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There was unmistakable sympathy in those good-natured little gray eyes. "Annushka, dear, what am I to do?" said Anna, sobbing and sinking helplessly into a chair. "Why fret yourself so, Anna Arkadyevna? Why, there's nothing out of the way. You drive out a little, and it'll cheer you up," said the maid. "Yes, I'm going," said Anna, rousing herself and getting up.
Though he did cure me of the king's evil, I must own.... But how can he? He's a stupid fellow, that's what he is, he added, after a moment's pause. 'Have you known him long? 'A long while. I was his neighbour at Sitchovka up at Fair Springs. 'And what of that girl who met us in the wood, Annushka what relation is she to him?
Then she lifted her hand to her lips and kissed it. "What is it? Why, I'm going out of my mind!" and she went into her bedroom, where Annushka was tidying the room. "Annushka," she said, coming to a standstill before her, and she stared at the maid, not knowing what to say to her. "You meant to go and see Darya Alexandrovna," said the girl, as though she understood. "Darya Alexandrovna?
Anna felt as though she were sinking down. But it was not terrible, but delightful. The voice of a man muffled up and covered with snow shouted something in her ear. She got up and pulled herself together; she realized that they had reached a station and that this was the guard. She asked Annushka to hand her the cape she had taken off and her shawl, put them on and moved towards the door.
The young men stepped into the patch of light; Shubin looked into the shop, stopped short, and cried 'Annushka! The girl turned round quickly. They saw a nice-looking, rather broad but fresh face, with merry brown eyes and black eyebrows. 'Annushka! repeated Shubin.
Annushka was represented as a handsome fat girl with a low forehead, eyes lost in layers of fat, and a saucily turned-up nose. Her thick lips had an insolent curve; her whole face expressed sensuality, carelessness, and boldness, not without goodnature.
'But why should she go on foot? I interrupted. 'We could take her with us. Annushka blushed like a poppy, grasped the handle of her basket with both hands, and looked in trepidation at the old man. 'No, she will get there all right, he answered in the same languid and indifferent voice. 'Why not?... She will get there.... Run along. Annushka went rapidly away into the forest.
But before the maid she felt, if not exactly ashamed, at least uncomfortable. Darya Alexandrovna had a great sense of relief when Annushka, whom she had known for years, walked in. The smart maid was sent for to go to her mistress, and Annushka remained with Darya Alexandrovna. Annushka was obviously much pleased at that lady's arrival, and began to chatter away without a pause.
"For thirty years, wenches, I have thought of nothing but sins and been afraid, but now I see I have wasted my time, I've let it slip by like a ninny! Ah, I have been a fool, a fool!" She sighed. "A woman's time is short and every day is precious. You are handsome, Annushka, and very rich; but as soon as thirty-five or forty strikes for you your time is up.
Kassyan looked after her, then looked down and smiled to himself. In this prolonged smile, in the few words he had spoken to Annushka, and in the very sound of his voice when he spoke to her, there was an intense, indescribable love and tenderness. He looked again in the direction she had gone, again smiled to himself, and, passing his hand across his face, he nodded his head several times.