They were annoyed because they had not thought of it first and it would be awkward for the three of them to go. Liudmilla was dressed more elaborately than usual--she herself could not tell why. Apart from other considerations, she liked to dress up. She dressed more lightly than her sisters: her arms and her shoulders were a little more bared, her dress a little shorter, her shoes a little lighter, her stockings a little thinner, more transparent and of a flesh colour. At home she liked to go about in a petticoat, without stockings, but with shoes on her bared feet--moreover her petticoat and her chemise were very charmingly embroidered. The weather was cold, windy, and the fallen leaves floated on the speckled pools. Liudmilla walked quickly, and under her thin cloak she almost did not feel the cold. Kokovkina and Sasha were drinking tea. Liudmilla looked at them with searching eyes--they were sitting quietly, drinking tea, eating rolls and chatting. Liudmilla kissed Kokovkina and said: "I've come on business, dear Olga Vassilyevna, but that can wait--first warm me up with a little tea. But who is this young man here?" Sasha flushed and bowed uneasily. Kokovkina introduced them. Liudmilla sat down at the table and began to gossip in an animated way. The townspeople liked to see her because she could recount things prettily. Kokovkina, who was a stay-at-home, was openly glad to see her, and welcomed her heartily. Liudmilla chattered on merrily, laughed, and jumped up now and then to mimic someone and incidently to tease Sasha. She said to Kokovkina: "You must feel lonely, my dear, from sitting always at home with this grumpy little schoolboy. You might look in on us now and then." "But how can I?" answered Kokovkina. "I'm too old to go visiting." "Don't call it visiting," said Liudmilla. "Just come in when you like and make yourself at home. This infant needs no swaddling." Sasha assumed an injured expression and blushed. "What a stick-in-the-corner he is," said Liudmilla to annoy him, and nudged Sasha. "You ought to talk to your visitors." "He's still only a youngster," said Kokovkina. "He's very modest." "I'm modest too," said Liudmilla with a smile. Sasha laughed and said ingenuously: "Really, are you modest?" Liudmilla burst out laughing. Her laughter, as always, was delightfully gay. As she laughed, she flushed very much and her eyes became mischievous and guilty, and their glance attempted to dodge those of her companions. Sasha was flustered and tried eagerly to explain. "I didn't mean that--I wanted to say that you were very gay and not modest--and not that you were immodest." Then feeling what he had said was not as clear as it might be, he grew more confused and blushed. "What impertinence!" exclaimed Liudmilla laughing and flushing. "What a jewel he is!" "You've embarrassed my Sashenka," said Kokovkina, looking affectionately at both Liudmilla and Sasha.