He made her no answer, but continued his work, busily laying on his colors, and with one arm flourished in the air.
"Sometimes I hardly know myself what goes through my head," Assja went on with the same thoughtful expression. "At certain times I am actually afraid of myself. Ah, I wish—— Is it really true that women ought not to read much?"
"It is not necessary that they should read much, but——"
"Will you tell me what to read? Will you tell me what to do? I will do everything that you tell me," she said, turning to me with an innocent confidence.
I did not readily find any answer to make.
"The time with me will not seem long to you?"
"How can you think so!" I said.
"Well, I thank you," cried Assja, "but I thought you might be ennuyé."
And her little hot hand grasped mine tightly.
"N.!" cried Gagin at this moment, "isn't this background too dark?"