For you, father, I was as though buried in Siberia. Why did you come here to stab yourself afresh?
BARON
I wish to God I had come here earlier. I wish I had not been so nervous of Russian spies. Ah, Verotschka, if you only knew how I have pored over the newspaper pictures of you, and the reports of your life in this Settlement!
VERA
You asked me not to send letters.
BARON
I know, I know—and yet sometimes I felt as if I could risk Siberia myself to read your dear, dainty handwriting again.
VERA [Still more softened]
Father, if you love me so much, surely you will love David a little too—for my sake.
BARON [Dazed]