"Well, what is your business? Tell me."
Petenka hesitated a minute, then blurted out:
"I lost crown money at cards."
Arina Petrovna's eyes grew dim from the shock.
"Much?" she asked in a frightened voice, staring at him.
"Three thousand."
For a moment both were silent. Arina Petrovna looked around restlessly, as if expecting somebody to come to her rescue.
"Do you know they can send you to Siberia for that?" she said at last.
"Yes, I know."
"Poor fellow!"