From that time on Liudmilla more than once took Sasha to her room and began to unbutton his blouse. At first he was ashamed to tears, but he soon got used to it. And already he looked clearly and calmly when Liudmilla bared his shoulders and caressed his back. In the end he would take off his clothes himself. And Liudmilla found it very pleasant to hold him half-naked on her knees, kissing him. * * * * * Sasha was alone at home. He thought of Liudmilla and of his naked shoulders under her passionate glances. "And what does she want?" he thought. And suddenly he grew livid and his heart beat rapidly. A tumultuous happiness seized him. He turned several somersaults, threw himself on the floor, jumped on the furniture--a thousand absurd movements threw him from one corner to another and his gay, clear laughter resounded through the house. Kokovkina, who had returned home, heard this extraordinary din and went into Sasha's room. She stood on the threshold in perplexity, shaking her head. "Why are you making such a row, Sashenka?" she said. "You might have an excuse to do it with other boys, but you're alone. You ought to be ashamed of yourself, young man--you're not a child any longer." Sasha stood still and in his embarrassment seemed to lose the use of his hands--his whole body trembled with excitement. * * * * * Once Kokovkina came home and found Liudmilla there. She was giving Sasha sweets. "You're spoiling him," said Kokovkina affectionately. "He loves sweets." "Yes, and yet he calls me a wicked girl," complained Liudmilla. "Oh, Sashenka, how could you!" said Kokovkina reproachfully. "Why did you say that?" "She's teasing me," said Sasha falteringly. He looked at Liudmilla with vexation and flushed. Liudmilla laughed. "Story-teller!" Sasha whispered to her. "Don't be rude, Sashenka," said Kokovkina, "it isn't nice!" Sasha glanced at Liudmilla with a smile and said quietly: "Well, I won't do it again." * * * * * Each time that Sasha came now Liudmilla locked the door and dressed him up in various costumes. Their sweet shame was dressed up in laughter and jokes. Sometimes Liudmilla pulled Sasha into corsets and dressed him in one of her gowns. In the low-cut dress Sasha's full, gently-rounded arms and round shoulders looked very beautiful. His skin was yellowish, but of an even, soft complexion--a rare occurrence. Liudmilla's skirt, sleeves and stockings were all becoming to Sasha. Dressed entirely in woman's clothes Sasha sat down obediently and waved a fan. In this costume he really resembled a girl, and he tried to behave like one. There was only one flaw--Sasha's short hair. Liudmilla thought it would be ugly to put a wig on Sasha's hair or to tie on a plait of hair.