He drove her out of the house because she got into this
movement. She grew up in comfort and warmth, she was coddled and
indulged in everything she desired--and now she walks four miles
at night all by herself."
The mother was shocked. She stood in the middle of the room, and
looked mutely at her son. Then she asked quietly:
"Is she going to the city?"
"Yes."
"And is she not afraid?"
"No," said Pavel smiling.
"Why did she go? She could have stayed here overnight, and slept
with me."
"That wouldn't do. She might have been seen here to-morrow morning,
and we don't want that; nor does she."
The mother recollected her previous anxieties, looked thoughtfully
through the window, and asked:
"I cannot understand, Pasha, what there is dangerous in all this,
or illegal. Why, you are not doing anything bad, are you?"
She was not quite assured of the safety and propriety of his
conduct, and was eager for a confirmation from her son. But he
looked calmly into her eyes, and declared in a firm voice:
"There is nothing bad in what we're doing, and there's not going
to be. And yet the prison is awaiting us all. You may as well
know it."
Her hands trembled.
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