at the precious 'Von.' And where is that
roulette played?"

I explained to her that the game was carried on in the salons of the
Casino; whereupon there ensued a string of questions as to whether
there were many such salons, whether many people played in them,
whether those people played a whole day at a time, and whether the game
was managed according to fixed rules. At length, I thought it best to
say that the most advisable course would be for her to go and see it
for herself, since a mere description of it would be a difficult matter.

"Then take me straight there," she said, "and do you walk on in front
of me, Alexis Ivanovitch."

"What, mother? Before you have so much as rested from your journey?"
the General inquired with some solicitude. Also, for some reason which
I could not divine, he seemed to be growing nervous; and, indeed, the
whole party was evincing signs of confusion, and exchanging glances
with one another. Probably they were thinking that it would be a
ticklish--even an embarrassing--business to accompany the Grandmother
to the Casino, where, very likely, she would perpetrate further
eccentricities, and in public too! Yet on their own initiative they had
offered to escort her!

"Why should I rest?" she retorted. "I am not tired, for I have been
sitting still these past five days. Let us see what your medicinal
springs and waters are like, and where they are situated. What, too,
about that, that--what did you call it, Prascovia?--oh, about that
mountain top?"

"Yes, we are going to see it, Grandmamma."

"Very well. Is there anything else for me to see here?"

"Yes! Quite a number of things," Polina forced herself to say.

"Martha, YOU must come with me as well," went on the old lady to her
maid.

"No, no, mother!" ejaculated the General. "Really she cannot come. They
would not admit even Potapitch to the Casino."

"Rubbish! Because she is my servant, is that a reason for turning her
out? Why, she is only a human being like the rest of us; and as she has
been travelling for a week she might like to look about her. With whom
else could she go out but myself? She would never dare to show her nose
in the street alone."

"But, mother--"

"Are you ashamed to be seen with me? Stop at home, then, and you will
be asked no questions. A pretty General YOU are, to be sure! I am a
general's widow myself. But, after all, why should I drag the whole
party with me? I will go and see the sights with on