No matter how long these conversations lasted, they gave both of them the sensation of discomfort and dissatisfaction.

As if an invisible wall of perplexity had suddenly arisen and stood between them.

They did not venture to touch this wall, or to tell each other that they felt it was there--they resumed their conversations, dimly conscious that there was something in each of them that might bind and unite them.
When Foma arrived at his godfather's house, he found Luba alone.

She came out to meet him, and it was evident that she was either ill or out of humour; her eyes were flashing feverishly and were surrounded with black circles.

Feeling cold, she muffled herself in a warm shawl and said with a smile: "It is good that you've come! For I was sitting here alone; it is lonesome--I don't feel like going anywhere.