"I shall billet him upon you," was her threat to the bailiff. "Feed him at your own expense."
"Why so, madam?"
"Because you stand there croaking: 'He's sure to come,'" she mimicked. "Get out of my sight, you raven!"
Anton Vasilyev turned to go, but Arina Petrovna stopped him:
"Wait a minute. Is it true that he is starting out for Golovliovo?"
"I'm not in the habit of telling lies, madam. He said so plainly—'I am going back to the old woman to eat her dry crusts.'"
"He'll soon find out what kind of crusts the old woman has prepared for him."
"But, madam, he won't live with you long."
"Why not?"
"Well, madam, he coughs very badly and keeps on clutching the left side of his chest. He won't live long."