Her composure and her stern persistence seemed almost like a reproach to the mother.
"And suppose you had died ?" she asked again.
"Well, what can one do ?" the girl said quietly.

"He did beg my pardon after all.

One ought never to forgive an insult, never!" "Ye-es!" responded the mother slowly.

"Here are we women who are insulted all our lives long." "I have unloaded myself!" announced Yegor from the other room.

"Is the samovar ready?
Let me take it in!" He lifted the samovar and talked as he carried it.
"My own father used to drink not less than twenty glasses of tea a day, wherefor his days upon earth were long, peaceful, and strong; for he lived to be seventy-three years old, never having suffered from any ailment whatsoever.