They sat a while in silence. By that time Yudushka had entirely recovered his presence of mind.
"After all, why shouldn't you live at Dubrovino, mother dear? Just see how nice it is here," he said, looking into his mother's eyes with the caressing expression of a guilty cur.
"No, my friend, that's enough. I don't want to leave you with unpleasant words, but I can't stay here. What for? Father, let us pray."
Everybody rose in prayer, then Arina Petrovna kissed everybody good-by, blessed them all, and with a heavy step went toward the door. Porfiry Vladimirych, at the head of the company of relatives, went with her to the porch. There on seeing the coach, he was struck by a devilish idea. "Why, the coach belongs to my brother," was the thought that flashed through his mind.
"So we'll see each other, mother dear?" he said, helping his mother in and casting side glances at the coach.
"If it's the Lord's will—and why shouldn't we see each other?"
"Ah, mother, dear mother, that was a good joke, really! You had better leave the coach—and, with God's help, in your old nest—indeed," urged Yudushka in a wheedling tone.
Arina Petrovna made no answer. She had already seated herself and made the sign of the cross, but the orphans seemed to hesitate.
Yudushka, all the while, kept throwing glance after glance at the coach.
"How about the coach, mother dear? Will you send it back yourself or shall I send for it?" he blurted out, unable to retain himself longer.