ark, narrow mind could not even theoretically picture any
other attitude of a man toward a woman than the sensual. Besides that,
she experienced the ancient discontent of a preferred or rejected
female; a feeling strongly intrenched in the house of Anna Markovna, in
the form of boastful rivalry, but now dulled; yet still angry and
sincere. And for some reason she believed Lichonin but illy,
unconsciously seizing much of the assumed, not altogether sincere, in
his words. Soloviev, now--although he did speak incomprehensively, like
the rest of the majority of the students known to her, when they joked
among themselves or with the young ladies in the general room (by
themselves, in the room, all the men without an exception--all as
one--said and did one and the same thing)--she would rather believe
Soloviev, far more readily and willingly. A certain simplicity shone in
his merry, sparkling gray eyes, placed widely apart.

At THE SPARROWS Lichonin was esteemed for his sedateness, kind
disposition, and accuracy in money matters. Because of that he was at
once assigned a little private room--an honour of which but very few
students could boast. The gas burned all day in this room, because
light penetrated only through the narrow bottom of a window, cut short
by the ceiling. Only the boots, shoes, umbrellas and canes of the
people walking by on the sidewalk could be seen through this window.

They had to let still another student, Simanovsky (whom they ran
against near the coat room), join the party. "What does he mean, by
leading me around as though for a show?" thought Liubka: "it looks like
he's showing off before them." And, snatching a free moment, she
whispered to Lichonin, who had bent over her:

"But why are there so many people, dearie? For I'm so bashful. I can't
hold my own in company."

"That's nothing, that's nothing, my dear Liubochka," Lichonin whispered
rapidly, tarrying at the door of the cabinet. "That's nothing, my
sister; these are all fine people, good comrades. They'll help you,
help us both. Don't mind their having fun at times and their silly
lying. But their hearts are of gold."

"But it's so very awkward for me; I'm ashamed. All of them already know
where you took me from."

"Well, that's nothing, that's nothing! Why, let 'em know!" warmly
contradicted Lichonin. "Why be embarrassed with your past, why try to
pass it by in silence? In a year you'll look bravely and directly in
the eyes of every