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A VITAL QUESTION.
17

French for wedding? mariage, hey, Viérotchka? And what is bridegroom and bride? What is 'to get married'?"

Viérotchka told her.

"No, I did not hear any such words. Viéra, are you sure that you told me right? You be careful!"

"No, no! You will never hear any such words from them. Let us go home. I cannot remain here any longer."

"What's that you say, you nasty thing?" Marya Alekséyevna's eyes grew bloodshot.

"Let us go home. Do with me as you please afterwards, but I will not stay here. I will tell you why when we go. Mámenka,"—this word was said loud enough for all to hear—"I have a very bad headache. I cannot remain here. I beg of you!"

Viérotchka stood up.

The young men were confused.

"It will pass away, Viérotchka," said Marya Alekséyevna, sternly but decorously. "Just take a walk through the corridor with Mikhaïl Ivanuitch, and your headache will go off."

"No, it will not go off; I feel very bad; quick, mámenka!"

The gentlemen opened the door; each wanted to offer Viérotchka his arm, but the detestable young girl refused. They handed the ladies the cloaks; they escorted them down to the carriage. Marya Alekséyevna looked haughtily at the waiters. "Look you, serfs! what cavaliers these are; and this one here is going to be my son-in-law. I myself will have such serfs. And you put on airs, put on airs if you dare, you nasty thing, you! I will put them on for you!" But wait, wait; the son-in-law is saying something to her ugly but proud little girl, while he is putting her into the carriage. "Santé, that must mean health; savoir, that's 'I know'; visite, the same as in Russian; permettez, 'I beg your pardon.'"

Marya Alekséyevna's anger was not less diminished by these words, but she had to take them into consideration. The carriage drove away.

"What did he say to you when he put you in?"

"He said that he would call to-morrow morning to learn about my health."

"Ain't you lying? do you mean to-morrow?"

Viérotchka was silent.

"You are a lucky girl." Marya Alekséyevna could not