Even during her mother's lifetime, Glafira had succeeded by degrees in getting the whole household into her hands; every one from her father downwards, submitted to her rule; not a piece of sugar was given out without her sanction; she would rather have died than shared her authority with another mistress--and with such a mistress! Her brother's marriage had incensed her even more than Piotr Andreitch; she set herself to give the upstart a lesson, and Malanya Sergyevna from the very first hour was her slave.
And, indeed, how was she to contend against the masterful, haughty Glafira, submissive, constantly bewildered, timid, and weak in health as she was?
Not a day passed without Glafira reminding her of her former position, and commending her for not forgetting herself.

Malanya Sergyevna could have reconciled herself readily to these reminiscences and commendations, however they might be--but Fedya was taken away from her, that was what crushed her.

On the pretext that she was not capable of undertaking his education, she was scarcely allowed to see him; Glafira set herself to that task; the child was put absolutely under her control.

Malanya Sergyevna began, in her distress, to beseech Ivan Petrovitch, in her letters, to return home soon.

Piotr Andreitch himself wanted to see his son, but Ivan Petrovitch did nothing but write.