'But why should I go to see him? Upon my word!'

'Why? Why, because he says you've a good heart; let me see if you've a good heart.'

'But what good can I do him?'

'Oh, that's my business. You may be sure things are in a bad way, since I've come to you. It's certain I could think of nothing else to do.'

Onisim paused for a while.

'Well, come along, Vassilissa, please, come along.'

'Oh, Onisim Sergeitch, I don't want to be friendly with him again ...'

'Well, and you needn't--who's talking of it? You've only to say a couple of words; to say, Why does your honour grieve? ... give over.... That's all.'

'Really, Onisim Sergeitch ...'

'Why, am I to go down on my knees to you, eh? All right--there, I'm on my knees ...'

'But really ...'

'Why, what a girl it is! Even that doesn't touch her! ...'

Vassilissa at last consented, put a kerchief on her head, and went out with Onisim.

'You wait here a little, in the passage,' he said to her, when they reached Pyetushkov's abode, 'and I'll go and let the master know ...'

He went in to Ivan Afanasiitch. Pyetushkov was standing in the middle of the room, both