It seemed as if each one were afraid that his neighbor would strike him, and so he tried to get ahead and strike the other first.

Such a life it is, mother dear." His speech flowed on serenely.

He resolutely distracted her mind from alarm at the expected police search.

His luminous, protuberant eyes smiled sadly.

Though ungainly, he seemed made of stuff that bends but never breaks.
The mother sighed and uttered the warm wish: "May God grant you happiness, Andriusha!" The Little Russian stalked to the samovar with long strides, sat in front of it again on his heels, and mumbled: "If he gives me happiness, I will not decline it; ask for it I won't, to seek it I have no time." And he began to whistle.
Pavel came in from the yard and said confidently: "They won't find them!" He started to wash himself.