‘I remember well that Annita had no wish whatever to go to the convent. I had to start first, and the day before my departure, when it was bedtime, I laid my hand on her little head, and said:
‘ “Good-bye, Annita; God bless you!”
‘But she only clung to me, and exclaimed:
‘ “Take me with you! Can’t you take me with you?”
‘She was simple enough to think that she could travel to Moscow with me, and that she could there keep house for me.
‘ “I cannot take you with me, Annita,” I said; and I tried to take one hand out of hers.
‘ “I won’t go to the convent,” she said with indignation, and she would not loosen her hold on my hand. [[55]]
‘ “You must go,” I said. “It cannot be otherwise, Annita. I will come and see you, and look after you. Say good-bye, and be a reasonable little girl,” I replied, bending down to her.
‘She threw her arms around my neck, sobbed bitterly, and again exclaimed:
‘ “But why can’t you take me with you?”