquired, in a voice somewhat lowered,—
“Why did you not come for such a long time?”
He had it on his tongue to say, “I was afraid,” but he had not the daring to push matters that far; hence he answered,—