"N—no," she answered slowly. "I'm quite well—he has made me like this."
"Your husband?"
"Yes—my husband."
Her slow, drawling speech came like groans, the uncovered teeth gave her a fish-like, dead look—it seemed as though the dead might smile as she smiled now and then.
Gavrik stood beside her and looked at her with lips compressed and fear in his eyes.
"Go to bed!" said Lunev to him.
The lad went into the shop, moved about a little there—then his head appeared again in the doorway. Masha sat motionless, only her eyes moved and wandered from one thing to another. Lunev poured her out some tea, looked at her, but asked her no questions.
"Ye—es—he torments me so," she said. Her lips trembled and her eyes closed for a moment; when she opened them again two big, heavy tears rolled down from under the lashes.
"Don't cry," said Ilya, turning away.
"Drink your tea—and tell me all about it—then it will be easier."