The sisters lied with such assurance and tranquillity that it was impossible not to believe them. Why not? Lies have often more verisimilitude than the truth. Nearly always. As for truth of course it has no verisimilitude. "Of course it is true that he was often here," said Darya, "but we shan't let him cross our threshold again, if you object." "And I shall go and see Khripatch to-day," said Liudmilla. "How did he get hold of that notion? Surely he doesn't believe such a stupid tale?" "No, I don't think he believes it himself," admitted Ekaterina Ivanovna. "But he says that various unpleasant rumours are going about." "There! You see!" exclaimed Liudmilla happily. "Of course he doesn't believe it himself. What's the reason of all this fuss then?" Liudmilla's cheerful voice deceived Ekaterina Ivanovna. She thought: "I wonder what exactly has happened? The Head-Master does say that he doesn't believe it." The sisters for a long time supported each other in persuading Ekaterina Ivanovna of the complete innocence of their relations with Sasha. To set her mind more completely at rest they were on the point of telling her in detail precisely what they did with Sasha; but they stopped short because they were all such innocent, simple things that it was difficult to remember them. And Ekaterina Ivanovna at last came to believe that her Sasha and the charming Routilovs were the innocent victims of stupid slander. As she bade them good-bye she kissed them kindly and said: "You're charming, simple girls. I thought at first that you were--forgive the rude word--wantons." The sisters laughed gaily. Liudmilla said: "No, we're just happy girls with sharp little tongues and that's why we're not liked by some of the local geese." When she returned from the Routilovs Sasha's aunt said nothing to him. He met her, feeling rather frightened and embarrassed and he looked at her cautiously and attentively. After a long deliberation with Kokovkina the aunt decided: "I must see the Head-Master again." * * * * * That same day Liudmilla went to see Khripatch. She sat for some time in the drawing-room with the Head-Master's wife and then announced that she had come to see Nikolai Vassilyevitch on business.