“Perhaps,” said Raisky. “To-morrow I will come to fetch you. Good-bye for the present. To-night I will either come myself or send someone who will stay with you.”
Leonti did not hear, and did not even see Raisky go.
When he reached home, Raisky gave his aunt an account of Leonti’s condition, telling her that there was no danger, but that no sympathy would help matters. Yakob was sent to look after the sick man and Tatiana Markovna did not forget to send an abundant supper, with tea, rum, wine and all sorts of other things.
“What are these things for, Grandmother?” asked Raisky. “He doesn’t eat anything.”
“But the other one, if he returns?”
“What other one?”
“Who but Markushka? He will want something to eat. You found him with our invalid.”
“I will go to Mark, Granny, and tell him what you say.”
“For goodness’ sake don’t do that, Borushka. Mark will laugh at me.”
“No, he will be grateful and respectful, for he understands you. He is not like Niel Andreevich.”