Chapter 15

           Afterescortinghiswifeupstairs,LevinwenttoDolly’spartofthehouse.DaryaAlexandrovna,forherpart,wasingreatdistresstoothatday.Shewaswalkingabouttheroom,talkingangrilytoalittlegirl,whostoodinthecornerroaring.

           “Andyoushallstandalldayinthecorner,andhaveyourdinnerallalone,andnotseeoneofyourdolls,andIwon’tmakeyouanewfrock,”shesaid,notknowinghowtopunishher.

           “Oh,sheisadisgustingchild!”sheturnedtoLevin.“Wheredoesshegetsuchwickedpropensities?”

           “Why,whathasshedone?”Levinsaidwithoutmuchinterest,forhehadwantedtoaskheradvice,andsowasannoyedthathehadcomeatanunluckymoment.

           “Grishaandshewentintotheraspberries,andthere...Ican’ttellyoureallywhatshedid.It’sathousandpitiesMissElliot’snotwithus.Thisoneseestonothing—she’samachine....Figurez-vousquelapetite?...”

           AndDaryaAlexandrovnadescribedMasha’scrime.

           “Thatprovesnothing;it’snotaquestionofevilpropensitiesatall,it’ssimplymischief,”Levinassuredher.

           “Butyouareupsetaboutsomething?Whathaveyoucomefor?”askedDolly.“What’sgoingonthere?”

           AndinthetoneofherquestionLevinheardthatitwouldbeeasyforhimtosaywhathehadmeanttosay.

           “I’venotbeeninthere,I’vebeenaloneinthegardenwithKitty.We’vehadaquarrelforthesecondtimesince...Stivacame.”

           Dollylookedathimwithhershrewd,comprehendingeyes.

           “Come,tellme,honorbright,hastherebeen...