Page:The Novels of Ivan Turgenev (volume X).djvu/60

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DREAM TALES

'Well, you know best. But the old lady won't answer, for she can't read and write. The sister, though, perhaps . . . Oh, the sister 's a clever creature! But I must say again, I wonder at you, my dear boy ! Such indifference before . . . and now such interest! All this, my boy, comes from too much solitude!'

Aratov made no reply, and went away, having provided himself with the Kazan address.

When he was on his way to Kupfer's, excitement, bewilderment, expectation had been reflected on his face. . . . Now he walked with an even gait, with downcast eyes, and hat pulled over his brows; almost every one who met him sent a glance of curiosity after him . . . but he did not observe any one who passed . . . it was not as on the Tversky boulevard!

'Unhappy Clara! poor frantic Clara!' was echoing in his soul.

X

The following day Aratov spent, however, fairly quietly. He was even able to give his mind to his ordinary occupations. But there was one thing: both during his work and during his leisure he was continually thinking of Clara,

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