"I wasn't mischievous. He's a liar," said Antosha piteously and in a squeaking voice. "Antosha, don't forget yourself," shouted his father. "You shouldn't say that he's a liar, but that he's made a mistake. Only little boys tell lies--grown-ups make mistakes." In the meantime Peredonov managed to find his way into the half-dark hall, discovered his overcoat with some difficulty and began to put it on. His fear and nervousness hindered him from finding his sleeve. No one came to his assistance. Quite suddenly Julia ran out from a side door, rustling her flying ribbons, and whispered excitedly in his ear, making wild gestures and standing on tip-toe. Peredonov did not at first understand. "I'm so grateful to you," he heard at last. "It's so good of you to take such an interest in the boy. Most people are so indifferent, but you understand a mother's difficulties. It is so hard to bring children up; you can't imagine how hard it is. I have only two and they give me no end of worry. My husband is a tyrant; he's a terrible, terrible man. Don't you think so? You've seen for yourself." "Yes," mumbled Peredonov. "Well, your husband--er--well, he shouldn't ... I give a good deal of attention to it and he ..." "Oh, don't say any more," whispered Julia, "he's a terrible man. He's bringing me down to my grave, and he'll be glad of it, and then he'll corrupt my children, my dear Antosha. But I'm a mother, I won't give him up; I'll give him a beating all the same." "He won't let you," said Peredonov, and jerked his head in the direction of the drawing-room. "Wait till he goes to his club. He won't take Antosha with him! He'll go and I shall keep quiet until then, as if I agreed with him; but once he goes I'll give Antosha a beating and you will help me. You will help me, won't you?" Peredonov reflected and then said: "Very well, but how shall I know when to come?" "I'll send for you," whispered Julia. "You wait, and as soon as he goes to his club I'll send for you." In the evening Peredonov received a note from Goudayevskaya. It ran: "MOST ESTEEMED ARDALYON BORISITCH, "My husband has gone to his club, and now I am free from his savagery until one o'clock. Do me the kindness to come as soon as you can and help me with my misbehaving son. I realise that he must be rid of his faults while he's still young, for afterwards it may be too late. "With genuine respect, "JULIA GOUDAYEVSKAYA. "P.S.--Please come as soon as possible, otherwise Antosha will go to sleep and I shall have to wake him." Peredonov quickly put on his overcoat, wrapped a scarf round his neck and prepared to go. "Where are you going so late, Ardalyon Borisitch?" asked Varvara. "I'm going on business," replied Peredonov morosely, and left abruptly. Varvara reflected sadly that again she would be unable to sleep for some time. If she could only hasten the marriage. Then she could sleep both night and day--that would be bliss! * * * * *