"Well, I will go and get some from the bank. How much do you want?" said he, with his well-known expression of vexation.
"No, wait!" She detained him by the arm. "Let us talk about this a moment; this troubles me. I try not to buy anything unnecessary;' still, the money runs away. We must retrench somehow or other."
"Not at all," said Levin, with a little cough, and looking askance upon her.
She knew this cough. It was a sign of strong vexation, not with her, but with himself. He was actually discontented, not because much money was spent, but because he was reminded of what he wanted to forget.
"I have ordered Sokolof to sell the corn, and to get the rent of the mill in advance. We shall have money enough."
"No; but I fear that, as a general thing ...."
"Not at all, not at all," he repeated. "Well, good-by, darling." [1]
"Sometimes I wish I hadn't listened to mamma. How happy we were in the country! I tire you all, waiting for me; and the money we spend ...."
"Not at all, not at all! Not one single time since we were married till now have I thought that things would have been better than they are."
"Truly?" said she, looking into his face.
He said that, thinking only to comfort her. But when he saw her gentle, honest eyes turned to him with an inquiring look, he repeated what he had said with his whole heart; and he remembered what was coming to them so soon.
"How do you feel this morning? Do you think it will be soon?" he asked, taking both her hands in his.
"I sometimes think that I don't think and don't know anything."
"And don't you feel afraid?"
She smiled disdainfully: —
"Not the least bit. No, nothing will happen to-day; don't worry."
- ↑ Nu praschaï, dushenka;, literally, Now, farewell, little soul.
