“He is a riddle to everybody,” Tiet Nikonich answered with a smile. “He must have gone astray very early in life, but he has apparently good brains and considerable knowledge, and might have been a useful member of society.” Paulina Karpovna turned her head away, and dismissed Mark with the criticism, “No manners.” “Brains! You bought his brains for three hundred roubles. Has he repaid them?” asked Tatiana Markovna. “I did not remind him of his debt. But to me he is, for the matter of that, almost polite.” “That is to say he does not strike you, or shoot in your direction. Just imagine, Boris, that he nearly shot Niel Andreevich.” “His dogs tore my train,” complained Paulina Karpovna. “Did he never visit you unceremoniously at dinner again?” Tatiana Markovna asked Tiet Nikonich. “No, you don’t like me to receive him, so I refuse him admission. He once came to me at night,” he went on, addressing Raisky. “He had been out hunting, and had eaten nothing for twenty-four hours. I gave him food, and we passed the time very pleasantly.” “Pleasantly!” exclaimed Tatiana Markovna. “How can you say such things? If he came to me at that hour, I would settle him. No, Boris Pavlovich, live like other decent people. Stay with us, have dinner with us, go out with us, keep suspicious people at a distance, see how I administer your estate, and find fault if I do anything wrong.” “That is so monotonous, Grandmother. Let us rather live each one after his own ideas and inclinations.” “You are an exception,” sighed his aunt. “No, Grandmother, it is you who are an exceptional woman. Why should we bother about one another.” “To please your Grandmother.” “Why don’t you want to please your Grandson? You are a despot, Grandmother.” “A despot! Boris Pavlovich, I have waited anxiously for you, I have hardly slept, have tried to have everything as you liked it.” “But you did all that because activity is a pleasure to you. All this care and trouble is a pleasant stimulant, keeps you busy. If Markushka came to you, you would receive him in the same fashion.” “You are right, Cousin,” broke in Marfinka. “Grandmother is kindness itself, but she tries to disguise it.” “Don’t give your opinion when it is not asked. She contradicts her Grandmother only when you are here, Boris Pavlovich; at other times she is modest enough. And now the ideas she suddenly takes into her head. I? entertain Markushka!” “You did as you pleased,” continued Raisky. “And then when it entered my head too to do as I pleased, I disturbed your arrangements and made a breach in your despotism. Isn’t that so, Granny? And now kiss me, and we will give one another full liberty.” “What a strange boy? Do you hear, Tiet Nikonich, what nonsense he talks.”