Alyosha gave him a little round folding looking-glass which stood on the chest of drawers. The old man looked at himself in it; his nose was considerably swollen, and on the left side of his forehead there was a rather large crimson bruise. “What does Ivan say? Alyosha, my dear, my only son, I’m afraid of Ivan. I’m more afraid of Ivan than the other. You’re the only one I’m not afraid of....” “Don’t be afraid of Ivan either. He is angry, but he’ll defend you.” “Alyosha, and what of the other? He’s run to Grushenka. My angel, tell me the truth, was she here just now or not?” “No one has seen her. It was a mistake. She has not been here.” “You know Mitya wants to marry her, to marry her.” “She won’t marry him.” “She won’t. She won’t. She won’t. She won’t on any account!” The old man fairly fluttered with joy, as though nothing more comforting could have been said to him. In his delight he seized Alyosha’s hand and pressed it warmly to his heart. Tears positively glittered in his eyes. “That image of the Mother of God of which I was telling you just now,” he said. “Take it home and keep it for yourself. And I’ll let you go back to the monastery.... I was joking this morning, don’t be angry with me. My head aches, Alyosha.... Alyosha, comfort my heart. Be an angel and tell me the truth!” “You’re still asking whether she has been here or not?” Alyosha said sorrowfully. “No, no, no. I believe you. I’ll tell you what it is: you go to Grushenka yourself, or see her somehow; make haste and ask her; see for yourself, which she means to choose, him or me. Eh? What? Can you?” “If I see her I’ll ask her,” Alyosha muttered, embarrassed. “No, she won’t tell you,” the old man interrupted, “she’s a rogue. She’ll begin kissing you and say that it’s you she wants. She’s a deceitful, shameless hussy. You mustn’t go to her, you mustn’t!” “No, father, and it wouldn’t be suitable, it wouldn’t be right at all.” “Where was he sending you just now? He shouted ‘Go’ as he ran away.” “To Katerina Ivanovna.” “For money? To ask her for money?” “No. Not for money.” “He’s no money; not a farthing. I’ll settle down for the night, and think things over, and you can go. Perhaps you’ll meet her.... Only be sure to come to me to-morrow in the morning. Be sure to. I have a word to say to you to-morrow. Will you come?” “Yes.” “When you come, pretend you’ve come of your own accord to ask after me. Don’t tell any one I told you to. Don’t say a word to Ivan.” “Very well.” “Good-by, my angel. You stood up for me, just now. I shall never forget it. I’ve a word to say to you to-morrow—but I must think about it.” “And how do you feel now?” “I shall get up to-morrow and go out, perfectly well, perfectly well!” Crossing the yard Alyosha found Ivan sitting on the bench at the gateway. He was sitting writing something in pencil in his note-book. Alyosha told Ivan that their father had waked up, was conscious, and had let him go back to sleep at the monastery.