The tread of his bare feet sounded on the floor, and a low, mournful whistle was heard.

Then he spoke again: "And does she notice it ?" Pavel was silent.
"What do you think ?" the Little Russian asked, lowering his voice.
"She does," replied Pavel.

"That's why she has refused to attend our meetings." The Little Russian dragged his feet heavily over the floor, and again his low whistle quivered in the room.

Then he asked: "And if I tell her ?" "What ?" The brief question shot from Pavel like the discharge of a gun.
"That I am--" began the Little Russian in a subdued voice.
"Why ?" Pavel interrupted.
The mother heard the Little Russian stop, and she felt that he smiled.
"Yes, you see, I consider that if you love a girl you must tell her about it; else there'll be no sense to it!" Pavel clapped the book shut with a bang.
"And what sense do you expect ?" Both were silent for a long while.
"Well ?" asked the Little Russian.
"You must be clear in your mind, Andrey, as to what you want to do," said Pavel slowly.

"Let us assume that she loves you, too--I do not think so, but let us assume it.