I shall never bring trouble on MYSELFbecause of the
English officers. Judging from his portrait, as you callit. Yes, I suppose it is, if
I want to, he replied. Perhaps you dont know when you should be afraid.
You know, thatis a life picture of one of the
Englishmen, of a gentleman, youknow. Wouldnt you like to come upand have a look at
her? The matrons and sisters just turned her out. He looked at her with black,
unseeing eyesand a mask-like face. It is not I wholook at the English
officers.
He IS so charming to me, said the little
woman.
No, thank you, she said hastily, terrified at the
thought. The room seemed high, remote, in the sky. The famous captain was hidden in
his drawer. It wasexactly like day in some other planet. But the man is first in my
mind, Im afraid. Well, nothing to me, outside of thisroom at this
minute.
She felt he was asort of psychic phenomenon like a
grasshopper or a tadpole or anammonite.
I suppose I shant have to pay the worldin duty on
things like these, shall I? A glad, half-frightened look came on her
face.
But I suppose, poor things,they cant help it. And
Im even less important than that, she said bitterly.
And themeaninglessness of him fascinated her and
left her powerless.
You know, rushed in Mitchka, who was
terrified.
He put on his slippers, carried his shoes aside,
and resumed hischair, stretching luxuriously. What living she now had she earned
making these puppets. Of course she likes to feel SAFE about me.
She began to feelthat he was making it up. Oh yes,
I have alwaysbeen faithful to him.
She was a fair woman with dark-blond hair and a
beautiful fineskin.
No, thank you, she said hastily, terrified at the
thought.