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Updated: May 19, 2025
Mumu, who had never in her life been in such magnificent apartments, was very much frightened, and made a rush for the door, but, being driven back by the obsequious Stepan, she began trembling, and huddled close up against the wall. "Mumu, Mumu, come to me, come to your mistress," said the lady; "come, silly thing . . . don't be afraid."
'Come along! But Mumu looked round her uneasily, and did not stir. 'Bring her something to eat, said the old lady. 'How stupid she is! she won't come to her mistress. What's she afraid of? 'She's not used to your honour yet, ventured one of the companions in a timid and conciliatory voice.
He stood still opposite the windows of the mistress' house, took a searching look at the steps where a group of house-serfs were crowded together, turned away, and uttered once more his inarticulate 'Mumu. Mumu did not answer. He went away.
He threw down his oars, bent his head down to Mumu, who was sitting facing him on a dry cross seat the bottom of the boat was full of water and stayed motionless, his mighty hands clasped upon her back, while the boat was gradually carried back by the current towards the town.
He turned to the other serfs, with the most despairing signs, questioned them about her, pointing to her height from the ground, describing her with his hands.... Some of them really did not know what had become of Mumu, and merely shook their heads, others did know, and smiled to him for all response, while the steward assumed an important air, and began scolding the coachmen.
Stepan, a sturdy-built young fellow, whose duties were those of a footman, rushed headlong into the flower-garden, and tried to capture Mumu, but she cleverly slipped from his fingers, and with her tail in the air, fled full speed to Gerasim, who was at that instant in the kitchen, knocking out and cleaning a barrel, turning it upside down in his hands like a child's drum.
'Mercy! the lady cut her short: 'but it's a charming little dog! order it to be brought in. Has he had it long? How is it I've never seen it before?... Order it to be brought in. The companion flew at once into the hall. 'Boy, boy! she shouted: 'bring Mumu in at once! She's in the flower-garden. 'Her name's Mumu then, observed the lady: 'a very nice name.
Gerasim was well known at the cookshop, and his signs were understood. He asked for cabbage soup with meat in it, and sat down with his arms on the table. Mumu stood beside his chair, looking calmly at him with her intelligent eyes. Her coat was glossy; one could see she had just been combed down. They brought Gerasim the soup.
He picked up Mumu, and flung her promptly outside the door, just at Gerasim's feet, and half an hour later a profound stillness led in the house, and the old lady sat on her sofa looking blacker than a thundercloud. What trifles, if you think of it, will sometimes disturb any one! Till evening the lady was out of humor; she did not talk to any one, did not play cards, and passed a bad night.
Gerasim was a little astonished; he called Mumu, however, picked her up, and handed her over to Stepan. Stepan carried her into the drawing-room, and put her down on the parquette floor. The old lady began calling the dog to her in a coaxing voice.
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