The dinner was, in the boys' eyes, magnificent.

Several domestics stood behind the chairs and anticipated their wants.

The girls continued their Russian lessons by telling them the names of everything on the table, and making them repeat them after them, and there was so much laughter and merriment, that long as the meal was, it was by no means formal or ceremonious.
They learnt that the Count Preskoff was absent at some estates in the north of Russia, and that he was not likely to return for some little time.
After dinner Dick asked Katinka to tell the countess that they did not wish to be troublesome, and that they would be out and about the place, and would not intrude upon them except when they wished to have them.

The countess replied through her daughter that they would be always glad to have them in the room.
"You will really be a great amusement to us.

We were very dull before, and instead of being a trouble, as Count Smerskoff no doubt intended when he quartered you upon us, you will make a very pleasant break.