We must learn, we must understand why life is so hard for us." It was sweet to her to see that his blue eyes, always so serious and stern, now glowed with warmth, softly illuminating something new within him.

A soft, contented smile played around her lips, although the tears still trembled in the wrinkles of her face.

She wavered between two feelings: pride in her son who desired the good of all people, had pity for all, and understood the sorrow and affliction of life; and the involuntary regret for his youth, because he did not speak like everybody else, because he resolved to enter alone into a fight against the life to which all, including herself, were accustomed.
She wanted to say to him: "My dear, what can you do?
People will crush you.

You will perish." But it was pleasant to her to listen to his speeches, and she feared to disturb her delight in her son, who suddenly revealed himself so new and wise, even if somewhat strange.
Pavel saw the smile around his mother's lips, the attention in her face, the love in her eyes; and it seemed to him that he compelled her to understand his truth; and youthful pride in the power of his word heightened his faith in himself.

Seized with enthusiasm, he continued to talk, now smiling, now frowning.