He considered eagerly how to arrange that his uncle should live alone. But he had little time for thought; customers came in, and while he was busy with them, Gavrik's sister appeared. She seemed tired and out of breath, greeted him, and asked, nodding at the door of the room behind:
"Is there any water there?"
"I'll get it," said Ilya.
"No, I'll go."
She went into the room and stayed there till Lunev had finished with his customers, and followed her. He found her standing before the "Steps of Man's Life." Turning her head towards him, she said, indicating the picture:
"What awful taste!"
Confused by the remark, Ilya smiled, and felt somewhat guilty.
"Burr! What middle-class sentiment!" she repeated with disgust, and before he could ask for an explanation she was gone. A few days later she brought her brother some new linen, and reproved him for being careless with his clothes, tearing and soiling them.
"Well," said Gavrik, crossly. "That's enough. That woman's always on at me, and now you're beginning."
"What's the matter with him? Is he very rude?" she asked Ilya at this.