“You could not do better. You will be washing pots and plucking chickens.... And, who knows, maybe you will save your country in that way!”
“You are laughing at me, Vassily Fedotitch.”
Solomin shook his head slowly.
“My dear Mariana, believe me, I am not laughing at you. What I said was the simple truth. You are already, all you Russian women, more capable and higher than we men.”
Mariana raised her eyes.
“I would like to live up to your idea of us, Solomin ... and then I should be ready to die.”
Solomin stood up.
“No, it is better to live! That’s the main thing. By the way, would you like to know what is happening at the Sipiagins? Won’t they do anything? You have only to drop Pavel a hint and he will find out everything in a twinkling.”
Mariana was surprised.
“What a wonderful person he is!”