Masha shuddered inwardly.
'I? Oh, no, mamma.'
Masha's momentary confusion did not escape her mother's attention.
'Oh, yes, you do.... Think a little.'
But Masha had had time to regain her self-possession, and instead of answering, she kissed her mother's hand with a laugh.
'And so you've nothing to tell me?'
'No, really, nothing.'
'I believe you,' responded Nenila Makarievna, after a short silence. 'I know you keep nothing secret from me.... That's true, isn't it?'
'Of course, mamma.'
Masha could not help blushing a little, though.