And as for all here being your friends, it's better for you than if strangers had been listening." "Have you grown wiser during this last week ?" "It's not that I've grown wiser, but simply that the truth has come out this week." "What truth has come out this week?
Listen, Praskovya Ivanovna, don't irritate me.

Explain to me this minute, I beg you as a favour, what truth has come out and what do you mean by that ?" "Why there it is, sitting before you!" and Praskovya Ivanovna suddenly pointed at Marya Timofyevna with that desperate determination which takes no heed of consequences, if only it can make an impression at the moment.

Marya Timofyevna, who had watched her all the time with light-hearted curiosity, laughed exultingly at the sight of the wrathful guest's finger pointed impetuously at her, and wriggled gleefully in her easy chair.
"God Almighty have mercy on us, they've all gone crazy!" exclaimed Varvara Petrovna, and turning pale she sank back in her chair.
She turned so pale that it caused some commotion.

Stepan Trofimovitch was the first to rush up to her.

I drew near also; even Liza got up from her seat, though she did not come forward.