"Oh, and what a fine baby!" he continued. "Pray do not disturb yourself. Never yet have I cast upon a child an evil spell. But why are his cheeks so red? Is he cutting teeth?"
"Yes," replied Thenichka. "He has now cut four of them, and the gums are a little swelled."
"Then let me see them. Do not be afraid. I am a doctor."
With that he took the baby into his arms, and both Thenichka and Duniasha were astonished at the fact that it made no resistance, showed no fear.
"I see," he continued. "Well, everything is going right with him, and he will have plenty of teeth. Nevertheless, should he in any way ail, please let me know. Are you yourself well?"
"Yes, thank God!"
"'Thank God,' say I too, for health on the part of the mother is the chief point of all. And you?" he added, turning to Duniasha. The latter, ultra-prim of demeanour in the drawing-room, and ultra-frivolous of behaviour in the kitchen, answered with a giggle.
"Well, you look all right. Here! Take your hero back again."
He replaced the baby in Thenichka's arms.
"How quiet he has been with you!" she exclaimed under her breath.