“Lord, Lord,” he whispered, “why this is the truth! ... What a vile thing this really is! ... We, also, we had this happen: we had a chambermaid, Niusha...a chambermaid... they also called her signorita Anita...a pretty little girl...and my brother lived with her...my elder brother...an officer...and when he went away, she proved pregnant and mother drove her out...well, yes—drove her out...threw her out of the house, like a floor mop...Where is she now? And father...father...he also with a cham...chambermaid.” And the half-naked Jennka, this Jennka, the atheist, swearer, and brawler, suddenly got up from the bed, stood before the cadet, and slowly, almost solemnly, made the sign of the cross over him. “And may God preserve you my boy!” she said with an expression of deep tenderness and gratitude. And at once she ran to the door, opened it and called out: “Housekeeper!” “Tell you what, housekeeper dear,” Jennka directed, “go and find out, please, which one of them is free—Tamara or Little White Manka. And the one that’s free send here.” Kolya growled out something in the back, but Jennka purposely did not listen to him. “And please make it as quick as possible, housekeeper dear, won’t you be so kind?” “Right away, right away, miss.” “Why, why do you do this, Jennie?” asked Gladishev with anguish. “Well, what’s that for? ...Is it possible that you want to tell about it? ...” “Wait awhile, that’s not your business...Wait a while, I won’t do anything unpleasant for you.” After a minute Little White Manka came in her brown, smooth, deliberately modest dress of a high school girl. “What did you call me for, Jennie? Or have you quarreled?” “No, we haven’t quarreled, Mannechka, but my head aches very much,” answered Jennka calmly, “and for that reason my little friend finds me very cold. Be a friend, Mannechka, stay with him, take my place!” “That’s enough, Jennie, stop it, darling!” in a tone of sincere suffering retorted Kolya. “I understand everything, everything, it’s not necessary now ... Don’t be finishing me off, then! ...” “I don’t understand anything of what’s happened,” the frivolous Manka spread out her hands. “Maybe you’ll treat a poor little girl to something?” “Well, go on, go on!” Jennka sent her away gently. “I’ll come right away. We just played a joke.” Already dressed, they stood for long in the open door between the bedroom and the corridor; and without words sadly looked at each other. And Kolya did not understand, but sensed, that at this moment in his soul was taking place one of those tremendous crises which tell imperiously upon the entire life. Then he pressed Jennie’s hand hard and said: “Forgive! ... Will you forgive me, Jennie? Will you forgive? ...” “Yes, my boy! ... Yes, my fine one! ... Yes...yes...” She tenderly, softly, like a mother, stroked his closely cropped harsh head and gave him, a slight shove into the corridor. “Where are you bound now?” she sent after him, half opening her door.