Kokovkina asked Peredonov to take some refreshment, but he refused. He wanted them to finish their supper, so that he could be alone with his pupil. They finished their supper and went into Sasha's room, but Kokovkina did not leave them and talked incessantly. Peredonov looked morosely at Sasha, who was timidly silent. "Nothing will come of this visit," thought Peredonov with annoyance. The maid-servant for some reason or other called out for Kokovkina. Sasha looked dejectedly after her. His eyes grew dull, they were covered by his eyelashes--and it seemed that these eyelashes, which were very long, threw a shadow on his smooth and suddenly pallid face. He felt uneasy in the presence of this morose man. Peredonov sat down beside him, put his arm awkwardly around him and without altering the immobile expression on his face asked: "Well, Sashenka, has the little girl said her prayers yet?" Sasha, shamefaced and frightened, looked at Peredonov and was silent. "Well? Eh?" asked Peredonov. "Yes," said Sasha at last. "What red cheeks you've got," said Peredonov. "Well--a--you are a little girl? Yes? A girl, you rogue!" "No, I'm not a girl," said Sasha, and suddenly angry at his own timidity, he asked in a shrill voice, "How am I like a girl? That's the fault of your students who try to tease me, because I don't say nasty words; I'm not used to saying them. Why should I say them?" "Will Mamma punish you?" asked Peredonov. "I have no mother," said Sasha. "My mother died long ago. I have only an aunt." "Well then, will Aunt punish you?" "Of course she'll punish me if I use nasty words. It isn't nice, is it?" "And how will your aunt know?" "I don't like it myself," said Sasha quietly. "And there are several ways Aunt may find out. I might give myself away." "And which of your companions say nasty words?" asked Peredonov. Sasha again blushed and was silent. "Well, go on," insisted Peredonov. "You've got to tell me. You mustn't conceal things." "No one says them," said Sasha in confusion. "But you yourself just complained." "I did not complain." "Why do you deny it?" said Peredonov angrily. Sasha felt himself caught in a detestable trap. He said: "I only explained to you why some of my companions tease me with being a girl. But I didn't want to tell tales about them." "So that's it. And why so?" asked Peredonov indignantly. "It isn't nice," said Sasha with an annoyed smile. "Well, I shall speak to the Head-Master and he'll make you tell," said Peredonov spitefully. Sasha looked at Peredonov with anger in his eyes. "No, please don't tell him, Ardalyon Borisitch," he entreated. And from the agitated tones of his voice it could be perceived that he tried to entreat but that he wanted to shout fierce, insulting words. "No, I'll tell. Then you'll see whether you can hide nasty things. You should have complained of them at once. But just wait, you'll get it." Sasha rose and in confusion he shifted his belt. Kokovkina entered.