Yudushka was somewhat startled by the unexpected remark, but attributed no peculiar importance to it.
"In case we don't eat visible bread for a long time," he went on, "we feel bodily hunger; and if we don't partake of the spiritual bread for some length of time——"
"I say, Palageyushka certainly lives well at Mazulino," Yevpraksia interrupted again.
Porfiry Vladimirych, somewhat startled, looked at her in amazement, but refrained from scolding, evidently smelling a rat.
"If Palageyushka has a fine life, let her," he replied meekly.
"Her master," Yevpraksia kept on provokingly, "makes it nice and easy for her, he does not compel her to work, and dresses her in silk."
Yudushka's amazement grew. Yevpraksia's words were so preposterous that he was taken completely by surprise.
"A different dress every day, one to-day, one to-morrow, and another for holidays. She drives to church in a four-horse carriage. She goes first, and the master follows. When the priest sees her carriage, he has the bells rung. Then she sits in her own room. If her master wishes to spend some time with her, she receives him in her room. And her maid entertains her, or she does bead embroidery."
"Well, what of it?" asked Porfiry Vladimirych, at last coming to his senses.
"I was just telling what a pleasant life Palageyushka leads."