Rybin would probably have said that we don't feel the ground under
us, and need not, either. Therefore it's our business to shake it.
Shake it once, and the people will be loosened from it; shake it once
more, and they'll tear themselves away."
The mother smiled.
"Everything seems to be simple to you, Andriusha."
"Yes, yes, it's simple," said the Little Russian, and added gloomily:
"Like life." A few minutes later he said: "I'll go take a walk in
the field."
"After the bath? The wind will blow through you," the mother warned.
"Well, I need a good airing."
"Look out, you'll catch a cold," Pavel said affectionately. "You'd
better lie down and try to sleep."
"No, I'm going." He put on his wraps, and went out without speaking.
"It's hard for him," the mother sighed.
"You know what?" Pavel observed to her. "It's very good that you
started to say 'thou' to him after that."
She looked at him in astonishment, and after reflecting a moment, said:
"Um, I didn't even notice how it came. It came all of itself. He
has grown so near to me. I can't tell you in words just how I feel.
Oh, such a misfortune!"
"You have a good heart, mamma," Pavel said softly.
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