,P>T #a 
,A ,GREAT ,LOVE 

,PEOPLE 3 

,AU?OR 3 ,ALEX&RA ,KOLLONTAI 

,TEXT 3 

,S\RCE3 ,A ,GREAT ,LOVE1 ,! ,VANGU>D ,PRESS1 ,NEW ,YORK1 #a#i#b#i2 
,TRANSLAT$3 ,LILY ,LORE2 
,FIR/ ,PUBLI%$3 #a#i#b#c2 
,ONL9E ,V]SION3 M>XI/S4ORG #b#a2 
,TRANSCRIPTION_/,M>KUP3 ,SALLY ,RYAN4 

,I 

,A,L,L ?IS HAPP5$ LONG1 LONG AGO1 AT A TIME :5 HUMANITY KNEW NO?+ ( ! HORRORS ( W>1 & ! MONUM5TAL *ANGES ( ! ,REVOLUTION /ILL LAY 9 ! DIM & DI/ANT FUTURE4 

 ,IT HAPP5$ 9 ?OSE YE>S :5 ,RUSSIA /ILL WRI!D 9 ! CLUT*ES ( D>KE/ REACTION1 9 ! DAYS ( ! ,CZ>2 ! ACTORS ( ?IS LITTLE DRAMA W]E 0EMIGRANTS10 M5 & WOM5 :O HAD BE5 EXIL$1 OR HAD FL$ FROM !IR MO!R C\NTRY BECAUSE ( POLITICAL ACTIVITY 9 BEHALF ( ! /RICK5 MASSES ( !IR NATIVE L&4 

 ,S9CE !N A NEW WORLD HAS DAWN$ 9 ,RUSSIA1 BUT !SE PITIFUL1 HUMAN TRAG$IES /ILL EXI/4 

 ,IT IS = US TO LE>N & TO TRY TO UND]/&4 

 ,SEV5 MON?S1 SEV5 LONG1 5DLESS MON?S HAD PASS$ S9CE LA/ %E HAD SE5 HIM4 ,:5 !Y HAD P>T$1 IT HAD BE5 ) ! FIRM DET]M9ATION NEV] TO MEET AGA94 

 ,HIS HEAD BURI$ 9 H] %\LD] & HIS EYES 
CLOS$ ) ! AGONY ( !IR SUFF]+1 HE HAD TOLD H] ( HIS DECISION4 ,HE NO LONG] HAD ! /R5G? TO C>RY ON ! /RUGGLE1 & TO BE> ! CON/ANT CONFLICTS !IR LOVE HAD BR\<T4 ,HIS FACE WAS SO ?91 %E ?\<T1 AS %E GAZ$ AT HIM1 ?9 & WORN ) C>E & SUFF]+1 YET PA!TICALLY *ILDLIKE & WEAK 9 ITS ABJECT HELPLESSNESS4 

 ,! DOCTORS HAD F\ND ?AT HIS WIFE WAS SUFF]+ FROM A S]I\S HE>T DISEASE & MU/ HAVE ABSOLUTE RE/ & FRE$OM FROM EXCITEM5T4 

 0,I %\LD FEEL LIKE A CRIM9AL1 NO1 LIKE AN EXECUTION]1 IF ,I CAUS$ H] ! SLI<TE/ UNEAS9ESS4 ,Y\ UND]/&1 ,NATAS*A1 ?AT ,I MU/ RELEASE H] FROM ?IS M>TYRDOM ( UNC]TA9TY1 TO GIVE H] EV]Y *ANCE TO RECOV]8 4444 ,I CAN'T C>RY ON ?IS DECEPTION ANY LONG]4 ,!N !RE >E ! *ILDR54 ,SAS*A'S %>P LITTLE EYES >E BEG9N+ TO SUSPECT444 ! *ILDR5 MU/ FEEL ?AT ,I BELONG TO !M UN/9T+LY1 ) ALL MY HE>T & S\L40 

 0,BUT IS ?AT POSSIBLE1 ,SS5JA8 ,CAN Y\ RETURN TO Y\R FAMILY AFT] ALL ?AT HAS HAPP5$ BETWE5 US8 ,WILL Y\ BE ABLE TO =GET H[ NE>1 H[ DE> WE HAVE BE5 TO EA* O!R8 ,:]E ELSE WILL Y\ F9D ?AT COMPLETE1 WORDLESS UND]/&+ ?AT 
HAS B\ND US TOGE!R8 ,WON'T Y\ BE LONELY )\T ME80 

 ,!RE WAS NOT A ?\<T ( H]SELF 9 H] ANXI\S REMON/RANCES - ONLY ( HIM1 & ( ! LIFE ?AT LAY BE=E HIM4 

 0,:AT ELSE IS !RE TO DO8 ,I HAVE NO *OICE6 ,WILL ,I BE LONELY1 ,NATAS*A8 ,MY HE>T WILL BE COLD & MIS]ABLE - OH1 MORE ?AN ,I CAN TELL Y\40 ,HE DREW H] CLOSE 9TO HIS >MS & CLOS$ HIS EYES 9 SIL5CE4 0,NATAS*A1 ,I SEE NO O!R WAY40 ,AS IF TO DRIVE AWAY ! TR\BL$ ?\<TS1 HIS LIPS S\<T H]S ) A MAN'S SE>*+1 COAX+ KISSES1 & H] HE>T RESPOND$ 9 ANXI\S1 TR\BL$ WILL+NESS4 

 ,IT DID NOT OCCUR TO H] TO RESI/ HIS PLEAD+ C>ESSES1 AL?\< UNCONSCI\SLY %E WAS DI/URB$1 AYE1 ALMO/ (F5D$ BY !M4 

 ,ON A DRE>Y1 RA9Y DAY !Y HAD P>T$4 ,%E HAD DECID$ TO LEAVE ON AN E>LY TRA9 & HAD ALREADY RIS5 FROM ! B$ ON :I* HE /ILL LAY CALMLY ASLEEP4 ,%E GLANC$ AT HIM OCCASIONALLY AS %E AUTOMATICALLY DRESS$ & PACK$ H] BELONG+S1 & H] S\L WAS FROZ5 & NUMB ) BITT]NESS4 

 0,ALREADY80 HE ASK$ 9 A/ONI%M5T1 :5 %E CAME1 9 HAT & COAT1 TO BID HIM GOOD-BYE4 

 ,%E SAT D[N ON ! B$ BESIDE HIM & S(TLY /ROK$ HIS =EHEAD1 AS A MO!R FONDLES H] *ILD :5 IT IS ILL4 

 0,:Y ?IS HURRY TO GET AWAY8 ,MU/ Y\ GO ?IS MORN+8 ,COME1 /AY TILL ?IS EV5+1 & SEE ME (F4 ,Y\ CAN TAKE ! NI<T TRA940 

 ,IT WAS ! :IM ( A MAN SPOIL$ BY ! SELF-EFFAC+ ADORATION & RIVALRY ( TWO LOV+ WOM54 

 ,AT ANY O!R TIME1 %E REFLECT$1 %E W\LD HAVE RESPOND$ TO ?IS PLEA = ANO!R H\R ( H] PRES5CE1 = A S+LE H\R ( H] TIME1 ) IMPASSION$ GRATITUDE4 ,SOMEH[1 9 ?IS GRIM H\R ( LEAVE-TAK+1 H[EV]1 HIS REQUE/ /RUCK H] AS UNFAIR4 

 0,Y\ KN[ :Y ,I MU/ TAKE ! MORN+ TRA94 ,IF ,I WAIT UNTIL ?IS EV5+1 ,I %ALL BE LATE = ! P>TY MEET+ TO-MORR[40 

 0,& :AT IF Y\ >E8 ,W\LD ?AT BE SU* A GREAT MIS=TUNE8 ,!Y WILL MANAGE )\T Y\40  

,HE DREW H] D[N TO ! B$ & KISS$ H]1 BUT %E REFUS$ TO RESPOND TO HIS BL&I%M5TS4 ,A ?RU/1 LIKE ?AT ( A LONG1 F9E NE$LE1 HAD P5ETRAT$ H] HE>T4 ,W\LD HE NEV] REALIZE H[ CRUELLY SU* ?\<TLESS REM>KS C\LD HURT8 ,H[ 
WAS IT POSSIBLE = A COMRADE TO SPEAK SO SLI<T+LY ( H] WORK = !IR COMMON CAUSE1 :5 HE MU/ FEEL ?AT IT1 ALONE1 W\LD GIVE H] ! /R5G? TO 5DURE ?IS LA/1 IRREVOCABLE BREAK1 ?IS F9AL P>T+8 

 ,AS %E SAT 9 ! TRA9 ?AT WAS BE>+ H] AWAY FROM HIM =EV]1 LOOK+ \T ( ! W9D[ ?R\< A F9E NET-WORK ( RA9 9TO ! UNFAMILI> L&SCAPE ( A /RANGE C\NTRY1 %E /ILL WRI!D UND] ! RE/LESS1 DEPRESS+ HURT 9 H] HE>T4 ,HIS UNK9D WORDS & ! (F-H& GE/URE ) :I* HE HAD DISMISS$ H] WORK OV]%AD[$ ! ANGUI% ( ?IS LA/1 DECISIVE P>T+4 

 ,SO ?IS WAS ! IMPORTANCE HE ATTA*$ TO H] WORK = ! CAUSE8 0,!Y W\LD GET ALONG )\T H]60 ,! ?\<T P]SI/$1 & W\LD NOT BE %AK5 (F4 ,NOT UNTIL EV5+1 :5 ! %AD[S FELL & ! COMP>TM5T EMPTI$1 AS ! TRAVEL]S1 ONE BY ONE1 >RIV$ AT !IR V>I\S DE/9ATIONS1 DID %E BEG9 TO FEEL ! MIS]Y ( !IR P>T+4 ,%E SOBB$ BITT]LY AT ! ?\<T ?AT %E W\LD NEV] SEE HIS T5D]1 ?\<TFUL1 9TELLIG5T EYES AGA91 & M\RN$ = HIS SMILE1 HIS G5TLE SMILE ?AT SAT SO /RANGELY ON ! FACE ( ?IS SELF-CONFID5T1 UNIV]SALLY ADMIR$ MAN4 

 ,9 P>T+ !Y HAD PROMIS$ NOT TO WRITE1 & TO MAKE NO ATTEMPT TO SEE EA* O!R AGA94 

 0,ONLY REMEMB] ?AT ,I AM 9 ! WORLD SOME:]E10 %E HAD TRI$ TO CONSOLE HIM4 0,IF EV] Y\ %\LD NE$ ME4 44 40 ,%E HAD NOT BE5 ABLE TO F9I% ! S5T5CE1 BUT HIS DEEPLY GRATEFUL LOOK TOLD H] ?AT HE UND]/OOD4 

 ,AT ! TIME IT HAD ALL SEEM$ SO CLE> 9 ITS 9EVITABILITY4 ,N[ %E C\LD NOT BELIEVE ?AT IT WAS TRUE1 AS ONE CANNOT GRASP ! DEA? ( A BELOV$ P]SON UNTIL LONG AFT] HE IS GONE4 

 ,IT WAS NOT ! FIR/ TIME ?AT !Y HAD DECID$ TO P>T4 ,BUT ALWAYS AFT] TWO OR ?REE WEEKS ( SIL5CE1 A TELEGRAM OR A LETT] FILL$ ) WILD LONG+1 SELF-REPROA* & URG5T PLEAD+ HAD CALL$ H] BACK TO HIS SIDE4 

 ,HE NE$$ H]1 HE MISS$ ! H\RS ( FRUITFUL DISCUSSION ) H] ?AT HELP$ HIM TO CLE> UP HIS [N IDEAS & TO PLAN HIS WORK4 

 ,MORE ?AN ONCE1 AFT] SU* A P>T+1 %E HAD RECEIV$ A LETT] ?AT PLUNG$1 )\T EV5 ! =MALITY ( AN 9TRODUCTORY SALUTATION1 9TO SOME DIFFICULTY ?AT HIS TASK PRES5T$ - A CONT9UATION1 AS IT W]E1 ( SOME PREVI\SLY CONSID]$ MATT]4 ,SU* LETT]S 9V>IABLY CLOS$ ) A P]SUASIVE 
PLEA = A NEW R5DEZV\S4 ,H[ MU* ( ! ROMANCE ( !IR LOVE LAY 9 ?IS ASSURANCE ?AT %E WAS ESS5TIAL = HIS WORK6 

 ,?IS TIME1 DAY HAD FOLL[$ DAY1 MON? FOLL[$ MON?1 )\T A L9E1 )\T A MESSAGE FROM HIM4 

 ,%E PLUNG$ 9TO H] ACTIVITIES ) REBELLI\S P]T9ACITY1 TRY+ TO OV]COME ! 9DIFF]5CE ?AT REFUS$ TO BE %AK5 (F4 ,BIT BY BIT1 AS H] WORK ?REW H] TOGE!R ) O!RS SIMIL>LY 5GAG$1 :O LIV$ = ! SAME PROBLEMS & RESPOND$ TO ! SAME 9T]E/S1 H] DROOP+ SPIRITS REVIV$4 ,DAYS CAME & W5T 9 :I*1 %E DISCOV]$ ) AMAZEM5T1 %E DID NOT ONCE ?9K ( HIM1 NOR DID %E KN[ :E!R OR NOT TO REGRET ?AT ?IS WAS SO4 ,ONLY LATE 9 ! EV5+ :5 %E OP5$ ! DOOR TO H] ROOM1 ! LONELY ROOM ( AN 0UNATTA*$0 WOMAN1 AFT] AN EXHAU/+ DAY ( 9T5SE APPLICATION1 ! OLD1 WELL-KN[N NO/ALGIA W\LD TAKE POSSESSION ( H]4 

 ,SOMETIMES1 9 SPITE ( PHYSICAL EXHAU/ION1 %E W\LD WRITE TO HIM1 LONG1 ?ROBB+ LETT]S ?AT REFLECT$ ! WE>Y BODY & ! LONESOME1 =SAK5 S\L ?AT CALL$ TO HIM = COM=T4 444 0,SS5JETS*KA1 ,SS5JETS*KA6 ,Y\ MU/ FEEL H[ T]RIBLY 
ALONE ,I AM6 ,:Y DID Y\ LEAVE ME8 ,IT IS SO DI%E>T5+ TO BE SO =SAK54 ,SURELY Y\ MI<T HAVE REMA9$ MY FRI5D & COMRADE4 ,I W\LD GLADLY HAVE GIV5 ,ANJUTA ALL Y\R SOLICITUDE1 ALL Y\R T5D]NESS & Y\R C>ESSES = A LITTLE W>M?1 = A LITTLE HUMAN1 FRI5DLY W>M?44440  

,!Y W]E NEV] S5T TO HIM1 !SE LETT]S1 BUT IT EAS$ H] HE>T1 & GAVE H] RELIEF TO P\R \T H] WOES TO HIM4 ,:ILE %E WROTE %E FELT SO CONV9C+LY ?AT ONLY \TW>D1 TANGIBLE CONSID]ATIONS HAD COME BETWE5 !M1 ?AT %E W\LD F9D W>M? & UND]/&+ 9 HIS NE>NESS IF HE W]E NOT SO F> AWAY1 IF HE BUT LIV$ H]E 9 ! SAME CITY ) H]1 :]E !Y C\LD MEET AS COMRADES & FRI5DS4 

 ,AT SU* TIMES ,NATAS*A =GOT ! RE/LESSNESS ?AT TR\BL$ H] :5 %E WAS ) HIM1 =GOT ?AT TR\BLE & LONESOM5ESS NO LONG] VANI%$ 9 HIS PRES5CE1 ?AT %E W\LD ALWAYS HAVE TO /& ALONE1 FACE TO FACE ) LIFE1 ?AT %E W\LD ALWAYS HAVE TO BE /RONG = BO? ( !M1 TO BE> !IR COMMON BURD5S4 ,%E =GOT ?AT ! DAYS %E SP5T ) HIM DEM&$ R$\BL$ 5]GY1 ?AT %E ALWAYS LEFT HIM WE>Y1 EXHAU/$1 & GLAD TO 
BE ABLE TO RETURN1 UNHAMP]$1 TO ! WORK %E LOV$4 

 ,/RANGE H[ !SE *ILL H\RS ( LONEL9ESS DREW A ROSY CURTA9 OV] ! FRU/RATIONS ( ! PA/6 

 0,I FEEL AS IF ,I W]E A WID[10 %E WROTE 9 ONE ( !SE PR(ITLESS LETT]S4 0,I W&] ?R\< ! SPOTS WE VISIT$ TOGE!R1 :]E WE WORK$ & ?\<T & FELT AS ONE4 ,WE W]E ONE1 ONE 9 ?\<T & ONE 9 S\L1 W]E WE NOT1 MY DE>E/1 9 ?OSE DAYS ?AT WILL NEV] RETURN8 444 ,IT WAS ?IS SPIRITUAL NE>NESS ?AT SET FIRE TO \R HE>TS & 9FLAM$ \R PASSION4444 ,MORE ?AN ONCE ,I HAVE BE5 READY TO CURSE ?IS UNHOLY LOVE ?AT HAS *A/5$ ! GLORI\S1 GL[+1 LI<T-W+$ HAPP9ESS ?AT ?IS FRI5D%IP GAVE US4 ,HAD WE REMA9$ FRI5DS 9/EAD ( BECOM+ LOV]S1 ,SS5JA1 Y\ W\LD NOT HAVE HAD TO LEAVE ME40 ,BUT !RE W]E O!R H\RS TOO1 H\RS ( DISMAL DISILLUSIONM5T1 :5 H] FAI? 9 !IR ON5ESS ( M9D & SPIRIT TOTT]$ BE=E ! LIMITATIONS ( ACTUALITY4 ,MEMORY RECALL$ SLI<T+ DISREG>D & CRUEL ?\<TLESSNESS UNTIL IT W\LD SEEM AS IF !IR FRI5D%IP1 TOO1 HAD BE5 A DELUSION4 

 0,DID HE EV] REALLY LOVE ME1 LOVE ME1 AS ,I UND]/& LOVE80 ,NATAS*A W\LD ASK H]SELF DISMALLY 9 !SE WRET*$ H\RS ( SELF-ANALYSIS4 0,IF HE REALLY LOV$ ME1 C\LD HE HAVE TORN ME \T ( HIS HE>T1 CA/ ME1 HOMELESS1 \T ( HIS S\L1 
SO LI<TLY8 444 ,IS IT POSSIBLE ?AT HE DOES NOT FEEL H[ ,I AM SUFF]+8 ,WAS !RE NO NE>NESS1 NO UND]/&+ BETWE5 US 4444 A FIGM5T ( MY IMAG9ATION1 AN >TIFICIAL PRODUCT ( MY [N DESIRES8 444,H[ MU* 5]GY & /R5G?1 H[ MU* PRECI\S TIME ?IS DREAM HAS DEV\R$60 %E W\LD REFLECT ANGRILY1 :5 %E RECALL$ H[ H] WORK1 H[ ! CAUSE ITSELF HAD SUFF]$ BECAUSE %E HAD HELD H]SELF FREE = HIM1 TURN+ OV] WORK & RESPONSIBILITIES TO O!RS1 MISS+ IMPORTANT MEET+S & COM+ LATE TO O!RS SO ?AT %E MI<T BE AT HIS SIDE4 ,H] REPUTATION AS A FAI?FUL1 CONSCI5TI\S WORK] HAD SUFF]$ IRREP>ABLE H>M BECAUSE ( ?IS4 

 ,DEEP D[N 9 H] HE>T %E UPBRAID$ HIM = ! PRICE ?IS LOVE ( !IRS EXACT$4 ,9 !SE LONG H\RS ( SELF-COMMUNION %E TOLD HIM ! FULL1 UNV>NI%$ TRU? ( H] FEEL+ T[>D HIM1 ( ! BITT]NESS ?AT HAD COLLECT$ & HAD BE5 SUPPRESS$ ?R\< ALL !SE YE>S 9 H] W\ND$1 LAC]AT$ HE>T4 
,I,I 

,HIS PHOTOGRAPH1 AN OLD ONE ?AT HE HAD GIV5 H] 
 9 ! E>LY /AGE ( !IR ACQUA9TANCE1 SOON AFT] %E HAD MET HIM AT A LIT]>Y GA!R+1 /OOD AMONG BOOKS1 PILES ( PAP] & MANUSCRIPTS ?AT W]E EV]Y:]E 9 H] ROOM4 

 ,%E (T5 SMIL$ :5 %E RECALL$ !IR FIR/ MEET+4 ,FAMILI> ?\< %E WAS ) HIS NAME & WORK - %E HAD WRITT5 A NUMB] ( PAMPHLETS POPUL>IZ+ HIS !ORIES & WAS G5]ALLY REG>D$ AS ONE ( HIS FOLL[]S - %E HAD NEV] MADE HIS ACQUA9TANCE4 

 0,DO Y\ KN[ :O IS H]E ?IS EV5+10 ! MAN :O WAS H] CLOSE FRI5D AT ?AT TIME HAD ASK$ H]4 0,Y\R MU* ADMIR$ ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS*40 

 0,HONE/LY8 ,%[ HIM TO ME1 PLEASE4 ,:]E IS HE8 ,OH1 ,I MU/ SEE HIM60 ,%E WAS RADIANT AT ! PROSPECT ( MEET+ HIM1 & LOOK$ LIKE A LITTLE GIRL 9 H] EAG]NESS4 

 0,HURRY6 ,HURRY6 ,:]E IS HE80 

 0,CALM Y\RSELF6 ,Y\ WILL PROBABLY BE DISAPPO9T$40 ,H] FRI5D WAS OBVI\SLY DISPLEAS$ ) H] EXCITEM5T4 0,I %\LD CALL HIM A COLORLESS SORT ( P]SON1 MYSELF4 ,AS A MAN 44 40 

 0,:AT DOES ?AT MATT]8 ,AM ,I 9T]E/$ 9 ! MAN80 

 ,%E %RUGG$ H] %\LD]S IMPATI5TLY4 0,SOMETIMES Y\ >E V]Y /UPID40 

 0,IF Y\ WI% IT1 ( C\RSE ,I %ALL BR+ HIM TO Y\40 ,H] FRI5D DEP>T$ :ILE ,NATAS*A WAIT$1 SMIL+ ) PLEASURE & CURIOSITY AT ! PROSPECT ( KN[+ 9 P]SON ?IS MAN :OSE ?\<TS HAD BE5 SO CLOSE TO H]S4 ,%E SAW ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* /RUGGLE AGA9/ H] FRI5D'S ATTEMPTS TO BR+ HIM TO H]1 & WAS HI<LY AMUS$ :5 ! LATT] F9ALLY TOOK HIS UNWILL+ VICTIM BY ! >M & DRAGG$ HIM BODILY T[>D H]4 

 0,HE IS BA%FUL10 %E EXCUS$ HIM 9 H] ?\<TS4 ,EV] AFT]W>DS %E HAD LOOK$ ON ?IS ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* AS A V]Y EXCEPTIONAL SORT ( P]SON1 ) AWKW>D1 BUT PA!TICALLY APPEAL+ MANN]S4 

 ,%E MET HIM FREQU5TLY AFT] ?AT1 & EA* NEW MEET+ WAS SUFFUS$ ) ! FRAGRANCE ( AN UNCONSCI\S1 SPR+-LIKE HAPP9ESS4 

 ,%E HAD KN[N NO LONESOM5ESS 9 ?AT FIR/ YE> ( !IR ACQUA9TANCE4 ,C\RAGE\S1 /RONG & CONFID5T 9 H] P[] TO SURM\NT EV]Y OB/ACLE 9 H] PA?4 444 ,!RE HAD BE5 C>ES1 UNPLEASANTNESS1 EV5 UNHAPP9ESS1 BUT IT WAS ALL BEAUTIFI$1 S(T5$ & R>IFI$ BY A RADIANT EXULTATION4 444 ,H9DRANCES8 444 ,NO?+ C\LD DAUNT H]4 ,! WAY ( H] LIFE LAY ALONG A BOLD1 PRECIPIT\S PA? :OSE EV]Y W9D+ 5TIC$ H] HOPEFULLY ONW>D  - HI<] - HI<]4 444 

 0,H[ CAN Y\ LIVE ALONE LIKE ?IS10 FRI5DS (T5 ASK$ WOND]+LY1 ! WOM5 P>TICUL>LY4 0,)\T A FAMILY1 )\T A S\L ?AT BELONGS TO Y\80 

 ,%E HAD BROK5 (F ALL RELATIONS ) H] FRI5DS ) AN ABRUPTNESS ?AT WAS =EIGN TO H] USUAL CONSID]ATE NATURE4 

 0,ISN'T IT DEPRESS+ TO LIVE LIKE ?IS8 ,I %\LD BECOME MELAN*OLY40 

 ,%E LAU<$ M]RILY 9 ANSW]4 ,NO1 QUITE ! CONTR>Y4 ,IT WAS GREAT TO BE ALONE AGA91 FREE TO COME & GO AS ONE PLEAS$4 ,%E WAS HAPPY BECAUSE H] W+S W]E NOT B\ND BY DI/RACT+ 15C\NT]S1 TRULY GLAD TO BE A S+LE WOMAN AGA94 ,%E HAD H] WORK & NE$$ NO?+ ELSE4 ,LIFE 
WAS SO DELI<TFUL1 SO EXQUISITELY1 CAPTIVAT+LY DELI<TFUL6 

 ,ALONE8 ,HAD %E NOT H] FRI5DS1 :O W]E CLOSE TO H] HE>T8 0,:5 %E SPOKE ( FRI5DS1 H[EV]1 %E ALWAYS ?\<T ( HIM1 ( HIM & ( HIS WIFE & *ILDR54 ,%E LOV$ !M ALL BECAUSE !Y W]E A P>T ( HIM1 & ACCEPT$ ,ANJUTA'S PRON\NC$ FEM99ITY & H] LACK ( COMPREH5SION = ! /&>DS BY :I* %E1 ! UNM>RI$ WOMAN1 DIRECT$ H] LIFE1 AL?\< %E WAS OCCASIONALLY %OCK$ BY H] PETIT-B\RGEOIS \TLOOK4 ,H[EV]1 ,ANJUTA WAS SIMPLE & GOOD1 &1 ABOVE ALL1 FRANK & HONE/4 ,!RE WAS NO ROOM = PREV>ICATION 9 H] S*EME ( ?+S4 ,H] TONGUE SPOKE :AT H] M9D ?\<T1 & %E ADOR$ H] HUSB& ) AN ALMO/ RELIGI\S DEVOTION1 A DEVOTION ,NATAS*A UND]/OOD & %>$4 ,H[ C\LD ONE HELP BUT LOVE HIM1 ?IS SPL5DID1 FE>LESS1 HONE/ ?9K]6 

 ,AT TIMES1 IT IS TRUE1 ,ANJUTA'S HABIT ( DISPLAY+ H] M>ITAL FELICITY BE=E ,NATAS*A1 TO TEASE H] ) H] BA*ELORDOM1 BECAME SLI<TLY EXASP]AT+4 

 0,I CAN'T HELP BUT PITY Y\1 MY DE>4 ,:AT IS A WOMAN'S LIFE )\T A MAN8 ,IT LACKS ! NATURAL PIVOT AB\T :I* A WOMAN'S LIFE %\LD TURN4 ,OH1 YES1 ,I KN[1 NOT EV]YONE IS =TUNATE 5\< TO HAVE A HUSB& LIKE ,SS5JA4 ,SOME M>RIAGES >E ANY?+ BUT HAPPY4 ,BUT TO A WOMAN :O LIVES AS ,I DO1 9 A SORT ( P]PETUAL HONEYMOON AFT] TWELVE YE>S ( M>RIAGE1 ! LOT ( A WOMAN LIKE Y\RSELF1 :OM NO ONE NE$S = HIS HAPP9ESS1 SEEMS EMPTY 9DE$4444 ,IMAG9E IT4444 ,SS5JA IS /ILL SO RIDICUL\SLY 9 LOVE ) ME444 JU/ TO %[ Y\4 444 ,I KN[ ,I %\LDN'T BE TELL+ ?IS TO ANO!R1 BUT Y\ >E \R FRI5D4440 & %E 
W\LD RELATE SOME 9TIMATE DETAIL ( H] LIFE ) ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* TO %[ ,NATAS*A H[ DEEPLY HE WAS /ILL 9 LOVE ) H]4 

 ,NATAS*A1 :O WAS ALWAYS UNPLEASANTLY AFFECT$ BY !SE 9DISCREET 9TIMACIES1 W\LD 9T]RUPT !M ) A PECULI> FEEL+ ( RES5TM5T NOT ONLY T[>D ,ANJUTA1 BUT T[>D ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* AS WELL4 ,SOMEH[ !SE PICTURES ( ! LEGITIMATE HUSB& SEEM$ TO OBSCURE ! BELOV$ FACE ( ! FRI5D & ?9K] FROM H] VISION4 ,= DAYS AFT] ,ANJUTA TOLD A /ORY ( ?IS SORT %E W\LD AVOID HIM UNTIL ! IMPRESSION IT CREAT$ WAS GRADUALLY WIP$ \T4 

 ,OCCASIONALLY IT SEEM$ TO H] AS IF ,ANJUTA W]E TELL+ H] !SE CLOY+ 9TIMACIES ) A V]Y 
DEF9ITE PURPOSE1 P]HAPS EV5 ADD+ PICTURESQUE DETAILS ( H] [N 9V5TION TO TORM5T ,NATAS*A4 ,BUT !SE W]E P9-PRICKS1 AFT] ALL4 ,!Y DISAPPE>$ & W]E =GOTT5 9 ! AIRY HAPP9ESS ( 
!IR GR[+ 9TIMACY :I* GAVE W+S TO H] WORK & C\RAGE TO FI<T = H] PLACE 9 LIFE1 :ILE IT ILLUM9AT$ ! SOLITUDE ( H] LITTLE BA*ELOR ROOM4 

 ,UNTIL !RE CAME ?IS SUDD51 UNEXPECT$ \TBUR/ ( PASSION4444 ,HAD IT1 AFT] ALL1 BE5 SO SUDD58 ,LOOK+ BACK1 ,NATAS*A C\LD SEE ?AT IT HAD G]M9AT$ & GR[N 9 !IR HE>TS LONG BE=E %E BECAME AW>E ( ITS EXI/5CE4 ,%E1 ) ALL H] CONSUMMATE FAI? 9 H] KN[L$GE ( LIFE1 :O HAD SO (T5 LAU<+LY MA9TA9$ ?AT %E W\LD NEV] BE CAU<T 9 ! ME%ES ( A ROMANTIC LOVE-AFFAIR AGA91 HAD LO/ H] HEAD4 ,:AT DID IT MATT] ?AT ,NATAS*A HAD SWORN NEV] TO LOVE AGA91 ?AT %E HAD %UNN$ ITS A*ES & W\NDS1 ?IS /RUGGLE & ?IS FAILURE ( TWO PEOPLE TO UND]/& EA* O!R2 :AT MATT]$ H] PROTE/ATIONS ?AT %E WANT$ ONLY ! FRI5D%IP & UND]/&+ ?AT CAME FROM COMMON WORK & RESPONSIBILITIES8 

,LIFE HAD DECID$ DIFF]5TLY4 

  ,I,I,I  

,!,Y W]E TRAVEL+ TOGE!R 9 A CR[D$ ?IRD CLASS RAILROAD COMP>TM5T TO A P>TY CONF]5CE 9 ANO!R CITY4 ,HIS WIFE :O HAD BE5 P>TICUL>LY LOA! TO LET HIM GO1 HAD F\ND C\NTLESS EXCUSES TO KEEP HIM AT HOME4 

 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* WAS /ILL UNDECID$ :5 ,NATAS*A HAD GONE TO !IR HOME ON ! EV5+ BE=E TO ASC]TA9 HIS 9T5TIONS4 

 0,AS A MATT] ( FACT1 IT IS POSITIVELY 9EXCUSABLE ON MY P>T TO SO MU* AS ?9K ( /AY+ AWAY4 ,IF ,I /AY AWAY1 !Y .<! OPPOS+ P>TY FACTION.> WILL TAKE ADVANTAGE ( MY ABS5CE & \R MOTION WILL BE DEFEAT$4444 ,/ILL4444 ,IT LOOKS AS IF ,I %\LD NOT BE ABLE TO GO4 ,WITJUS*A IS ILL & ,ANJUTA CAN H>DLY /& ON H] FEET1 %E IS SO WORN \T ) ! /RA94 ,I CAN'T SQU>E IT ) MY CONSCI5CE TO LEAVE H] H]E ALONE4 ,H[EV] 444 SUPPOSE Y\ DROP 9 TO-MORR[ MORN+ ON Y\R WAY TO ! /ATION4444 ,P]HAPS44440 

 ,H] WAY TO ! /ATION LAY 9 AN 5TIRELY DIFF]5T DIRECTION1 TO BE SURE1 BUT ,NATAS*A CAME4 

 ,%E WAS RECEIV$ BY HIS WIFE'S DISGRUNTL$ FACE4 ,! SELF-CONSCI\S EXPRESSION ON HIS FEATURES BETRAY$ ! ALT]CATION ?AT MU/ HAVE GONE BE=E4 

 ,HE HAD DECID$ NOT TO GO1 HE TOLD H]4 ,YET 9 ! SAME BREA? HE PROV$ TO H]1 ONCE MORE1 H[ ESS5TIAL IT WAS ?AT HE BE PRES5T AT ! CONF]5CE4 

 0,MY ABS5CE WILL HAVE F>-REA*+ CONSEQU5CES1 Y\ WILL SEE4 ,I KN[ EV5 N[ ?AT \R MOTION WILL BE DEFEAT$4444 ,/ILL444 ON ! O!R H& 444 ,WITJA IS /ILL FEV]I% & ,ANJUTA FEELS ILL441 IT IS REALLY MO/ UN=TUNATE JU/ N[1 DUR+ ?IS REALLY IMPORTANT CONF]5CE44440 

 0,I AM SURE WE WILL MANAGE QUITE NICELY10 %E REASSUR$ HIM4 0,WE WILL DO EV]Y?+ 9 \R P[] TO C>RY \T Y\R WI%ES1 Y\ MAY RE/ ASSUR$40 ,NOT = AN 9/ANT HAD %E GUESS$ ! REAL REASON = HIS ANXIETY TO GO ) H]4 

 ,%E HURRI$ TO ! /ATION1 NOT AT ALL DISPLEAS$ AT ! PROSPECT ( A FEW H\RS = UNDI/URB$ REFLECTION 9 :I* %E C\LD DECIDE ON ! DETAILS ( ! MOTION %E WAS TO PRES5T1 & LAY \T A PLAN ( ACTION TO SECURE ITS ADOPTION4 

,MID-W9T] FRO/ WAS 9 ! AIR4 ,NATAS*A WALK$ BRISKLY UP & D[N ! *ILLY /ATION PLAT=M1 H] H&S ?RU/ DEEP 9TO H] MUFF1 H] M9D ALREADY BUSILY 5GAG$ ) ! WORK BE=E H]4 ,%E WAS T5SE BUT SELF-CONFID5T2 H] SPIRITS ?RILL$ ) ! JOY ( APPROA*+ BATTLE4 ,%E W\LD FI<T = 
!IR MOTION TO ! BITT] F9I%1 TO BR+ BACK ! GLAD TID+S4444 

 0,NATALJA ,ALEX&R[NA6 ,NATALJA ,ALEX&R[NA60 

 ,NATAS*A TURN$ QUICKLY4  

0,H]E ,I AM1 AFT] ALL40 

 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* /OOD BE=E H]1 PANT+ HEAVILY1 ) A :IMSICAL GLEAM ( TRIUMPH 9 HIS EYES4 

 0,I TORE MYSELF AWAY1 AFT] ALL 444 ,I WAS ACTUALLY CRUEL4 444 ,I'M SORRY = ,ANJUTA1 BUT 44 40 ,HE TOOK H] >M FAMILI>LY :ILE ,NATAS*A LOOK$ 9 WOND]M5T AT ! /RANGE EXPRESSION ( CRAFTY EXULTATION ?AT P]SI/$ ON HIS FACE4 

 ,! RAILWAY COMP>TM5T WAS ALREADY OV]CR[D$1 & !Y W]E =C$ TO SIT V]Y CLOSE TO EA* O!R4 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* CONT9U$ TO GAZE AT ,NATAS*A ) EYES ?AT = ! FIR/ TIME BETRAY$ ! MAN BEH9D ! GOLD-RIMM$ GLASSES4 

 ,NATAS*A WAS DISCONC]T$1 & IT ADD$ TO H] CONFUSION TO NOTICE ?AT HIS H& TREMBL$ :5 HE T\*$ H]4 ,HIS AGITATION HAD ALREADY 9FECT$ H] CALMNESS ) ITS 9T5SITY4 ,EYES1 SEEK+ & PRECIPIT\SLY AVOID+ EA* O!R1 SPOKE !IR [N LANGUAGE AS ! SWEET1 DELIRI\S CURR5T1 TORM5T+ & 5TIC+ ALIKE1 B\ND H] MORE & MORE CLOSELY TO ! MAN :O SAT BESIDE H]4 

 ,AT ONE ( ! LONG] /OPS !Y LEFT ! C> = A BREA? ( AIR4 ,!Y BREA!D ITS KE51 W9TRY FRE%NESS ) A SI< ( RELIEF BECAUSE !Y HAD ESCAP$ FROM ?IS BEAUTIFUL BUT DI/URB+ DREAM4 ,! SMOKE-D>K5$ CITY WAS F> AWAY4 

 ,!Y SPOKE ( 9DIFF]5T1 TRIVIAL MATT]S1 & ! OPPRESSIVE T5SION GRADUALLY VANI%$4 ,NEI!R FELT ! DESIRE TO RETURN TO ! CR[D$ TRA94 

 ,BUT1 BACK 9 ! COMP>TM5T ONCE MORE1 ! MIS*IEV\S BOY ) HIS >R[ AGA9 BEGAN TO EX]CISE HIS MAGIC4 ,! SULTRY ATMOSPH]E & ! 5=C$ NE>NESS ( !IR BODIES EVOK$ AN IRRESI/IBLE *>M4 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* S\<T ,NATAS*A'S H& & %E DID NOT )DRAW IT4 

 ,HESITAT+LY HE BEGAN TO SPEAK ( HIS LIFE AT HOME1 ( HIS WIFE'S SUFF]+ & ILL-HEAL?1 & ( H] 9ORD9ATE JEAL\SY4 ,BUT AL?\< HE SPOKE ( 
,ANJUTA1 !Y BO? UND]/OOD ?AT IT WAS ( HIS LOVE = H]1 = ,NATAS*A1 ?AT HE WAS TELL+4 ,HE HAD ALWAYS PITI$ ,ANJUTA MORE ?AN HE LOV$ H]2 9 FACT HE HAD M>RI$ H] BECAUSE HE FELT SORRY = H]4 ,%E HAD NEV] UND]/OOD HIM4 ,HE HAD LIV$ BESIDE H] LIKE A /RANG]1 LOCK$ UP )9 HIMSELF1 ALONE ) HIS ?\<TS & HIS ASPIRATIONS4 ,!N ,NATAS*A HAD COME & EV]Y?+ HAD *ANG$4 ,LIFE HAS BECOME LI<T & JOY\S1 & HE WAS NO LONG] ALONE4 ,%E HAD ! KEY TO HIS S\L4 ,%E WAS ESS5TIAL TO HIS HAPP9ESS4 ,HIS LOVE = H] HAD PASS$ ?R\< EV]Y /AGE ( HAPP9ESS & PA91 BUT HE HAD NEV] D>$ TO HOPE ?AT %E1 TOO1 C\LD C>E = HIM4 ,HE HAD TREMBL$ BE=E H] LIKE A LOVE-SICK S*OOL-BOY4 ,DID %E KN[ ! JEAL\S TORTURES HE HAD SUFF]$ BECAUSE ( ?AT FRI5D :O HAD 9TRODUC$ !M1 & H[ HE HAD REJOIC$ :5 ! BREAK BETWE5 !M CAME - H[ HE HAD LOV$ H] ALL !SE YE>S1 T5D]LY & HOPELESSLY8 

 ,%E LI/5$ TO HIM 9 SPEE*LESS A/ONI%M5T1 & WAS GLAD - YES1 GLAD - DESPITE ! ANXIETY ?IS CONFESSION CAUS$ H]4 ,BUT %E NO LONG] F\ND ! FACE ( H] FRI5D1 ! ?9K]1 9 ! IMPASSION$ FEATURES ( ?IS MAN BESIDE H]4 ,H[ DIFF]5T HE WAS1 ?IS NEW1 /RANGE ,SS5JA1 FROM ! ?\<TFUL MAN ) ! *ILDI% SMILE ( :OM %E HAD GR[N SO FOND6 

 ,! NEW ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* SAT CLOSE BESIDE H]1 & S\<T H] EYES )\T EVASION1 N[4 ,:AT WAS TO BECOME ( IT ALL8 ,LIFE )\T H] WAS IMPOSSIBLE4 ,YET !RE !Y W]E1 HIS FAMILY & HIS *ILDR54 ,ANJUTA - HE W\LD NEV] LEAVE ,ANJUTA4 

 0,:AT %ALL WE DO8 ,:Y %\LD WE DO ANY?+8 ,HAVE ,I ASK$ = ANY?+8 ,IT HAS BE5 HAPP9ESS 5\< = ME TO BE Y\R FRI5D40 

 0,MY DE>E/60 ,OBLIVI\S TO ! />+ /RANG]S AB\T !M1 HE ?REW HIS >MS AB\T H] & KISS$ H] TEMPLES4 0,IT IS SO SWEET TO BE ) Y\ 444 SO SWEET40 

 ,H] LIPS SMIL$1 BUT !RE W]E TE>S 9 H] EYES4 

 0,I AM CRY+ BECAUSE ,I AM SO HAPPY10 %E EXPLA9$4 

 ,HE PRESS$ H] CLOSE & :ISP]$3 0,MY PRECI\S1 MY BELOV$ ,NATAS*A60 

 ,AT !IR DE/9ATION !Y LEFT ! TRA9 9 A DAZE1 & W]E MET BY A NUMB] ( COMRADES :O ESCORT$ !M FIR/ TO ! 9N AT :I* !Y W]E TO /AY1 & !NCE TO ! CONF]5CE4 ,! FIR/ DAY PASS$ )\T UNDUE ANIMOSITY4 ,NATAS*A & ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS*1 KEY$ TO ! HI<E/ PIT* 
) SUPPRESS$ EXCITEM5T1 W]E TAK5 BACK TO ! 9N AMID MU* BANT] & LAU<T] BY A GR\P ( SYMPA!TIC COMRADES4 ,%E LOV$ !M ALL1 EV]Y ONE ( !M4 ,EV5 ! OPPON5TS W]E H] DE> FRI5DS & COMRADES ?AT DAY4 ,%E WAS DRUNK ) JOY4 ,%E WANT$ TO LAU<1 TO BE AMONG O!RS AS HAPPY AS %E2 %E WI%$ ?IS GLORI\S DAY W\LD NEV] 5D4 ,IT W\LD BE DIFF]5T LAT] - TO-DAY %E WAS HAPPY4 ,%E W\LD HAVE TO SUFF] = H] LOVE4  

,AH1 SOON] ?AN %E EXPECT$4 

,IT WAS ON ! LA/ DAY ( ! CONF]5CE4 

 ,! /RA9 ( ?REE DAYS ( 5DLESS DISCUSSION FOLL[$ BY ?REE SLEEPLESS NI<TS WAS BEG9N+ TO TELL ON ,NATAS*A4 ,%E F\ND IT 9CREAS+LY DIFFICULT TO CONC5TRATE ON H] WORK AS SECRET>Y1 TO FOLL[ ! ?\<TS ( !SE /RANGE SPEAK]S 9 !IR FLORID1 FREQU5TLY AFFECT$1 ORATORICAL FLI<TS & TO RECORD !M CORRECTLY4 

 ,:5 %E READ H] NOTES ON ! DAY'S PROCE$+S AT ! 5D ( ! SESSION1 IT APPE>$ ?AT %E HAD MISQUOT$ ONE ( H] OPPON5TS1 SO ?AT ! MEAN+ ( HIS WORDS HAD BE5 DI/ORT$4 ,! OPPOSITION RAG$4 

 ,!Y 9SI/$ ?AT IT HAD BE5 DONE AS A CLEV] MANEUV] ON ! P>T ( ! OPPOS+ P>TY4 

,NATAS*A WAS HELPLESSLY CONFUS$4 

 ,SUDD5LY ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* PLUNG$ 9TO ! DISCUSSION ) A BITT] ATTACK UPON H] = H] 
C>ELESSNESS4 ,%E UND]/OOD1 ( C\RSE1 ?AT IT WAS DONE TO SAVE HIS GR\P FROM ! ASP]SIONS ( ITS OPPON5TS4 ,HE WAS PLAC+ ! RESPONSIBILITY :]E IT BELONG$ - ON ,NATAS*A'S %\LD]S - 9 ORD] TO %[ ?AT !Y1 AS A FACTION1 HAD NO?+ TO DO ) IT4 

 ,AFT] ! SESSION WAS OV] !Y ALL WALK$ TO ! 9N TOGE!R1 FURI\SLY DISCUSS+2 ,NATAS*A ALONE WAS SIL5T1 TRY+ H>D TO SUPPRESS H] TE>S4 

 ,!Y W]E ALONE AT LA/4 

 ,CRY+ BITT]LY %E ?REW H]SELF ON HIS BREA/4 ,%E MADE NO ATTEMPT TO EXPLA9 H] TE>S2 ,SS5JA W\LD UND]/& H[ %E FELT1 S9CE HE1 TOO1 MU/ FEEL UNHAPPY OV] ! SITUATION 9TO :I* H] UN=TUNATE ]ROR HAD =C$ !M4 

 ,HAD IT BE5 NECESS>Y TO C5SURE H] QUITE SO VIGOR\SLY8 ,( C\RSE %E REALIZ$ ?AT HE MU/ PLACE ! 9T]E/S ( !IR FACTION ABOVE H] P]SONAL FEEL+S4444 ,%E WANT$ TO TELL HIM ?AT %E UND]/OOD4 ,BUT HE MU/ EXPRESS SOME REGRET1 SOME CONTRITION = HAV+ HAD TO DO IT4 ,LET ! O!RS BELIEVE1 IF !Y PLEAS$1 ?AT %E HAD TRI$ 
TO GA9 AN UNFAIR ADVANTAGE BY TRICK]Y4 ,HE MU/ 
KN[ ?AT IT HAD BE5 A MI/AKE1 ?AT ONLY H] EXTREME EXHAU/ION WAS RESPONSIBLE4 

 0,Y\ UND]/&1 ,SS5JA1 DON'T Y\8 ,Y\ UND]/&444 80 

 0,( C\RSE ,I UND]/&1 MY POOR LITTLE GIRL4444 ,I KN[ H[ H>D IT IS = Y\ TO LEAVE ME4 ,BUT :AT ELSE CAN WE DO80 

 ,HAD %E HE>D >I<T8 ,H] TE>S CEAS$ & %E LOOK$ AT HIM1 UNCOMPREH5D+4 

 0,Y\ KN[ ?AT ! V]Y ?\<T ( P>T+ MAKES ME SUFF]10 HE WAS SAY+4 0,BUT WE WILL CONT9UE TO LOVE EA* O!R 444 Y\ WILL COME TO VISIT US AS USUAL 444 Y\ MU/1 OR ,ANJUTA WILL SUSPECT ?AT SOME?+ HAS HAPP5$4 ,COME1 N[1 /OP CRY+4 ,AH1 H[ ,I LONG$ = Y\ ALL DAY LONG6 ,LET ME KISS Y\40 

 ,AFT] ?AT1 C\LD %E TELL HIM ! REASON = H] TE>S8 ,IF HE DID NOT UND]/& ! CAUSE ( H] MIS]Y1 IF HE C\LD F9D IT 9 HIS HE>T TO SEEK A LA/ C>ESS BE=E !Y TOOK LEAVE FROM EA* O!R :5 %E WAS SO D[NCA/ & UNHAPPY - C\LD %E HOPE TO MAKE HIM UND]/& 44 48 

 ,HE KISS$ AWAY TWO GREAT TE>S ?AT RAN ACROSS H] *EEKS4 

 0,DON'T CRY1 MY LITTLE ONE4 ,WE WILL SEE EA* O!R (T540 

 ,9 ! TRA9 !Y SAT ) A NUMB] ( O!R COMRADES4 ,AT ! /ATION1 BACK 9 ! GREAT1 SMOKY CITY ONCE MORE1 !Y TOOK =MAL LEAVE 444 AS /RANG]S4 
,I,V 

,L,O,O,K,+ BACK AT IT N[1 %E UND]/OOD ! REASON = H] UNHAPP9ESS MORE CLE>LY ?AN %E HAD SE5 IT AT ! TIME4 ,N[ %E KNEW ?AT ! BITT] TE>S %E HAD %$ :5 %E HAD REA*$ H] ROOM HAD NOT BE5 ! LONESOME TE>S ( A WOMAN :OSE LOV] HAS LEFT H] = ! FIR/ TIME4 ,!Y W]E TE>S ( SORR[ OV] ! FIR/ ( MANY W\NDS ?AT W]E YET TO PI]CE H] HE>T4 ,WAS IT POSSIBLE ?AT ,SS5JA DID NOT UND]/& ?AT A HE>T1 W\ND$ AGA9 & AGA91 CEASES TO LOVE1 ?AT LOVE SEEPS SL[LY1 DROP AFT] DROP1 \T ( ! T9Y W\NDS ?AT NEV] HEAL BECAUSE !Y W]E MADE BY ?\<TLESSNESS & MISUND]/&+8 

 ,AFT] !SE SEV5 MON?S ( LONELY REFLECTION1 ,NATAS*A WAS BEG9N+ TO UND]/& ! CAUSE = H] RE/LESSNESS1 TO SEE :AT IT WAS ?AT LEFT A RESIDUE ( HUMILIATION AT ! BOTTOM ( EA* CUP ( PASSION4 ,AGA9 & AGA9 %E HAD COME TO HIM1 HONE/LY READY TO B>E H] S\L1 BUT HE SAW ONLY H]1 ,NATAS*A1 & PAID NO HE$ TO ! VOICE ?AT 
TRI$ TO REA* HIM FROM )94444 ,HE TOOK ! WOMAN 9TO HIS >MS :ILE H] S\L1 H] 9N]MO/ BE+1 /RET*$ \T ITS >MS TO HIM 9 VA91 & REMA9$ LONESOME & =GOTT54 ,HAD HE EV] KN[N ,NATAS*A8 

 ,TO BE SURE1 HIS M9D WAS ALWAYS FULL ( PETTY C>ES4 ,LIFE HAD NOT BE5 K9D TO HIM4 ,HE LIV$ 9 AN ATMOSPH]E ( CON/ANT MAT]IAL MIS=TUNE & F9ANCIAL CRISES1 ( JEAL\SY & SUSPICION1 TORM5T$ BY A NAGG+ WIFE :OSE CON/ANT CLAIMS ON HIS TIME & 5]GY W]E HAMP]+ HIS EFFICI5CY4 

 0,YE/]DAY ,ANJUTA ALMO/ POISON$ H]SELF0444 

 ,SOME SU* /ORY OV]%AD[$ EV]Y ONE ( ! /OL5 H\RS !Y SP5T TOGE!R4 0,I CAME 9 JU/ 9 TIME TO PREV5T H] FROM SWALL[+ ! CONT5TS ( A BOTTLE ( MORPH9E4 ,:AT CAN RYE DO1 ,NATAS*A8 ,:]E IS !RE A WAY \T ( IT ALL80 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* W\LD BURY HIS HEAD 9 H] LAP :ILE %E S(TLY FONDL$ HIS BELOV$ HEAD4 ,AT FIR/ !SE TALES ( ATTEMPT$ SUICIDE HAD %OCK$ H]1 UNTIL !IR FREQU5T REPETITION DULL$ H] ANXIETY & MADE !M SEEM RIDICUL\S4 ,%E C\LD NOT F9D IT 9 H] HE>T TO LAU< AT ,ANJUTA = !SE SILLY EXTRAVAGANCES1 H[EV]4 ,%E WAS TOO HONE/LY SORRY = H]4 ,BUT ?AT %E %\LD ROB HIM ( HIS PRECI\S TIME1 
?AT %E FILL$ HIS M9D SO FULL ( H] EV]LA/+ PETTY C>ES ?AT HE HAD NO TIME = S]I\S CONC5TRATION - ?AT WAS UN=GIVABLE4 ,HAD %E NO COMPREH5SION ( HIS GREATNESS1 ?AT %E REFUS$ TO SEE ?AT ! 5]GY & /R5G? ( A MAN LIKE ?IS W]E TOO PRECI\S TO BE WA/$ ON EV]YDAY C>ES8 

 ,NATAS*A H]SELF SP>$ HIM :]EV] %E C\LD4 ,%E NEV] TOLD HIM ( H] C>ES & TRIBULATIONS2 BE=E HIS [N !Y B[$ D[N & DISAPPE>$4 ,) H] HE %\LD ALWAYS F9D T5D]NESS & DEEPE/1 FULLE/ UND]/&+4 ,%E LONG$ TO TAKE HIS-BURD5S UPON H] [N %\LD]S1 TO FREE ! ?9K]1 ! WORK]1 = GREAT]1 MORE IMPORTANT 
RESPONSIBILITIES444 

 0,H[ /RONG1 H[ SPL5DID Y\ >E10 HE SAID ) A SI<4 0,Y\ CAN /& ALONE 9 ! WORLD4 ,Y\ >E SO DIFF]5T FROM POOR ,ANJUTA4 ,%E W\LD GO UND] )\T MY PROTECTION40 

 ,NATAS*A LAU<$ AT HIM AS AT A *ILD4 ,D>$ %E BE WEAK :]E HE WAS CONC]N$8 ,%E MU/ BE HIS REFUGE1 HIS COM=T]1 ! BR+] ( LI<T & *E]FULNESS4 ,AFT] C>ES & TE>S & PETTY TR\BLES AT HOME HE MU/ F9D A HOLIDAY :5 HE CAME TO ,NATAS*A4 

 ,!RE W]E TIMES1 EXASP]AT+ DAYS1 :5 MI%AP SEEM$ TO LURK 9 H] PA?1 :5 %E LO/ PATI5CE ) ?IS1 H] SELF-IMPOS$ ROLE1 & A SPIRIT ( REVOLT W\LD RAISE ITS HEAD4 ,:Y DID HE ALWAYS PITY ,ANJUTA8 ,SURELY ,NATAS*A'S LIFE WAS ANY?+ 
BUT EASY4 444 ,!RE WAS H] WORK - H>D1 GR9D+1 RESPONSIBLE WORK4 ,O!RS SAW & APPRECIAT$ H] WOR?4 ,HAD ,SS5JA EV] GIV5 IT A S+LE ?\<T8 

 0,OH1 ,SS5JA1 MY DE>E/1 ,I AM SO TIR$40 ,SOMETIMES ,NATAS*A TRI$ TO W9 A BIT ( SYMPA?Y = H] [N AGGRAVATIONS4 0,!Y .<! O!R FACTION.> HAVE 9/ITUT$ A V]ITABLE DRIVE AGA9/ ME4 ,HAVE Y\ HE>D ( !IR NEW RESOLUTION80 

 0,PLEASE1 DON'T LET'S TALK AB\T ?AT4 ,IT REALLY ISN'T WOR? GETT+ EXCIT$ AB\T4 ,LET ME TELL Y\ ! TR\BLE ,I AM 9 N[4 ,ANJUTA IS SICK AGA91 & ! DOCTOR SAYS %E MU/ HAVE ABSOLUTE RE/4 ,I %\LD HAVE A NURSE = ! *ILDR51 BUT H[ CAN ,I PAY8 ,Y\ KN[ ! /RAITS ,I AM 9 AS IT IS4 ,OH1 ,NATAS*A1 :5 ,I LOOK AT ,ANJUTA & SEE H[ %E WORKS H]SELF TO SK9 & BONE1 H[ %E GIVES H]SELF COMPLETELY TO MYSELF & ! *ILDR51 ,I REALIZE :AT A CRIM9AL1 :AT AN EGOI/1 :AT AN 5TIRELY WOR?LESS SC\NDREL ,I AM60 

 ,C\LD ,NATAS*A ?9K ( H]SELF :5 LIFE WAS 
SO BITT] = HIM1 = H] IDOL1 ! LI<T ( H] LIFE8 

 ,!RE W]E R>E OCCASIONS1 MOM5TS ( QUIET RELAXATION FROM HIS [N TRIALS1 :5 IT W\LD OCCUR TO ,SS5JA ?AT ,NATAS*A WAS ALWAYS1 ALWAYS ! GIV]1 ?AT HE WAS ! RECEIV] 9 !IR LOVE = EA* O!R4 

 0,NATAS*A1 ,I KN[ ?AT \R LOVE IS BR++ Y\ NO?+ BUT SUFF]+4 ,I AM TOO SELFI% TO LOVE Y\ AS Y\ DES]VE TO BE LOV$4 ,SOME DAY Y\ WILL REALIZE H[ ,I HAVE MISUS$ Y\R AFFECTION1 & Y\ WILL GR[ TIR$ ( ME4 ,NATAS*A1 :AT WILL BECOME ( ME !N8 ,Y\ CANNOT KN[ :AT Y\R LOVE MEANS TO ME40 

0,I ?9K ,I KN[1 ,SS5JA4 ,IF ,I DIDN'T1 ,I DON'T BELIEVE ,I C\LD BE> IT40 

 0,I AM Y\R BE/ FRI5D1 ,NATAS*A1 ?\< ,I MAY NOT ALWAYS %[ IT4 ,I WANT Y\ TO BELIEVE ?AT1 DE>E/4444 ,SOMETIMES !RE IS A GREAT *ASM BETWE5 US4 444 ,I FEEL Y\ )DRAW+ FROM ME4 ,Y\ DON'T TELL ME EV]Y?+ AB\T Y\RSELF4 ,?AT IS IT1 ,NATAS*A4 ,IT HURTS4 ,Y\ MU/ KN[ ?AT ?IS CLOSE UND]/&+ BETWE5 US1 ?I,S ABSOLUTE CONFID5CE & HONE/Y IS ! MO/ PRECI\S P>T ( Y\R LOVE = ME80 

0,YES1 ,SS5JA1 ?AT IS MO/ IMPORTANT ( ALL4 ,WE MU/ UND]/& ONE ANO!R4 ,EA* MU/ KN[ EV]Y ?\<T ?AT PASSES ?R\< ! O!R'S M9D4 ,Y\ DON'T KN[ H[ (T5 ,I AM HURT & UNHAPPY BECAUSE ,I MISS ?IS ON5ESS BETWE5 US4444 ,AT SU* TIMES ,I GR[ COLD & 9EXPRESSIBLY DISC\RAG$4 ,I WANT Y\ TO C>E = MORE ?AN JU/ ! WOMAN 9 ME40 

0,MY LITTLE /UPID40 

 0,Y\ W]E RI<T1 ,SS5JA4 ,!RE >E SOME ?+S ,I HAV5'T TOLD Y\4 ,:Y8 ,I DON'T KN[ MYSELF4 ,I WANT TO TELL Y\ EV]Y?+40 

 0,Y\ MU/ TELL ME4 ,:AT IS IT8 ,!RE IS SOME?+1 !N1 ?AT Y\ HAVE KEPT FROM ME80  

0,NO1 Y\ DON'T UND]/&4 ,IT ISN'T A SECRET SIMPLY LITTLE1 UNIMPORTANT HAPP5+S ?AT TR\BLE ME1 & ,I HESITATE TO TELL Y\ AB\T !M40  

0,:AT1 = 9/ANCE1 IS TR\BL+ Y\ N[80 

 0,WELL1 !N1 !SE VISITS ( ,COMRADE ,ANTON'S4 ,HE HAS BE5 COM+ TO SEE ME QUITE FREQU5TLY ( LATE1 & !N HE SITS & SITS 444 LOOK+ AT ME 9 SU* A PECULI> WAY - OH1 Y\ KN[ :AT ,I MEAN  - = H\RS AT A TIME4 ,I HATE IT1 BUT ,I CAN'T REFUSE TO LET HIM COME1 CAN ,I8 ,WE >E WORK+ TOGE!R1 
& ! POOR FELL[ IS LONESOME4 444 ,I'M A LITTLE SORRY = HIM40 

 0,:AT HAVE HIS VISITS TO DO ) Y\R WORK TOGE!R8 ,I MU/ ADMIT1 ?AT IS SOME?+ ,I CANNOT UND]/&4 ,Y\ WILL P>DON ME1 BUT ,I F9D ?IS PITY ( Y\RS A BIT OV]DONE4 ,HE SITS 9 H] ROOM & LOOKS AT H] = H\RS ) LOVE-LORN EYES & %E PITIES HIM6 ,H[ AM ,I TO KN[ H[ F> ?IS PITY ( Y\RS WILL TAKE Y\8 ,IT SEEMS TO ME IT %\LD NOT BE DIFFICULT TO GET RID ( A P]SON :O ANNOYS ONE ) ?AT SORT ( ?+4 ,( C\RSE1 IF Y\ LIKE HIS C\RT%IP44440 

 0,SS5JETS*KA6 ,H[ CAN Y\ SAY ?AT8 444 H[ CAN Y\ MISUND]/& ME SO80 ,NATAS*A LAU<$ 9 SPITE ( H] 9DIGNATION4 ,JEAL\S1444 & ( ,COMRADE ,ANTON4 ,! DE>1 DELI<TFUL IMBECILE6 ,DIDN'T HE KN[ AFT] ALL !SE MON?S ) H] ?AT %E IDOLIZ$ HIM8 ,HE DOM9AT$ H] EV]Y ?\<T4 ,:Y1 HIS FIGURE ) ITS SLI<T /UDI\S /OOP WAS DE>] & MORE APPEAL+ TO H] ?AN ANY?+ ELSE 9 ! WORLD4 ,:O WAS !RE ?AT C\LD COMP>E ) ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS*8 ,:O HAD HIS CRY/AL-CLE> S\L8 ,:O C\LD ?9K AS LOGICALLY1 AS BRILLIANTLY AS HE8 ,?IS JEAL\SY ( HIS WAS SO AMAZ+LY 
NAIVE ?AT %E C\LD NOT BE ANGRY AT HIM1 AL?\< AT TIMES IT BECAME EXCE$+LY DISAGREEABLE4 ,HADN'T HE BE5 JEAL\S ( ! VIOL9I/ AT ! CONC]T & SULK$ ALL ! WAY HOME8 ,HADN'T HE TALK$ HIMSELF 9TO A RAGE & GIV5 H] H] 0FRE$OM80 ,P]HAPS HE HAD =GOTT5 ?AT DISGRACEFUL SC5E 9 ! /REET C> :5 %E HAD EX*ANG$ A FEW BANT]+ WORDS ) ! CONDUCTOR8 

 0,CAN'T A WOMAN LOOK AT A MAN )\T FALL+ 9 LOVE ) HIM80 %E DEM&$ LAU<+LY1 :5 HE CAME TO HIS S5SES AFT] ONE SU* 9CID5T4 ,HE HAD SMIL$ A LITTLE %AMEFAC$LY1 QUITE CONSCI\S ( ! WRONG HE HAD DONE H]4 

 ,BUT ,NATAS*A FELT ?AT HE DI/RU/$ H] BECAUSE ( :AT HE KNEW ( H] PA/4 

 0,Y\ Y\RSELF TOLD ME ?AT Y\ LOV$ HIM ! ONE ) ! BLACK HAIR1 ,I MEAN4 ,H[ MU* DID Y\ LOVE HIM8 ,AS MU* AS Y\ LOVE ME80  

0,MU*1 MU* MORE1 ( C\RSE4 444,W\LD ,I HAVE S5T HIM AWAY SO LI<!>T$LY IF ,I HAD LOV$ HIM MORE8 ,Y\ KN[ ALL AB\T IT4 ,Y\ SAW IT ALL4 ,& /ILL Y\ DO NOT BELIEVE ?AT ,I LOVE Y\8 ,= ALL Y\R CLEV]NESS Y\ >E SOMETIMES EXASP]AT+LY /UPID60 

 0,O!R M5 >E SO MU* MORE P]SUASIVE ?AN 
,I1 & KN[ H[ TO PAY C\RT TO WOM54 ,I %ALL NEV] LE>N H[ TO BE A CAVALI]1 ,NATAS*A40  

0,BUT ?AT IS EXACTLY :Y ,I LOVE Y\ SO MU*1 ,SS5JETS*KA4 ,Y\ >E SU* A D>L+ BECAUSE Y\ >E LIKE ?AT40 

 0,D>L+6 ,A F9E D>L+ Y\ HAVE PICK$ = Y\RSELF60 HE SC(F$1 EMB>RASS$4 ,BUT1 NEV]!LESS1 HE WAS SOO!D BY H] PROTE/ATIONS4 

 ,9 ,NATAS*A !SE SC5ES LEFT TRACES ( A VAGUE HURT4 ,%E C\LD NOT UND]/& H[ HE1 HE :O HAD CONDEMN$ O!RS SO UNSP>+LY = ! UNHAPP9ESS !IR DI/RU/ HAD CAUS$ H]1 C\LD HIMSELF SO LITTLE CONTROL HIS JEAL\SY4 ,HE HAD (T5 COM=T$ H] 9 ! E>LI] DAYS ( !IR ACQUA9TANCE :5 %E UTT]$ VA9 REGRETS = ! PA/1 HAD BE5 H] HAV5 ( REFUGE :5 O!RS HAD HURT & AFFRONT$ H]4 ,HE HAD BE5 =BE>ANCE ITSELF1 HE HAD M9I/]$ TO H] ) AN UND]/&+ ONE R>ELY F9DS1 EXCEPT :]E ONE WOMAN UND]/&S & FEELS = ANO!R4 ,%E HAD TEAS+LY CALL$ HIM ,SS5JETS*KA-AN E*O ( ! PA/4 444 

 ,! ,SS5JA ( ?OSE BY-GONE DAYS1 ! FRI5D & CONFIDANT1 & ?IS ,SS5JA1 H] ILLEGAL HUSB&1 W]E TWO DIFF]5T P]SONS ALTOGE!R4 ,NATAS*A SAW ?IS 
MORE & MORE CLE>LY 9 ! SEV5 MON?S S9CE 
!Y HAD P>T$4 

 ,WAS IT ONLY ?IS FAILURE TO ?9K & FEEL ) H] ?AT WAS DRIV+ !M AP>T8 ,AS %E RECALL$ SC5ES ( !IR LIFE TOGE!R1 O!R UGLY REM9ISC5CES =C$ !IR WAY =W>D4 ,!RE W]E TIMES :5 HE HAD NOT EV5 SP>$ ! WOMAN 9 H]4 ,HE :O WAS M]CY & ?\<TFULNESS ITSELF T[>D ! ,ANJUTA :O SO (T5 ABUS$ & MISUS$ HIS GOODNESS1 C\LD BE 9CR$IBLY RU?LESS :]E ,NATAS*A WAS CONC]N$4 ,NO ONE HAD EV] HURT H] SO CRUELLY1 & ! CONVICTION ?AT IT WAS DONE UNCONSCI\SLY MITIGAT$ BUT C\LD NOT WIPE \T ! S5SE ( \TRAGE ?AT P]SI/$4 ,IT HAD BEGUN 9 !IR FIR/ NI<T TOGE!R1 9 ! LITTLE 9N TO :I* ! COMRADES HAD BR\<T !M4 

 ,! COMRADES HAD DEP>T$ AT LA/ & ,NATAS*A FL$ TO H] ROOM1 TREMBL+LY ASSUR+ H]SELF AGA9 & AGA9 ?AT IT WAS TRUE4 ,HE LOV$ H]6 ,?IS FE>LESS ?9K]1 ?IS GREATLY ADMIR$1 UNIV]SALLY BELOV$ REVOLUTIONI/ LOV$ H]6 ,%E]1 GREAT1 IMMEASURABLE HAPP9ESS6 

 ,%E WAS PREP>+ = B$ :5 A KNOCK AT ! DOOR CAU<T H] ) A TOO?-BRU% 9 H] H&4 ,BE=E %E C\LD ANSW]1 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* 
/EPP$ 9TO ! ROOM & TURN$ ! KEY 9 ! 
LOCK4 

 ,NATAS*A1 />TL$ 9TO IMMOBILITY1 /OOD GAZ+ AT HIM1 A BRU% FULL ( TOO?-P[D] /ILL 9 H] M\?4 

0,H[ FUNNY Y\ LOOK4 ,LIKE A LITTLE BOY60 

 ,& DISREG>D+ ,NATAS*A'S /UNN$ P]PLEXITY HE GA!R$ H] 9 HIS >MS4 

0,Y\ SMELL ( PEPP]M9T10 HE LAU<$4 

 0,WAIT1 LET ME 444 AT LEA/ LET ME WA% ?IS P[D] FROM MY M\?40 

 ,%E DID NOT KN[ :AT TO SAY - %E SIMPLY /RUGGL$ TO RELEASE H]SELF FROM A POSITION ?AT WAS PHYSICALLY UNCOM=TABLE & DI/A/EFUL TO H]4 ,BUT HE KISS$ H] LIPS ?AT W]E COV]$ ) P[D]1 H] NECK & H] B>E %\LD]S ) GRE$Y1 SE>*+ KISSES4 ,9 ?AT FIR/ NI<T %E FELT NO RESPONSE TO HIS C>ESSES4 ,!Y W]E /RANGE1 UNCOM=TABLE & UNACCU/OM$4 ,:5 %E RECALL$ HIS IMPETU\S >DOR 9 !IR FIR/ NI<T TOGE!R %E REMEMB]$ ONLY ! TA/E ( PEPP]M9T TOO?P[D]1 & ITS DISAGREEABLE GRITT9ESS4 

 ,:5 HE FELL ASLEEP AT LA/1 EXHAU/$ ) BURNT\T PASSION1 %E LEAN$ OV] ! HEAD ?AT RE/$ ON H] %\LD] ) 9EFFABLE YE>N+4 ,NOT UNTIL 
!N DID ! COMPASSIONATE T5D]NESS ?AT WAS H] LOVE = HIM RETURN TO H]4 ,WOR%IPFULLY1 JU/ T\*+ IT G5TLY ) H] LIPS1 %E KISS$ ! HI<1 ?\<TFUL =EHEAD ( HIS PR\D1 BEAUTIFUL HEAD4 

 ,AT NO TIME1 NEI!R !N NOR LAT]1 WAS !RE M]E PHYSICAL DESIRE OR FLAM+ PASSION 9 ! LOVE %E GAVE HIM4 ,%E GAVE H] BODY ) ! DEEP1 PURE JOY ) :I* ! PRIE/ESS ( OLD (F]$ H]SELF TO ! PRIE/ AT ! %R9E ( H] TEMPLE4 ,%E WAS GIV+ H]SELF TO H] GOD4 ,TO HIM ,NATAS*A WAS ! FIR/ WOMAN TO WAK5 A GREAT1 PASSIONATE DESIRE )9 HIM2 HE CRAV$ H] PASSIONATE RESPONSE4 ,NOT ! GOD1 BUT ! MAN 9 HIM CLAIM$ H] LOVE4 

,V 

,9 !SE LONG MON?S S9CE %E HAD LEFT HIM %E HAD (T5 TRI$ TO UND]/& H] LOVE = HIM4 ,HAD IT BR\<T H] ONLY SUFF]+ & RES5TM5T8 ,SURELY !RE HAD BE5 BREA?-TAK+1 DELIRI\S MOM5TS ( UNALLOY$ HAPP9ESS AS WELL6 

 ,%E RECALL$ LONG1 SULTRY EV5+S 9 ! FIR/ SUMM] ( !IR LOVE1 EV5+S %E HAD SP5T ) HIS FAMILY 9 ! EXOTIC /RANG5ESS ( A S\!RN L&SCAPE4 ,HE HAD BR\<T HIS WIFE & *ILDR5 TO ! SEA%ORE NE> ! LITTLE M\NTA9 VILLAGE :]E %E WAS SP5D+ A H>D-E>N$ VACATION ) A Y\NG] BRO!R :O WAS /ILL AT S*OOL4 ,!Y W]E /ILL TRY+ TO OBS]VE \TW>D APPE>ANCES1 & %E VISIT$ HIS FAMILY & MET HIS WIFE AT FREQU5T 9T]VALS4 ,HE 9SI/$ ON ?IS1 = ,ANJUTA'S SAKE4 444 ,! OLD TIMES1 :5 IT HAD BE5 A PRECI\S PRIVILEGE TO 5T] HIS H\SEHOLD1 SEEM$ TO HAVE RETURN$ AGA94 

 ,9 !SE LONG SUMM] EV5+S %E EXP]I5C$ ! SPR+-TIME ( !IR LOVE4 ,!Y W]E FREQU5TLY 
TOGE!R1 BUT ALWAYS 9 ! PRES5CE ( O!RS4 ,A PECULI> 5*ANTM5T P]VAD$ !SE MEET+S1 A *>M ?AT 5HANC$ !IR DESIRE = ONE ANO!R & FILL$ EA* DAY ) ! SWEET TORTURE ( RE/LESS HOPE & EXPECTANCY4 444 ,!RE W]E /OL5 H&-CLASPS1 MEAN+FUL GLANCES1 HALF SMILES ?AT !Y ALONE CAU<T & UND]/OOD1 & A LONG+ EXQUISITELY 5HANC$ BY !IR CON/ANT NE>NESS & 
! IMPOSSIBILITY ( FULFILLM5T4 

 ,!Y SPOKE MU* & HAPPILY ( !IR WORK & ! PROBLEMS ?AT 5GAG$ ! MOVEM5T AT ?AT MOM5T4 ,SOMETIMES !Y >GU$ & QU>REL$ AS REL5TLESSLY AS IF !Y W]E /RANG]S4 

 ,BUT ! EV5+S - EV5+S ON ! POR* - MY/]I\S LI<TS ( A DI/ANT T[N1 WAT] ?ROBB+ 9 ! RAYS ( ! MOON4444 

 ,:AT ( ?OSE O!RS1 HIS WIFE & !IR FRI5DS1 :O SAT BESIDE !M8 ,NATAS*A & ,SS5JA W]E H>DLY CONSCI\S ( !IR PRES5CE4 ,!Y W]E ALONE TOGE!R 9 ! WIT*]Y ( A S\!RN SUMM] NI<T4 

 ,NATAS*A HAD ONLY TO ?R[ H]SELF BACK 9TO H] WICK] *AIR & CLOSE H] EYES TO FEEL HIS NE>NESS4 ,%E NE$$ ONLY TO /RET* \T H] H& TO T\* HIS BODY 444 & D>$ NOT DO IT4 ,DESIRE GREW - H] 
BODY WAS AFLAME ) IT1 AFLAME ) ! KN[L$GE ?AT HE1 TOO1 WAS BE+ DRAWN TO H]1 ?AT HE WAS LONG+ TO BE ) H]4 444 ,%E W\LD OP5 H] EYES 9 ! MOONLI<T1 TO CAT* A QUICK GLANCE - A SMILE4444 

 ,%E LAU<$ - %E WAS SO HAPPY1 SO FULL ( A SWEET CONT5TM5T NO WORDS C\LD EXPRESS4 

 ,?US !Y W\LD SIT UNTIL MIDNI<T1 FITFULLY SPEAK+4 ,LONG SIL5CES1 BRISK DISCUSSIONS4 ,& H] S\L TREMBL$ & SANG1 WAIT+1 WAIT+ & BELIEV+ 9 A FUTURE FULL ( JOY & GLADNESS4 

 0,TIME TO GO HOME60 

 ,NATAS*A W\LD SI< \T ( ! FULLNESS ( H] HAPP9ESS AS %E ROSE TO TAKE H] LEAVE4 

 0,WE WILL SEE Y\ HOME40 

 ,ALL TOGE!R !Y W\LD GO ) H] ALONG ! ROAD ?AT LAY MILKY-:ITE 9 ! SILV] ( ! MOONLI<T4 ,HE1 CLOSE BESIDE H] - A FLEET+ T\* ( HIS %\LD] SET H] PULSES RAC+ FA/] & MORE MADLY ?AN ! MO/ F]V5T C>ESS :5 HE WAS ALONE ) H]4 

 ,A LA/ PRESSURE ( HIS H& AT ! GATE1 ANO!R QUICK1 SIGNIFICANT SMILE AS !Y P>T$6 

 ,AFT] !Y HAD ALL DISAPPE>$ D[N ! ROAD 9TO ! D>KNESS ,NATAS*A REMA9$ 9 ! DIM 
G>D51 UNABLE1 AS YET1 TO BE> ! PRES5CE ( O!RS - H] HE>T WAS TOO FULL1 ! NI<T TOO M>VEL\S1 TOO IRRESI/IBLY 5*ANT+4444 ,AH1 TO BE ABLE TO SPREAD ONE'S W+S & FLY 9TO ! D>KLY BECKON+1 />-LIT SKY6 ,TO RUN1 SWIFTLY1 SWIFTLY1 D[N ! HILL TO HIS H\SE1 TO FALL AB\T HIS NECK14444OR444 

 ,FOOLI%1 SWEETLY-MAD1 GU/Y1 DISCONNECT$ ?\<TS & DESIRES4 

 ,SWEET1 OPPRESSIVE1 ALL-P]VAD+ FRAGRANCE ( S\!RN NI<T-BLOOMS4 
,V,I 

,A %ORT1 COLORFUL SUMM]4 ,%ORT1 & F>-AWAY AS A DREAM4 

 ,HAD !RE BE5 NO HAPP9ESS 9 H] LOVE BUT ?IS8 ,NEV] AGA98 

 ,%E TRI$ TO REMEMB]1 TRI$ H>D2 H] BREWS FURR[$ D>KLY AS %E RECALL$ ! DAYS ?AT FOLL[$1 = MEMORY BR\<T ONLY PA9FUL1 /OL51 TA9T$ H\RS1 H\RS ( HURT1 H\RS ( SUFF]+4 

 ,!N H] EYES GREW LI<T AGA94 

 ,AH1 YES1 %E REMEMB]$4 ,%E REMEMB]$4 ,TO ?9K ?AT %E HAD =GOTT56 

 ,! FOLL[+ SPR+ 444 %E WAS 5GAG$ ON H] LA/ L>G] PIECE ( WRIT+1 WORK+ FEV]I%LY & )\T RE/1 COMPLETELY OBLIVI\S TO EV]Y?+ AB\T H]4 

,& !N 444 HIS TELEGRAM4 

 ,%E TOOK A CASE ( BOOKS TO ! T9Y ROOM ON ! \TSKIRTS ( ! CITY :]E %E KEPT H] TRY/ ) HIM1 TO FILL ) WORK ! LONG1 IRKSOME H\RS BETWE5 HIS VISITS ?AT %E W\LD O!RWISE HAVE SP5T 
9 IMPATI5T IDL5ESS4 ,!RE HE W\LD F9D H] :5 HE CAME TO ! LITTLE ROOM AMONG ! ACACIA BLOSSOMS1 5GROSS$ 9 H] TASK1 *EEKS FLU%$ & ! MI/ ( AU?OR%IP 9 H] EYES4 

 ,?AT MON? HAD BE5 ONE ( UNALLOY$ DELI<T4 ,:AT HAD MADE IT SO8 - H] LOVE8 - H] WORK8 ,AT ! TIME %E NEI!R ?\<T NOR ASK$4445\< TO KN[ ?AT IT WAS BEAUTIFUL1 ?AT H] SPIRITS SO>$1 ?AT !RE WAS LIFE1 ! LIFE ?AT ONE FEELS ONLY 9 *ILDHOOD & E>LY Y\?1 9 EV]Y FIB] ( H] BE+4 

 ,AT NI<T %E W\LD GET UP FROM !IR B$ TO TE> OP5 ! W9D[S & ADMIT ! HEAVY FRAGRANCE ( ACACIA BLOSSOMS1 TO LOOK \T AT ! FITFULLY-FANTA/IC PATT]NS ! MOON PA9T$ ?R\< ! LEAVES ON ! GRASS1 & ON ! TABLE ) ! TEA-CUPS ?AT REMA9$ !RE FROM A LATE REPA/4 

 ,IT SEEM$ A PITY TO SLEEP1 A PITY NOT TO FEEL ! 9T5SE1 ?ROBB+ WOND] 9 H] HE>T4 

 ,%E RECALL$ ONE NI<T1 JU/ BE=E !Y LEFT - A HOT1 OPPRESSIVE NI<T4 

 ,SURR\ND$ BY D>K-GRE5 %AD[S & FRAGRANT FL[]S IT SEEM$ TO ,NATAS*A AS IF %E HAD NEV] KN[N BE=E :AT LIFE C\LD MEAN4 

 ,%E LEAN$ F> \T ( ! W9D[1 DREW A BRAN* 
( ACACIA T[>D H] & PLUCK$ A FRAGRANT1 T5D]LY-:ITE CLU/] ( BLOSSOMS4 

0,H[ BEAUTIFUL IT IS6 ,H[ BEAUTIFUL60  

,%E WANT$ TO LAU<1 TO WAKE ,SS5JETS*KA TO TELL HIM H[ MU* %E LOV$ HIM1 H[ HAPPY %E WAS444 

 0,NATAS*KA1 :]E >E Y\80 

 0,SS5JA1 :AT A WOND]FUL NI<T4 444 ,LOOK AT !SE FL[]S1 ,SS5JA4 ,DO Y\ SMELL !M80 ,%E B5T OV] HIM T5D]LY HOLD+ ! SC5T-LAD5 FL[]S TO HIS NO/RILS4 

 0,MY LOVE1 IT IS LIKE ! FRAGRANCE ( Y\R [N SWEET S\L - T5D] & MADD5+40 ,HIS LIPS T\*$ ! F+]S ?AT HELD ! ACACIA-TWIG4 

 ,TO ,NATAS*A IT SEEM$ AS IF H] QUIV]+ HE>T W]E RIS+ TO UNIMAG9$ HEI<TS4 ,NO1 H] LOVE HAD BR\<T H] MORE ?AN SUFF]+3 PRECI\S MOM5TS1 SWEET1 9IMITABLE H\RS ?AT W\LD NEV] RETURN HAD BE5 H]S AS WELL - EPHEM]AL1 FRAGILE HAPP9ESS4 

 ,W\LD IT NEV] RETURN8 ,NEV]8 

 ,V,I,I 

 ,! LA/ FEW WEEKS HAD OV]:ELM$ ,NATAS*A ,I & H] COMRADES ) UNEXPECT$ WORK DEM&+1 9T5SE1 ATT5TIVE APPLICATION1 & AS ALWAYS :5 ! NE$ >OSE1 LIV+1 VITAL HUMAN BE+S1 DEVOT$ TO ! CAUSE1 SPRANG UP ON EV]Y SIDE TO C>RY IT ?R\<4 

 ,NATAS*A F\ND A NEW SATISFACTION 9 ! ATMOSPH]E ( 9T5SE 5DEAVOR ?AT SURR\ND$ H]4 ,= ! FIR/ TIME %E KNEW ! SATISFACTION ( BE+ A T9Y COG 9 A P[]FUL ME*ANISM BEG9N+ TO ROTATE 9 RESI/LESS ACCOMPLI%M5T4 ,! FRANK DEVOTION ( H] COLLEAGUES RE/OR$ TO ,NATAS*A SOME ( H] OLD VIVACITY & H] LAU<T] RANG (T5 & *E]ILY ?R\< ! LONG1 D>K CORRIDORS ( ! DRE>Y AP>TM5T 9 :I* !Y WORK$4 ,H] COMRADES W\LD SMILE 9DULG5TLY4 

 0,H[ HAPPY \R ,NATALJA ,ALEX&R[NA HAS BECOME60 

 0,%E IS PROBABLY 9 LOVE10 COMM5T$ ! COMRADE :O WORK$ AT H] SIDE1 MATT]-(-FACTLY1 & 
)\T LOOK+ UP FROM HIS WORK HE ASK$1 0,IS IT TRUE1 ,NATALJA ,ALEX&R[NA8 ,HAVE Y\ FALL5 9 LOVE80 

 0,& ) :OM1 PRAY8 ,) Y\1 P]HAPS8 ,:O ELSE DO ,I EV] SEE1 ,WANJETS*KA80  

0,OH1 !SE WOM5 >E SLY6 ,%AKESPE>E ALREADY SAID 444 Y\ SEE H[ !Y >E4 ,N[ %E WANTS TO PUT IT ALL ON ME4 ,NO1 MY DE> ,NATAS*KA1 Y\ WON'T FOOL ME4 ,I AM NOT SO EASILY L$ AB\T BY ! NOSE4 ,I SEE EV]Y?+40 

 ,& ?R[+ BACK HIS ?ICK MANE ( HAIR1 HE LOOK$ AT H] \T ( MOCK-S]I\S EYES1 :ILE ,NATAS*A CONT9U$ TO TEASE HIM4 ,%E WAS TRULY FOND ( ,WANJETS*KA4 ,9 HIS GOLD-RIMM$ GLASSES & SL[1 ?\<TFUL MANN] ( SPEE* !RE WAS SOME?+ ?AT REM9D$ H] ( ,SS5JA4 

 ,IT WAS LATE :5 ,NATAS*A HURRI$ HOME ?AT EV5+4 ,H] BACK A*$1 H] EYES BURN$ & H] ?ROAT WAS DRY & P>*$1 BUT A S\L CONT5T & AT PEACE =GETS PHYSICAL WE>9ESS4 ,! FIR/ /EPS ( ! WORK !Y HAD LAUN*$ W]E ACCOMPLI%$1 & ! MOVEM5T WAS DRIV+ =W>D ) GRATIFY+ SWIFTNESS UND] ITS [N IMPULSE1 ALONG WELL-ORD]$ PA?S4 

,AS %E WE>ILY CLIMB$ ! /AIRS1 %E ?\<T GRATEFULLY ( ! CUP ( TEA & ! NEW P]IODICAL ) ! MU*-DISCUSS$ >TICLE ( A GREATLY-ADMIR$ COMRADE ?AT AWAIT$ H]4 0,AFT] ALL10 %E REFLECT$1 0IT IS GOOD TO LIVE ALONE4 ,IT GIVES ONE ! MORAL RI<T1 AFT] A H>D DAY'S WORK1 TO SP5D ! EV5+ AS ONE PLEASES4 ,IF ,SS5JA W]E H]E1 N[1 !RE W\LD BE ?IS TO DO & ?AT TO ATT5D TO = HIM4 ,I MI<T HAVE TO />T (F1 N[1 TO ! O!R 5D ( ! T[N TO MEET HIM1 OR HAVE TO FUSS OV] A /UPID SUPP] AT HOME40 

 ,AS IT WAS1 A CUP ( TEA & AN H\R'S READ+ W\LD BR+ ! H>D WORK+-DAY TO A P]FECT 5D4 

 0,HAS ANYONE BE5 H]E80 %E ASK$ ! L&LADY1 AS USUAL4 

 0,SOME BOOKS CAME ?IS MORN+1 & !RE IS A TELEGRAM444 40 
 0,A TELEGRAM80 ,H] HE>T BEAT TUMULTU\SLY4 ,H[ SILLY ( H] 444 SOME?+ (FICIAL1 ( C\RSE444 

 ,IT LAY ON H] DESK NE> ! PACKAGE ( BOOKS1 & BESIDE IT A GRAY 5VELOPE ) HIS ?RILL+1 NEV]-TO-BE =GOTT5 H&WRIT+4 

 ,NATAS*A'S LIMBS TREMBL$ SO VIOL5TLY ?AT %E HAD TO SIT D[N TO /EADY H]SELF4 

,:I* %\LD %E OP5 FIR/8 ,! TELEGRAM8 ,! LETT]8 

 ,! TELEGRAM READ3 ,>RIVE 9 ,H4 ON TW5TY-EI<?1 ,EXPECT Y\ AT /ATION4 ,WIRE4 ,SS5JA4 

 ,A YE> AGO A MESSAGE LIKE ?IS W\LD HAVE S5T H] :IRL+ MADLY AB\T ! ROOM4 ,%E W\LD HAVE C\NT$ ! DAYS1 ! H\RS4 444 

 ,N[ ! H& ?AT HELD ! TELEGRAM SANK HELPLESSLY 9TO H] LAP4 

 ,NOT A L9E = SEV5 LONG MON?S4 ,NOT A S+LE SIGN ( LIFE - & N[ ?IS6 ,DID HE KN[ :AT %E WAS DO+8 ,HE KNEW NO?+ ( H] LIFE OR H] WORK1 NO?+ ( ! ?RILL+ MON?S ( GRUEL+ LABOR %E HAD BEH9D H]4 ,%E MI<T HAVE BE5 >RE/$1 %E MI<T HAVE DI$ - HE W\LD HAVE BE5 NONE ! WIS]4 0,COME60 ,JU/ AS IF !Y HAD P>T$ YE/]DAY6 ,AS IF NO?+ HAD HAPP5$ BETWE5 !M1 & HE HAD NOT1 ) HIS [N H&1 9FLICT$ A MORTAL W\ND TO H] LOVE = HIM4 

 ,%\LD %E GO TO HIM AGA9 TO SP5D H\RS BESIDE A MAN :O WAS DEAF TO H] 9N] VOICE1 SIT BESIDE ONE :O SAW ONLY H] PR(ILE1 NEV] ! :OLE ,NATAS*A8 ,%\LD %E LIE 9 HIS >MS & YET FEEL ?AT %E WAS F>1 F> AWAY FROM HIM BECAUSE HE SAW ONLY :AT HE *OSE TO SEE ( H]8 

 ,NO1 NO4 ,%E W\LD NOT GO6 ,%E W\LD NOT BE CAU<T AGA96 ,5\<6 

 ,NATAS*A ?REW BACK H] HEAD ) ?AT *>ACT]I/IC GE/URE = :I* ! COMRADES US$ TO TEASE H]1 & TOOK H] P5 TO ANSW] =?) 
) A DECISIVE REFUSAL4 ,BUT H[ TO ADDRESS IT8 ,HIS HOME WAS \T ( ! QUE/ION2HIS WIFE W\LD PLAGUE HIM TO DI/RACTION4 ,TO ,H48 ,HE W\LD NOT GET !RE BE=E ! TW5TY-EI<?4 ,SUPPOSE HE W]E GO+ !RE JU/ TO MEET H] AGA98 ,! ?\<T ( HIS DISAPPO9TM5T AT F9D+ H] REFUSAL !RE WAS ALMO/ MORE ?AN %E C\LD BE>4 ,HIS LETT] W\LD TELL H] :AT WAS TAK+ HIM !RE4 

 ,AS %E READ1 H] 9DIGNATION WILT$ & DISAPPE>$ & ) IT ! FEEL+ ( NEGLECT & HURT1 GIV+ PLACE TO A W>M FLOOD ( T5D]NESS = ?IS G5TLE ?9K] ) ! T5D] S\L :O HAD WRITT5 H] !SE HUMBLY PLEAD+1 ABJECTLY SELF-REPROA*FUL L9ES4 ,F> FROM BE+ 9DIFF]5T TO H] FATE HE HAD FOLL[$ H] ACTIVITY FROM A DI/ANCE1 GRE$ILY COLLECT+ EV]Y HIT ( 9=MATION HE C\LD GET CONC]N+ H] ACTIVITY4 ,HE KNEW ?AT %E WAS 5GAG$ 9 DIFFICULT1 RESPONSIBLE WORK & HAD REJOIC$ ?AT %E HAD F\ND A CONG5IAL OCCUPATION TO DI/RACT H] ?\<TS FROM ! PA9 HE KNEW HE 
HAD 9FLICT$4 444 ,HE1 H[EV]1 HAD F\ND ?AT FEEL+S >E /RONG] ?AN REASON4 ,IT WAS USELESS TO /RUGGLE AGA9/ !M4 ,!RE HAD NOT BE5 A DAY :5 HE HAD NOT LONG$ = H]4 

 ,HIS RELATIONS ) HIS WIFE W]E UN*ANG$1 WORSE1 IF ANY?+4 ,HE HAD BECOME MORE CRITICAL & MORE IRRITABLE1 & HIS HOME LIFE WAS BECOM+ A V]ITABLE HELL4 ,WORK1 UND] ?OSE CIRCUM/ANCES1 PROGRESS$ SL[LY4 ,REC5TLY1 H[EV]1 HE HAD *ANC$ ON AN 9T]E/+ ?\<T ?AT SEEM$ WOR? FOLL[+ UP1 & 9 SE>* ( MAT]IAL HE HAD MADE ! ACQUA9TANCE ( A PR(ESSOR 9 ,H4 :O HAD PLAC$ HIS LIBR>Y AT ,SS5JA'S DISPOSAL4 ,= ?AT REASON1 & BECAUSE HE MU/ TALK IT OV] ) ,NATAS*A1 :O W\LD HELP HIM DEVELOP IT MORE FULLY1 HE HAD DECID$ TO SP5D ! NEXT MON? & A HALF OR TWO MON?S 9 ,H4 

 ,%\LD !Y LET ?IS WOND]FUL OPPORTUNITY SLIP BY )\T SEE+ EA* O!R AGA98 ,NATAS*A MU/ COME6 ,SECRETLY1 ( C\RSE1 AS ALWAYS4 ,NO ONE MU/ KN[ :]E OR = :AT PURPOSE %E WAS GO+ 7BECAUSE ( ,ANJUTA74 ,%E W\LD MANAGE SOMEH[4 ,A PO/SCRIPT BEGG$ H] TO SUPPLY H]SELF ) ! NECESS>Y FUNDS1 S9CE HIS [N F9ANCES W]E 9 A MORE ?AN PREC>I\S CONDITION4 ,?IS WAS NOT NEW 
TO H]4 ,%E HAD ALWAYS BE5 F9ANCIALLY BETT] (F ?AN HE1 & !Y HAD ALWAYS >RANG$ !IR MEET+S ON ?AT BASIS1 %E PALL+ ! EXP5SES ?AT >OSE4 ,OBVI\SLY HE C\LD NOT BE EXPECT$ TO DEPRIVE HIS FAMILY AT HOME = ?IS PURPOSE1 P>TICUL>LY S9CE ! QUE/ION ( F9ANCES WAS ALWAYS A 
SORE ONE4 ,HIS FAMILY LIFE WAS ! TYPICAL LIFE ( ! ,RUSSIAN REFUGEE ( ?AT P]IOD - IRREGUL> 9COME & CON/ANT 9DEBT$NESS4 ,NATAS*A1 ON ! O!R H&1 HAD A REGUL> 9COME & /EADY EMPLOYM5T4 

 0,I AM LIKE A MAN :O KEEPS A TRY/ ) A /RANGE WOMAN1 & NATURALLY PAYS ALL EXP5DITURES ( SU* AN OCCASION10 %E ?\<T ) A SLI<TLY RUEFUL SMILE4 

 ,?IS TIME ,SS5JA'S DEM& BR\<T H] UP %ORT1 H[EV]4 

 0,EASY 5\< TO WRITE - SUPPLY Y\RSELF ) ! NECESS>Y FUNDS6 ,:]E AM ,I TO GET ! MONEY8 ,! J\RNEY ALONE WILL CO/ MORE ?AN ,I POSSESS40 

 ,:AT WAS %E TO DO8 ,! P>TY HAD BE5 9 URG5T NE$ ( FUNDS & %E HAD GIV5 ALL %E HAD1 RETA9+ JU/ 5\< TO PROVIDE = H] FRUGAL NE$S4 

 ,:AT WAS %E TO DO8 

 ,NATAS*A WAS NO LONG] 9 D\BT AS TO H] 9T5TIONS4 ,?AT QUE/ION HAD DECID$ ITSELF IRREVOCABLY :ILE %E P]SU$ HIS LETT]4 ,BUT %E MU/ F9D SOME 
WAY \T ( ALL ! DIFFICULTIES & H9DRANCES ?AT /OOD 9 ! WAY ( H] GO+4 ,ABOVE ALL1 ?IS MONEY QUE/ION W\LD HAVE TO BE DECID$4 

 ,%E BEGAN TO CALCULATE4 ,:AT %E HAD W\LD JU/ PAY H] TRIP TO ,H4 ,:]E TO GET ! RE/ - ?AT WAS ! QUE/ION4 ,PAWN H] WAT*8 ,%E W\LD GET SO LITTLE = IT ?AT IT W\LD NOT BE WOR? ! TR\BLE4 ,TELEGRAPH+ TO H] RELATIVES WAS TOO DI/A/EFUL TO BE CONSID]$ - !Y W\LD PROBABLY ANSW] 9 A LETT] FULL ( H9TS & RECRIM9ATIONS4 

 ,A PECULI> P]SON1 H] ,SS5JA4 ,WAS %E A MILLIONAIRESS8 ,DID IT NEV] OCCUR TO HIM ?AT IT MI<T BE DIFFICULT = H] TO RAISE SU* A SUM AT A MOM5T'S NOTICE8 ,= AN 9/ANT A FEEL+ ( RES5TM5T TOOK POSSESSION ( H]4 ,HE PAID NO ATT5TION TO H] DIFFICULTIES - EV]4 ,LIKE A *ILD4444 

 ,?IS COMP>ISON T\*$ & S(T5$ H] AT ONCE4 

 ,EXACTLY4 ,A *ILD1 A GREAT1 OV]-GR[N *ILD4 ,GREAT M9DS W]E LIKE ?AT - LIKE *ILDR5 9 PRACTICAL MATT]S4 ,?AT WAS NATURAL4 

 ,%E SP5T ! RE/ ( ! EV5+1 TILL F> 9TO ! 
NI<T1 OV] H] PLANS1 BUT ! MORE E>NE/LY %E 
REFLECT$1 ! FUR!R IT SEEM$ TO REMOVE H] FROM ANY WAY \T ( ! DIFFICULTY4 

 ,W\LD %E HAVE TO =EGO ?IS VISIT TO HIM BECAUSE ( A LITTLE /UPID MONEY8 

 ,NATAS*A SAT UP DESP]ATELY 9 H] B$ & BEAT H] H&S TOGE!R 9 H] ANGUI%4 

 ,MONEY WAS BY NO MEANS ! ONLY CONSID]ATION1 ( C\RSE4 ,!RE W]E H] WORK1 & ! RESPONSIBILITIES %E HAD ASSUM$4 ,TRUE1 %E HAD PLANN$ IT SO WELL ?AT IT WAS RUNN+ SMOO?LY ON ITS [N MOM5TUM4 ,%E W\LD PROBABLY F9D SOMEONE TO TAKE H] PLACE = ?REE OR F\R WEEKS4 ,BUT ALL ?IS WAS MORE EASILY SAID ?AN DONE4 ,:AT W\LD ! COMRADES ?9K ( H]8 ,IT WAS NOT PLEASANT TO FEEL !IR DISAPPROV+ EYES4 ,A LOOK ( CONDEMNATION OR AN UNFRI5DLY MALICI\S COMM5T HAD MORE ?AN ONCE DEPRESS$ H] = A :OLE DAY4 ,%E W\LD HAVE TO SPEAK TO ,DONZEFF :O1 %E KNEW1 DISAPPROV$ ( H] & CALL$ H] 0! F9E LADY0 BEH9D H] HACK4 ,HE W\LD NATURALLY RES5T ?IS SUDD5 DEP>TURE & W\LD SEE 9 IT1 NOT )\T JU/IFICATION1 NEW PRO( ( HIS CONT5TION ?AT %E WAS UNRELIABLE4 0,JU/ AS ,I SAID4 ,NATALJA ,ALEX&R[NA IS TOO MU* CONC]N$ ) MATT]S \TSIDE ( ! MOVEM5T40 

 ,%E C\LD ALMO/ HE> HIS UNPLEASANT1 GRAT+ VOICE AS HE WALK$ FROM ONE CORN] ( ! ROOM TO 
! O!R ) HIS SLI<TLY HALT+ GAIT4 ,%E RESOLUTELY PUT HIM \T ( H] M9D1 & REFUS$ TO CONSID] :AT W\LD HAPP5 AFT] %E RETURN$444,?AT W\LD TAKE C>E ( ITSELF AFT]W>DS2 N[ %E MU/ F9D SOME WAY \T4 ,SS5JETS*KA MU/ NOT BE DISAPPO9T$1 & %E H]SELF444 ABOVE EV]Y?+ ELSE %E MU/ SEE HIM AGA94 ,%E FELT ?AT %E W\LD LOSE HIM IRREVOCABLY IF %E FAIL$ TO ANSW] HIS CALL AT ?IS TIME1 & ! ?\<T1 ) ITS BITT] F9ALITY1 WAS MORE ?AN %E C\LD BE>4 

 ,RA!R DIE ?AN ?AT6 

 ,:5 %E CAME TO ! (FICE E>LI] ?AN WAS H] WONT ON ! FOLL[+ MORN+1 H] WE>Y EYES FELL ) A GLEAM ( HOPE ON ,WANJETS*KA1 ?RON+ ON A HI< *AIR1 ALONE 9 ! ROOM 9 ! MID/ ( A CL\D ( CIG>ETTE SMOKE4 ,HE WAS UND]SCOR+ A P>AGRAPH H]E & A S5T5CE !RE 9 SOME NEWSPAP]S ?AT LAY BE=E HIM4 

 0,I HAVE ! HONOR TO REPORT TO H] ,HI<NESS ,NATALJA ,ALEX&R[NA & TO WI% H] ! BE/ ( HEAL?10 HE MOCK$1 )\T1 H[EV]1 RAIS+ HIS HEAD4 

 0,GOOD MORN+1 ,WANJETS*KA40 

 ,WANJETS*KA CAU<T A TRACE ( SELF-PITY 9 H] VOICE & ?REW H] A QUICK LOOK OV] HIS GLASSES4 

 0,:AT IS TR\BL+ Y\R ,HI<NESS8 ,MELAN*OLY80 

0,OH1 ,WANJETS*KA1 DON'T ASK ME40 

 ,NATAS*A GE/UR$ HOPELESSLY4 ,%E FELT H]SELF SO UNFAIRLY TREAT$ BY LIFE ?AT EV5 HIS LAU<+ SYMPA?Y T\*$ H]4 

 0,SO1 SO10 HE EXCLAIM$1 MORE S]I\SLY N[4 0,:AT IS ?IS8 444 ,SOME?+ NEW8 ,BUT :Y CRY ALL Y\R TE>S TO Y\RSELF8 ,TELL ME AB\T IT1 IF ?+S HAVE COME TO SU* A PASS40 

 ,HE PU%$ HIS PAP]S AWAY1 BUT1 AFRAID ( IRRITAT+ ,NATAS*A ) TOO GREAT A %[ ( CURIOSITY1 /ILL P]SI/$ 9 ?IS BANT]+ POSE ( A FRI5D READY TO HE> ANO!R'S CONFESSION4 

 ,NATAS*A1 HUNGRY = A SYMPA!TIC E>1 P\R$ \T A CONFUS$ /ORY ( HALF-TRU?S 444 ?AT %E MU/ LEAVE T[N AT ONCE BUT ?AT IT WAS IMPOSSIBLE = H] TO DO SO BECAUSE ( H] WORK1 ?AT %E HAD NO MONEY4 ,ON ! O!R H&1 IF %E DID NOT GO1 A MIS=TUNE1 A T]RIBLE MIS=TUNE MI<T RESULT4444 

 0,9 %ORT1 IT IS A MATT] ( LIFE & DEA?40 

,TE>S RAN FROM H] EYES UNA%AM$4 

 ,WANJETS*KA KNEW ,NATAS*A AS A ?OR\<LY EFFICI5T WORK]1 HE KNEW H] 9 H] ANGRY & 9 H] DESPOND5T MOODS2 ?AT %E C\LD CRY LIKE AN UNREASONABLE *ILD - ?AT WAS AN UNEXPECT$ LI<T ON H] *>ACT]4 

 0,WELL1 WELL1 ,I W\LDN'T LET MY HEAD HANG 9 ?IS FA%ION IF ,I W]E Y\4 ,TE>S CO9 NO MONEY1 Y\ KN[4 ,N[ TRY TO BE S5SIBLE = A MOM5T & TELL ME H[ MU* Y\ NE$4 ,MU*80 

 0,?AT IS JU/ IT1 ,WANJETS*KA4 ,SO MU* ?AT IT IS PRACTICALLY \T ( ! QUE/ION40  

,& ,NATAS*A NAM$ ! FIGURE4 

 0,WELL1 ?AT IS A R\ND SUM1 ,I'LL CONFESS4 ,WE WON'T F9D IT 9 \R POCKETS4 ,BUT :Y DO Y\ SQU&] Y\R [N CAPITAL SO ?\<TLESSLY IF Y\ NE$ MONEY SO BADLY4 ,( :AT USE >E !SE GR& GE/URES :5 ! P>TY CALLS = FUNDS IF Y\ Y\RSELF HAVE TO GO BEGG+ AFT]W>DS80 

 0,BUT ,WANJETS*KA1 ,I DON'T NE$ ?IS = MYSELF4444 
 ,Y\ DON'T SEEM TO REALIZE H[ IMPORTANT ?IS IS4 ,IF ,I DON'T GO D[N !RE - IF ,I DON'T GET HOLD ( ?IS DAMN$ MONEY SOMEH[ 444 9 A WORD1 ! LIFE ( A HUMAN BE+1 P]HAPS ( TWO1 DEP5DS ON IT40 

 0,SO IT'S AN ESCAPE Y\ >E TALK+ AB\T8 ,Y\ 
>E TRY+ TO HELP SOMEONE GET AWAY FROM ! POLICE80 ,AT LA/ ,WANJETS*KA BELIEV$ HE UND]/OOD4 

0,PUT IT ?AT WAY1 IF Y\ WILL44440 

 0,:Y DIDN'T Y\ SAY SO AT ONCE 9/EAD ( BEAT+ AB\T ! BU% ) Y\R 'P]SONAL REASONS4' ,! LADY MU/ LEAVE US1 :E!R = A WEEK OR =EV] %E DOESN'T SAY4 ,IF Y\ HAD TOLD ME AT ONCE ?AT IT'S A MATT] ( CONSPIRACY1 W\LD ,I HAVE BO!R$ Y\ ) QUE/IONS8 ,I AM NOT CURI\S4 ,I KN[ ?AT ONE DOES NOT ASK UNNECESS>Y QUE/IONS 9 SU* AFFAIRS1 & ?AT :AT Y\ DO NOT TELL ME ,I AM NOT SUPPOS$ TO KN[4 ,BUT HELP 444 8 ,IF IT IS POSSIBLE1 ( C\RSE ,I WILL HELP40 

 ,NATAS*A DID NOT ANSW]1 BUT %E WAS QUITE SATISFI$ ) ,WANJETS*KA'S 9T]PRETATION ( H] PR$ICAM5T1 P>TICUL>LY S9CE HE WAS EVID5TLY POND]+ ON ! POSSIBILITY ( PROCUR+ ! DESIR$ FUNDS = H]4 ,AFT] ALL1 WAS IT A CRIME TO DECEIVE HIM CONC]N+ ! PURPOSE = :I* ! MONEY WAS TO BE US$8 ,%E WAS M]ELY TRY+ TO BORR[ ON GOOD SECURITY1 & WAS FULLY PREP>$ TO PL$GE ! ROYALTIES ( H] LA/ LIT]>Y WORK 9 RETURN4 ,! >TICLE WAS ALREADY 9 TYPE4 

 0,NEV] M9D Y\R F9ANCIAL S*EMES JU/ N[4 ,FIR/ WE MU/ F9D SOMEONE :O HAS MONEY TO 
GIVE4444 ,!RE IS AN OLD G5TLEMAN 444 BUT ,I AM AFRAID HE HAS BE5 TOO ?OR\<LY PLUCK$ BY \R COMRADES 9 ! PA/ TO BE APPROA*ABLE4 ,HE WILL PROBABLY REFUSE TO GIVE AGA940 

 0,WANJETS*KA1 ,I KN[ :OM Y\ MEAN4 ,TRY IT1 
PLEASE1 = MY SAKE4 ,IT WILL BE EASI] IF Y\ GO TO HIM4 ,TELL HIM ?AT ! MONEY IS TO GO ?R\< MY H&S1 ?AT ,I HOLD MYSELF P]SONALLY RESPONSIBLE = ITS REPAYM5T4 444 ,I'LL GIVE Y\ A NOTE AT ONCE IF Y\ ?9K IT IS BE/4 44 40 

 0,EASY1 EASY1 N[4 ,NOT A C5T )9 A MILE ( H] & %E IS H&+ \T RECEIPTS4444 ,Y\ >E A F9ANCI]1 ,I MU/ SAY4 ,BUT H]E ,I AM *ATT]+ AWAY :5 ,I %\LD BE TELEPHON+4 444 ,AH1 ,NATALJA ,ALEX&R[NA1 A F9E ONE Y\ >E TO DI/RACT AN HONE/ WORK+MAN FROM HIS LABOR1 TEMPT+ HIM FROM ! /RAI<T & N>R[ PA? ( DUTY40 

 ,TWO DAYS LAT] ,WANJETS*KA H&$ ,NATAS*A AN 5VELOPE ) GREAT %[ ( C]EMONY4 

 0,H]E Y\ >E4 ,I HAVE MET ! 5EMY & HE IS 
\RS60 

0,WANJETS*KA1 Y\ D>L+60 ,%E WAS READY TO KISS HIM4 

 0,:AT IS ALL ?IS 444 D>L+ & KISSES1 9DE$6 ,SU* A FUSS OV] A LITTLE1 UNIMPORTANT MATT]4 

,BUT N[ ! RECEIPT1 MY LADY1 IF Y\ PLEASE4 ,! OLD MAN IS A H>D CU/OM]4 ,HE GROAN$444TIMES >E SO BAD & HE HAS GIV5 SO MU* ?AT HE HAS NO?+ = HIMSELF4 ,WELL1 !N ,I TOLD HIM ?AT Y\ W]E READY TO (F] SECURITY & M5TION$ Y\R WILL+NESS TO GIVE Y\R P]SONAL RECEIPT4 ,HE BECAME S(T AT ONCE4 ,H]E1 H]E1 DON'T PUT ?AT 5VELOPE 9TO Y\R POCKET )\T C\NT+ ! MONEY4 ,H[ DO Y\ KN[ ,I HAV5'T *EAT$ Y\8 ,P]HAPS ,I TOOK HALF ( IT = MYSELF40 

 0,Y\ W\LD BE WELCOME TO EV]Y P5NY ( IT1 ,WANJETS*KA40 

 0,?IS IS A F9E /ATE ( AFFAIRS4 ,:Y DO Y\ ASK = TWICE AS MU* AS Y\ NE$1 PRAY1 IF ONE-HALF ! AM\NT IS SUFFICI5T8 ,OR DO Y\ 9T5D TO BUY Y\RSELF A SABLE COAT ) ! RE/8 ,AH1 Y\R ,HI<NESS1 !RE IS SOME?+ MI<TY MY/]I\S AB\T ?IS :OLE BUS9ESS4 444,:O IS ?IS :OSE LIFE IS TO BE SAV$8 444 ,DON'T COME TO ME TO ACT AS BE/ MAN AT A W$D+1 OR TO FUNCTION AT A *RI/5+ :5 IT IS ALL OV]40 

 ,NATAS*A LAU<$ HAPPILY & SQUEEZ$ HIS H&4 

 0,I AM SO GRATEFUL TO Y\1 ,WANJETS*KA1 SO GRATEFUL40 

 ,AT ! DOOR ,WANJETS*KA TURN$ BACK TO H] ONCE MORE4 

 0,9 ?AT CASE1 Y\ MAY S5D ME A PO/-C>D FROM ! PLACE :]E Y\ >E GO+4 ,IT W\LD BE 9T]E/+ TO SEE IT40 

 ,HE LAU<$ IMPI%LY AT H] EVID5T DISCOMFITURE4 

 0,I PROMISE NOT TO BREA! A WORD TO ANO!R MORTAL S\L4 ,I WILL KEEP IT A SECRET TO ! 5D ( MY DAYS 444 BUT AS TO MYSELF - ,I AM 9T]E/$4 ,IF Y\ TRU/ ME1 S5D ME A C>D4 ,UNLESS ,I RECEIVE ONE FROM Y\1 Y\ MAY CONSID] \R FRI5D%IP AT AN 5D40 

 ,WANJETS*KA PULL$ HIS FUR CAP OV] HIS =EHEAD ) AN EXPRESSION ( SEV]E GR&ILOQU5CE & DISAPPE>$ BEH9D ! DOOR4 
,V,I,I,I 

,N,A,T,A,S,*,A WAS 9 A FEV] ( EXPECTANCY4 ,TIME 9 ! RAILROAD C>RIAGE WAS /&+ /ILL4 ,AT TIMES ,NATAS*A'S HE>T EXP&$ JOY\SLY AT ! PROSPECT ( MEET+ H] LOV]1 !N IT LAY /ILL1 C\NT+ ! M9UTES & H\RS ?AT /RET*$ BETWE5 H] & ! MOM5T :5 %E W\LD SEE HIM AGA94 ,! LA/ H\RS BECAME EXQUISITE TORTURE4 ,SUPPOSE HE DID NOT COME TO ! /ATION6 ,:]E W\LD %E F9D HIM8 ,W\LD %E HAVE TO SP5D A WRET*$ NI<T 9 ! DRE>Y 9N ( A /RANGE T[N - ALONE8 ,:5 ! /ATION LI<TS APPE>$ \TSIDE ! W9D[S ( ! TRA9 AT LA/1 H] HE>T BEAT SO VIOL5TLY ?AT %E LOOK$ AT H] NEI<BORS 9 AL>M1 SO SURE %E WAS ?AT !Y MU/ HAVE HE>D IT4 ,TUK-TUK-TUK - IT WAS CAUS+ H] ACTUAL PHYSICAL PA91 & S5T ! BLOOD LIKE AN UNPLEASANT1 ICY D\*E ?R\< H] VE9S4 ,H] H&S W]E TREMBL+LY1 USELESSLY NUMB AS %E LEAN$ F> \T ( ! W9D[ = A GLIMPSE ( HIM4 

 ,WAS HE !RE8 ,WAS HE !RE8 

,! /ATION 444 MILL+ CR[DS 444 PEOPLE - SO MANY ( !M6 ,W\LD HE BE ABLE TO F9D H]8 ,W\LD HE SEE H]8 

,!RE HE WAS4 ,( C\RSE1 ?AT WAS HE4 

 ,H] HE>T BEAT L\D] /ILL1 BUT ?IS TIME 9 EXULTANT1 JOY\S ?ROBS4 

 ,9 ! LONG H\RS 9 ! RAILROAD COMP>TM5T %E HAD TRI$ TO PICTURE !IR MEET+4 ,%E W\LD FALL AB\T HIS NECK1 DISREG>D+ ! 9DIFF]5T PUBLIC AB\T !M4 

 ,H[ DIFF]5T ?IS REALITY FROM H] HI<LY COLOR$ EXPECTATIONS4 

 ,JUMP+ HURRI$LY FROM ! C>RIAGE-/EPS %E /UMBL$ & FELL1 UMBRELLA1 BAG & PURSE FLY+ UNGRACEFULLY 9 DIFF]5T DIRECTIONS4 ,%E B5T TO PICK UP H] SCATT]$ BELONG+S & ,SS5JA HELP$ H] BE=E HE HAD A *ANCE TO GREET H]4 ,!N HE GAVE H] HIS H&4 

 ,NATAS*A PRESS$ IT )\T A WORD1 AS IF HE W]E A /RANG]4 

0,COME QUICKLY1 ,NATAS*A 444 ALL !SE PEOPLE !RE MAY BE SOMEONE :O KN[S US4 ,I %ALL GO AHEAD4 ,Y\ FOLL[40 

 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* M>*$ TO ! EXIT ( ! /ATION ) /UDI$ UNCONC]N1 AS IF HE HAD 
NO?+ 9 ! WORLD TO DO ) ,NATAS*A :O1 TRY+ H>D TO MAKE H]SELF BELIEVE ?AT %E HAD ALREADY SE5 HIM1 HURRI$ ANXI\SLY AFT] HIM1 LE/ 
%E FALL BEH9D & LOSE SI<T ( HIM4 

 ,9 ! FLEET+ GLANCE %E HAD BE5 ABLE TO GIVE HIM IT HAD SEEM$ TO H] ?AT HE WAS *ANG$4 ,!RE WAS SOME?+ DIFF]5T1 /RANGE AB\T HIM4 ,HAD HE BECOME /\T]8 ,OR WAS HIS BE>D LONG] ?AN HE WAS ACCU/OM$ TO WE>+ IT8 ,?IS FE> ( HIS ( MEET+ *ANCE ACQUA9TANCES WAS NOT NEW TO H]2 ?IS WAS NOT ! FIR/ ( !SE DISAGREEABLE WALKS ?R\< A /RANGE CITY :]E NO ONE HAD EV] SE5 !M BE=E4 ,TO-DAY ,SS5JA'S FOOLI% MANIA1 & EV5 MORE ! FACT ?AT HE HAD NOT F\ND A WORD ( WELCOME = H] AFT] !SE LONG MON?S ( ABS5CE IRRITAT$ H] UNACC\NTABLY4 

 ,!Y CROSS$ A L>GE1 EMPTY PLAZA UND] BL9K+ LANT]NS TO A HOTEL :]E A UNI=M$ PORT] RECEIV$ !M & A BOY ) %9+ BUTTONS TOOK H] BAG4 ,9 ! ELEVATOR ?AT C>RI$ !M UP TO !IR ROOMS ,SS5JA APPROA*$ H] FAMILI>LY = ! FIR/ TIME & TRI$ TO TAKE H] H&4 ,9/9CTIVELY %E DREW BACK ) A W>N+ LOOK AT ! BOY ) ! BUTTONS4 

 0,?AT IS ALL RI<T10 HE REASSUR$ H]4 0,I TOLD !M 
?AT ,I WAS EXPECT+ MY WIFE & TOOK A ROOM = TWO4 444,WE WILL MOVE TO ANO!R HOTEL LAT] ON4 ,TO-NI<T4444 ,Y\ SEE1 ,I HAVE LE>N$ FROM EXP]I5CE40 

 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* *UCKL$ AS HE LOOK$ AT H] >*LY ?R\< HIS GOLD-RIMM$ GLASSES4 ,NATAS*A SMIL$ A BLEAK LITTLE SMILE ?AT DR[N$ ! LI<T ?AT HAD BE5 GL[+ 9 H] EYES ALL DAY SO HAPPILY ?AT H] FELL[-PASS5G]S HAD LOOK$ AT H] AGA9 & AGA94 ,!RE HAD BE5 SO MU* DREAMY BLISS 9 ?OSE EYES4 ,N[ !RE WAS ONLY ANXI\S QUE/ION+4 

 ,HAD %E REALLY MET ! MAN %E SO LONG$ TO SEE8 ,OR WAS ?IS MAN :O /OOD BESIDE H] ANO!R - A /RANG]4448 

 ,! BOY ) ! %9Y BUTTONS OP5$ ! DOOR ( A V]Y ORD9>Y HOTEL ROOM ) A FL\RI% & BADE !M GOOD-NI<T AFT] HE HAD C>RI$ 9 H] BAG4 

 0,LET ME LOOK AT Y\4 ,?9N]8 ,OR >E Y\ WORN \T AFT] ! TRIP80 

 ,HE TOOK H] PASSIONATELY 9TO HIS >MS4 

 0,SS5JETS*KA1 WAIT A MOM5T4 ,LET ME TAKE (F MY HAT40 

 ,NATAS*A /RUGGL$ \T ( HIS EMBRACE ) 
H&S UPRAIS$1 TRY+ VA9LY TO REMOVE ! HAT ?AT RESI/$ H] EF=TS BECAUSE ! HATP9 HAD BECOME 5TANGL$ ) H] VEIL4 

0,S5JETS*KA1 PLEASE40 

 ,BUT ,SS5JETS*KA PAID NO ATT5TION TO H] \TCRIES4 ,HE PRESS$ H] TO HIM & KISS$ H] WILDLY4 

 0,MY SWEET GIRL1 MY BELOV$4 444 ,I WANT$ Y\ SO1 ,I WANT$ Y\ SO60 

 ,! HAT WAS /ILL ON H] HEAD1 BUT ,NATAS*A LAY ACROSS ! WIDE B$1 HIS HOT BREA? SCOR*+ H] FACE4 ,%E FELT ONLY EXTREME DISCOM=T4 ,H] HAT WAS PULL+ AT H] HAIR1 HAIR-P9S W]E BOR+ 9TO H] HEAD4 444 ,SS5JA HIMSELF SEEM$ F>1 F> AWAY4 

 ,BRUIS$ & BROK51 ! BEAUTIFUL %9+ HAPP9ESS ?AT HAD BR\<T H] TO HIM AS IF ON W+S4 ,BRUIS$ & BROK5 BY ,SS5JA ) HIS IMPETU\S1 BRUTALLY-9CONSID]ATE C>ESSES4 

 0,LET ME KISS Y\1 ,NATAS*A4 ,GIVE ME Y\R LIPS4 ,:Y DO Y\ TURN AWAY8 ,DO Y\ LOVE ME80 

 ,NATAS*A SIL5TLY PRESS$ HIS HEAD TO H] BREA/1 ! DE> HEAD %E LOV$ SO MU*4 

 ,%E SMIL$1 BUT !RE W]E TE>S 9 H] EYES4 ,TE>S ( HAPP9ESS HE ?\<T4 

 ,LET HIM ?9K AS HE WI%$4 ,NATAS*A KNEW ?AT 
H] S\L WAS WEEP+ OV] ! %ATT]$ FRAGM5TS ( ANO!R DREAM1 ?AT H] HE>T WAS BLE$+ FROM ANO!R W\ND ?AT W\LD NEV]1 NEV] HEAL4 

 ,HE WAS ASLEEP1 & ,NATAS*A SAT AT ! HEAD ( ! B$ />+ /EADILY 9TO ! D>KNESS BE=E H]1 TRY+ 9 VA9 TO COMPREH5D :AT HAD HAPP5$4 

 0,HE LOVES ME4 ,IS IT ME HE LOVES1 OR ! WOMAN ?AT IS ,I8 ,?AT 9 ME :I* BELONGS TO MY SEX1 NOT ME4 ,IS IT = ?IS ,I LEFT MY WORK1 & W5T 9TO DEBT8 ,WAS IT = ?IS ?AT ,I RU%$1 HEAV5 ALONE KN[S :]E1 EXCIT$1 HAPPY1 BELIEV+ 9 SOME?+ F9E & BEAUTIFUL 444 8 ,OH1 :AT A FOOL1 :AT A FOOL ,I WAS60 

 ,SOME?+ HAD HAPP5$ ?AT C\LD NEV] BE UNDONE4 ,%E WANT$ TO WR+ H] H&S & BUR/ 9TO TE>S6 

 ,HAD %E EV] POSSESS$ ! ,SS5JETS*KA ( H] FOND MEMORIES1 HAD ?IS MAN ) HIS PASSIONATE LOVE EV] BE5 H] FRI5D1 H] COMRADE8 ,HAD IT NOT ALWAYS BE5 ,SS5JA1 ! MAN1 :O LOV$ ,NATAS*A1 ! WOMAN8 

 ,:Y HAD %E COME8 ,A ?\S& MILES AWAY %E HAD NOT BE5 AS LONESOME AS %E WAS1 H]E1 AT HIS 
SIDE4 ,A ?\S& MILES AWAY !RE HAD BE5 MEMORIES11 DREAMS1 HOPE 444 H]E ! DREAM WAS GONE4 ,GONE =EV]6 

"9"9"9"9"9 

 ,:5 ,NATAS*A >OSE ! NEXT MORN+ !RE WAS A /RANGE COOLNESS 9 H] S\L4 ,%E WAS 9DIFF]5T1 9DOL5T4444 

 0,TELL ME AB\T EV]Y?+ ?AT HAS HAPP5$ TO Y\ S9CE ,I SAW Y\ LA/40 

 ,!Y W]E SITT+ AT !IR MORN+ C(FEE 9 ! DISORD]LY - & TO ,NATAS*A = ?AT REASON - MO/ UNCOM=TABLE HOTEL ROOM4 ,NATAS*A HAD NO DESIRE TO TALK4 ,YE/]DAY - AH1 YE/]DAY1 9 H] WAY TO HIM %E HAD PICTUR$ IT ALL 9 GL[+ COLORS4 ,%E FELT ?AT %E W\LD NEV] F9I% H] RECITAL ( ! EV5TS ( ! MON?S ?AT HAD PASS$4 ,!Y W\LD SIT TOGE!R UNTIL LATE 9TO ! NI<T1 TALK+1 PLANN+4 ,%E HAD TRI$ TO RECALL EV]Y *>ACT]I/IC 9CID5T ?AT MI<T BE ( 9T]E/ TO HIM1 HAD CALL$ BACK TO M9D ! 9T]NAL P>TY LIFE ( ! LA/ HALF-YE> = DISCUSSIONS & PROBLEMS ?AT MI<T HAVE ESCAP$ HIS NOTICE4 ,%E HAD EV5 RESOLV$ TO DO P5ANCE = D\BT+ HIS LOVE = H]1 TO ABASE H]SELF BE=E HIM & TO DRIVE AWAY ! HURT H] CONFESSION 
W\LD CAUSE ) T5D] WORDS ( DEEPE/ UND]/&+4 ,BUT FIR/ !Y MU/ F9D EA* O!R AGA91 MU/ FEEL ?AT !IR S\LS W]E SW++ 9 ! GLORI\S H>MONY ( LOVE4 ,!N1 ONLY !N1 AS ! GREAT1 F9AL *ORD1 !IR S5SES W\LD BREAK D[N ALL B>RI]S & PASSION W\LD BURN UP ALL ?AT WAS /RANGE & =EIGN BETWE5 !M 9 ITS HOT1 CONSUM+ FLAMES4 

 ,?AT WAS !IR MEET+ AS %E HAD DREAM$ IT4 ,BUT AFT] ?IS BRIDAL NI<T ,NATAS*A HAD LO/ H] DESIRE TO SPEAK4 ,H] ANSW]S W]E LANGUID & DISSPIRIT$4 

 0,Y\ SEEM TO BE \T ( SORTS10 HE REM>K$1 SCANN+ H] FACE 9T5TLY4 

0,NOT AT ALL4 ,I AM SIMPLY TIR$4 ,NOT 5\< SLEEP40 

 0,POOR LITTLE GIRL6 ,:AT IS TO BECOME ( Y\ IF ONE NI<T ) ME WE>S Y\ \T LIKE ?IS80 

 ,!RE WAS A QUIZZICALLY SELF-CONSCI\S SMILE ON HIS FACE AS HE SAID ?IS1 ?AT BR\<T AN UNWILL+ FR[N TO ,NATAS*A'S BR[4 ,%E /RUGGL$ = SELF-CONTROL LE/ SOME UNACCU/OM$1 %>P WORD SLIP PA/ H] LIPS4 

,A KNOCK AT ! DOOR4  

,SS5JA HA/5$ TO OP54 

 ,A TELEGRAM4 

 ,FROM ,ANJUTA4 ,IT HAD BE5 S5T G5]AL DELIV]Y1 BUT ! HOTEL ADDRESS HAD BE5 REPORT$ TO ! PO/(FICE4 ,KOKOT*KA HAD ! MEASLES & WAS KEEP+ ,ANJUTA 9 CON/ANT ATT5DANCE4 ,%E WAS JU/ AB\T WORN \T4 

0,AS USUAL10 ,SS5JA SI<$4 

 ,AS HE /OOD BE=E H] ) HIS LEGS SPREAD & HIS HEAD B[$ D[N1 !RE WAS SOME?+ SO *ILDI%LY T\*+ 9 HIS GLUM FIGURE ?AT ,NATAS*A'S OLD T5D]NESS = ?IS MAN1 :O WAS SO /RONG & DET]M9$ 9 ! BIG ?+S ( LIFE & SO WEAK & HELPLESS 9 ITS TRIVIALITIES1 FILL$ H] 5TIRE BE+ 
ONCE MORE4 

 ,?IS1 ?IS WAS ! ,SS5JA %E LOV$1 ?IS POOR1 PA!TIC1 T\*+LY HELPLESS CREATURE4 444 

 ,9 AN 9/ANT %E WAS BESIDE HIM1 HOLD+ HIS HEAD 9 H] >MS & G5TLY KISS+ HIS EYES4 444 ,SOMEH[ %E FELT ?AT %E HAD JU/ F\ND HIM AGA91 AS IF %E HAD NEI!R SE5 HIM NOR BE5 ) HIM BE=E4 

 0,WAIT A MOM5T1 ,NATAS*A4 ,NOT N[1 PLEASE40 

 ,AGA9 HE HAD MISUND]/OOD H] 9NOC5T DEMON/RATIV5ESS4 0,WE MU/ ?9K ?IS OV]4 ,:AT AM ,I TO DO AB\T ?IS1 DO Y\ SUPPOSE80 

 ,HE SPOKE ) A DISC\RAG$ MOVEM5T ( HIS 
H&S & ,NATAS*A CAU<T !M1 ! DE>1 HELPLESS1 IMPRACTICAL H&S1 9 H] [N & /AMM]$3 

 0,JU/ N[ ,I FELT 444 AS IF ,I HAD JU/ ?IS MOM5T COME BACK TO Y\1 ,ONLY JU/ N[6 ,Y\ >E SU* A GREAT MAN1 ,SS5JA4 ,ALL ! WORLD LOOKS TO Y\ = ADVICE & DIRECTION1 & !N SOME LITTLE ?+ LIKE ?IS OCCURS & Y\ >E SO =LORN6 ,I AM SO HAPPY1 SO HAPPY BECAUSE ,I HAVE F\ND Y\ AGA94 ,I ?\<T ,I HAD LO/ Y\ =EV] 444 ?AT ,I HAD BE5 DECEIV$ 9 Y\4 ,?AT WAS SO DREADFUL1 ,SS5JA4 ,BUT Y\ >E H]E1 AFT] ALL 44 40 

"9"9"9"9"9 

 ,ON ! FOLL[+ DAY !Y W5T TO ANO!R HOTEL4 ,NATAS*A W5T FIR/ TO REGI/] 9 ! L>GE1 CONV5TIONAL HOTEL !Y HAD *OS51 ,SS5JA TAK+ A ROOM ON ! SAME FLOOR A FEW H\RS LAT]4 ,S9CE HE HAD COME TO WORK1 %E HAD 9SI/$ ON A COM=TABLE1 SPACI\S ROOM = HIM1 :ILE %E CONT5T$ H]SELF ) A SMALL1 UNPREPOSSESS+ CUBBYHOLE1 TRY+ TO MAKE IT AS PRES5TABLE AS POSSIBLE = HIS COM+ BY *ANG+ ! POSITION ( ! T9Y S(A1 DI/RIBUT+ ! BOOKS %E HAD BR\<T1 & BUY+ A FEW FL[]S4 

 ,HE CAME UNEXPECT$LY1 AS ALWAYS1 & F\ND 
,NATAS*A AT ! DESK :]E %E WAS WRIT+ ! PROMIS$ C>D TO ,WANJETS*KA4 

 0,SO ?IS IS :]E Y\ >E HID+4 ,I'VE BE5 W&]+ UP & D[N CORRIDORS LOOK+ = Y\R ROOM = ! LA/ HALF H\R4 ,! ROOM NUMB]S >E >RANG$ 9 ! MO/ ]RATIC FA%ION - #e#g1 = 9/ANCE1 IS DIRECTLY BESIDE #h#e444 

 0,Y\R ROOM IS QUITE *>M+4 ,I'VE BE5 KILL+ TIME BY /ROLL+ AB\T ! CITY1 & N[1 ,I SUPPOSE1 
IT IS TOO LATE TO TAKE A NAP4 ,GOODNESS1 ALMO/ SIX O'CLOCK4 ,I WILL HAVE TO GO TO ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE AT ONCE40 

 0,BUT :Y8 ,SURELY ! MORN+ WILL BE TIME 5\< = ?AT40 

 0,NO4 ,NO4 ,SUPPOSE ,ANJUTA %\LD WRITE TO HIM ?AT ,I LEFT HOME ON ! TW5TY-EI<?80  

0,9 ?AT CASE Y\ WILL SIMPLY TELL H] ?AT Y\ DID NOT GO TO HIM AT ONCE :5 Y\ >RIV$4 ,SURELY ?AT IS SIMPLE 5\<4 ,:AT UND] ! SUN %\LD MAKE H] ?9K ?AT ,I AM H]E1 :5 %E KN[S ?AT WE HAD DEF9ITELY DECID$ TO SEE NO?+ MORE ( ONE ANO!R80 

 0,AS IF ?AT MADE ANY DIFF]5CE6 ,DON'T Y\ KN[ ,ANJUTA8 ,NO1 IF ,I FAIL TO REPORT AT ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE TO-DAY1 ,I WILL NOT HAVE A PEACEFUL H\R :ILE 
,I AM H]E4 ,ONE CAN NEV] TELL H[ A ?+ LIKE ?AT WILL COME \T & CAUSE NO 5D ( TR\BLE4 ,:E!R 
Y\ LIKE IT OR NOT1 ,NATAS*A1 ,I MU/ GO TO-DAY40 

 ,NATAS*A REALIZ$ ! USELESSNESS ( FUR!R PROTE/ATIONS4 ,HIS FE> ?AT ,ANJUTA MI<T SUSPECT H] PRES5CE 9 ,H4 AM\NT$ TO A POSITIVE MANIA4 ,%E SAID NO MORE4 

 0,:AT W]E Y\ DO+ :ILE ,I WAS AWAY8 ,WRIT+80  

0,YES4 ,WRIT+40 

 ,HIS EYES HAD CAU<T SI<T ( ! PO/-C>D ON ! TABLE & RETURN$ ) A FR[N TO H] EMB>RASS$ C\NT5ANCE4 ,CORRESPOND5CE FROM !IR MEET+ PLACES WAS ALWAYS /RICTLY PROHIBIT$4 ,!Y HAD MADE IT A PRACTICE TO S5D MAIL BY WAY ( AN ABSOLUTELY RELIABLE ?IRD P]SON4 ,YET !RE LAY ,WANJETS*KA'S PO/-C>D1 ) ! NAME ( ! T[N 9 ,NATAS*A'S H&WRIT+ PLA9LY VISIBLE OV] A PICTURE ( ! LOCALITY4 

 0,TO :OM >E Y\ S5D+ ?AT C>D80 ,SS5JA DEM&$1 UNPLEASANTLY AFFECT$ BY ! DI/URBANCE 9 ,NATAS*A'S FACE4 ,HE B5T OV] ! TABLE TO READ ! ADDRESS4 

 ,TRY+ VA9LY TO CONCEAL H] DISCOMFITURE BY A 
JOCUL> PRET5SE ,NATAS*A COV]$ ! C>D ) 
H] H&4 

 0,I %ALL NOT TELL Y\4 ,I WON'T LET Y\ SEE IT4 ,?IS IS MY SECRET40 

 0,SECRET8 ,N[ ,I 9SI/ ON SEE+ IT4 ,GIVE ME ?AT C>D AT ONCE4 ,I DEM& IT4 ,IF Y\ DO NOT GIVE IT TO ME WILL+LY1 ,I %ALL USE =CE40 

 ,!Y /RUGGL$ LAU<+LY = A MOM5T1 BUT !IR FACES BETRAY$ ! S]I\SNESS BEH9D !IR PLAY4 

 0,WELL1 ?IS IS A F9E /ATE ( AFFAIRS1 ,I MU/ SAY4 ,:5 HAVE Y\ HAD SECRETS FROM ME BE=E8444 ,Y\ NEV] US$ TO HIDE Y\R LETT]S FROM ME40 

0,I DON'T WANT Y\ TO READ MY LETT]S4 ,Y\ HAVE NO RI<T TO ASK IT4444 ,H[ D>E Y\6 ,?IS IS TYRANNY60 

 ,HE HAD MANAG$ TO PRY AP>T ! F+]S ?AT CLUT*$ ! C>D1 & HELD IT 9 HIS H&4 

 0,DON'T Y\ D>E READ ?AT C>D6 ,DON'T D>E1 ,I TELL Y\ 444 6 ,?IS IS AN \TRAGE60 ,NATAS*A'S VOICE WAS T5SE ) FURY AS %E SNAT*$ ! C>D FROM HIS UNSUSPECT+ H& & TORE IT 9TO BITS BE=E %E ?REW IT 9TO ! WA/E BASKET4 

 0,NATAS*A60 

 ,!Y LOOK$ AT EA* O!R ) ANGRY1 MEASUR+ EYES4 

 0,?IS IS AN IMPOSITION1 A VULG>1 CO>SE IMPOSITION4 ,DON'T Y\ D>E READ MY LETT]S6 ,DON'T Y\ D>E 60 

 ,NATAS*A WAS PANT+1 H] *EEKS GL[$ & H] LIPS UNCONSCI\SLY REPEAT$ ! BITT] WORDS AGA9 & AGA94 

 0,NATAS*A6 ,NATAS*A6 ,:AT DOES ?IS MEAN8 ,IT IS TRUE1 !N80 ,HE SANK TO ! S(A & COV]$ HIS FACE ) HIS H&S1 A PICTURE ( TRAG$Y4 

 0,IS :AT TRUE80 ,NATAS*A LOOK$ AT HIM CURI\SLY4 

 0,?AT Y\ HAVE ALREADY F\ND ANO!R LOV]4 ,?AT Y\ LEFT ANO!R MAN BEH9D Y\1 A MAN ( :OM Y\ >E FOND444 80 

 0,>E Y\ MAD8 444 ,:AT GIVES Y\ ! RI<T TO ?9K ?AT80 

 0,I RECEIV$ TWO ANONYM\S LETT]S ) ALL SORTS ( DETAILS4 44 40  

0,& Y\ BELIEV$ !M80 

 0,I BURN$ !M UP AT ONCE 444 BUT AFT] ?IS4444:AT AM ,I TO ?9K8 ,Y\R EMB>RASSM5T :5 ,I CAME 91 Y\R 9CR$IBLE /UBBORNNESS1 ?IS 
ANG] 444 Y\ NEV] SPOKE TO ME 9 ?IS TONE BE=E4 ,OH1 ,NATAS*A1 ,NATAS*A6 ,CAN IT BE TRUE8 ,H[ CAN ,I BE> IT8 ,:Y DID Y\ COME IF Y\ C>E = ANO!R8 ,TELL ME OP5LY4 ,ANY?+ IS BETT] ?AN ?IS UNC]TA9TY40 

 0,SS5JA1 PLEASE COME TO Y\R S5SES4 ,?9K :AT Y\ >E SAY+4 ,:Y %\LD ,I LIE TO Y\8 ,:AT C\LD BR+ ME H]E TO Y\ IF ,I LOV$ AN- 
,O!R80 

0,PITY40  

0,PITY = Y\80  

0,Y\ HAVE SU* A GOOD HE>T40 

 ,HIS FACE WAS SO DRAWN ) PA91 HIS EYES SO FULL ( G5U9E SORR[ ?AT ,NATAS*A C\LD NOT HELP SMIL+4 

 0,DE>1 SILLY ,SS5JETS*KA6 ,H[ C\LD Y\ BELIEVE ?AT = A MOM5T8 ,DON'T Y\ KN[ :AT Y\ >E 
TO ME80 

 ,KNEEL+ D[N BE=E HIM %E EMBRAC$ & KISS$ HIM4 ,HE RESI/$ AT FIR/ & REFUS$ TO BE CAU<T BY H] C>ESSES & TRICKS4 

0,& ! LETT]80 HE DEM&$1 DI/RU/FULLY4 

 0,! LETT]8 444 ,OH1 ,SS5JA4 ,READ IT !N1 IF Y\ 9SI/ ON BE+ SO /UPID40 

 ,%E HURRI$ TO ! TABLE1 PULL$ \T & OV]TURN$ ! BASKET SO ?AT ! PIECES LAY ON ! FLOOR BE=E H]4 ,& :ILE !Y CR\*$ ON ! FLOOR TO FIT ! PIECES TOGE!R1 %E TOLD HIM ( H] F9ANCIAL TRANSACTIONS & ( ! HELP ?AT ,WANJETS*KA HAD GIV5 H]4 

 ,SS5JA KNEW ,WANJETS*KA4 ,?IS1 TO BE SURE1 WAS NO RIVAL4 ,! 9NOC5TLY PLEASANT TONE ( ! PO/C>D REASSUR$ HIM COMPLETELY4 

0,Y\ DON'T KN[ H[ Y\ FRI<T5$ ME1 
,NATAS*9KA4 ,N[1 TELL ME IF Y\ PLEASE1 :AT WAS ! MEAN+ ( ?IS S5SELESS COM$Y8 ,:AT MADE Y\ ACT 9 ?IS 9COMPREH5SIBLE MANN]80 

 ,HIS TONE WAS GRUFF4 

 0,I FELT ?AT Y\ W\LD BE ANGRY AT ME = WRIT+ FROM H]E4 ,/ILL1 C\LD ,I HAVE REFUS$ TO DO HIM ?IS FAVOR AFT] ALL HE DID = US8 ,HE WON'T BETRAY US1 ( ?AT Y\ MAY BE SURE4 ,HE W\LD DIE RA!R ?AN TELL1 AFT] ! PROMISE HE GAVE ME40 

 0,YES1 ,I UND]/&4 ,NEV]!LESS1 ,NATAS*A1 IT IS V]Y C>ELESS ( Y\ TO WRITE FROM H]E4 ,ONE NEV] KN[S :AT MAY HAPP54 ,! C>D MAY FALL 9TO 9DISCREET H&S4444 ,FUR!RMORE1 :AT WILL ,WANJETS*KA ?9K 444 80 

 0,LET HIM ?9K :AT HE PLEASES4',A ROMANCE' HE 
WILL ?9K4 ,) :OM8 ,?AT DOES NOT CONC]N HIM40 

 0,NO1 DON'T SAY ?AT4 ,HE MAY HAPP5 TO F9D \T 
?AT ,I WAS H]E - H[ CAN ONE TELL8 ,AFT] ?AT !RE W\LD BE GUESSES & TALK4 ,AS Y\ PLEASE1 ( C\RSE1 BUT ,I BEG Y\ AGA91 TO WRITE TO NO ONE FROM H]E1 NOT EV5 TO ,WANJETS*KA40 

 ,HIS TONE AS HE SAID ?IS WAS FIRM1 ALMO/ COMM&+4 

 0,IF IT DISPLEASES Y\1 V]Y WELL4 ,I %ALL NOT S5D ! C>D40 

 ,SS5JA S5T ANO!R SE>*+ GLANCE 9 H] DIRECTION4 

 0,BUT Y\ >E (F5D$4 ,BECAUSE Y\ HAVE F\ND A MA/]1 ,I SUPPOSE1 :O P]MITS HIMSELF TO ISSUE ORD]S40 ,HE EMBRAC$ H]4 0,:AT IS ONE TO DO ) Y\ WOM58 ,ONE NE$ ONLY LOOK ! O!R WAY = A MOM5T & Y\ DO ?+S LIKE ?IS4 ,:AT N[8 ,(F5D$ AGA980 

 ,HE KNEW ?IS GE/URE ( H]S - %E HAD ?R[N BACK H] HEAD ) AN ANGRY MOVEM5T4 

 0,COME1 SWEE!>T1 COME4 ,DON'T BE ANGRY AT ME4 ,I WAS JU/ TEAS+4 ,Y\ KN[ ,I'M NOT ANGRY4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y1 ,I AM HAPPY & GRATEFUL TO Y\ = TAK+ A LOAD (F MY HE>T4 ,Y\ CAN'T IMAG9E H[ UNEASY 
,I HAVE BE51 & H[ Y\R FURY JU/ N[ FRI<T5$ ME4 ,I 444 ,I ?\<T ,I HAD LO/ Y\4 ,I CAN'T LIVE )\T Y\40 

 ,HE EMBRAC$ H] & PRESS$ HIS FACE C>ESS+LY TO H] BREA/4 

 0,I AM SO CONT5T$ :5 ,I AM ) Y\1 ,NATAS*A1 ,I WANT TO /AY NE> Y\ ALWAYS1 444 ,GOOD HEAV5S6 

 0,! PR(ESSOR6 ,:Y1 IT'S ALMO/ SEV5 O'CLOCK4 ,I MU/ RUN4 ,GOOD-BYE1 ,NATAS*A4 ,TILL ?IS EV5+40 ,HE HA/5$ AWAY :ILE ,NATAS*A COLLECT$ ! FRAGM5TS ( ! C>D TO ,WANJETS*KA FROM ! FLOOR 
& DROPP$ !M ?\<TFULLY 9TO ! BASKET ONCE MORE4 

 ,%E WAS SO TIR$4 ,%E WI%$ %E W]E BACK AT HOME AGA91 FEEL+ SOME:]E 9 ! BACKGR\ND ( CONSCI\SNESS3 ,WE HAVE BECOME /RANG]S TO ONE ANO!R4 
,I,X 

,S,5,J,A RETURN$ 9 A HI<LY ELAT$ FRAME ( M9D1 FULL ( NEW ?\<TS HIS CONV]SATION ) ! PR(ESSOR HAD />T$4 ,! PR(ESSOR'S RESE>* WORK HAD REC5TLY TAK5 HIM ALONG ! L9ES ( ,SS5JA'S [N 9VE/IGATIONS4 

 0,Y\ CAN'T IMAG9E ! ?RILL ( F9D+ SOMEONE TO :OM ONE CAN SPEAK )\T EXP\ND+ FUNDAM5TALS1 :O %[S BY ! WAY HE APPROA*ES A SUBJECT ?AT HE UND]/&S IT & =CES ONE BY ! S\NDNESS ( HIS OBS]VATIONS TO REEVALUATE ONE'S [N !SES4 444 ,AS ,I TALK$ ) HIM ,I SAW AGA9 & AGA9 :]E ,I HAD GIV5 ! SUBJECT 9SUFFICI5T /UDY4 ,O!R QUE/IONS1 ,I F9D1 WILL REQUIRE COMPLETE REORI5TATION ON MY P>T4 ,IT IS ( VITAL IMPORTANCE TO DISCUSS !SE MATT]S ) SOMEONE :O HAS REAL KN[L$GE1 & ,I AM ONLY JU/ BEG9N+ TO REALIZE H[ />V$ ,I HAVE BE5 = 9TELLIG5T 9T]C\RSE AS AN 9SPIRATION & A HELP TO MY WORK40 

 ,C\LD ,SS5JA BUT HAVE GUESS$ ?AT EA* WORD 
HE UTT]$ WAS PI]C+ H] HE>T LIKE A LONG1 F9E NE$LE1 LEAV+ A PA9FUL W\ND6 ,9 HIS EYES !N1 ,NATAS*A HAD NEV] BE5 AN 9TELLIG5T P]SON ) :OM ONE MI<T DISCUSS ONE'S PROBLEMS8 ,POOR DELUD$ FOOL ?AT %E HAD BE5 ALL !SE YE>S1 TO HAVE 
IMAG9$ ?AT %E 9SPIR$ & HELP$ HIS WORK1 ?AT %E HAD BECOME 9DISP5SABLE TO HIM6 

 0,:AT DID ! PR(ESSOR TELL Y\ ?AT WAS SO EXTRAORD9>ILY CLEV]10 %E ASK$10 ?AT EV5 Y\ BEG9 TO D\BT ! VALIDITY ( Y\R [N !SES80 ,!RE WAS A %>P *ALL5GE 9 H] VOICE1 BUT ,SS5JA PAID NO ATT5TION TO IT4 ,HE WAS QUITE EVID5TLY 9 NO MOOD TO DISCUSS HIS CONV]SATION ) ! PR(ESSOR ) H]4 ,TO-MORR[ - SOME O!R TIME1 P]HAPS4 ,BUT ,NATAS*A 9SI/$4 ,%E ASK$ QUE/IONS & DEM&$ ANSW]S ) UNUSUAL P]T9ACITY & DEF5D$ ,SS5JA'S ]/:ILE !SES AS PASSIONATELY AS IF %E H]SELF & H] M5TAL 9TEGRITY W]E BE+ QUE/ION$4444 ,HAD ,NATAS*A ALL[$ ,SS5JA TO LOOK 9TO H] HE>T HE W\LD HAVE BE5 A/\ND$ TO DISCOV] ! REAL CAUSE = H] /RANGE AGITATION4 ,NATAS*A WAS JEAL\S1 JEAL\S1 = ! FIR/ TIME 9 H] LIFE - %E :O HAD NEV] FELT A TRACE ( RES5TM5T OV] HIS EXAGG]AT$ CONSID]ATION = HIS WIFE1 :O HAD HONE/LY %>$ 
HIS FE> = ,ANJUTA'S HEAL? & LIFE DUR+ H] REC5T PREGNANCY & DELIV]Y - AT A TIME :5 !Y ALREADY LOV$ EA* O!R4 ,?IS PR(ESSOR :OM %E HAD NEV] SE51 :OM %E MI<T NEV] KN[1 WAS >\S+ A BL9D TORM5T+ JEAL\SY 9 H] HE>T4 ,IT W\LD BE SO EASY = HIM TO OCCUPY ! PLACE %E HELD 9 ,SS5JA'S LIFE1 MAK+ H] SUP]FLU\S :]E %E HAD BELIEV$ H]SELF IRREPLACEABLE4 

 ,) EXASP]AT+1 SUP]FICIAL SKET*9ESS ,SS5JA 
REPEAT$ ! PR(ESSOR'S CONT5TIONS1 AS IF !Y C\LD BE ( NO POSSIBLE 9T]E/ TO H]4 ,HIS MANN] 9TIMAT$ ?AT HE WAS SIMPLY SUBMITT+ TO H] UNREASONABLE1 *ILDI% CURIOSITY4 ,NATAS*A V9DICTIVELY ATTACK$ :AT %E CONSID]$ A FALLACY 9 ! PR(ESSOR'S LOGIC & PROP\ND$ H] PO9T ( VIEW EXTRAVAGANTLY1 BUT HE BLUNTLY DECL9$ TO 5T] 9TO ! MATT]4 

 0,Y\ HAVE SIMPLY FAIL$ TO FOLL[ HIS L9E ( ?\<T1 :I* IS A GREAT DEAL MORE COMPLICAT$ ?AN Y\ SEEM TO REALIZE10 & ) ?IS HE TURN$ ! CONV]SATION FROM !4SUBJECT ) 9FURIAT+ BOR$OM 9 HIS VOICE4 0,I AM REALLY TIR$10 HE ADD$ ) A YAWN4 0,TIME TO GO TO SLEEP4444 ,GOODNI<T1 ,NATAS*A40 

 0,GO+ ALREADY8 ,I HAD BE5 C\NT+ ON A FEW 
H\RS ) Y\ ?IS EV5+ TO TALK MATT]S OV]4 ,I HAVE H>DLY SE5 Y\ ALL DAY40 

 0,:AT IS !RE TO TALK AB\T8 ,IT IS AFT] MIDNI<T1 & WE CAN TALK TO-MORR[4 ,I'VE HAD PRACTICALLY NO SLEEP = DAYS1 & NE$ A GOOD NI<T'S RE/ TO BE FRE% = WORK TO-MORR[4 ,! PR(ESSOR & ,I >E GO+ TO ! LIBR>Y TOGE!R40 

 ,HE KISS$ H] DUTIFULLY BUT AT ! DOOR HE TURN$ BACK TO H] ONCE MORE4 

 0,Y\ KN[1 ,NATAS*KA1 ?IS WAS A SPL5DID IDEA ( M9E - TO COME H]E1 ,I MEAN4 ,?IS HAS BE5 A GRATIFY+1 PR(ITABLE DAY4 ,SLEEP WELL1 ,NATAS*A40 ,NODD+ AMIABLY ONCE MORE1 HE W5T \T4 

 ,NOISILY ,NATAS*A PU%$ ! BOLT4 

 ,GONE - )\T A ?\<T ( H] & ! 9TOL]ABLE1 LONESOME DAY %E HAD SP5T4 0,SPL5DID1 PR(ITABLE DAY10 9DE$4 ,?IS CONDESC5D+ ATTITUDE :5 HE SPOKE TO H]1 AS IF %E W]E A FRIVOL\S LI<T-O-LOVE 9/EAD ( A COMRADE DEEPLY 9T]E/$ 9 HIS WORK6 ,?IS HAD NEV] HAPP5$ TO H] BE=E1 NOR W\LD %E EV] =GET OR =GIVE ?IS HUMILIATION4 ,! ASSURANCE ?AT HE UND]/OOD & APPROV$ ( H] OP9IONS1 ?AT HE WAS OBJECTIVELY 9T]E/$ 9 H] WORK & VALU$ H] OP9IONS HAD HELP$ H] TO BE> CRITICISM1 FAILURE & ATTACKS 
) EQUANIMITY4 ,WAS IT POSSIBLE ?AT HE HAD PRET5D$ 9T]E/ 9 H] WORK ONLY BECAUSE %E WAS A WOMAN :O APPEAL$ TO ! MAN 9 HIM8 ,W\LD HE HAVE %[N H] ! SAME 9T]E/$ ATT5TION IF %E HAD BE5 AN UNPREPOSSESS+ FRUMP1 OR W\LD HE HAVE TURN$ ! CONV]SATION FROM H] OBJECTIONS AS HE HAD DONE ?IS EV5+8 

 0,I %ALL GO TO HIM AT ONCE TO TELL HIM H[ ,I FEEL4 ,TO-MORR[ ,I WILL RETURN TO MY COMRADES & MY WORK4 ,?IS IS NO LIFE = A SELF-RESPECT+ WOMAN1 ?IS 5DLESS *A9 ( HUMILIATIONS4 ,I NO LONG] LOVE HIM4 ,I BELIEVE ,I HATE HIM40 

 ,RESOLUTELY %E W5T TO ! DOOR1 BUT AS H] H& T\*$ ! KNOB A PICTURE ( ! PROBABLE \TCOME ( H] VISIT FLA%$ ACROSS H] M9D AS ! FUTILITY ( ANY ATTEMPT TO MAKE HIM UND]/& DAWN$ ON H]4 ,%E RETURN$ TO B$ 9 HELPLESS ANG]4 

 ,IT WAS BECOM+ MORE & MORE IMPOSSIBLE TO BREAK ?R\< ! WALL ( MISUND]/&+ ?AT WAS >IS+ BETWE5 !M4 ,WORDS ?AT ESCAP$ !IR ANGRY LIPS CLUNG TO IT MAK+ IT MORE & MORE IMP5ETRABLE4 

 ,V]Y WELL1 !N4 ,S9CE HE REFUS$ TO LI/5 TO H]1 LET MATT]S REMA9 AS !Y W]E BETWE5 !M4 ,%E W\LD TRY TO EXPLA9 NO MORE4 ,TO-MORR[ %E W\LD TELL HIM CALMLY & UNDRAMATICALLY3 0,I AM GO+ HOME4 ,!Y NE$ ME !RE40 ,LET HIM /AY H]E ) HIS PR(ESSOR6 

 ,%E TUGG$ FURI\SLY AT ! LACES ( H] %OES4 ,%E W\LD GO TO SLEEP1 TO /OP ?9K+4 444 ,) ! P]V]SITY ( 9ANIMATE OBJECTS ! LACES HAD BECOME TWI/$ & TANGL$ 9TO AN 9EXTRICABLE KNOT4  

 0,IS ?AT SO80 %E MURMUR$ GRIMLY4 0,?IS IS H[ 
,I SETTLE SU* AFFAIRS40 ,9 A WIDE >E ! TORN LACES FLEW TO ! FLOOR2 H] DRESS WAS TUMBL$ ON ! *AIR 9 A DISORD]LY HEAP - LET IT RUMPLE6 ,%E PULL$ AT H] HAIR ) V9DICTIVE J]KS1 & CL5*$ H] TEE? AS %E PREP>$ = ! NI<T4 ,YET1 UNCONSCI\SLY1 %E HAD BE5 MAK+ H]SELF AS ATTRACTIVE AS POSSIBLE1 & ! SI<T ( H] FIGURE 9 ! GLASS1 SWA!D 9 ! BRI<TLY COLOR$ DRESS+ G[N ?AT 
,SS5JA HAD *RI/5$ ! 0G[N ( ,CIRCE0 :5 HE FIR/ SAW H] 9 IT1 ?REW H] ONCE MORE 9TO A FIT ( DEEPE/ DEPRESSION4 ,%E C\LDN'T LEAVE )\T HAV+ %[N H]SELF 9 IT AGA9 - %E REMEMB]$ H[ HE LOV$ TO WRAP H] 9 ITS VOLUM9\S FOLDS4 ,%E C\LDN'T LEAVE HIM - :]E W\LD %E F9D ! /R5G? TO BATTLE ) LIFE1 IF %E W]E NEV] TO SEE HIM AGA98 

,:AT WAS MORE NATURAL ?AN ?AT %E %\LD GO TO HIM1 TO APPEAL TO HIM & MAKE HIM ! >BIT] ( HIS [N %ORTCOM+S1 ?AT %E MI<T =GIVE HIM 
ALL ! HURT ?AT ! BL9D ,SS5JA HAD 9FLICT$ ON H] ?IS DAY8 ,NOT ANGRILY1 AS %E HAD WANT$ TO GO AT FIR/4 444 ,HE W\LD LI/5 TO H] & %E W\LD MAKE HIM UND]/&4 ,:AT WAS IT WOR?1 ?IS UND]/&+ !Y W]E SO PR\D (1 IF %E MU/ CONCEAL ! ?+ ?AT LAY NE>E/ H] HE>T8 ,%E W\LD NOT BE ABLE TO SLEEP AT ANY RATE1 UNTIL %E HAD SPOK5 TO HIM4 

 ,CAUTI\SLY1 LE/ %E MEET SOMEONE 9 ! LONG CORRIDOR ?AT L$ TO ,SS5JETS*KA'-S ROOM1 %E CREPT ALONG OV] ! S(T C>PET 9TO :I* H] FEET SANK UNPLEASANTLY4 ,SIXTY-F\R1 SIXTY-SIX1 SIXTY-EI<T444H]E IT WAS4 444 ,?OSE W]E HIS %OES4 

 ,%\LD %E GO 9 444 BETT] NOT1 P]HAPS4 ,MORE ?AN AN H\R HAD PASS$ S9CE HE HAD LEFT ! ROOM2 HE W\LD BE FA/ ASLEEP4 ,BUT ! DESIRE TO SEE HIM & TO /ROKE HIS BELOV$ HEAD1 ! URG5T NE$ ( BANI%+ !SE UN5DURABLE D\BTS1 TO MELT ?IS ICE ?AT HELD H] S\L 9 ITS CLAMMY EMBRACE1 IMPELL$ H] TO TURN ! KNOB ( ! DOOR4 ,IT OP5$ ) A %RILL SQUEAK 444 ! LI<T ( ! CORRIDOR FELL ACROSS ! SLEEP]'S FACE4 

 0,:AT IS IT8 444 ,:O IS IT80 444 ,HE BL9K$ 
AT H] ) HIS NE>-SI<T$ EYES )\T RECOGNITION4 

0,IT IS ,I1 ,SS5JETS*KA40 

 ,%E CLOS$ ! DOOR & KNELT D[N BESIDE HIS B$4 

0,Y\1 ,NATAS*KA4 ,WELL1 WELL1 SO Y\ CAME AFT] ALL4440 

 ,AN UND]TONE 9 HIS VOICE BETRAY$ A SMUG MASCUL9E SELF-SATISFACTION ?AT CUT H] TO ! QUICK4 

 0,SS5JETS*KA1 ,I CAME BECAUSE ,I FELT SO BADLY6 ,I WAS SO BITT] & ALONE4 44 40 

 0,COME1 COME1 N[1 NE$ Y\ APOLOGIZE = COM+ TO ME8 ,Y\ SIMPLY CAN'T GO TO SLEEP1 KN[+ ?AT ,I AM SO CLOSE BY4 ,AH1 :AT IS ?IS Y\ >E WE>+1 TEMPTRESS80 ,HE GA!R$ H] 9TO HIS >MS & TRI$ TO DRAW H] 9TO HIS B$4 

 ,%E RESI/$ HALF-HE>T$LY1 BUT RESPOND$ TO HIS KISSES4 

 0,LET ME GO1 ,SS5JETS*KA4 ,Y\ MU/N'T4 ,I DIDN'T COME = ?IS4444 ,!RE IS SOME?+ ,I MU/ SPEAK TO Y\ AB\T4 ,I CAME ONLY TO W>M MY HE>T 
 - TO BE NE> Y\4 

 0,COME1 Y\ ) Y\R ',I ONLY CAME = ?IS' & ',I ONLY CAME = ?AT6' ,Y\ WOM5 >E A PECULI> LOT - ALWAYS LOOK+ = SOME EXCUSE OR PRET5SE 
TO HIDE ! FACT ?AT Y\1 TOO1 HAVE S9FUL DESIRES4 ,WE M5 >E ALWAYS WICK$ S$UC]S4 ,H]E ?IS LADY COMES TO ME ( H] [N FREE WILL1 WAKES ME \T ( MY SLEEP1 & N[1 IF Y\ PLEASE1 :AT A T\*-ME-NOT %E PRET5DS TO BE4 444 ,HAVE ,I (F5D$ Y\8 ,I WAS JU/ TEAS+1 LITTLE SILLY4 ,Y\ KN[ H[ GLAD ,I AM ?AT Y\ CAME TO ME1 Y\ SWEET1 WOND]FUL CREATURE4444 ,H]E MY LITTLE GIRL COMES TO W>M H] HE>T & MU/ SIT ON ! COLD FLOOR4 ,COME 9 H]E TO ME40 

 ,NATAS*A'S NEGLIGEE =M$ A BRILLIANT SPLA% ( COLOR ON ! HOTEL ROOM C>PET4 

"9"9"9"9"9 

 0,NOT ANO!R WORD N[4 ,I WANT TO SLEEP40 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* 9T]RUPT$ ANO!R ATTEMPT AT :AT HE CALL$ 0H] PSY*OLOGICAL DISS]TATIONS40 0,! DAY IS ! TIME = TALK4 ,N[ ,I WANT TO RE/4 ,Y\ =GET ?AT ,I MU/ WORK TO-MORR[1 & WON'T BE ABLE TO1 UNLESS MY HEAD IS CLE>40 

 ,HE TURN$ HIS FACE TO ! WALL & WRAPP$ ! BLANKETS AB\T HIM2 ,NATAS*A LAY ON H] BACK1 H] H&S UND] H] HEAD1 DISGU/ & RES5TM5T 9 H] HE>T4 

 ,ALWAYS ?IS (F5SIVE *ANGE 9 HIS ATTITUDE T[>D H] - BE=E & AFT]4 ,COLDNESS & /RANG5ESS :ILE ,NATAS*A FELT CLOS]1 NE>] TO HIM1 ! HAPPI] !IR UNION1 ! MORE >D5T HIS C>ESSES1 ! MORE F]V5T ! ASSURANCE ?AT !Y LOV$ EA* O!R HAD BE54 

 ,%E LOOK$ SADLY AT HIS FAMILI> NECK 444 ! SAME1 BELOV$ HEAD1 ! SAME1 CLEV] ,SS5JETS*KA4 ,G5TLY %E KISS$ ! NAPE ( HIS NECK & S(TLY >OSE FROM HIS B$4 ,BUT H] S\L WAS AS COLD & LONESOME AS BE=E4 

 0,SLEEP WELL1 ,SS5JETS*KA4 ,Y\ WILL SLEEP MORE S\NDLY IF ,I GO TO MY ROOM4 ,WON'T Y\ KISS ME BE=E ,I GO80 

 ,%E B5T OV] HIM4 

 0,HAV5'T WE KISS$ 5\< = TO-NI<T8 ,?AT IS SOME?+ ,I CAN'T UND]/& 9 Y\ 444 SOMETIMES Y\ SEEM POSITIVELY 9SATIABLE1 IT SEEMS ALMO/ LIKE AN AFFLICTION60 ,NATAS*A DREW BACK AS IF %E HAD BE5 /RUCK4 ,WAS ?IS ! 9T]PRETATION HE PUT ON H] LONG+ = A LITTLE W>M?8 

 ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* PRESS$ HIS HEAD 9TO ! PILL[ :ILE %E SL[LY DRESS$ 9 ! D>K ROOM BE=E GO+ ?R\< ?AT 5DLESS CORRIDOR ) ITS R$1 DISAGREEABLY S(T C>PET ONCE MORE4 ,AT 
! CORN] :]E ! CORRIDOR TURN$1 ! NI<TPORT] SAT AT HIS USUAL PLACE BY A SMALL TABLE4 

 ,:5 ,NATAS*A PASS$ HIM HE LOOK$ AT H] ) A %AMELESSLY D]ISIVE LOOK & MURMUR$ A WORD :OSE 9SULT+ IMPORT %E C\LD ONLY SURMISE4444 ,NATAS*A %UDD]$4 

,X 

,! DAYS 9 ,H4 HAD BECOME A LIFE ( VOLUNT>Y ,I SOLIT>Y CONF9EM5T4 ,!SE P]IODS ( 0RETIREM5T0 DUR+ !IR C>EFULLY PLANN$ MEET+S HAD AMUS$ H] HUGELY :5 !Y FIR/ 5T]$ UPON !IR CL&E/9E RELATIONS4 ,%E CALL$ ,SS5JA H] 0PAS*A0 & H]SELF HIS 0H>EM ODALISK40 ,?IS SUDD5 TRANSITION FROM A LIFE ( N]V\S1 EFF]VESC5T ACTIVITY 9 CON/ANT HUMAN COMPANION%IP TO ?IS COMPLETE ISOLATION FROM LIFE & PEOPLE HAD APPEAL$ TO H] S5SE ( ! LUDICR\S4 

 ,! COMRADES HAD NEV] EXPRESS$ SURPRISE AT H] SUDD5 DISAPPE>ANCES4 ,SOME ( !M BELIEV$ ?AT %E WAS B\ND BY FAMILY TIES ?AT =C$ !SE P]IODIC ABS5CES UPON H]1 :ILE O!RS ATTRIBUT$ !M TO MY/]I\S 0CONSPIRATIC0 ACTIVITY4 

 ,!SE BRIEF 9T]RUPTIONS ( H] HURRI$1 N]VE-RACK+ LIFE HAD ALWAYS BE5 WELCOME P]IODS ( RELAXATION & REPOSE4 ,?IS TIME ! ROLE ( ODALISK OPPRESS$ & IRRITAT$ H]4 ,%E D>$ NOT LEAVE ! HOTEL1 LE/ SOME *ANCE ACQUA9TANCE MEET H] ON 
! /REET4 ,%E MU/ NOT REMA9 TOO LONG 9 ! READ+-ROOM LE/ ,SS5JA1 RETURN+ TO H] ROOM1 LEAVE AGA9 )\T HAV+ MET H]4 ,SS5JA'S COMPLETE ABSORPTION 9 HIS WORK & EV5 MORE - IT SEEM$ TO ,NATAS*A - 9 ! PR(ESSOR & HIS HOSPITABLE FAMILY1 LEFT H] ALONE = LONG H\RS ?AT DRAGG$ ALONG 9 T$I\S1 IRKSOME & FRUITLESS EXPECTATION ( HIS COM+4 ,HE DRANK HIS MORN+ C(FEE ) HIS EYES ON ! CLOCK LE/ HE BE LATE = HIS APPO9TM5T1 HE /AY$ AT ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE = D9N] & SP5T MO/ ( HIS EV5+S !RE4 

 ,NATAS*A HAD TO CONT5T H]SELF ) FRAGM5T>Y REMNANTS ( HIS BUSY DAYS1 /OL5 H\RS :5 HE ESCAP$ ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE UND] ! PRET5SE ( IMPORTANT LETT]S TO BE WRITT5 & NOTES TO BE 
FIL$4 ,HE ALWAYS CAME TO H] 9 ! BE/ ( SPIRITS1 BUT CONSI/5TLY /E]$ CONV]SATION AWAY FROM ANY BUT ! MO/ SUP]FICIAL TOPICS4 ,MO/ ( ALL HE LIK$ TO LIE ON ! S(A :ILE ,NATAS*A PREP>$ TEA1 PRET5D+ TO APPRECIATE HIS 5JOYM5T ( IT4 ,HE TOLD H] LESS & LESS AB\T HIS WORK & WAS ALMO/ NIGG>DLY 9 HIS REPORTS ( CONV]SATIONS ) ! PR(ESSOR4 

 ,H] ANTIPA?Y TO ! PR(ESSOR GREW TO EV5 GREAT] PROPORTIONS 9 CONSEQU5CE4 ,! OLD 0>*IVE RAT0 ) HIS S*OL>%IP WAS DELUD+ ,SS5JA 
9TO DI/RU/+ HIS [N OP9IONS4 

 0,I'M AMAZ$ AT Y\R NAIVETE10 %E ONCE REM>K$ TO HIM4 0,:AT MAKES Y\ SO IDIOTICALLY FRANK ) ! PR(ESSOR8 ,Y\ SPREAD \T Y\R !SES = HIM BE=E Y\ HAVE SATISFI$ Y\RSELF CONC]N+ !M4 ,BY ! TIME Y\ >E READY TO WRITE HE WILL HAVE US$ !M = HIS [N PURPOSES1 ) ! ADD$ ADVANTAGE ( HIS [N PR(ESSIONAL 9TELLECTUALITY40 

 ,! (F-H& MANN] 9 :I* %E SPOKE WAS CALCULAT$ TO IRRITATE ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* \T ( HIS PLACIDITY4 

 0,H[ *ILDI% ?AT IS1 ,NATAS*A4 ,Y\ >E BECOM+ ALMO/ AS BAD AS ,ANJUTA4 ,S9CE :5 DO COLLEAGUES MAKE IT A PRACTICE TO /EAL EA* O!R'S IDEAS80 

 0,( C\RSE1 Y\ WILL NOT BELIEVE ?AT SU* ?+S HAPP54 ,Y\ HAVE NEV] HE>D ( AN 9CID5T ( ?AT K9D6 ,JU/ ! SAME1 IF ,I W]E 9 Y\R PLACE1 ,I %\LD BE JU/ A LITTLE MORE DISCREET 444 NOT QUITE 
SO NAIVE4440 

 ,?\< ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* OBJECT$1 %E FELT ?AT ! SE$ ( DI/RU/ SO CLEV]LY PLANT$ HAD TAK5 ROOT1 & ! ?\<T GAVE H] A MOM5T>Y GL[ ( SATISFACTION4 

,BUT AFT] HE HAD GONE %E RELAPS$ 9TO DEEP DEPRESSION4 ,%E WAS A<A/ AT ! DEP?S ( VIL5ESS %E HAD UNCOV]$ 9 H] [N NATURE4 ,WAS ?IS DESPICABLE DESIRE TO HURT ! PR(ESSOR'S /&+ 9 H] LOV]'S EYES ! FRUIT ( H] JEAL\SY8 ,%E WAS BEG9N+ TO UND]/& SOME ( ,ANJUTA'S 9EXPLICABLE MEANNESSES ( ! PA/4 

 ,!NCE=? %E S*OOL$ H]SELF TO LI/5 TO H] LOV]'S PRAISE ( ! PR(ESSOR & HIS FAMILY )\T COMM5T4 ,MORE1 %E TRI$ TO /IFLE ! SE$S ( DI/RU/ %E H]SELF HAD PLANT$ 9 HIS S\L BY OP5LY 5?US+ OV] ! PR(ESSOR'S 9TELLIG5CE & *>ACT]4 ,BUT %E KNEW ?AT ! G]M WAS /ILL ALIVE4 

 ,MORN+ AFT] MORN+ %E LEFT H] B$ ) ! UNSPOK5 HOPE - 0TO-DAY HE WILL /AY H]E ) ME444WELL1 NOT A :OLE DAY1 ( C\RSE1 BUT A FEW H\RS1 AT ANY RATE1 TO GIVE US A *ANCE = AN HONE/ HE>T-TO-HE>T TALK40 ,BUT DAY AFT] DAY PASS$ 9 DISC\RAG+ SAM5ESS4 ,!RE W]E KISSES1 LI<T BAD9AGE AT TEA-TIME1 !RE W]E C>ESSES AT NI<T BUT NEV] A MOM5T'S CLOSE COMMUNION4 ,NATAS*A TRI$ TO WORK4 ,%E HAD PROMIS$ TO WRITE A PAMPHLET :OSE DATE ( DELIV]Y WAS DRAW+ UNCOM=TABLY NE>1 BUT H] WORK REFUS$ TO PROGRESS4 ,IT DRAGG$ 
HEAVILY FROM AN UNWILL+ P51 & EA* DAY F\ND 
H] 9CREAS+LY DISSATISFI$ ) ! RESULTS ( ! PREVI\S DAY'S /]ILE EF=TS4 ,SS5JA DID NOT ONCE ASK H] H[ H] WORK WAS PROGRESS+4 ,TIME RAN ?R\< H] F+]S LIKE S&1 SQU&]$ = USELESS1 S5SELESS FUTILITIES4 

 ,BY WAY ( ! =W>D+ ADDRESS %E HAD LEFT BEH9D1 ,NATAS*A HAD RECEIV$ A L>GE BUNDLE ( LETT]S1 SOME P]SONAL1 O!RS CONNECT$ ) P>TY AFFAIRS1 ! LATT] ) ! DI/URB+ NEWS ?AT TWO PROM95T COMRADES W]E 0ILL0 7>RE/$7 & EXPRESS+ ! FE> ?AT !IR ILLNESS W\LD BE PROLONG$1 POSSIBLY ) S]I\S1 ?REAT5+ CONSEQU5CES4 ,NATAS*A'S SUBSEQU5T DAYS W]E OV]%AD[$ ) ! PORT5T ( DISA/]4 ,:AT RI<T HAD %E TO REMA9 H]E 9 ,H48 ,YET %E C\LD NOT TE> H]SELF FROM ,SS5JA'S SIDE :ILE ?IS FEEL+ ( /RANG5ESS BETWE5 !M P]SI/$4 0,IF ,I LEAVE N[10 %E ASSUR$ H]SELF OV] & OV] AGA91 0,I %ALL CONSUME MYSELF 9 SELF-REPROA*4 444 ,I MU/ COME TO SOME UND]/&+ ) HIM BE=E ,I LEAVE40 

 ,%E HAD MADE UP H] M9D TO =CE ! ISSUE ?AT EV5+1 BUT HE RETURN$ EV5 LAT] ?AN USUAL FROM A =MAL SUPP] ?AT HAD BE5 GIV5 9 HIS 
HONOR1 SLI<TLY 9TOXICAT$ & 9 A HI<LY GRATIFI$ /ATE ( GOOD HUMOR4 ,HE DID NOT NOTICE ! CL\DS ON ,NATAS*A'S FACE4 

 0,I ATE & DRANK SO MU* ,I CAN H>DLY MOVE4 ,I BELIEVE ,I AM A BIT UND] ! WEA!R1 TOO1 BUT ?AT WILL PASS (F 9 A LITTLE :ILE4 ,HAVE Y\ BE5 LONG+ = ME8 ,COME1 A LITTLE KISS BEH9D Y\R PRETTY 
E>44440 

 0,PLEASE DON'T1 ,SS5JA40 - ,%E )DREW IMPATI5TLY4 0,I HAVE MORE IMPORTANT ?+S TO ?9K (4 ,I HAVE LETT]S4444 ,KAT]9A ,PETR[NA & ,NIKANOR HAVE BE5 >RE/$40 

 0,Y\ DON'T SAY4 444 ,?IS IS BAD BUS9ESS40 

 0,IT AFFECTS ME P>TICUL>LY4 444 ,I CAN'T BEG9 TO TELL Y\ H[ BADLY ,I FEEL40 ,SUDD5LY1 TO H] [N WOND]M5T1 %E BUR/ 9TO TE>S1 NOT SO MU* BECAUSE H] COMRADES W]E 9 PRISON AS = H]SELF4444 ,W\LD LIFE NEV] BR+ H] ANY?+ BUT FAILURE & ?IS 5DLESS *A9 ( SORR[ & AGGRAVATION8 444 ,:AT WAS TO BECOME ( ! WORK !Y HAD SO HOPEFULLY LAUN*$1 N[ !SE TWO W]E GONE8 ,IF ONLY %E H]SELF HAD REMA9$ AT H] PO/ !Y W\LD BE NE$+ H] !RE4 

 0,WELL1 LOOK H]E1 ,NATAS*A1 ?IS WON'T DO AT ALL4 ,Y\ MU/N'T LET GO LIKE ?AT6 ,HEAD UP1 LITTLE GIRL1 
?IS IS NO TIME = TE>S40 ,!RE WAS A SUGGE/ION ( REPRO( 9 HIS TONE - HE WAS ?OR\<LY TIR$ ( 
WOM5'S TE>S4 0,9 ALL PROBABILITY IT IS ONLY HALF AS BAD AS IT SEEMS4 ,Y\'LL SEE1 EV]Y?+ WILL COME \T NICELY 9 ! 5D40 

 0,IT ISN'T ONLY ( !M ,I'M ?9K+4 ,EV]Y?+ - :AT IS ! S5SE ( LIV+8 ,NO?+ BUT UNHAPP9ESS60 

 0,DO Y\ KN[1 ?AT TIME ,I WORK$ BY ! ,VOLGA4 44 40 ,SS5JA TRI$ TO DI/RACT H] ?\<TS BY TELL+ H] ( AN EPISODE \T ( HIS REVOLUTION>Y EXP]I5CES ?AT SEEM$ JU/ ! ?+ = ! PURPOSE4 ,NATAS*A KNEW EV]Y ONE ( !M BY HE>T & LI/5$ ABS5TLY4 ,:AT HAD ALL ?IS TO DO ) IT8 ,%E WANT$ TO SPEAK ( H] D\BTS & SUFF]+6 

 0,SO Y\ SEE ! DIFFICULTIES ONE 5C\NT]S444& ,I AM /ILL H]E TO TELL AB\T IT4 444 ,I HAV5'T EV5 LO/ MY 5?USIASM = *>M+ WOM51 AS Y\ SEE4 ,NATAS*A1 ,I DON'T BELIEVE Y\'VE HE>D A WORD ,I'VE SPOK560 

 0,I'VE BE5 LI/5+1 ,SS5JA4 ,BUT !RE IS SOME?+ ,I MU/ SPEAK TO Y\ AB\T4444 ,I'M GO+ TO LEAVE TO-MORR[4 ,I HAV5'T ! PEACE ( M9D TO /AY H]E ANY LONG]40 

 0,NONS5SE4 ,TO GO N[ W\LD BE TO C\RT DANG]4 ,I WON'T ALL[ IT4 ,Y\1 ) Y\R TEMP]AM5TAL NATURE1 >E B\ND TO GET 9TO TR\BLE4,WAIT UNTIL ?+S HAVE CALM$ D[N AGA94 ,AFT] ALL !Y DON'T NE$ Y\ NE>LY AS MU* AS Y\ ?9K4 ,Y\ MAY BE SURE !Y WILL MANAGE V]Y NICELY )\T Y\40 

 ,NATAS*A OBJECT$ /R5U\SLY1 TRY+ EAG]LY TO MAKE HIM APPRECIATE ! IMPORTANCE ( H] P]SON TO ! MOVEM5T AT ?IS P>TICUL> MOM5T4 

 0,PLEASE1 ,NATAS*A1 DON'T BE *ILDI%4 ,DO Y\ WANT ME TO BELIEVE !Y WON'T HE ABLE TO F9D ANYONE TO ATT5D TO ?AT8 ,!Y WILL TAKE C>E ( IT -  
BETT] ?AN Y\4440 

 ,%E READ A NUMB] ( LETT]S TO HIM1 EV]Y ONE ( !M URG+ H] TO RETURN1 BUT !Y FAIL$ TO IMPRESS HIM4 

 0,& :O IS IT ?AT WRITES !SE LETT]S8 ,! HY/]ICAL ,M>JA ,MI*AIL[NA 444 ALL WOMAN'S TALK4 ,IF ,DONZEFF HAD WRITT51 ,I W\LD BELIEVE ! MATT] TO BE S]I\S 5\< 444 BUT ,M>JA ,MI*AIL[NA DON'T PAY ANY ATT5TION TO IT4 ,!RE ISN'T ! SLI<TE/ EXCUSE = EXCITEM5T40 

 ,UNWITT+LY ,SS5JA HAD T\*$ H] SORE/ SPOT4 ,:Y HAD NOT ,DONZEFF WRITT5 TO H]8 ,IF HE HAD CALL$ H] TO H] PO/ EV5 ,SS5JA W\LD HAVE SE5  
H[ 9DISP5SIBLE %E WAS4 ,9 ?AT CASE %E W\LD 
HAVE LEFT AT ONCE1 )\T ANO!R ?\<T4 

 ,SS5JA %\LD HAVE REALIZ$ H[ ,DONZEFF'S FAILURE TO RECALL H] HAD PA9$ H]4 ,MU/ HE UND]SCORE IT8 ,HE NEV] TRI$ TO UND]/& :AT WAS GO+ ON 9 H] M9D1 NEV] TOOK ! TR\BLE TO CONSID] :AT W\NDS HIS C>ELESS WORDS 9FLICT$4 

 ,:5 ,SS5JA LEFT H] = HIS ROOM %E WAS DI/ANT & COOL1 BUT HE PAID NO ATT5TION TO IT4 ,ALONE1 DEJECTION & FE> LAID HOLD ( H] ONCE MORE1 FE> ( H] [N UNWEPT1 UNSPOK5 SUFF]+4 

 ,%E W\LD SPEAK & IF ,SS5JA /ILL FAIL$ TO UND]/& ! BREAK BETWE5 !M W\LD 9EVITABLY FOLL[4 ,ANY?+ WAS BETT] ?AN ?IS HUNG] = UND]/&+4 ,%E W\LD BEAT H] W+S AGA9/ HIS 9DIFF]5CE NO LONG]4 

 ,OV] ! UNPLEASANTLY S(T C>PET ( ! CORRIDOR ONCE MORE1 QUICKLY @9AT FIR/ BUT GO+ MORE SL[LY AS %E APPROA*$ HIS DOOR4 ,%E /OPP$ & LI/5$4 ,ALL WAS SIL5T4 ,HE WAS PROBABLY FA/ ASLEEP - HE USUALLY SLEPT AS SOON AS HIS HEAD T\*$ ! PILL[4 ,%E REA*$ = ! KNOB1 ONLY TO )DRAW H] H& ) A D>K FLU% - SO VIVIDLY HAD ! PICTURE ( HIS SLEEP-DR5*$ EYES & HIS QUE/IONS AT H] LA/ VISIT RECALL$ !MSELVES TO H] M9D4 

 ,NO1 NO1 ANY?+ BUT ?AT6 ,%E C\LD NOT BE> TO BE MISUND]/OOD TO-NI<T1 & ! ?\<T ( :AT WAS SURE TO FOLL[4444 ,%E HURRI$ ALONG ! CORRIDOR1 PA/ ! A/ONI%$ NI<T PORT] & BACK TO H] ROOM ONCE MORE4 0,N[ :AT 9 ! WORLD MADE H] *ANGE H] M9D10 ! MAN 9 ! CORN] WOND]$ CURI\SLY4 0,QU>REL$1 ,I SUPPOSE10 HE DECID$4 
,X,I 

,A,G,A,9 & AGA9 ,NATAS*A OP5$ ! DOOR ( H] ROOM TO PE] ANXI\SLY D[N ! CORRIDOR1 DIMLY ILLUM9AT$ BY A %AD[Y NI<T LI<T4 ,EV]Y?+ WAS EMPTY & /ILL4 

 ,A DI/ANT C\< OR ! GLIMPSE ( A MANLY FIGURE AT ! TURN ( ! LONG HALL MADE H] HE>T LEAP - NO1 IT WAS NOT HE4 ,:AT C\LD IT MEAN8 ,HE HAD NEV] RETURN$ AS LATE AS ?IS BE=E4 ,HAD HE MET ) AN ACCID5T8 

 ,%E W5T TO HIS ROOM ONCE MORE 9 ! FA9T HOPE ?AT HE HAD GONE DIRECTLY TO B$ )\T HAV+ FIR/ /OPP$ 9 TO SEE H]4 ,! PORT] WAT*$ H] MANEUV]S 9QUISITIVELY1 & GR9N$ WICK$LY :5EV] %E PASS$ HIM4 ,!RE WAS SOME?+ UNSPEAKABLY IMP]T95T 9 HIS DEMEANOR1 BUT TO-DAY ,NATAS*A PAID NO ATT5TION4 

 ,SS5JA HAD LEFT ! HOTEL E>LY ?AT MORN+1 & ! FACT ?AT HE HAD NOT1 AS WAS HIS 9V>IABLE CU/OM1 COME BACK = AT LEA/ A BRIEF VISIT 9 ! C\RSE ( ! DAY1 S]V$ ONLY TO 9CREASE H] UNEAS9ESS4 

 ,IF SOME?+ HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM1 HE W\LD 
HAVE TELEPHON$4 ,IT WAS UN?9KABLE ?AT HE HAD /AY$ AT ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE SO LATE ?AT HE HAD REMA9$ = ! NI<T6 ,IF ?AT W]E ! CASE1 HIS LACK ( CONSID]ATION = H] WAS UN=GIVABLE4 ,IT MU/ HAVE OCCURR$ TO HIM ?AT %E W\LD WORRY4 ,W\LD HE HAVE LEFT ,ANJUTA 9 ?IS POSITION8 

 ,NATAS*A ?REW H]SELF ON H] B$1 ONLY TO JUMP UP AGA9 & AGA9 :5EV] %E ?\<T %E HE>D A S\ND 9 ! CORRIDOR4 ,BUT !RE WAS ALWAYS ! SAME UNFRI5DLY HOTEL1 ! SAME DRE>Y1 DIMLY LI<T$ EXPANSE ( C>PET$ EMPT9ESS4 ,BUT = ?IS BEA/LY C>PET %E W\LD HAVE HE>D HIS FOOT-/EPS444SOMEONE WAS SNOR+ 444 A C\<6 

 ,EV]Y?+ WAS QUIET & EMPTY ONCE MORE4 ,A *UR*-T[] CLOCK 9 ! DI/ANCE4444,D9N4 ,D9N4 ,D9N4 ,D9N4 

 ,HALF PA/ F\R4 
,W\LD ?IS AWFUL NI<T NEV] 5D8 

,%E CLUNG DESP]ATELY TO A S+LE1 =LORN HOPE444! MORN+ W\LD BR+ A CONTRITE ,SS5JA1 :O W\LD EXPLA9 9 HIS USUAL RIDICUL\SLY *ILDI% MANN] ?AT HE HAD ?\<TLESSLY P]MITT$ !  
PR(ESSOR TO DETA9 HIM UNTIL IT HAD BE5 TOO LATE TO RETURN TO ! HOTEL4 

 0,H[ C\LD ,I TELEPHONE10 HE W\LD >GUE4 0,! PR(ESSOR W\LD HAVE GUESS$ AT ONCE4 4440 

 ,HE W\LD LOOK AT H] UNC]TA9LY1 EXPECT+ ! CURTA9 LECTURE ?AT USUALLY ACCOMPANI$ SU* OCCURR5CES AT HOME1 & W\LD BREA! A SI< ( RELIEF :5 ,NATAS*A SMIL$ 9/EAD1 SMOO?+ HIS RECALCITRANT HAIR & KISS+ HIS TR\BL$ BR[4 0,DON'T APOLOGIZE1 ,SS5JA10 %E W\LD SAY1 0( C\RSE ,I UND]/&40 

 0,Y\ >E SO GOOD1 SO UND]/&+40  

,BO? W\LD BREA! EASILY ONCE MORE & %E W\LD BE ABLE TO LAU< OV] H] FOOLI% FE>S ( ! NI<T4 

 0,IT'S ALL BECAUSE ( MY SILLY N]VES4 ,I %ALL GO TO SLEEP AT ONCE1 & WILL PROBABLY BE FA/ ASLEEP :5 HE COMES4 ,I MU/ LEAVE ! DOOR UNLOCK$40 

 ,%E =C$ H]SELF TO LIE D[N & ACTUALLY SUCCE$$ 9 FALL+ TO SLEEP1 BUT 9 H] TR\BL$ DREAMS %E CONT9U$ TO LI/5 = HIM4 ,A MOVEM5T 9 ! CORRIDOR F\ND H] SITT+ UP 9 B$1 LI/5+ ) A MADLY BEAT+ HE>T4 ,NO1 ?AT WAS 9 ! NEXT ROOM4 ,SOMEONE WAS SCRUBB+ ! FLOOR & TWO *AMB]-MAIDS W]E CONV]S+ 9 UND]TONES4 ,! GRAY1 MI/Y %IMM] ( E>LY MORN+ CAME 9 ?R\< ! L[]$ %ADES4 ,:AT TIME WAS 
IT8 ,%ORTLY AFT] EI<T O'CLOCK4 

 ,NATAS*A GOT UP & DRESS$ ) DELIB]ATE SL[NESS1 LI/5+ TO EV]Y S\ND & ONCE MORE OP5+ ! DOOR TO LOOK \T ON ! CORRIDOR1 GRAY & MORE HOPELESS /ILL N[ ?AT ! LI<T WAS \T4 ,BETT] NOT TO HAVE LOOK$ \T AT ALL1 %E *ID$ H]SELF1 TO LOOK \T AGA9 A MOM5T LAT] BECAUSE SOME?+ TOLD H] ?AT HIS FAMILI> FIGURE 9 ITS DE>1 %ABBY1 OLD HAT ) ITS WIDE BRIM WAS AT ?IS MOM5T TURN+ ! CORN] ( ! CORRIDOR4 

 ,TO ?9K ?AT %E HAD D\BT$ H] LOVE = HIM6 ,?IS NI<T HAD PROV$ TO H] H[ MU* %E LOV$1 H[ MU* %E NE$$ HIM4 ,%E WAS PREP>$ TO REPROVE H]SELF SEV]ELY = ! REPROA*ES %E HAD HEAP$ ON HIM = HIS ABS5CE ?AT NI<T1 = H] ILL-TEMP]$ RES5TM5T & EV]Y TRACE ( ILL-FEEL+ %E HAD 5T]TA9$ AGA9/ HIM4 ,IF ONLY HE W\LD COME6 ,IF ONLY NO?+ HAD HAPP5$ TO HIM6 ,P]HAPS HE HAD BE5 TO H] ROOM AFT] %E HAD FALL5 ASLEEP - ! SUDD5 HOPE ROBB$ H] ( ALL CAUTION2 ) /REAM+ HAIR1 OBLIVI\S TO ! COMB 9 H] H&1 %E RAN ALONG ! CORRIDOR4 ,HOTEL GUE/S :O MET H] /EPP$ ASIDE 9 SURPRISE1 & ! SCRUB-WOMAN :O WAS WIP+ UP ! FLOOR PU%$ H] PAIL ASIDE GRUMB+LY4 ,NATAS*A HAD 
/UMBL$ OV] IT 9 H] HA/E1 SLOPP+ SOME ( ! WAT] OV] ! C>PET4  

0,I'M SORRY40  

,SS5JA'S ROOM WAS EMPTY1 ! B$ UNT\*$4 

 ,%E SAT D[N ON HIS B$ & DECID$ TO WAIT = HIM !RE4 ,%E FELT CLOS] TO HIM 9 HIS ROOM2 HIS POSSESSIONS W]E !RE - AN OLD PAIR ( TR\S]S HUNG OV] ! HACK ( A *AIR4 ,SUPPOSE ,ANJUTA HAD >RIV$ 9 ,H4 & POOR ,SS5JA HAD LO/ HIS HEAD AT ! DREAD ?\<T ?AT !Y MI<T MEET8 ,H[ C\LD %E REASSURE HIM8 ,LET HIM KN[ ?AT HE MI<T BR+ ,ANJUTA TO ! HOTEL )\T FE>8 

 ,%\LD %E TELEPHONE TO ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE8 ,P]HAPS ,ANJUTA WAS !RE4 

 ,! ?\<T ?AT ,ANJUTA MI<T HAVE >RIV$ DROVE H] PRECIPIT\SLY FROM ! B$ TO EXAM9E ! ROOM ) KE51 SE>*+ EYES = TELL-TALE EVID5CE ( H] [N PRES5CE4 ,BOOKS8 ,P]SONAL BELONG+S8 ,F9D+ NO?+ %E RETURN$ TO H] ROOM4 

,T5 O'CLOCK444HALF PA/ T5444ELEV5 HALF PA/ ELEV5 444 ONE O'CLOCK4 ,NATAS*A NO LONG] LI/5$ = HIS FOOT-/EPS4 ,%E ASSUR$  
H]SELF ?AT %E HAD LONG-AGO CEAS$ TO EXPECT HIM AT ALL1 ?AT EV]Y HOPE ( EV] SEE+ ,SS5JA AGA9 HAD DI$4 ,P]HAPS HE WAS DEAD 444 ?AT ALONE W\LD EXPLA9 HIS FAILURE TO F9D SOME WAY ( ALLAY+ ! FE> HE MU/ KN[ WAS DRIV+ H] MAD4 ,P]HAPS HE HAD BE5 >RE/$4 ,BUT :Y8 ,H]E8 ,/ILL1 ?IS COMPLETE SIL5CE444 SOME?+ T]RIBLE1 SOME?+ 9COMPREH5SIBLY AWFUL MU/ HAVE HAPP5$4 

 ,NATAS*A CLOS$ H] EYES4 ,! LI<T ( DAY BL9D$ & TORM5T$ H]4 ,?R\<\T ! 5DLESSLY LONG NI<T %E HAD LONG$ = DAYLI<T 444 BECAUSE %E HAD HOP$4 444 ,& !N1 JU/ AS %E HAD DECID$ TO LOOK = HIM NO LONG]1 SOMEONE KNOCK$ L\DLY AT ! DOOR4 

 0,COME 940 

 ,A MESS5G] (F]$ H] A LETT]4 ,H] TREMBL+ H&S C\LD H>DLY OP5 ! 5VELOPE4 

 0,I HAVE BE5 ?R\< AN UNEXPECT$ & DISAGREEABLE EXP]I5CE4 ,AT D9N]1 YE/]DAY1 ,I WAS SEIZ$ ) SU* VIOL5T ABDOM9AL PA9S ?AT MY HO/ PUT ME TO B$ AT ONCE & S5T = A PHYSICIAN4 ,MY TEMP]ATURE WAS SO HI< ?AT HE AT FIR/ FE>$ AN ATTACK ( APP5DICITIS4 ,HE GAVE ME TWO MORPH9E  
9JECTIONS TO ALLAY ! PA9 :I* WAS 9DESCRIBABLY SEV]E4 ,TO-DAY1 H[EV]1 ,I AM FEEL+ MU* MORE COM=TABLE1 & ! DOCTOR :O WAS JU/ H]E ASSURES ME ?AT EV]Y?+ IS SATISFACTORY & HOPES !RE WILL BE NO NE$ ( AN OP]ATION4 ,MY TEMP]ATURE IS L[]1 BUT /ILL ABOVE NORMAL2 ,I /ILL SUFF] PA91 BUT IT IS BE>ABLE4 ,ABOVE ALL ,I MU/ HAVE RE/1 ABSOLUTE RE/ 444 DON'T WORRY AB\T ME4 

 0,Y\ CAN'T CONCEIVE ( K9DLI] C>E ?AN ?AT :I* ,I AM RECEIV+ H]E4 ,! PR(ESSOR & HIS FAMILY TOOK TURNS AT MY B$-SIDE ALL ?R\< ! NI<T4 ,AS A PRETEXT = WRIT+ TO Y\ ,I AM S5D+ = SOME BOOKS4 ,I TOLD !M ( A ,RUSSIAN FAMILY ,I HAD MET AT ! HOTEL :O W\LD GET !M FROM MY ROOM = ME4 ,PLEASE REMEMB]1 UND] NO CIRCUM/ANCES >E Y\ TO WRITE OR TO TELEPHONE4 ,I KISS Y\R H&S4 

 0,Y\R ,SS5JA40 

0,POOR ,SS5JA40 
 0,ANY ANSW]80 ,! MESS5G] WAS /ILL WAIT+ = H] TO F9I% READ+ ! LETT]4 

 0,YES 444 ?AT IS 444 WAIT A MOM5T4 ,I'LL GET ! BOOKS AT ONCE40 ,%E HURRI$ TO ,SS5JA'S ROOM AS IF TO GET SOME?+ !RE1 /ILL TRY+ TO ADJU/ H]SELF TO ?IS NEW /ATE ( AFFAIRS4 ,C\LD %E WRITE HIM A S+LE L9E TELL+ HIM ( H] ANXIETY & ( H] LOVE1 ( H] B\NDLESS1 5DLESS LOVE = HIM8 ,C\LD %E NOT REASSURE HIM1 TELL HIM NOT TO WORRY AB\T H]1 ?AT %E WAS SATISFI$ TO KN[ ?AT HE WAS ALIVE1 ?AT HE WAS !RE1 ?AT HE WAS FREE4 

 ,%E W\LD HAVE LIK$ TO SLIP A LITTLE NOTE 9TO ! PACKAGE1 BUT D>$ NOT4 ,SOMEONE MI<T SEE1 & ,SS5JA W\LD HAVE TO EXPLA94 ,HE WAS SO AWKW>D AT F9D+ EXPLANATIONS1 POOR FELL[4 

 ,%E GAVE ! BOOKS TO ! MESS5G] & WAS ALONE 9 H] ROOM ONCE MORE4 ,H] LUN*EON C(FEE /OOD ON ! TABLE BE=E H]1 AS COLD & TA/ELESS AS ! DEJECT$ MOOD ?AT HAD OV]TAK5 H]4 

 ,?REE LONG1 EMPTY DAYS & RE/LESS NI<TS ) FANTA/IC1 5]VAT+ DREAMS4 ,MORE ?AN ONCE %E WOKE ) A %OCK$ FEEL+ ( DISA/]4 0,SS5JA6 ,:AT IS HAPP5+ TO HIM80 

 ,ONCE %E DI/9CTLY HE>D HIS VOICE CALL+ TO H]1 & %UDD]$ ) A HORRIFI$ S5SE ( EVIL PREMONITION4 

 ,SEV]AL TIMES EA* DAY %E 9QUIR$ :E!R A MESSAGE - A TELEGRAM1 P]HAPS1 OR A TELEPHONE-CALL1 HAD BE5 LEFT = H]4 0,NO1 NO?+6 ,WAS ! G5TLEMAN KEEP+ ! ROOM80 

 ,( C\RSE - ! G5TLEMAN WAS ILL1 & !RE=E /AY+ ) FRI5DS :]E HE W\LD RECEIVE BETT] C>E ?AN WAS POSSIBLE 9 A HOTEL ROOM4 444 ,:Y HAD %E GIV5 ?IS EXPLANATION1 AS IF H] POSITION REQUIR$ JU/IFICATION8 ,:AT DID IT MATT]8 ,DID ANY?+ MATT]8 ,SS5JA'S ILLNESS HAD UND\BT$LY TAK5 A TURN = ! WORSE AFT] ALL1 = IF HE W]E CONSCI\S HE W\LD HAVE F\ND SOME MEANS ( COMMUNICAT+ ) H]4 

,TIME DRAGG$ 444 M9UTES SEEM$ H\RS4444 

 ,ON ! EV5+ ( ! ?IRD DAY ,NATAS*A DECID$ TO TELEPHONE TO ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE TO 9QUIRE CONC]N+ ,SS5JA'S CONDITION4 ,%E C\LD NOT SP5D ANO!R NI<T 9 ?IS AWFUL UNC]TA9TY4 ,%E QUAIL$ AT ! ?\<T ( ! TORTURES ITS SLEEPLESS H\RS W\LD BR+4 ,NO MATT] :AT CAME ( IT1 %E MU/ KN[4 ,%E RANG = ! S]VANT4 

 0,MADAME WI%ES80 

 ,%E />$ UNDECID$LY AT ! MAN :O ANSW]$ H] SUMMONS4 ,A MOM5T>Y URGE HAD PROMPT$ H] TO CALL HIM & %E WAS AT A LOSS TO DECIDE ON H] FUR!R C\RSE ( ACTION4 ,%E MU/ BE C>EFUL TO 
MAKE NO MI/AKE4 

 ,%E ORD]$ TEA4 0,CREAM OR LEMON80 

,%E WAT*$ HIM DISAPPE> ) HIS :ITE1 %IMM]+ NAPK9 UND] HIS >M & !N CONT9U$ H] 5DLESS J\RNEY UP & D[N ! ROOM ) A HEAVY1 A*+ HE>T1 TRY+ TO ESCAPE ! TORM5T+ VISIONS ?AT MADE H] GROAN & WR+ H] H&S 9 DESPAIR4 

 ,! CLOCK ON ! NE>-BY T[] /RUCK N9E4 ,NATAS*A RANG ONCE MORE4 

 ,! S]VANT /OOD BE=E H]4 ,C\LD HE GUESS H[ DIFFICULT IT WAS = H] TO EXPLA9 TO HIM H[ & :]E HE WAS TO TELEPHONE1 :AT TO ASK1 & :AT NOT TO ASK8 ,UND] NO CONDITION WAS HE TO SAY 0,MADAME40 ,ONLY 0! ,RUSSIAN FRI5DS 44 40  

,W\LD HE REMEMB]8 ,IF ONLY HE DID NOT SAY 0,MADAME40 

 ,TO ,NATAS*A ?AT SEEM$ ( VITAL IMPORTANCE4 

 ,AGA9 %E W&]$ UP & D[N ! ROOM1 !N SAT1 T5SE AS ! /R+ ( A VIOL91 ON ! $GE ( A *AIR4 ,%E C\LD FEEL H] HE>TBEATS 9 H] ?ROAT SO PA9FULLY ?AT %E C\LD NOT SWALL[4 ,9 ANO!R MOM5T %E 'W\LD KN[ - :AT8 ,! SECONDS CRAWL$4444 ,:AT WAS KEEP+ HIM84444,FIVE SEV5 444 T5 M9UTES4 ,:Y DIDN'T HE RETURN8 ,P]HAPS ! ANSW] WAS SO APPALL+ ?AT HE C\LD NOT BR+ HIMSELF TO TELL H]6 ,NATAS*A WAS  
%AK5 BY ICY TREMORS4 ,A ?\<T FLA%$ ?R\< H] M9D - :O KN[S1 9 A FEW MOM5TS %E MI<T BE LOOK+ BACK ) LONG+ AT ?IS TORTU\S RESPITE 444 ) ! FA9T RAY ( HOPE IT /ILL HELD4 

 ,A KNOCK AT ! DOOR4 

 0,COME 940 

 ,H] EYES PLEAD$4 ,HURRY6 ,HURRY6 ,BUT ! WAIT] CONT9U$ TO MOVE ) EXASP]AT+ 9DOL5CE4 ,HIS NAPK9 HAD BECOME 5TANGL$ 9 ! DOOR-KNOB1 & HE /OPP$ FUSSILY TO DIS5GAGE IT4 

 0,! G5TLEMAN ?ANKS HIS ',RUSSIAN FRI5DS' = !IR K9D 9QUIRY 7A FA9TLY D]ISIVE SMILE CURL$ ! LIPS UND] ! MU/A*E7 & BEGS ME TO REPORT ?AT HE IS FEEL+ A GREAT DEAL BETT]4 ,HE HAS BE5 \T ( B$ & AB\T HIS ROOM1 & IS JU/ PREP>+ TO RETIRE40 

 ,NATAS*A NEI!R MOV$ NOR SPOKE4 

 0,IS ?AT ALL1 ,MADAME8 ,NO?+ ELSE80 

 ,%E WAS ALONE4 

 ,%E HAD BELIEV$ ?AT %E W\LD SOB ) RAPTURE IF ! WAIT]'S ANSW] BR\<T H] A S+LE T9Y RAY ( HOPE = ,SS5JA'S LIFE4 ,ONLY A %ORT HALF H\R AGO %E W\LD WILL+LY HAVE GIV5 HALF H] LIFE = ! MESSAGE %E HAD JU/ RECEIV$4 ,YET H]E %E /OOD 9 ! MIDDLE ( H] ROOM1 )\T JOY444P]PLEX$1 RA!R1 & OV]:ELM$ ) ! GR[+ C]TA9TY ?AT %E HAD BE5 DEEPLY (F5D$ & ABUS$4 

 ,SS5JA1 K9D1 T5D]1 S5SITIVE ,SS5JA1 :O FE>$ TO 9FLICT ! SLI<TE/ PA9 ON ,ANJUTA1 HAD NOT MOV$ A F+] TO PUT AN 5D TO H] TORM5T6 ,ALL !SE DAYS HE HAD LEFT H] )\T A SIGN1 HAD NOT ?\<T IT WOR? :ILE TO LET H] KN[ ?AT HE WAS ALMO/ WELL4 ,W\LD HE HAVE ! C\RAGE1 AFT] ?IS1 TO TELL H] ?AT HE /ILL LOV$ H]8 ,?IS WAS MORE ?AN %E C\LD EV] =GIVE4 

 ,X,I,I 

,N,A,T,A,S,*,A AWOKE GREATLY REFRE%$ AFT] A S\ND NI<T'S SLEEP4 ,DEEP D[N 9 ! BOTTOM ( H] S\L ! CONVICTION ?AT %E HAD BE5 GROSSLY WRONG$ P]SI/$1 BUT %E PAID NO ATT5TION4 ,SS5JA WAS ALIVE & \T ( DANG]4 ,9 A FEW DAYS %E W\LD SEE HIM AGA94 ,!N1 YES1 !N %E W\LD SPEAK TO HIM4 ,%E W\LD EXPLA9 TO HIM ?AT LOVE1 ?US CASUALLY TREAT$1 MU/ DIE1 ?AT NOT EV5 A LOVE AS GREAT AS !IRS C\LD P]SI/ & LIVE 9 SU* AN ATMOSPH]E ( CON/ANT T5SION4 ,! /R+ ?AT IS DRAWN TOO TI<TLY IS B\ND TO BREAK4 

 ,%E 5JOY$ H] C(FEE ?AT MORN+ - ! FIR/ TIME S9CE ,SS5JA'S ABS5CE - & EV5 SMIL$ AT ! *AMB]MAID :O TOLD H] H[ LOVELY ! WEA!R WAS \TSIDE4 

 ,!N %E TURN$ H] ATT5TION TO H] P>TY LETT]S  - 9CR$IBLE ?AT %E %\LD HAVE NEGLECT$ H] COMRADES SO LONG4 

 ,%E WROTE A NUMB] ( REPLIES & PREP>$ !M = MAIL+1 & AS %E SEAL$ ! LA/ 5VELOPE  
SOME IMPULSE PROMPT$ H] TO MAKE ANO!R ATTEMPT AT ! ILL-FAT$ PAMPHLET AT :I* %E HAD WORK$ :5 FIR/ %E CAME H]E1 ) SO LITTLE SUCCESS4 ,%E WAS 9 ! MOOD = WORK4 ,EASILY & )\T CON/RA9T ! WORDS ?AT HAD ELUD$ H] SO PROVOK+LY CAME TO H] N[2 ?\<T FOLL[$ ?\<T 9 GRATIFY+1 LOGICAL SEQU5CE4 ,NATAS*A PAID NO ATT5TION TO ! PASSAGE ( TIME UNTIL TWILI<T D>K5$ ! ROOM4 

 ,!N %E LEAN$ BACK 9 H] *AIR & /RET*$ H] >MS ) A FEEL+ ( 9T5SE SATISFACTION4 ,PEACE & CLE>NESS ( M9D HAD COME BACK TO H] & %E WAS OV]JOY$ TO ?9K ?AT %E WAS TO F9I% ! PAMPHLET AFT] ALL4 ,IT WAS GOOD TO HAVE ONE'S M9D FREE = WORK1 NOT TO BE SITT+ =LORNLY WAIT+ = A MESSAGE ?AT DID NOT COME1 A PRISON] ( ABSURD WORRIES OV] ,SS5JA'S CONDITION4 ,HE WAS \T ( DANG] & SO WELL TAK5 C>E ( AT ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE ?AT HE =GOT EV5 TO ?9K ( ,NATAS*A  - A REALIZATION ?AT WAS NOT )\T ITS /+ ( BITT]NESS4 ,BUT %E DROVE SU* RUM9ATIONS RESOLUTELY FROM H] M9D4 

 ,LIFE & ACTION W]E :AT %E WANT$ N[4 ,%E WANT$ TO SEE PEOPLE AGA94 ,?IS H]MIT'S LIFE ?AT %E HAD BE5 LEAD+ WAS S5SELESS & ABSURD4 ,%E DECID$ TO GO TO ! PO/-(FICE TO MAIL H] LETT]S & !N TO HAVE A CUP ( C(FEE 9 ONE ( ! 
BRI<TLY LI<T$ CAFES NE>BY4 

 ,%E WAS PUTT+ ON H] HAT BE=E ! MIRROR :5 ! DOOR OP5$ & ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* /EPP$ 9TO ! ROOM4 

 0,SS5JA1 Y\80 %E EXCLAIM$4 ,!RE WAS MORE A/ONI%M5T ?AN JOY 9 H] VOICE4 

 0,YES1 H]E ,I AM1 ,NATAS*A1 ABSOLUTELY WORN \T1 AS Y\ SEE1 AFT] MY ILLNESS4 ,! DOCTOR ADVIS$ ME TO WAIT UNTIL TO-MORR[1 BUT ,I DECID$ TO COME TONI<T4 ,I C\LD NOT WAIT ANY LONG]40  

0,COME1 LIE D[N H]E AT ONCE1 ,SS5JETS*KA4 

 ,OH1 Y\ POOR ?+1 H[ ?9 Y\ >E6 ,Y\R EYES >E /ILL SICK1 ,SS5JA4 ,:Y DID Y\ COME BACK BE=E Y\ W]E QUITE WELL1 DE>80 

0,I LONG$ = Y\ SO1 ,I WAS SO RE/LESS4440 

  

 0,A CU%ION = Y\R HEAD8 ,DO Y\ WANT ME TO TAKE (F Y\R %OES8 444 ,H]E1 LET ME PUT ?IS COV] OV] Y\4444 ,WILL Y\ HAVE SOME TEA8 ,LEMON1 OR W\LD Y\ PREF] IT ) CREAM8 ,I'LL R+ & ORD] IT AT ONCE :ILE ,I GET EV]Y?+ READY40 ,BY D9T ( SOLICIT\S FUSS+ ,NATAS*A UNCONSCI\SLY TRI$ TO HIDE FROM H]SELF ! A/\ND+ FACT ?AT %E WAS NEI!R HAPPY NOR EXCIT$ OV] HIS RETURN4 

 ,:]E WAS ! >D5T IMPATI5CE ) :I* %E HAD WAIT$ = HIM8 ,:]E ! FR5ZI$ HAPP9ESS %E HAD EXPECT$ TO FEEL :5 HE >RIV$8 ,SS5JA HAD COME AT ! WRONG MOM5T1 SCATT]+ ! MOOD ( C>E-FREE AB&ON ?AT HAD COME AS A RELEASE FROM A P]IOD ( 9TOL]ABLE N]V\S T5SION4 

 0,I'M P]FECTLY COM=TABLE1 ,NATAS*A4 ,COME1 SIT H]E1 BESIDE ME4 ,IT'S SO GOOD TO BE ,) Y\ AGA96444 
 ,Y\ HAD Y\R HAT ON :5 ,I CAME4 ,W]E Y\ GO+ \T8 ,DO Y\ GO WALK+ :5 ,I'M AWAY8 ,IS ?AT H[ Y\ PRES]VE Y\R 9COGNITO80  

0,I ASSURE Y\ ?IS W\LD HAVE BE5 ! FIR/ TIME4 ,I HAV5'T ONCE PUT MY NOSE \TSIDE ! DOOR1 ALL ! TIME Y\ W]E AWAY4 ,BUT !SE LETT]S - SEE = Y\RSELF H[ MANY !RE >E - HAD TO BE MAIL$40 

 0,NEV]!LESS IT WAS FOOLH>DY1 JU/ N[ SUPPOSE ,ANJUTA %\LD TAKE IT 9TO H] HEAD TO COME8 444 ,?AT REM9DS ME 444 ,I ASK$ Y\ NOT TO TELEPHONE TO ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE4444 ,I MU/ SAY Y\ PAY SURPRIS+LY LITTLE ATT5TION TO MY REQUE/S4 ,I WAS AFRAID ( SOME?+ LIKE ?IS ALL ! :ILE ,I WAS ILL4 ,AFT] Y\ CALL$ UP YE/]DAY ,I HADN'T ANO!R MOM5T'S PEACE UNTIL ,I HAD DECID$ TO COME H]E - AT ANY CO/4 ,:O KN[S - Y\ 
MI<T HAVE PRES5T$ Y\RSELF !RE 9 P]SON IF ,I HAD NOT RETURN$4 44 40 

 0,AH1 !N IT WAS ?IS ?AT BR\<T Y\ BACK TO ME80 

 ,! BRITTLE $GE 9 H] VOICE MADE ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* ?R[ A QUICK1 SE>*+ GLANCE 9 H] DIRECTION4 

 0,NO1 ,NATAS*A1 NOT ?AT ALONE4 ,I TOLD Y\ H[ ,I LONG$ TO BE ) Y\4 44 40 

 0,9DE$4 ,HA-HA-HA40 

 ,SS5JA HAD NEV] HE>D ,NATAS*A LIKE ?IS BE=E4 

 0,SO Y\ LONG$ TO BE ) ME8 ,Y\1 Y\ SAY ?IS1 AFT] LETT+ ME WAIT DAY AFT] DAY = A WORD FROM Y\1 AFT] Y\ TORTUR$ & M>TYR$ ME ) A CRUELTY SO REF9$1 SO UNSPEAKABLE4 44 40  

0,NATAS*A6 ,:AT >E Y\ SAY+8 ,WAS IT MY FAULT ?AT ,I BECAME ILL8 ,H[ HAVE ,I M>TYR$ Y\8 ,9 :AT WAY8 ,Y\ MAY BE SURE NO?+ WAS FUR!R FROM MY 9T5TIONS4 ,:Y1 ,NATAS*A1 Y\ SPEAK JU/ LIKE ,ANJUTA 444 P]HAPS %E IS RI<T1 AFT] ALL1 :5 %E SAYS ?AT ,I TORTURE ?OSE ,I LOVE ,ANJUTA 444 Y\ 444 OH1 ?IS IS FRI<TFUL40 

 ,HE BURI$ HIS HEAD 9 HIS H&S4 ,HIS CRUMPL$ FIGURE EXPRESS$ HOPELESS RESIGNATION TO AN UNDES]V$ FATE4 ,NATAS*A REL5T$ AT ONCE4 

 0,SS5JA1 ,SS5JETS*KA1 MY DE> FRI5D4 ,Y\ W]E RI<T4 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT ,I AM SAY+1 ,I DON'T KN[ :AT IS ! MATT] ) ME4 ,TRY TO UND]/& :AT ,I SUFF]$ :ILE Y\ W]E AWAY1 H[ ,I FE>$ = Y\R LIFE1 NOT KN[+ 444 ,SS5JA1 ! ?\<TS ,I ?\<T1 ! FE>S ,I LIV$ ?R\< - BECAUSE ,I LOVE Y\1 DO Y\ HE>1 ,SIMEON60 

 ,= BO? ( !M ?IS NAME HAD AN ESPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE1 & HE SMIL$ AT H] AS %E KNEEL$ BY HIS SIDE & C>ESS$ HIS HEAD4 

 0,LET ME KISS Y\R =EHEAD 444 H[ (T5 ,I DREAM$ ( ?IS6 ,H[ (T5 ,I ?\<T ( ! TIME :5 ,I W\LD KISS ! BR[ ( MY BELOV$ AGA960 

 0,MAD CREATURE1 Y\ FRI<T5$ ME ) Y\R AWFUL LAU<T]4 ,I KN[1 POOR ?+1 Y\R N]VES HAVE HAD MORE ?AN 5\< TO BE>4 ,LIFE IS BEAUTIFUL1 ,NATAS*A4 ,DON'T COME SO CLOSE TO ME1 DE>40 

 0,IT IS SO GOOD TO HAVE Y\ ) ME AGA9 - JU/ TO KN[ ?AT Y\ /ILL >E 444 DO Y\ UND]/&80  

0,I UND]/&1 MY LOVE4 ,BUT ,I AM /ILL WEAK AFT] MY ILLNESS & Y\R NE>NESS EXCITES ME4 ,! DOCTOR SAYS ?AT ! ATTACK WAS BR\<T AB\T *IEFLY ?R\< MY G5]ALLY N]V\S CONDITION & ORD]$ ABSOLUTE RE/4 ,Y\ WON'T BE ANGRY1 WILL Y\1 IF ,I ASK Y\ NOT TO COME SO NE> TO ME80  

,NATAS*A >OSE & TURN$ FROM HIM AT ONCE1 LE/ HE READ ! REPROA* 9 H] EYES4 ,%E WANT$ HUMAN W>M?1 HUMAN T5D]NESS - :AT HE REF]R$ TO HAD NOT 5T]$ H] HEAD4 

 ,:ILE %E PREP>$ TEA ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* LAY ON ! C\* SMOK+ A CIG>ETTE & TOLD H] ( ! C\RSE HIS ILLNESS HAD TAK51 ( ! PR(ESSOR'S FAMILY & !IR FRI5DLY SOLICITUDE & ( HIS ANXI\S FE> ?AT %E MI<T TAKE IT 9TO H] HEAD TO COME TO ! PR(ESSOR'S HOME4 ,IT HAD BE5 ALMO/ IMPOSSIBLE TO GET 9 T\* ) H]4 

 0,IF Y\ HAD S5T ! T9IE/ NOTE4 ,Y\ MI<T HAVE S5T = SOME BOOKS AGA9 444 SURELY Y\ MI<T HAVE ?\<T ( SOME?+60 

 0,Y\ KN[ H[ /UPID ,I AM AT ?AT SORT ( ?+4 ,SO ,I SIMPLY CAME H]E AS SOON AS ,I C\LD DRAG MYSELF AWAY40 

 ,HE DRANK HIS TEA :ILE %E READ AL\D ! LETT]S %E HAD RECEIV$ - SOME DISQUIET+1 O!RS 5C\RAG+4 ,9 G5]AL ! P>TY SEEM$ TO BE 9 A PROMIS+ CONDITION1 ) ! POSSIBILITY ( IMPORTANT DEVELOPM5TS 9 ! NE> FUTURE4 ,!Y DISCUSS$ !SE POSSIBILITIES EAG]LY1 TAK+ 9TO ACC\NT ! POSITION ( ! OPPOS+ W+1 & BO? AGRE$ ?AT ! SITUATION W\LD PRECIPITATE NEW CONFLICTS BETWE5 !M1 A PROBABILITY ?AT MADE ,NATAS*A BURN TO GET AWAY AT ONCE1 BACK TO LIV+1 ?RILL+ WORK4 

 0,TALK+ H]E ) Y\ MAKES ONE =GET EV]Y?+ ELSE 9 ! WORLD10 ,SS5JA SUDD5LY 9T]RUPT$ H]4 0,IT IS GETT+ LATE & ,I PROMIS$ ! DOCTOR TO BE BACK BY HALF-PA/ SEV54 ,:Y1 IT IS EI<T O'CLOCK ALREADY4 ,H[ TIME FLIES4 ,I HOPE ! PR(ESSOR DOES NOT TAKE IT 9TO HIS HEAD TO COME & CALL = ME4 ,HE IS SO CONSCI5TI\SLY WORRI$ AB\T ME40 

 0,Y\ >E GO+ BACK8 ,Y\ WON'T /AY H]E TONI<T80 

 0,!Y W\LDN'T HE> ( IT4 444 ,OH1 YES1 ,I WANT$ TO TELL Y\4 44 40 ,HE TRI$ NOT TO LOOK AT H] AS HE SPOKE & %E KNEW ?AT ! DISCLOSURE HE WAS AB\T TO MAKE W\LD BE UNPLEASANT3 - 0,I WANT4TO SUGGE/ ?AT Y\ GO TO ,W40  

0,TO ,W8 ,BUT :Y80 

 0,!Y SAY IT IS A V]Y 9T]E/+ OLD T[N ) BEAUTIFUL BUILD+S & QUA9T /REETS - & ,I KN[ Y\ LOVE BEAUTIFUL SURR\ND+S40 ,HE SPOKE TO H] AS IF HE W]E URG+ A *ILD TO TAKE SOME DISAGREEABLE M$IC9E4 
0,I DON'T UND]/&40 

 0,W\LDN'T Y\ C>E TO SEE IT80 ,HE LOOK$ AT H] PLEAD+LY4 0,Y\ SEE1 - OH1 ,I SUPPOSE ,I MAY AS WELL  
CONFESS - ,I WON'T HAVE A PEACEFUL H\R :ILE Y\ >E H]E4 ,I HAD TO WRITE ,ANJUTA AB\T MY ILLNESS & WELL1 Y\ KN[ ,ANJUTA4 ,%E MAY TAKE IT 9TO H] HEAD TO COME H]E AT ANY MOM5T4 ,EV]Y?+ CONSID]$1 ,I BELIEVE Y\ HAD BETT] GO TO ,W4 ,Y\ WILL BE QUIET] & SAF] !RE40 

 ,NATAS*A B[$ H] HEAD L[ OV] H] HALF-F9I%$ CUP ( TEA TO HIDE TWO GREAT TE>S ?AT WELL$ UP 9TO H] EYES1 BUT ,SS5JA SAW !M4 

 0,I KN[1 SWEE!>T4 ,IT IS H>D TO ASK Y\ TO LEAVE ME AGA940 ,HE /ROK$ H] HEAD ) T5D]1 IF SOME:AT CONDESC5D+ SYMPA?Y4 

 0,:Y TO ,W48 ,! S5SIBLE ?+ TO DO W\LD BE TO GO DIRECTLY BACK TO WORK AGA940 

 ,H] TE>S HAD CEAS$ & %E LOOK$ AT HIM 9 S]I\S1 IF SOME:AT RES5TFUL E>NE/NESS4 

 0,Y\ MISUND]/& ME4 ,AS ! LIBR>Y H]E CLOSES = ! HOLIDAYS AT ! 5D ( ! WEEK ,I HAVE ALREADY TOLD ! PR(ESSOR ( MY 9T5TION TO SP5D !SE DAYS 9 ,W4 TO MAKE ! OLD T[N'S ACQUA9TANCE4 ,Y\ GO TO ,W4 & ,I WILL FOLL[ 9 A FEW DAYS40 

 0,?IS IS SO /RANGE & SO PECULI> 444 TELL ME IF ,I AM 9 Y\R WAY & ,I WILL LEAVE AT ONCE4 ,?AT WILL BE EASI] = EV]YONE40 

 0,LITTLE GOOSE1 H[ CAN Y\ SPEAK ( BE+ 9 MY WAY8 ,Y\ KN[ ?AT ,I ASK ?IS ( Y\ ONLY BECAUSE 
( ,ANJUTA4 ,?9K IF %E %\LD SUDD5LY MAKE H] APPE>ANCE H]E60 ,TO HIM ?IS WAS AN UNANSW]ABLE >GUM5T4 0,CAN'T Y\ IMAG9E H] UNEAS9ESS1 EV5 N[8 ,I AM MOV+ TO ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE - ?AT IS ! UND]/&+4 ,Y\ WILL GO TO ,W4 & ,I %ALL FOLL[ ON ,FRIDAY4 ,!N WE WILL SP5D ! :OLE DAY TOGE!R1 NO?+ TO P>T OR TO DI/URB US1 NO PR(ESSOR4 444 ,DOESN'T ?AT S\ND ATTRACTIVE80 

 0,BUT Y\ =GET ?AT ,I MU/ LEAVE ON ,TUESDAY4 ,MY LEAVE44 40 

 0,OH1 WE'LL SEE AB\T ?AT4 ,IF EV]Y?+ SEEMS PEACEFUL ON ! HORIZON WE WILL MAKE \RSELVES A PRES5T ( A DAY OR TWO4 ,! IMPORTANT CONSID]ATION IS ?AT WE CAN BE TOGE!R !RE 9 ABSOLUTE SAFETY1 ) NO DANG] ( UNT[>D DI/URBANCE4 ,I WILL BE 9 QUITE A DIFF]5T /ATE ( M9D 444 H]E !RE IS ALWAYS SOME?+ BETWE5 US4 444 ,I AM N]V\S RI<T N[ BECAUSE ,I'M AFRAID ! PR(ESSOR MAY DECIDE TO COME AFT] ME4 44 40 

 0,I %ALL ?9K IT OV]4 ,WE'LL SPEAK ( IT AGA9 TO-MORR[40 ,NATAS*A HAT$ TO SUBMIT )\T A /RUGGLE4 

0,:Y TO-MORR[8 ,I WANT Y\ TO LEAVE TO-DAY4 
,! TRA9 LEAVES 444 LET ME SEE - ,I'VE MADE A NOTE 
( IT SOME:]E40 ,HE HELD HIS NOTE-BOOK CLOSE TO HIS NE>-SI<T$ EYES & TURN$ ITS PAGES4 0,H]E IT IS4 ,!RE IS A TRA9 AT #a3#c ?AT WILL GET Y\ !RE AT #a3#c TO-NI<T4 ,?AT IS QUITE CONV5I5T - AN EXPRESS TRA94 ,Y\ WILL HAVE LOTS ( TIME TO GET READY4 ,N[1 ,NATAS*5KA1 DON'T LOOK SO UNHAPPY OR ,I WILL ?9K ?AT ,I HAVE (F5D$ Y\4 444 ,I FEEL JU/ AS BADLY TO HAVE Y\ GO1 Y\ MAY BELIEVE ME1 BUT IT IS ONLY = A FEW DAYS1 AFT] ALL4 ,I %ALL BE ) Y\ ON ,FRIDAY4 ,LET ME KN[ :]E Y\ >E /AY+ - S5D A TELEGRAM TO ! USUAL NAME1 G5]AL DELIV]Y4 ,TAKE A ROOM = BO? ( US1 & TELL !M ?AT Y\R HUSB& WILL JO9 Y\ LAT]40 ,?IS EVID5TLY WAS AN AFT]?\<T TO COMP5SATE ,NATAS*A = H] DISAPPO9TM5T4 

 0,& N[1 WILL Y\ HELP ME PACK MY BELONG+S SO ?AT ,I MAY HAVE !M TAK5 TO ! PR(ESSOR'S H\SE8 ,Y\'LL ATT5D TO ! HOTEL BILL ,I SUPPOSE4 ,BY ! WAY1 IF Y\ NE$ MONEY - ! PR(ESSOR (F]$ TO LET ME HAVE SOME IF ,I %\LD NE$ IT4 ,DON'T LOOK SO D[N-HE>T$1 ,NATAS*A4 ,IT HURTS ME40  

0,NEV] M9D ME1 ,SS5JA4 ,?AT WILL PASS4 ,JU/ LIE H]E ON ! S(A4 ,I'LL DO Y\R PACK+40  

,NATAS*A WAS 9 HIS ROOM1 TUGG+ AT ! /RAPS ( HIS SUIT-CASE :5 HE 5T]$ ) A RUEFUL FACE4 

 0,:Y DIDN'T Y\ /AY :]E Y\ W]E10 %E SCOLD$4 0,Y\ SEE1 ,I'VE F9I%$ PACK+ ALREADY40 

 0,I ?\<T Y\ MI<T BE SITT+ H]E CRY+ ?AT BO!R$ ME AS ,I LAY !RE4 ,I HAD TO COME OV] TO LOOK AFT] Y\4 ,I LOVE Y\1 ,NATAS*A40 

 ,HE SAID ?IS SO SOB]LY ?AT ,NATAS*A SMIL$ 9 SPITE ( H]SELF4 ,BUT ! *ILL DID NOT VANI% FROM H] S\L4 ,HE LOV$ H]1 BUT :AT DID IF MEAN TO H]1 ?IS LOVE ( HIS8 ,/ABS1 SUFF]+1 HURT444 

 0,COME1 DRESS1 ,SS5JETS*KA4 ,Y\ WILL BE LATE & ! PR(ESSOR'S WIFE WILL SCOLD Y\4 44 40  

0,I BELIEVE Y\ >E JEAL\S ( H]4 ,%E IS A V]Y OLD LADY444 40 

 ,NATAS*A SMIL$4 0,Y\ >E A *ILD1 ,SS5JETS*KA1 Y\ >E SO RIDICUL\SLY UNABLE TO UND]/&4 ,N[ GO1 TAKE C>E ( Y\RSELF & GET WELL4 ,Y\R MANUSCRIPT IS 9 ! PORTFOLIO1 H]E4 ,!SE >E Y\R BOOKS4 ,GOOD-BYE1 ,SS5JETS*KA40 ,!Y EMBRAC$4 

 0,:AT A COOL DUTY-KISS40 

 0,JU,/ ! SORT ( KISS A WELL-BEHAV$ WIFE %\LD 
GIVE H] HUSB&4 ,F> BE IT FROM ME TO TRY TO S$UCE Y\10 %E REPLI$ TEAS+LY & HURRI$ TO CALL ! PORT] :O WAS TO C>RY HIS BAGGAGE4 
  

 ,AT ! DOOR ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* EMBRAC$ H] ONCE MORE & :ISP]$ ANXI\SLY3 

 0,Y\ >5'T ANGRY1 >E Y\8 ,MY SWEET GIRL1 Y\ DON'T KN[ H[ MU* ,I NE$ Y\4 ,IT IS ALL BECAUSE ( ,ANJUTA4 44 40 

 ,AT ! TURN ( ! CORRIDOR HE LOOK$ BACK TO WAVE A LA/ F>EWELL4 ,%E HAD ! IMPRESSION ?AT !RE WAS SOME?+ HE WANT$ TO SAY1 TO EXPLA9 TO H]4 ,NATAS*A WAV$ H] H&K]*IEF FLIPPANTLY4 

 0,DON'T FALL 9 LOVE ) ! PR(ESSOR'S WIFE4 ,COME SOON40 

 ,AT ?AT HIS FACE LIT UP1 &1 SEEM+LY REASSUR$1 HE WALK$ >\ND ! CORN] ) HIS OLD DET]M9$ /RIDE4 ,NATAS*A RETURN$ TO H] ROOM ALONG ! FAMILI>1 DETE/ABLE C>PET1 H] HEAD B[$ 9 DEEP ?\<T4 
,X,I,I,I 

,W4 ,W,A,S A *>M+ OLD T[N4 ,ITS BEAUTIFUL *UR*ES1 & ! HU%$1 ANCI5T /REETS TEMPT$ T\RI/S AWAY FROM ! BEAT5 PA?S TO /OP = A FEW DAYS 9 ITS G5TLE ATMOSPH]E4 ,IT WAS NOT H>D TO F9D A CLEAN1 REASONABLY PRIC$ 9N :]E %E WAS GIV5 A DELI<TFUL ROOM1 SIMPLE & UNPRET5TI\S 9 ITS L9ES1 & )\T ! DU/Y ACCESSORIES1 C>PETS & HANG+S ?AT SO (T5 DISFIGURE SU* PLACES4 ,IT WAS BA!D 9 SUNLI<T FROM W9D[S ?AT LOOK$ \T - NOT AS 9 ,H4 OV] RO(S & *IMNEYS OR D[N 9TO A N>R[ C\RT-Y>D - BUT ACROSS A HU%$1 WIDE-FLUNG SQU>E ( V5]ABLE H\SES1 EV]Y ONE ( :I* HAD LOOK$ D[N ON ! PASS+ ( MANY G5]ATIONS4 

 ,:5 ,NATAS*A GOT UP 9 ! MORN+1 & RAIS$ ! %ADES TO SMILE \T 9TO ! HOT RAYS ( ! SPR+TIME SUN1 %E FELT ! URG5T JOY ( EXI/5CE RAC+ ?R\< H] VE9S AGA94 ,IT WAS LONG S9CE %E HAD KN[N ?AT SIMPLE JOY ( LIV+ ?AT WAS WAFT$ 9 TO H] ON ! FRAGRANT SPR+ BREEZES ?AT PLAY$ AB\T H] FACE ) ! SPR+-SONG ( ! BIRDS FROM ! NEI<BOR+ G>D54 

 0,LIFE6 ,?IS IS LIFE4 ,:Y MU/ ,I LIVE ?R\< SU* TORM5T1 :5 LIFE ITSELF IS SO LOVELY8 ,:Y80 

 ,%E TURN$ TO H] WORK AT ONCE & LO/ H]SELF 9 ITS PAGES1 WRIT+ /EADILY & SMOO?LY1 )\T DIFFICULTY OR HESITATION4 ,IT SEEM$ TO H] ?AT %E C\LD CONT9UE TO WRITE LIKE ?IS =EV]4 ,%E PROMIS$ H]SELF1 H[EV]1 A LITTLE LAT] 9 ! DAY1 TO /ROLL AB\T ! DELI<TFUL OLD T[N ) ITS SOMNOL5T H\SES & ITS T[]S & DOMES :OSE >*ITECTURAL ORNAM5TATION LOOK$ TO H] LIKE LACE-WORK TURN$ TO /ONE4 ,%E REVEL$ 9 ?IS LIB]TY TO COME & GO AS %E PLEAS$ ONCE MORE1 AS A PUPIL 5JOYS H] VACATION FROM ! RIGORS ( S*OOL LIFE4 ,%E SMIL$ AS %E W&]$ AB\T ! /REETS1 SMIL$ AS %E ORD]$ H] D9N] 9 A MODE/ RE/AURANT1 SMIL$ AT ! HOT SUN ?AT BURN$ H] *EEKS1 & WAS /ILL SMIL+ :5 %E TUMBL$ 9TO B$ ) ?AT DELICI\S FEEL+ ( PHYSICAL & M5TAL WE>9ESS ?AT COMES AT ! 5D ( A DAY'S PLEASURABLE OCCUPATION4 

 ,ON ,FRIDAY ,NATAS*A W5T TO ! PO/-(FICE TO ASK = MAIL4 ,A NUMB] ( LETT]S HAD BE5 =W>D$1 AMONG !M ONE FROM ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS*4 
,:AT DID IT MEAN - NEW DISAPPO9TM5T8 ,P]HAPS HE HAD DECID$ NOT TO COME AFT] ALL4444 

 ,%E PUT IT ) ! RE/1 UNOP5$1 9TO H] LEA!R BAG4 

 ,9 ! T9Y P>K1 :]E BIRDS W]E VIE+ ) ONE ANO!R 9 !IR *E]FUL TWITT]+1 HID+ 9 ! RI*1 D>K GRE5 ( ! EV]GRE5 ?AT L5T A COLORFUL BACKGR\ND TO ! ROSE-R$ ( ALMOND & APRICOT BLOSSOMS1 ,NATAS*A OP5$ H] LETT]S4 

 ,H] COMRADES W]E URG+ H] TO RETURN1 = ! POLITICAL SITUATION WAS APPROA*+ A CRISIS ?AT %\LD F9D EV]YONE AT HIS PO/4 ,!Y W]E ALL AT A LOSS = AN EXPLANATION ( H] P]SI/5T SIL5CE1 & W]E BECOM+ SOME:AT ANXI\S & P]PLEX$4 

 ,%E MU/ GO BACK1 NO MATT] :AT ,SS5JA'S LETT] HAD TO SAY4 ,%E ALMO/ WI%$ ?AT HE W]E NOT COM+4444 %E W\LD LEAVE ON ! FOLL[+ DAY4 

 ,) ?IS SECRET HOPE 9 ! BACKGR\ND ( H] M9D %E OP5$ HIS LETT] LA/ ( ALL4 

 ,BUT IT APPE>$ ?AT ,SS5JA HAD WRITT5 IMM$IATELY AFT] H] DEP>TURE1 DIMLY CONSCI\S ( ! %AD[ ?AT RE/$ ON !IR LOVE4 ,! LETT] WAS UNEXPECT$LY T5D]4 

0,! HURT 9 Y\R EYES :5 ,I SAW Y\ LA/ /ILL 
HAUNTS ME4 444 ,I FEEL LIKE A CRIM9AL4 444 ,Y\ WILL NEV] KN[ :AT Y\R LOVE HAS BE5 TO ME4 ,! ASSURANCE ( Y\R LOVE MEANS MORE ?AN ,I CAN TELL1 MORE ?AN M]E WORDS CAN EXPRESS4 ,! SUN W\LD GO \T ( MY LIFE IF ,I %\LD HAVE TO LIVE )\T 
Y\40 

 ,NOT SO LONG AGO1 ,NATAS*A W\LD HAVE *OK$ OV] A LETT] LIKE ?IS4 ,) H] H&S PRESS$ OV] H] EYES %E W\LD HAVE FEA/$ HUNGRILY ON ! PROTE/ATIONS ( LOVE IT CONTA9$4 ,N[ %E SMIL$1 A LITTLE RUEFULLY1 A LITTLE BITT]LY4 ,TOO LATE4 ,TOO LATE4 

 ,A PO/-SCRIPT ADD$ ?AT HE WAS C\NT+ ! H\RS TILL !Y W\LD MEET AGA94 

 ,%E DROPP$ ! LETT] 9TO H] BAG BESIDE ! O!RS1 H] M9D W&]+ BACK TO ,WANJETS*KA - ONE ( ! LETT]S HAD M5TION$ HIM 9 PASS+ - AS %E DID SO4 ,%E ?\<T ( HIM %AME-FAC$LY1 CONSCI\S ( ! PO/-C>D %E HAD NEGLECT$ TO S5D4 ,! DE>1 GOOD FELL[4 ,:AT A COMRADE HE HAD BE5 9 H] H\R ( NE$6 

 ,%E W5T TO A /ATION]Y %OP AT ONCE1 *OSE AN ATTRACTIVE PO/-C>D & S5T A LI<T1 FACETI\S GREET+1 PROMIS+ A SPE$Y RETURN & ASSUR+ HIM  
?AT %E WAS HOMESICK1 T]RIBLY HOMESICK = ALL ( !M4 ,EV5 = ,DONZEFF4 

 ,IT WAS TRUE4 ,%E WAS LONG+ TO SEE !M ALL AGA91 H] C[ORK]S & COMRADES4 

 ,AS %E WALK$ BACK TO ! 9N ! LONG CORRIDOR ) ITS IRRITAT+ R$ C>PET & ! MAN-S]VANT :O DOZ$ AT ! TABLE CAME BACK TO H] M9D4 ,%E SAW H]SELF AT ,SS5JETS*KA'S DOOR ) HAIR FLY+4444A M5DICANT4444 

0,BETT] NOT ?9K ( IT4444 ,H[ DEGRAD+ IT WAS60 

 ,A TELEGRAM HAD COME DUR+ H] ABS5CE4 0,COM+ TO-MORR[1 #a3#c ,A4 ,M4 ,MEET ME AT TRA940  

0,MY HUSB& WILL >RIVE TO-NI<T10 %E TOLD ! CL]K 9 PASS+ AS %E W5T TO H] ROOM1 DET]M9$ TO USE ! LA/ H\RS ( UN9T]RUPT$ FRE$OM TO F9I% H] PAMPHLET4 
,X,I,V 

,H,A,L,F AN H\R BE=E ! SPECIFI$ TIME ,NATAS*A WAS AT ! /ATION1 ONLY TO F9D ?AT ! BULLET9-BO>D ANN\NC$ A DELAY 9 ! TRA9'S >RIVAL4 ,! PORT] C\LD GIVE NO EXPLANATION BUT A G5TLEMAN NE>BY1 OV]HE>+ H] QUE/IONS1 LIFT$ HIS HAT & VOLUNTE]$ ! REQUIR$ 9=MATION4 ,! TRA9 W\LD BE =TY-FIVE M9UTES LATE4 ,A CL\D-BUR/ HAD WA%$ \T ! ROAD-B$ FUR!R UP ! L9E4 ,NO1 NO ONE HAD BE5 HURT4 ,HE WAS WAIT+ = HIS MO!R :O WAS TO >RIVE ON ! SAME TRA94 

 ,NATAS*A REG>D$ HIM A LITTLE MORE CLOSELY4 ,HE WAS TALL ) A GRAY MU/A*E & BLACK1 LIVELY EYES4 ,ALTOGE!R HE APPEAL$ TO H] AT ONCE4 

 ,HE CONT9U$ TO SPEAK4 ,HIS MO!R WAS COM+ TO VISIT HIM1 AFT] AN ABS5CE ( ALMO/ TWO MON?S4 ,?AT WAS A V]Y LONG TIME4 ,HE WI%$ HIS MO!R C\LD LIVE ) HIM P]MAN5TLY4 

 0,A MO!R'S LOVE IS ! ONLY LOVE ?AT IS UNSELFI%1 ! ONLY LOVE ,I CAN RESPECT40  

 ,HE SPOKE ) ! FRANK LACK ( RETIC5CE ?AT *>ACT]IZ$ ! PEOPLE ( HIS S\!RLY REGION4 

 0,W\LD IT BE BOLD TO ASK = :OM Y\ >E WAIT+80 HE CONT9U$4 

0,A FRI5D8 ,Y\R HUSB&80 

 0,MY HUSB&40 ,IT HAD SLIPP$ PA/ H] LIPS1 9 SPITE ( H]SELF & %E FELT H]SELF R$D5+ ) EMB>RASSM5T4 

0,H[ LONG HAVE Y\ BE5 M>RI$80 

 0,WELL1 N[1 ?AT DEP5DS44440 ,NATAS*A LAU<$4 

 0,AHA1 ,I UND]/&1 ,I UND]/&4 ,I HAVE MY [N VIEWS ON ?IS SUBJECT4 ,USUALLY WOM5 DISAGREE ) ME1 BUT 9 MY EYES A WIFE & A SWEE!>T >E ONE & ! SAME ?+4 ,ON ! CONTR>Y3 A FREE UNION FETT]S A MAN MU* MORE ?AN A LEGITIMATE M>RIAGE4 ,I AM NOT REF]R+ TO LEGAL1 =MAL BONDS1 ( C\RSE1 BUT TO 9N]1 MORAL OBLIGATIONS444?IS LACK ( FRE$OM1 ?IS DEP5D5CE ON ANO!R'S 9N] EXP]I5CES1 ! ET]NAL DISSATISFACTION ( ! WOMAN ONE LOVES1 ! SPIRITUAL BILLS %E PRES5TS4444 

 0,%E IS ALWAYS BE+ HURT BY TRIFLES4 ,I HAVE GONE ?R\< ! 5TIRE GAMUT ( SU* AN EXP]I5CE4 C\LD TELL Y\ 444 BY ! WAY1 >E Y\ A ,G]MAN80 

 0,NO10 ,NATAS*A LAU<$4 0,A ,RUSSIAN & A WRIT]4 ,Y\ MAY SPEAK FREELY4 ,I AM NOT AFRAID ( 
LIFE & TRU?40 

 0,A WRIT]80 ,HE RAIS$ HIS HAT RESPECTFULLY4 0,I HAVE ! GREATE/ RESPECT = A WOMAN :O PURSUES A PR(ESSION4 ,MY MO!R WAS A TEA*]4 ,BUT ?AT HAS NO?+ TO DO ) ! RELATIONS ( M5 & WOM5 TO EA* O!R4 ,LIES1 NO?+ BUT LIES ON EI!R SIDE1 LIES = ! PEACE ( M9D ( ! LOV$ ONE1 LIES FROM FE>1 FROM HABIT4 444 ,>E M5 & WOM5 EV] !MSELVES AFT] !Y >E M>RI$8 ,M9D Y\1 ,I MAKE NO DIFF]5CE BETWE5 LEGAL M>RIAGE & ?AT VOLUNT>Y BOND ?AT HOLDS TWO P]SONS TOGE!R4 ,>E !Y EV] !MSELVES :5 !Y >E TOGE!R1 AS !Y >E ) !IR FRI5DS & COLLEAGUES1 OR ) O!R SEXUALLY 9DIFF]5T P]SONS8 ,DO Y\ EV] FULLY EXPRESS Y\R REAL ?\<TS & FEEL+S :5 Y\ >E ) Y\R HUSB&8 ,CAN Y\ GIVE FULL PLAY TO Y\R MOODS OR TO ?OSE IMPULSES ?AT >E1 POSSIBLY1 ! BE/ ?AT IS 9 Y\8 ,NO4 ,IT IS ALL PLAY-ACT+1 POSE & PREV>ICATION44 40 

 ,HE PIL$ UP 9DICTM5T AFT] 9DICTM5T AGA9/ M>RIAGE ) RECKLESS1 SOME:AT DISJO9T$ AB&ON1 BUT ,NATAS*A BELIEV$ %E UND]/OOD4 ,%E AM5D$ & SUPPLEM5T$ HIS SPECULATIONS ) AN ILLU/RATION H]E & A P]T95T REM>K !RE1 SO ?AT HE NODD$ APPRECIATIVELY AT ! FULLNESS ( H] COMPREH5SION4 0,?AT IS IT4 ,?AT IS IT60 HE AGRE$4 

 ,NATAS*A SPOKE HA/ILY & SKET*ILY1 AS IF %E W]E HURRY+ TO TELL ?IS /RANG] EV]Y?+ %E HAD ?\<T & SUFF]$4 444 ,HE LI/5$ TO H] GRAVELY1 LOOK+ /EADILY 9TO H] FACE AS %E TALK$1 N[ & !N ADD+ AN APT WORD TO H] /ORY4 ,IT WAS ,NATAS*A :O FIR/ NOTIC$ ?AT ! H&S ( ! CLOCK W]E APPROA*+ ! TIME S*$UL$ = ! TRA9'S >RIVAL4 ,H[ EXTRAORD9>ILY QUICKLY ! TIME HAD PASS$ ON ! DISMAL1 GRAY /ATION4 

 0,I AM TRULY GRATEFUL TO ! GOOD =TUNE ?AT PRES5T$ ME ) ?IS OPPORTUNITY4 ,I WILL NOT BE SO 9DISCREET AS TO ASK = Y\R NAME1 BUT MAY ,I ASSURE Y\1 )\T FLATT]Y1 ?AT ?IS IS ! FIR/ TIME ,I HAVE HAD ! PRIVILEGE ( MEET+ A Y\NG WOMAN ) SO MATURE AN \TLOOK ON LIFE8 ,Y\ NOTE ?AT ,I SAY Y\NG3 ,I HAVE (T5 MET OLD] WOM5 :O ?9K AS ,I DO1 ?\< !Y R>ELY C>E TO SPEAK ( IT4 ,BUT !Y KN[ MU*444 MY MO!R IS A CASE 9 PO9T4 

 0,MY MO!R IS AN EXTRAORD9>Y WOMAN1 & ,I AM PR\D & HAPPY TO BE ABLE TO GIVE H] EV]Y PLEASURE ?AT MONEY CAN BUY1 N[ ?AT %E IS OLD4 ,I WORK$ = IT ) MY [N H&S4 ,I AM A GRAPE F>M]4 ,I WAS ! Y\NGE/ ( EI<T BRO!RS - BEGAN LIFE AS AN ]R& BOY 9 A W9E CELL>4 ,MY MO!R WAS A TEA*]4 ,WE NEV] KNEW \R FA!R40 

 ,AS ! TIME = ! TRA9'S >RIVAL DREW NE>]1 ! /ATION PLAT=M HAD GRADUALLY FILL$ ) WAIT+ PEOPLE4 ,! TRA9 WAS APPROA*+4 ,NATAS*A ONCE MORE %OOK H&S ) H] NEW ACQUA9TANCE1 :O RESPECTFULLY LIFT$ HIS HAT & RAIS$ H] H& AS IF TO KISS IT1 BUT !N DESI/$4 

 ,!IR EYES MET = A BRIEF GLANCE1 !N ,NATAS*A WAS LO/ 9 ! CR[D ?AT /OOD BY ! TRACKS4 

 ,! TRA9 ROLL$ 9TO ! /ATION1 FILL+ IT ) A D5SE CL\D ( SMOKE4 

 0,AT LA/8 ,HAVE Y\ BE5 IMPATI5T1 POOR GIRL8 ,H[ IS MY ,NATAS*A8 ,Y\ >E LOOK+ SPL5DIDLY 444 ROSY-*EEK$ & WELL 444 LIKE A LITTLE GIRL4 ,HAVE Y\ BE5 HOMESICK8 ,?IS LA/ H\R 9 !  
TRA9 DRAGG$ SO 5DLESSLY1 ,I ALMO/ GOT \T & 
WALK$40 

 ,HE WAS NOT AFRAID TO EMBRACE H] H]E1 HE EV5 KISS$ H] FONDLY & TOOK H] >M1 LAUN*+ 9TO A RECITAL ( ! %REWD MANEUV]S IT HAD TAK5 TO ESCAPE ! PR(ESSOR'S ALL-TOO-9SI/5T HOSPITALITY4 

 0,H]E WE WILL BE ALONE TOGE!R1 JU/ WE TWO1 ) PL5TY ( TIME TO TALK OV] EV]Y?+ ?AT TR\BLES US4 ,ANO!R HONEYMOON - H[ MANY WILL ?AT BE1 ,NATAS*A 44 480 ,HE PRESS$ H] H& EC/ATICALLY4 

0,MY DE>E/1 ,I AM SO MADLY HAPPY TO SEE Y\60 

 ,NATAS*A SMIL$1 & LOOK$ AT HIM AS UNEMOTIONALLY AS ONE REG>DS A /RANG]4 ,%E WAS AMAZ$ AT H] COMPLETE ALO(NESS4 ,:Y HAD ?IS NEV] BE5 POSSIBLE BE=E8 

 ,AT ! /ATION 5TRANCE !Y APPROA*$ ,NATAS*A'S CASUAL ACQUA9TANCE ( ! /ATION PLAT=M1 T5D]LY GUID+ A T9Y GRAY-HAIR$ WOMAN :O CLUNG DEVOT$LY TO HIS >M4 ,NATAS*A1 AFRAID ( ! QUE/IONS & ! SUSPICI\S CROSS-EXAM9ATION1 ! TIRESOME EXPLANATIONS & D5IALS ?AT RECOGNITION W\LD MEAN1 PRET5D$ NOT TO SEE HIM1 ?\< %E SECRETLY REBELL$ AGA9/ ?IS SLAV]Y TO 
! MOODS & :IMS ( ANO!R4 ,%E WAS BECOM+ ?OR\<LY TIR$ ( IT4 

 ,9 ! CAB ?AT TOOK !M TO !IR DE/9ATION ,SS5JA CAU<T H] 9 HIS >MS & S\<T H] LIPS4 

 0,SAY Y\ LOVE ME1 DE>4 ,I HAVE BE5 SO LONESOME1 SO AFRAID4 444 ,Y\ W]E HURT1 W]5'T Y\8 ,IT WAS A MI/AKE TO S5D Y\ H]E4 ,?IS IDIOTIC N]V\SNESS ( M9E6 ,Y\ KN[ ONE LOSES ALL S5SE ( PROPORTION :5 ONE HAS BE5 ILL4 ,Y\ UND]/OOD ?AT1 DIDN'T Y\1 ,NATAS*A80 

 0,YES1 ,I REALIZ$ ?AT40 

 0,!N Y\ >E NOT ANGRY8 ,Y\ >E NOT AS HAPPY AS USUAL OV] MY COM+40 ,HIS EYES S\<T H]S QUE/ION+LY4 0,P]HAPS Y\ NO LONG] C>E8440 

 ,HE SAID IT S(TLY1 ) A *OK$ GASP1 AS IF HE D>$ NOT UTT] ! ?\<T ?AT HAD SUDD5LY COME TO HIM4 

 0,I C>E = Y\8 ,I DON'T C>E = Y\ AT ALL60 ,%E TRI$ TO DRIVE AWAY HIS DEPRESSION ) H] BANT]+ TONE1 BUT %E FELT ?AT IT LACK$ CONVICTION4 ,SS5JA SI<$ UNHAPPILY & FELL BACK 9TO HIS SEAT1 & ,NATAS*A FELT A %>P /AB ( PITY4 ,%E WAS HONE/LY SORRY TO HURT HIM4 ,TO DI/RACT HIM %E TOLD HIM ( ! LETT]S %E HAD RECEIV$1 & HE  
WAS SOON LI/5+ ) UNDIVID$ 9T]E/4 ,BY ! TIME !Y REA*$ ! 9N !Y W]E >GU+ ) ! COMPLETE ABSORPTION ) :I* TWO COLLEAGUES DISCUSS A MATT] ( MUTUAL 9T]E/4 

"9"9"9"9"9 

 ,! SUN /OOD HI< 9 ! HEAV5S :5 ,NATAS*A RAIS$ ! %ADE & OP5$ ! W9D[ ! MORN+ AFT]4 

 0,LOOK1 ,SS5JA1 H[ BEAUTIFUL6 ,>5'T !SE H\SES *>M+8 ,?OSE BIRDS444SPR+ IS H]E60 

 0,TO BE SURE4 444 ,& ,I AM H]E ) Y\ 9 P>ADISE40 

 ,HE CAME TO H] & ?REW HIS >M AB\T H] %\LD]4 ,SIL5TLY1 EA* BUSY ) HIS [N ?\<TS1 !Y /OOD BY ! W9D[4 ,NATAS*A'S S\L WAS CALM & UNRUFFL$4 ,%E HAD ! QUE] S5SATION ?AT IT WAS NOT %E1 AT ALL1 BUT SOME ONE ELSE :O WAS EXP]I5C+ ?IS1 :ILE %E WAS /&+ BY & LOOK+ ON4 ,= ,SS5JA %E FELT ! SYMPA!TIC AFFECTION ONE FEELS = AN AGREEABLE1 MORE OR LESS CASUAL ACQUA9TANCE4 ,%E HAD ACCEPT$ HIS C>ESSES ?AT NI<T ) A SPIRIT ( SOME:AT BOR$ SUBMISSION2 %E HAD NOT ONCE RESPOND$ TO HIS PASSION4 
,UND] ONE PRETEXT OR ANO!R %E TRI$ TO DI/RACT HIS ATT5TION4 

 0,Y\ MU/ BE MORE C>EFUL1 ,SS5JETS*KA1 OR Y\ WILL BE ILL AGA94 ,LET ME TELL Y\ :AT ,I SAW YE/]DAY40 ,%E TREAT$ HIM AS AN OLD] P]SON TREATS AN UNREASONABLE *ILD4 ,IT WAS %E1 NOT HE1 :O /RUCK ! NOTE ?AT DOM9AT$ !IR 9T]C\RSE4 ,HI!RTO %E HAD BE5 HIS OB$I5T E*O4 ,N[1 UNCONSCI\SLY1 IT SEEM$ TO H]1 HE FOLL[$ :ILE %E L$ ! WAY4 

 ,SS5JA1 = HIS P>T1 WAS 5TIRELY HAPPY4 ,HE HAD BE5 9 MORTAL T]ROR ( ,NATAS*A'S 0PSY*OLOGICAL DISS]TATIONS0 EV] S9CE HE HAD LEFT H]1 & WAS HI<LY GRATIFI$ TO F9D H] ACTUALLY *E]FUL & NOT AT ALL 9CL9$ TO DWELL ON HIS %ORTCOM+S4 ,?\< HE HAD NEV] BE5 ABLE TO COMPREH5D H] 9EXPLICABLE MOODS1 !Y (T5 MADE HIM ACUTELY UNHAPPY4 ,!Y BURD5$ HIM ) A S5SE ( WRONG-DO+4 ,HE WAS AT NO TIME CONSCI\S ( ANY?+ BUT ! DESIRE TO MAKE H] COMPLETELY HAPPY1 ONLY TO F9D ?AT EV]Y EF=T HE MADE TO UND]/& & PLEASE H] SEEM$ SOMEH[ TO COMPLICATE ! SITUATION4 ,IT HAD BE5 JU/ SO ) ,ANJUTA4 ,N[ ?IS SAME FEEL+ ( 9ADEQUACY TO COPE )  
! VAG>IES ( ! FEMALE M9D WAS DI/URB+ HIS RELATIONS ) ,NATAS*A ) 9CREAS+ FREQU5CY4 

 ,H]E1 9 ,W41 !Y SEEM$ TO HAVE F\ND FIRM GR\ND AGA94 ,!Y HAD F\ND EA* O!R AGA9-TO USE ONE ( ,NATAS*A'S FAVORITE EXPRESSIONS - & ,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* WAS HAPPY & LI<!>T$ 9 CONSEQU5CE4 

 ,BREAKFA/ WAS JOLLY4 ,SS5JA ATE 5ORM\SLY1 & 9SI/$ ?AT ,NATAS*A W\LD MAKE A SPL5DID H\SEWIFE4 ,HE WAS HUGELY DELI<T$ ) HIS NEW QU>T]S4 ,NATAS*A PLAY$ ! HO/ESS *>M+LY2 %E WAS 5T]TA9+ AN AGREEABLE1 WELCOME GUE/4 

 0,I ?\<T ,I %\LD BE ABLE TO MANAGE A LONG] /AY H]E1 BUT ! LIBR>Y OP5S ON ,TUESDAY & ! PR(ESSOR 9VIT$ A NUMB] ( GUE/S TO GO ) US TO EXAM9E SOME MAT]IAL \T ( ! >*IVES4 ,= ,TUESDAY1 UN=TUNATELY4 ,?AT MEANS ,I %\LD LEAVE H]E ON ,MONDAY40  

0,MONDAY8 ,?AT W\LD SUIT ME EXCELL5TLY40 

 0,:AT DO Y\ MEAN80 

 0,?AT 9 ?AT CASE ,I %ALL ALSO LEAVE ON ,MONDAY4 ,Y\ KN[ H[ CONSCI5CE-/RICK5 ,I FEEL1 SITT+ H]E 9 IDL5ESS :5 !Y >E WAIT+ = ME SO ANXI\SLY AT HOME40  

0,:AT DIFF]5CE WILL A DAY OR TWO MAKE8 ,I  
DON'T SEE :Y WE %\LD BE 9 SU* A HURRY TO LEAVE H]E80 

 0,A DAY OR TWO MAY MAKE A GREAT DEAL ( DIFF]5CE 9 A T5SE POLITICAL SITUATION 44 40 

 0,Y\ KN[ H[ ! COMRADES EXAGG]ATE40  

,NATAS*A RELAPS$ 9TO SIL5CE4 ,AS USUAL1 HE ?\<T ONLY ( HIMSELF4 ,%E HAD NEV] BE5 ABLE TO P]SUADE HIM TO GIVE H] A S+LE H\R ( HIS TIME4 ,HE MU/ GO4 444 ,ANJUTA EXPECT$ HIM HIS WILL WAS LAW & !RE WAS NO REL5T+1 NO APPEAL FROM HIS DECISION4 ,?AT %E1 TOO1 HAD RESPONSIBILITIES & IMPORTANT CLAIMS ON H] TIME1 ?AT EV]Y ADD$ H\R %E SP5T ) HIM WAS A SACRIFICE1 A LOSS TO H]SELF & TO ! MOVEM5T - ?AT HE HAD NEV] BE5 WILL+ TO ADMIT4 

 0,D,O Y\ REMEMB]10 %E REFLECT$1 0! TIME WE MET 9 ,N4-TWO YE>S AGO80 

 0,TO BE SURE4 ,:Y80 

 0,DO Y\ REMEMB] H[ SICK ,I BECAME :ILE WE W]E !RE8 ,I LAY ALONE 9 A HOTEL ROOM ) A HI< FEV]1 & !RE WAS NOT A S\L ?AT KNEW ME 9 ! 5TIRE CITY4 444 ,DO Y\ REMEMB] H[ ,I BEGG$ Y\ TO /AY ) ME ONE DAY MORE 444 JU/ ONE DAY MORE8 ,:AT DID IT MEAN TO ,ANJUTA - A S+LE DAY \T ( A LIFE-TIME ) Y\8 ,Y\ KN[ H[ R>ELY ,I ASK = ANY?+1 BUT ,I BEGG$ & PLEAD$ ) Y\ !N4 ,BUT Y\ LEFT ME & ,I REMA9$ BEH9D1 ILL1 DELIRI\S444 40  

,SSEMJON ,SSEMJON[ITS* LOOK$ CRE/FALL54  

0,:Y SPEAK ( ?AT N[80 

 0,TO %[ Y\ H[ MU* A DAY MEANS :]E Y\ >E CONC]N$4 ,ONLY MY NE$S & MY WI%ES C\NT = NO?+4 ,IS ?AT Y\R CONCEPTION ( EQUALITY80 ,NATAS*A SPOKE ) UNUSUAL CALM4 

 0,Y\ CAN'T TRULY SAY ?AT ,I DISREG>D Y\R WI%ES4 ,>5'T Y\ JU/ A LITTLE UNJU/1 MY DE>8 ,:5 
HAVE ,I ACT$ AGA9/ Y\R WILL8 ,TELL ME8 ,IS IT FAIR TO PREF] *>GES )\T GIV+ FACTS8 ,IF ,I ACT UNJU/LY1 ,I DO IT UNCONSCI\SLY1 AGA9/ MY WILL4 ,Y\ CAN'T TRU?FULLY SAY ?AT ,I AM AGA9/ EQUALITY = MAN & WOMAN40 

 0,WELL1 LET'S NOT DISCUSS IT4 ,IT ISN'T IMPORTANT4 ,I JU/ HAPP5$ TO ?9K ( IT & M5TION$ IT40 

 ,%E TRI$ TO *ANGE ! SUBJECT1 BUT ,SS5JA ANSW]$ ABS5TLY & PAC$ ! ROOM ?\<TFULLY = A :ILE4 ,SUDD5LY HIS FACE CLE>$ & ! G5TLE SMILE ?AT ,NATAS*A HAD LOV$ SO DE>LY PLAY$ AB\T HIS LIPS1 ! QUIZZICAL LOOK WAS 9 HIS EYES AS HE LOOK$ AT H] OV] HIS GLASSES4 

 0,WELL1 MY DE>1 ,I AM (F TO ! B>B]'S4 ,:5 
,I GET BACK1 WE WILL LOOK AT ! T[N TOGE!R40 

 ,HE W5T OV] TO H]1 KISS$ H] EYES & !N H] H&S ) SOB] T5D]NESS1 & HURRI$LY LEFT ! ROOM4 

 0,HURRY BACK10 %E CALL$ AFT] HIM1 0OR IT WILL BE D>K BE=E WE />T40 

 ,HE REAPPE>$ MU* SOON] ?AN %E HAD EXPECT$4 

 0,H]E ALREADY8 ,DON'T TELL ME ?AT Y\ HAVE BE5 TO ! B>B]'S40 

 ,HE LOOK$ AT H] ) ?AT MY/]I\S1 QUIZZICAL LOOK /ILL 9 HIS EYES4 

 0,:AT HAVE Y\ BE5 UP TO80 ,NATAS*A LAU<$ 9 SPITE ( H]SELF1 & WAS CURI\S1 TOO4 ,?US MO!RS SMILE AT ! MY/]I\S SECRETS ( !IR *ILDR54 

0,GUESS40 

 0,H[ CAN ,I GUESS4 ,TELL ME1 ,SS5JETS*5KA40 

 ,%E %OOK HIM ) MOCK IMPATI5CE4  

,HE /UCK \T HIS TONGUE AT H] LIKE A *ILD4  

0,I S5T ! PR(ESSOR A TELEGRAM40 

 0,A TELEGRAM8 ,:AT =80 

 0,TO TELL HIM ?AT ,I %ALL NOT RETURN BE=E ,FRIDAY40 

0,SS5JA60 

 ,HE HAD EXPECT$ ,NATAS*A TO FALL AB\T HIS NECK 9 RADIANT APPRECIATION ( HIS ?\<TFULNESS4 ,9/EAD %E DROPP$ H] H&S HOPELESSLY AT H] SIDE & LOOK$ AT HIM ) A /RANGE EXPRESSION ON H] FACE4 

 0,Y\ S5T A TELEGRAM1 *ANG$ ! DAY ( DEP>TURE )\T CONSULT+ ME8 ,H[ C\LD Y\8 
,H[ D>$ Y\8444 

 0,BUT1 ,NATAS*A4440 

 0,:5 Y\ KNEW ?AT ,I MU/ LEAVE H]E ON ,TUESDAY1 AT ! LATE/40 

 0,WELL1 ,I MU/ SAY1 ,I SIMPLY CAN'T MAKE Y\ \T4 ,W]5'T Y\ (F5D$ :5 ,I SAID ,I WANT$ TO LEAVE ON ,MONDAY8 ,= Y\R SAKE1 TO %[ Y\ H[ MU* ,I WANT TO PLEASE Y\1 TO PROVE TO Y\ ?AT Y\ MEAN MORE TO ME ?AN MY WORK OR ANY?+ ELSE4 444 ,I ?\<T ?IS W\LD PLEASE Y\ 444 & N[4440 

 ,HE BRI/L$ ) RI<TE\S RES5TM5T4 

 ,NATAS*A TRI$ TO EXPLA91 BUT SUDD5LY DESI/$4 ,:AT WAS ! USE8 ,!Y W\LD ALWAYS ?9K & SPEAK PA/ ONE ANO!R4 ,!Y SEEM$ NEI!R TO HE> NOR TO UND]/& EA* O!R ANY LONG]4 ,SS5JETS*KA WANT$ ONLY TO PLEASE H]4 ,9 HIS EYES ! TELEGRAM TO ! PR(ESSOR WAS AN EXTRAORD9>Y CONCESSION1 A PRO( ( ! GREATNESS ( HIS LOVE = H]4 ,=M]LY444 AH1 H[ HAPPY ?IS W\LD HAVE MADE H]4 ,TOO LATE4 ,TOO LATE4 

 ,SOMEH[ %E W\LD HAVE TO GET \T ( ?IS IMPOSSIBLE SITUATION4 

 ,%E RAPIDLY FIGUR$ UP :AT IT W\LD CO/ !M TO /AY & %[$ HIM1 AS REGRETFULLY AS %E C\LD1 ?AT IT W\LD BE RECKLESS = !M TO REMA9 BEYOND ,W$NESDAY4 ,!IR F9ANCES SIMPLY DID NOT P]MIT IT4 ,!N1 TOO1 :AT W\LD ! PR(ESSOR ?9K8 ,SUPPOSE ,ANJUTA %\LD COME TO ,H4444 

 ,%E SPOKE LIKE AN EXP]I5C$ MO!R :O KN[S ! S\L ( H] *ILD4 ,NOT A WORD ( H]SELF4 ,%E EV5 ?ANK$ HIM = WANT+ TO SP5D A FEW MORE DAYS ) H]4 

 ,HIS RUFFL$ FEA!RS GRADUALLY SMOO!D \T1 SO ?AT HE WAS 9 A *E]FUL1 YES1 DELI<T$ MOOD ONCE MORE :5 !Y WALK$ ?R\< ! VILLAGE /REETS1 >M 9 >M1 A FEW H\RS LAT]4 

 ,NATAS*A %[$ HIM ! SI<TS ( ! T[N1 ) ! W>M APPRECIATION ) :I* ONE REG>DS A DELI<TFUL RELATIVE :O IS AN AGREEABLE1 BUT BY NO MEANS ESS5TIAL1 P>T ( ONE'S LIFE4 
,X,V 

0,DO Y\ KN[1 ,NATAS*A1 ,I BELIEVE !SE HAVE BE5 ! HAPPIE/ DAYS WE HAVE SP5T TOGE!R = A V]Y LONG TIME10 ,SS5JA SAID AS HE LOCK$ HIS TRUNK4 ,HE WAS LEAV+ AN H\R BE=E ,NATAS*A4 

0,DO Y\ ?9K SO80 

 0,DON'T Y\8 ,!RE W]E MOM5TS1 IT IS TRUE1 :5 ,I C\LD NOT QUITE UND]/& Y\4 ,SOMETIMES ,I FELT1 = AN 9/ANT1 ?AT Y\ W]E GETT+ AWAY FROM ME4 ,BUT AS SOON AS ,I LI/5$ 9TO Y\R S\L 7HE WAS US+ ,NATAS*A'S WORDS7 ,I CAME CLOS] TO Y\ AGA91 & ?IS /RANG5ESS DISAPPE>$4 ,ISN'T ?AT SO8 ,Y\ HAVE BE5 *E]FUL1 Y\ LAU<$ MORE ?AN USUAL4 ,I DON'T REMEMB] HAV+ SE5 Y\ SO HAPPY444 OH1 = EV] SO LONG444,I AM GO+ AWAY HAPPY444ALMO/ HAPPY4 44 40 

 ,! LA/ WORDS CAME LIKE AN AFT]?\<T4 ,HE SUDD5LY KNELT D[N BE=E H] & BURI$ HIS FACE 9 H] LAP4444 

0,SS5JA1 :AT IS IT84440 

 0,I CAN'T HELP IT4 ,A DREADFUL FEEL+ SOMETIMES TAKES HOLD ( ME1 A FE> ?AT ,I AM TO LOSE Y\4444 

 ,I KN[ IT IS /UPID1 BUT :5 IT TAKES HOLD ( ME ,I AM AS HELPLESS AS A LITTLE *ILD LEFT ALONE BY ITS MO!R 9 A GREAT D>K WOODS4 ,IS IT POSSIBLE1 ,NATAS*A1 ?AT WE %\LD EV] BECOME 9DIFF]5T TO ONE ANO!R8 ,TELL ME1 TRULY1 DE>1 DO Y\ /ILL LOVE ME80 

 ,HIS EYES SE>*$ H]S ) AN 9T5SITY %E HAD NEV] SE5 9 !M BE=E4 

 0,SS5JA1 ?IS ISN'T AT ALL LIKE Y\4 ,>E Y\ BEG9N+ TO 5T]TA9 MY PSY*OLOGICAL MISGIV+S1 SILLY ,SS5JETS*KA 80 

 ,%E LAU<$ AT HIM4 ,HAD HE NOTIC$ ?AT %E HAD NOT ANSW]$ HIS QUE/ION8 

 0,YES1 IT SEEMS1 DOES IT NOT1 ?AT WE HAVE EX*ANG$ ROLES80 

 ,HE SPOKE ?\<TFULLY & S(TLY /ROK$ H] H&4 

 0,!RE IS SOME?+ ,I CAN'T EXPLA94 ,:AT IS !RE ?AT IS NOT AS IT US$ TO BE8 ,NO?+ 444 & YET444!RE IS A DIFF]5CE4 ,I AM SO AFRAID4440 

 ,NATAS*A WAS /RUCK4 ,WAS IT POSSIBLE ?AT N[1 :5 EV]Y?+ WAS OV]1 HE WAS BEG9N+ TO UND]/& H]8 ,DID HE SEE :AT %E H]SELF WAS AFRAID TO RECOGNIZE8 

 0,WE1 :O HAVE LIV$ ?R\< SO MU* TOGE!R 9 !SE YE>S ( \R FRI5D%IP C\LD NOT BECOME /RANGE TO EA* O!R4 444 ,I AM TOO FOND ( Y\ = ?AT4 444 ,Y\ HAVE BECOME MY LITTLE BRO!R1 MY TRU/$ FRI5D4 44 40 ,%E /ROK$ HIS HEAD1 ! CLEV]1 ?\<TFUL HEAD %E HAD ONCE LOV$ SO AGONIZ+LY4 

 0,F>EWELL1 MY DE>1 BELOV$4440 H] HE>T CONTRACT$ & %E C\LD NOT /EM ! TE>S ?AT RU%$ TO H] EYES4 ,%E WAS P>T+ FROM ! GREAT 
LOVE ?AT HAD BE5 H]S1 FROM ! SUFF]+ IT HAD BR\<T H]1 FROM ! HAPP9ESS ?AT HAD BE5 !IRS TOGE!R4 ,GONE 444 GONE 444 NEV] TO RETURN AGA94 

 ,NATAS*A'S TE>S W]E ! USUAL1 9EVITABLE 5D ( EV]Y P>T+4 ,!Y COM=T$ ,SS5JA4 

 ,EV]Y?+1 !N1 WAS AS IT HAD ALWAYS BE54 

"9"9"9"9"9 

 ,NATAS*A /OOD ON ! /ATION PLAT=M4 ,SS5JA WAS ALREADY 9 ! C>4 ,! TRA9 W\LD />T 9 A MOM5T4 

0,N[ Y\ >E GO+ ,EA/ & ,I AM GO+ ,WE/4444 
 ,:5 & :]E %ALL WE MEET AGA98 ,NOT SOON1 ,I'M AFRAID4 ,BUT WE HAVE SE5 EA* O!R AGA9 & HAVE GA!R$ FRE% C\RAGE = ! FUTURE4 ,IT 
WAS WOND]FUL1 WAS IT NOT1 ,NATAS*A8 ,IT WAS WOND]FUL60 ,HE WANT$ A WORD ( CONFIRMATION FROM H] LIPS4 

 0,YES4 ,! T[N IS *>M+ - A POEM4 ,I AM LEAV+ H]E ) NEW ?\<TS - ,I /OLE !M FROM 
Y\40 

 0,DON'T TRY TO FLATT] ME1 AS IF Y\ HADN'T A CLEV] LITTLE HEAD ( Y\R [N4 ,Y\ WILL WRITE TO ME1 WON'T Y\1 AS LONG AS ,I AM 9 ,H480  

0,C]TA9LY40  

0,I AM ALREADY DREAM+ ( MEET+ Y\ AGA940 

 0,BY ! WAY10 %E 9T]RUPT$ HIM 9 A BUS9ESSLIKE TONE1 0WILL Y\ =MULATE MORE EXACTLY ! PROPOSITION Y\ ASK$ ME TO TAKE UP ) ! COMRADES AT HOME80 

 ,! DOOR SLAMM$4 

 0,GOOD-BYE1 ,NATAS*A4 ,TILL WE MEET AGA94444 ,I AM SO GRATEFUL TO Y\4 44 40  

0,:AT =80 

 0,= EV]Y?+4 444 ,GIVE ME Y\R H&4 ,DON'T BE UNHAPPY6 ,WE WILL MEET AGA91 SOON4 ,Y\ MU/ GO BACK1 DE>4 ,! TRA9 IS MOV+40  

 ,SS5JA LEAN$ F> \T ( ! W9D[ = A LA/ 
GLIMPSE ( ! GIRL AS %E /OOD ON ! /ATION PLAT=M4 ,HE WAV$ ! FAMILI> OLD GRAY HAT ?AT HAD ALWAYS SEEM$ SO T\*+ TO H]4 ,QUE] ?AT %E HAD NOT NOTIC$ H[ %ABBY IT WAS BE=E4 ,?AT FLABBY BRIM HANG+ D[N OV] HIS FACE4 

 ,! TRA9 WAS VANI%+ 9TO D>KNESS4 ,NATAS*A DID NOT PE] AFT] IT ) HUNGRY EYES AS %E US$ TO DO1 FEEL+ ?AT ! S\L HAD LEFT H] BODY TO HURRY AFT] IT4 ,%E W5T TO ! \T] /ATION DOOR ) O!RS :O HAD SE5 !IR FRI5DS TO ! TRA91 WOND]+ ANEW AT H] COMPOSURE4 ,A LEAVE-TAK+ LIKE A ?\S& O!RS1 ) ! DEPRESS+ FEEL+ ( F9ALITY ?AT ONE ALWAYS HAD ON SU* OCCASIONS4 ,NO?+ MORE4 ,BUT ,NATAS*A KNEW ?AT ?IS WAS ! 5D4 ,!Y HAD TAK5 !IR LA/ F>EWELL FROM ONE ANO!R4 

 ,SOME TIME 9 ! FUTURE LIFE MI<T ?R[ !M TOGE!R = COMMON WORK AGA94 ,ONLY ?AT4 ,! GREAT LOVE ?AT HAD ?ROBB$ 9 H] HE>T ALL !SE YE>S WAS GONE =EV]4 ,NO?+1 NEI!R T5D]NESS NOR PLEAD+1 NOT EV5 UND]/&+1 C\LD BR+ IT BACK TO LIFE AGA94 

 ,TOO LATE6 
,9 ! TRA9 H] ?\<TS W]E ALREADY F> AWAY  
FROM ,SS5JA & ! LOVE %E HAD BORNE HIM4 ,H] HEAD WAS HEAVY ) C>ES4 ,!RE W]E H] PAP]S - %E W\LD LOOK !M OV] AT ONCE1 DE/ROY SOME1 TRANSCRIBE O!RS 9TO CODE1 FILE SOME = FUTURE REF]5CE4444 

 ,%E WAS BACK AT H] WORK AGA94 ,LONG1 LONG AGO !RE HAD BE5 A GREAT1 WOND]FUL1 BEAUTIFUL LOVE1 
 - BUT IT WAS GONE4 ,IT HAD SEEP$ \T ( H] HE>T1 ?R\< ! C\NTLESS T9Y W\NDS ?AT ,SS5JA1 9 HIS MAN-LIKE FAILURE TO UND]/&1 HAD 9FLICT$4 

,FROM 3 ,M>XI/S4ORG4 

,*RONOLOGY 3 
,M>* #d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #a -- ,ADD$4 
,M>* #d1 #bba 3 ,P>T #a -- ,UPDAT$4 

 FILE G5]AT$ FROM 3  
HTTP3_/_/REVOLTLIB4COM_/