"Leo, Leo, may I go—"
Then seeing she had not engaged her husband's attention, who was talking to Jimmie about single tax, she went over and pulled his sleeve.
"Leo, may I go with them to Italy in the spring? Please, dear Leo, say yes."
He shook his head gravely, and the little countess smiled at her mother's enthusiasm.
"It would cost too much," said Tolstoy, "besides, I cannot spare you. I need you."
"You need me!" cried the countess in gay derision. Then pleadingly, "Do let me go."
"I cannot," said Tolstoy, turning to Jimmie again.
The countess came back to us with a face full of disappointment.
"He doesn't need me at all," she whispered. "I'd go anyway if I had the money."
As I said before, Russia and America are very much alike.