Vasya sank into silence at once, and looked open-eyed at Arkady, as though his unexpected argument had settled all his doubts. He even smiled, but the same melancholy expression came back to his face at once. Arkady, taking this smile as a sign that all his uneasiness was over, and the look that succeeded it as an indication that he was determined to do better, was greatly relieved. "Well, brother Arkasha, you will wake up," said Vasya, "keep an eye on me; if I fall asleep it will be dreadful. I'll set to work now.... Arkasha?" "What?" "Oh, it's nothing, I only ... I meant...." Vasya settled himself, and said no more, Arkady got into bed. Neither of them said one word about their friends, the Artemyevs. Perhaps both of them felt that they had been a little to blame, and that they ought not to have gone for their jaunt when they did. Arkady soon fell asleep, still worried about Vasya. To his own surprise he woke up exactly at eight o'clock in the morning. Vasya was asleep in his chair with the pen in his hand, pale and exhausted; the candle had burnt out. Mavra was busy getting the samovar ready in the kitchen. "Vasya, Vasya!" Arkady cried in alarm, "when did you fall asleep?" Vasya opened his eyes and jumped up from his chair. "Oh!" he cried, "I must have fallen asleep...." He flew to the papers--everything was right; all were in order; there was not a blot of ink, nor spot of grease from the candle on them. "I think I must have fallen asleep about six o'clock," said Vasya. "How cold it is in the night! Let us have tea, and I will go on again...." "Do you feel better?" "Yes, yes, I'm all right, I'm all right now." "A happy New Year to you, brother Vasya." "And to you too, brother, the same to you, dear boy." They embraced each other. Vasya's chin was quivering and his eyes were moist. Arkady Ivanovitch was silent, he felt sad. They drank their tea hastily. "Arkady, I've made up my mind, I am going myself to Yulian Mastakovitch." "Why, he wouldn't notice----" "But my conscience feels ill at ease, brother." "But you know it's for his sake you are sitting here; it's for his sake you are wearing yourself out." "Enough!" "Do you know what, brother, I'll go round and see...." "Whom?" asked Vasya. "The Artemyevs. I'll take them your good wishes for the New Year as well as mine." "My dear fellow! Well, I'll stay here; and I see it's a good idea of yours; I shall be working here, I shan't waste my time. Wait one minute, I'll write a note." "Yes, do brother, do, there's plenty of time. I've still to wash and shave and to brush my best coat. Well, Vasya, we are going to be contented and happy. Embrace me, Vasya." "Ah, if only we may, brother...." "Does Mr. Shumkov live here?" they heard a child's voice on the stairs. "Yes, my dear, yes," said Mavra, showing the visitor in. "What's that? What is it?" cried Vasya, leaping up from the table and rushing to the entry, "Petinka, you?"