If I allow myself to be insulted to-day--maybe I can afford to laugh at the insult, maybe it doesn't sting me at all--but, having tested his strength on me, the offender will proceed to flay some one else the next day! That's why one is compelled to discriminate between people, to keep a firm grip on one's heart, and to classify mankind--these belong to me, those are strangers." The mother thought of the officer and Sashenka, and said with a sigh: "What sort of bread can you expect from unbolted meal ?" "That's it; that's the trouble!" the Little Russian exclaimed.

"You must look with two kinds of eyes; two hearts throb in your bosom.

The one loves all; the other says: 'Halt! You mustn't!'" The figure of her husband, somber and ponderous, like a huge moss-covered stone, now rose in her memory.

She made a mental image for herself of the Little Russian as married to Natasha, and her son as the husband of Sashenka.
"And why ?" asked the Little Russian, warming up.

"It's so plainly evident that it's downright ridiculous--simply because men don't stand on an equal footing.