"Why do you not answer me?" she persisted.
"What is there to say? In general, to regret people's absence is not worth while, and, least of all, the absence of people like myself."
"Why, again?"
"Because I am a prosaic and eminently uninteresting individual. Nor do I know how to talk."
"But you know how to play the esquire?"
"No, not even that. And, as you know, the softer aspect of life, the aspect which you hold so dear, lies altogether beyond me."
Madame Odintsov nibbled the corner of her handkerchief.
"Think what you like," she said, "but at least I shall find things dull when you are gone."
"Arkady will remain," he hazarded.
She shrugged her shoulders.