"Yes. I was standing in the church, and then all at once——"
"Lie down," she said, and came into the room. "Lie down quietly. Don't worry! I'll sit by you a little. I'm at home alone. My husband's working late and going on to his club."
Ilya sat down on the bed, while she took the only chair.
"I disturbed you I'm afraid," said Ilya, with an embarrassed smile.
"Doesn't matter," she answered, and looked in his face with frank curiosity. There was a pause. Ilya did not know what to talk about. She still looked at him, and suddenly laughed in an odd way.
"What are you laughing at?" said Ilya, and dropped his eyes.
"Shall I tell you?" she asked, mischievously.
"Yes, tell me!"
"You can't pretend well, d'you know?"
Ilya started and looked at her uneasily.