The mother continued to recount tales of the past, which stubbornly
arose from the depths of her awakened soul, and disturbed even
herself. Her past demanded an explanation. The attention with
which the brother and sister listened to her opened her heart more
and more widely, freeing her from the narrow, dark cage of her
former life.
On the fourth day, early in the morning, she and Sofya appeared
before Nikolay as burgher women, poorly clad in worn chintz skirts
and blouses, with birchbark sacks on their shoulders, and canes in
their hands. This costume reduced Sofya's height and gave a yet
sterner appearance to her pale face.
"You look as if you had walked about monasteries all your life,"
observed Nikolay on taking leave of his sister, and pressed her hand
warmly. The mother again remarked the simplicity and calmness of
their relation to each other. It was hard for her to get used to
it. No kissing, no affectionate words passed between them; but they
behaved so sincerely, so amicably and solicitously toward each
other. In the life she had been accustomed to, people kissed a
great deal and uttered many sentimental words, but always bit at one
another like hungry dogs.
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