“Don’t tease me,” said Tatiana Markovna.
“Marfinka, you don’t want to leave home?” asked Boris.
“Not for anything in the world. How could such a thing be?”
“What would Veroshka say about it?”
“She would never be separated from the old house.”
“She loves the old house?”
“Yes. She is only happy when she is here. If she were taken away from it she would die. We both should.”
“That matter is settled then, little sister. You two, Veroshka and you, will accept the gift from me, won’t you?”
“I will if Veroshka agrees.”
“Agreed, dear sister. You are not so proud as Granny,” he said, as he kissed her forehead.