Ah, but he had wrung Stefani's heart there.

There were pieces of the fiddle on the table where Gregor had placed them, doubtless to weep over when he was alone.

Why hadn't he thought to break the fiddle a little each day?
"Stefani Gregor, sit up.

I have come to talk." This was formula.

Karlov did not expect speech from Gregor.
Slowly the thin arms bore up the torso; slowly the legs swung to the floor.