Yegor laughed hoarsely.
"You're a young girl yet, granny."
"May I visit you in the hospital?"
He nodded his head, coughing. Liudmila glanced at the mother with her dark eyes and suggested:
"Do you want to take turns with me in attending him? Yes? Very well. And now go quickly."
She vigorously seized Vlasova by the hand, with perfect good nature, however, and led her out of the door.
"You mustn't be offended," she said softly, "because I dismiss you so abruptly. I know it's rude; but it's harmful for him to speak, and I still have hopes of his recovery." She pressed her hands together until the bones cracked. Her eyelids drooped wearily over her eyes.
The explanation disturbed the mother. She murmured:
"Don't talk that way. The idea! Who thought of rudeness? I'm going; good-by."
"Look out for the spies!" whispered the woman.