"The child is cross and sleepy," said the Count; "let Minka put him to bed."
"Wait a moment," exclaimed the Countess, in childish glee. "I have brought him a present. Loris, my pet, how would you like a little boy to play with? A real live boy?"
Loris ceased his struggles and became interested.
"I want a pony to play with! I don't want a boy," he cried, peevishly.
"What folly have you been guilty of now?" asked Dimitri, with some misgivings, for he had had frequent proofs of his wife's impulsive extravagance.
"You shall see, my dear."
Louise rang for Ivan. When he appeared, she asked:
"What have you done with the boy we found?"
"He is in the kitchen and has just eaten his supper," answered the servant.
"Bring him up at once."