Then all at once, as if she had only just noticed him, she raised her eyes in surprise, and laughed.
»Ah! There you are—still there! Not gone yet! Sit down, sit down!« With a savage light in her eyes, she threw off the knitted wrap, again baring her rosy shoulders and thin soft arms. »Why am I all wrapped up like this? It's hot here and I ... I must have been saving him! How kind!... Look here, you might at least take your trousers off. It's only good manners here to do without your trousers. If your drawers are dirty I'll give you mine. Oh, never mind the slit. Here, put them on. Now, my dear boy, you must, you'll have to....«
She laughed until she choked, begging and putting out her hands. Then she knelt down, clasping his hands, and implored him:—
»Now, my darling, do! And I'll kiss your hand!«
He moved away, and, with an air of sullen grief, said:
»What are you trying to do with me, Liuba? What have I done to you? My relations with you are quite proper. I'm being perfectly decent to you. What are you doing? What is it? Have I offended you? If I have, forgive me. You know, I am ... I don't know about these things.«
With a contemptuous shrug of her naked shoulders, Liuba rose from her knees and sat down, breathing heavily.
»You mean you won't put them on.«
»I'm sorry, but I should look....«
He began saying something, hesitated and continued irresolutely, drawling his words.