I will live here for a while," he said, twirling his mustache.
The man pleased the mother, and, yielding to the impulse to repay him in some way for his kind words about her son, she questioned again: "Maybe you'd like to have a glass of tea ?" "What! An entertainment all to myself!" he answered, raising his shoulders.

"I'll wait for the honor until we are all here." This allusion to the coming of others recalled her fear to her.
"If they all are only like this one!" was her ardent wish.
Again steps were heard on the porch.

The door opened quickly, and the mother rose.

This time she was taken completely aback by the newcomer in her kitchen--a poorly and lightly dressed girl of medium height, with the simple face of a peasant woman, and a head of thick, dark hair.

Smiling she said in a low voice: "Am I late ?" "Why, no!" answered the Little Russian, looking out of the living room.
"Come on foot ?" "Of course! Are you the mother of Pavel Vlasov?
Good evening! My name is Natasha." "And your other name ?" inquired the mother.
"Vasilyevna.