cited.

In vain the girls assured her that a man who had not written for six
months would not be in such a dreadful hurry, and that probably he had
enough to do in town without needing to bustle down to Pavlofsk to see
them. Their mother was quite angry at the very idea of such a thing, and
announced her absolute conviction that he would turn up the next day at
latest.

So next day the prince was expected all the morning, and at dinner, tea,
and supper; and when he did not appear in the evening, Mrs. Epanchin
quarrelled with everyone in the house, finding plenty of pretexts
without so much as mentioning the prince's name.

On the third day there was no talk of him at all, until Aglaya remarked
at dinner: "Mamma is cross because the prince hasn't turned up," to
which the general replied that it was not his fault.

Mrs. Epanchin misunderstood the observation, and rising from her place
she left the room in majestic wrath. In the evening, however, Colia came
with the story of the prince's adventures, so far as he knew them. Mrs.
Epanchin was triumphant; although Colia had to listen to a long lecture.
"He idles about here the whole day long, one can't get rid of him; and
then when he is wanted he does not come. He might have sent a line if he
did not wish to inconvenience himself."

At the words "one can't get rid of him," Colia was very angry, and
nearly flew into a rage; but he resolved to be quiet for the time and
show his resentment later. If the words had been less offensive he
might have forgiven them, so pleased was he to see Lizabetha Prokofievna
worried and anxious about the prince's illness.

She would have insisted on sending to Petersburg at once, for a certain
great medical celebrity; but her daughters dissuaded her, though they
were not willing to stay behind when she at once prepared to go and
visit the invalid. Aglaya, however, suggested that it was a little
unceremonious to go en masse to see him.

"Very well then, stay at home," said Mrs. Epanchin, "and a good thing
too, for Evgenie Pavlovitch is coming down and there will be no one at
home to receive him."

Of course, after this, Aglaya went with the rest. In fact, she had never
had the slightest intention of doing otherwise.

Prince S., who was in the house, was requested to escort the ladies.
He had been much interested when he first heard of the prince from the
Epanchins. It appeared that they had known one another before, and had
spent some