"Well, how do you feel to-day?" asked Arina Petrovna, sinking into the armchair at his feet.
"So—so—to-morrow—that is, to-day—when was the doctor here?"
"He was here to-day."
"Well, then, to-morrow——"
The patient fumbled as if struggling to recall a word.
"You'll be able to get up?" prompted Arina Petrovna. "God grant it, my friend, God grant it."
They both remained silent for a moment. Arina Petrovna found it very difficult to open a conversation when she was face to face with Pavel Vladimirych.
"Yudushka—is he alive?" finally asked the sick man himself.
"Nothing is the matter with him. He lives and prospers."
"I bet he is thinking, 'Now brother Pavel is going to die—and with God's help the estate will come to me.'"