They got her accustomed to listen to a great many words, terrible in
their directness and boldness; and these words had now ceased to
weigh down on her so heavily as at first. She learned to push them
away from her ears. And although Rybin still displeased her as
before, he no longer inspired her with hostility.
Once a week she carried underwear and books to the Little Russian
in prison. On one occasion they allowed her to see him and talk to
him; and on returning home she related enthusiastically:
"He is as if he were at home there, too! He is good and kind to
everybody; everybody jokes with him; just as if there were a holiday
in his heart all the time. His lot is hard and heavy, but he does
not want to show it."
"That's right! That's the way one should act," observed Rybin.
"We are all enveloped in misery as in our skins. We breathe misery,
we wear misery. But that's nothing to brag about. Not all people
are blind; some close their eyes of their own accord, indeed! And
if you are stupid you have to suffer for it."
CHAPTER VIII
The little old gray house of the Vlasovs attracted the attention of
the village more and more; and although there was much suspicious
chariness and unconscious hostility in this notice, yet at the same
time a confiding curiosity grew up also.
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