“On a visit to the pope’s wife on the other side of the Volga. It is a pity. The pope’s wife has been ill and sent for her, of course just now. A messenger shall go.”
“No! No! Why should anyone be disturbed on my account?”
“And you have come on your Grandmother so suddenly. We waited, waited, in vain. The peasants sat up for you at night, I have just sent Egorka on to the highway to look for you and Savili into the town. Now you must have your breakfast. Why is it so long in coming? The master has come, and there is nothing ready, just as if the house was nothing better than a station. Serve what is ready.”
“I need nothing, Granny. I am stuffed with food. At one station I drank tea, milk at another, and at the third there was a wedding, and I was treated to wine, meat and gingerbread.”
“You are on your way home to your Grandmother, and are not ashamed to eat and drink all sorts of things. Gingerbread in the morning! Marfinka ought to have been there; she loves weddings and gingerbread. Come in. Marfinka, don’t be so shy. She is ashamed because you caught her in her morning gown. Come here, darling; he is your brother.”
Tea and coffee appeared, and finally breakfast. However much he protested Raisky had to eat, for otherwise his aunt’s morning would have been spoiled.
“Marfinka, come here and entertain us.”
After about five minutes the door opened slowly and quietly, and Marfinka entered, blushing with confusion and with downcast eyes. At her heels followed Vassilissa with a tea-tray full of sweets, preserves, cakes, etc. Marfinka stood still, betraying in her confusion a certain curiosity. She wore lace at her neck and wrists; her hair was plaited firmly around her head and the waist of her barège dress encircled by a blue ribbon.
Raisky threw down his napkin, and jumped up, to stand before her in admiration. “How lovely,” he cried. “This is my little sister, Marfa Vassilievna. And is the goose still alive?”
Marfinka became still more embarrassed, returned his greeting awkwardly, and retired to a corner.