Chapter 18

AnnalookedatDolly’sthin,care-wornface,withitswrinklesfilledwithdustfromtheroad,andshewasonthepointofsayingwhatshewasthinking,thatis,thatDollyhadgotthinner.But,consciousthatsheherselfhadgrownhandsomer,andthatDolly’seyesweretellingherso,shesighedandbegantospeakaboutherself.

“Youarelookingatme,”shesaid,“andwonderinghowIcanbehappyinmyposition?Well!it’sshamefultoconfess,butI...I’minexcusablyhappy.Somethingmagicalhashappenedtome,likeadream,whenyou’refrightened,panic-stricken,andallofasuddenyouwakeupandallthehorrorsarenomore.Ihavewakedup.Ihavelivedthroughthemisery,thedread,andnowforalongwhilepast,especiallysincewe’vebeenhere,I’vebeensohappy!...”shesaid,withatimidsmileofinquirylookingatDolly.

“HowgladIam!”saidDollysmiling,involuntarilyspeakingmorecoldlythanshewantedto.“I’mverygladforyou.Whyhaven’tyouwrittentome?”

“Why?...BecauseIhadn’tthecourage....Youforgetmyposition....”

“Tome?Hadn’tthecourage?IfyouknewhowI...Ilookat....”

DaryaAlexandrovnawantedtoexpressherthoughtsofthemorning,butforsomereasonitseemedtohernowoutofplacetodoso.

“Butofthatwe’lltalklater.What’sthis,whatareallthesebuildings?”sheasked,wantingtochangetheconversationandpointingtotheredandgreenroofsthatcameintoviewbehindthegreenhedgesofacaciaandlilac.“Quitealittletown.”