“What for?” asked Raisky in amazement.
“For the pleasant, witty conversation, although it was not directed to me. What pleasure it gave me!”
“A practical conversation about groats, a goose, and a quarrel with Grandmother.”
“Ah, I understand,” she continued, “but I caught two glances, which were intended for me, confess they were. I am filled with hope and expectation.”
As she went out Raisky asked Marfinka what she was talking about.
“She’s always like that,” laughed Marfinka.
Tatiana Markovna followed Raisky to his room, smoothed the sheets of his bed once more, drew the curtains so that the sun should not awaken him in the morning, felt the feather bed to test its softness, and had a jug of water placed on the table beside him. She came back three times to see if he were asleep or wanted anything. Touched by so much kindly thought he recognised that his grandmother’s activity was not only exerted to gratify herself.