"He is real quiet now, miss. He used to talk and talk, but suddenly he became silent. Occasionally we hear him in his study talking to himself and sometimes even laughing, but as soon as he comes out of the room he is quiet. People say his late brother, Stepan Vladimirych, had the same trouble. At first he was gay, then suddenly he became quiet. And you, madam, are you well?"
Anninka only waved her hand in reply.
"And is your sister well?"
"She has been lying in her grave at the wayside at Krechetovo a month."
"Lord be merciful! At the wayside!"
"Of course, that's how they bury all suicides."
"Goodness! A lady—and to take her own life! How is that?"
"Yes, at first she was a 'lady,' and then she took poison, that's all. And I, I am a coward, I want to live, and here I have come to you. Not for long, oh, don't be afraid. I shall die soon, too."
Yevpraksia stared at her, as if she did not understand.
"Why are you looking at me? Am I such a fright? Well, never mind my looks. However, I'll tell you later—later. Now pay the coachman and announce me to uncle."