Believe me, Varvara Petrovna, that none but we who make up good society can by our kindness and good influence keep them from the abyss towards which they are brought by the intolerance of all these old men.

I am glad though to learn from you about Stepan Trofimovitch.

You suggest an idea to me: he may be useful at our literary matinee, you know I'm arranging for a whole day of festivities, a subscription entertainment for the benefit of the poor governesses of our province.

They are scattered about Russia; in our district alone we can reckon up six of them.

Besides that, there are two girls in the telegraph office, two are being trained in the academy, the rest would like to be but have not the means.