The Orloff Couple and Malva

were sitting at tea, Matrona asked her husband in a tone o

rough a mist, and he poured his tea from

mained there till tea-time, his face turned up towards the ceiling, without speaking a word. In vain had Matrona tried, over and over again, to begin a conversation with him. He did not once swear, even when she worried him. This was quite an uncommon occurrence

ng very well, Grischka

moustache with his sleeve, handed the cup to his wife, and said with

Matrona, in a scared voice; and then adde

counting the one th

't say s

, they can already walk about; bu

they been changed for others?—so that the doct

lot of foolish people you are, all of you! It is ignorance and stupidity, nothing

rona had just poured out for him, v

you get all your great wisd

, carbolic, and dirty slops. This smell, blending with the twilight of evening, and the monotonous singing of the samovar, awoke in the narrow close cellar a sensation, which lay with the weight of a nightmare on its occupants. The black ghastly mouth of the stove

there!—never saw anything like it!" Gr

er could be kinder to a child. Yes, yes! when one comes to think of it! Here we live, and not a soul bothers his head about us, asks us how we are, or how we are getting on;—whether we are happy or unhappy—whether we have anything to put in our mouths or not But as soon as it's a case of d

w her relations with Grigori would be on a different footing. She was quite convinced that this would be the result, and foresaw only too quickl

ithout you," she said ironically, dr

at her; then continued to speak in still more m

the grave. No, I won't, I can't! I would rather go boldly and meet it.... Peter, the student, said to me—'If Fate is against you, just show that you also can oppose Fate. You can but try which is the stronger.... It's simply a battle—nothing more.' You ask what is the matter with me?... I mean to go as an attendant in the Infirmary! do you understand?

t in wild excitement, so that th

ull of curiosity and disquietude, but

vising you to do this, hasn't he

't I take a decision for myself?" answ

hat am I to

se, would be for him to leave his wife in their old lodgings. But wives are not always trustworthy, and he had not entire confidenc

ll always get my wages, and that will keep you. Hm!—yes," he

me to me," she a

ng, and which had so often before awoke in him a feeling of jealousy. It aroused his anger now just in th

what she would reply. She however was silent, but c

one?" asked Grigori a

replied Matrona indiffer

—you had better not, or you will get one over the he

I don't send you," re

are glad I am going," con

ge, but he controlled himself so as not to destroy this

ught, which appeared to him more diabolic

t wait a little—we'll see who gets there first!—yes, that we will

with the result of her manoeuvres, and upset by his threats. With a steadily growing feeling of fear, she thought about th

light across the massive wall of the neighbour's house, which stood opposite the window of their room; the whiteness of the wall reflected this light, causing it to fall straight across the cellar and sparkle on the glass sug

n a good temper. He did not swear at the darkness of the room, but called Matrona by her nam

latest news!" bega

what

g to take a s

asked with st

shall be in," he explained i

pect this and pushed her away. "She is only pretending," he said to himself. "The cunning c

d in a rough voice that was hill of distrust He

eased," she said

nd humbug me

r brave

I'll give yo

dear Gri

ght out what yo

nts had appeased him a lit

frightened

ogether!" she answ

to hear her say this, a

eed a plucky

r till she screame