I was in prison three times, and each time,
although I got scant pleasure, I certainly derived benefit for my
heart and mind."
"You breathe with difficulty," she said, looking affectionately at
his open face.
"There are special reasons for that," he replied, raising his finger.
"So the matter's settled, granny? Yes? To-morrow we'll deliver the
matter to you--and the wheels that grind the centuried darkness to
destruction will again start a-rolling. Long live free speech! And
long live a mother's heart! And in the meantime, good-by."
"Good-by," said Samoylov, giving her a vigorous handshake. "To my
mother, I don't dare even hint about such matters. Oh, no!"
"Everybody will understand in time," said Nilovna, wishing to please
him. "Everybody will understand."
When they left, she locked the door, and kneeling in the middle of
the room began to pray, to the accompaniment of the patter of the
rain. It was a prayer without words, one great thought of men, of
all those people whom Pavel introduced into her life. It was as if
they passed between her, and the ikons upon which she held her eyes
riveted. And they all looked so simple, so strangely near to one
another, yet so lone in life.
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