enyusha's

He kept his promise. After installing his son as before in his study, he almost hid himself away from him, and he kept his wife from all superfluous demonstrations of tenderness. 'On Enyusha's first visit, my dear soul, he said to her, 'we bothered him a little; we must be wiser this time. Arina Vlasyevna agreed with her husband, but that was small compensation since she saw her son only at meals, and was now absolutely afraid to address him. 'Enyushenka, she would say sometimes and before he had time to look round, she was nervously fingering the tassels of her reticule and faltering, 'Never mind, never mind, I only and afterwards she would go to Vassily Ivanovitch and, her cheek in her hand, would consult him: 'If you could only find out, darling, which Enyusha would like for dinner to-day cabbage-broth or beetroot-soup? 'But why didn't you ask him yourself? 'Oh, he will get sick of me! Bazarov, however, soon ceased to shut himself up; the fever of work fell away, and was replaced by dreary boredom or vague restlessness. A strange weariness began to show itself in all his movements; even his walk, firm, bold and strenuous, was changed. He gave up walking in solitude, and began to seek society; he drank tea in the drawing-room, strolled about the kitchen-garden with Vassily Ivanovitch, and smoked with him in silence; once even asked after Father Alexey. Vassily Ivanovitch at first rejoiced at this change, but his joy was not long-lived. 'Enyusha's breaking my heart, he complained in secret to his wife; 'it's not that he's discontented or angry that would be nothing; he's sad, he's sorrowful that's what's so terrible. He's always silent. If he'd only abuse us; he's growing thin, he's lost his colour. 'Mercy on us, mercy on us! whispered the old woman; 'I would put an amulet on his neck, but, of course, he won't allow it. Vassily Ivanovitch several times attempted in the most circumspect manner to question Bazarov about his work, about his health, and about Arkady.... But Bazarov's replies were reluctant and casual; and, once noticing that his father was trying gradually to lead up to something in conversation, he said to him in a tone of vexation: 'Why do you always seem to be walking round me on tiptoe? That way's worse than the old one. 'There, there, I meant nothing! poor Vassily Ivanovitch answered hurriedly. So his diplomatic hints remained fruitless. He hoped to awaken his son's sympathy one day by beginning

Ivan Sergeevich Turgenev - Fathers and Children