"The old gentleman knows all about it, ma'am, as well as you do." "Lotta, let the child speak for herself.

Nina, have you had the audacity to tell your father--that which you told me ?" "I have told him everything," said Nina; "will you come into his room ?" Then Madame Zamenoy lifted up the hem of her garment and stepped proudly into the old man's chamber.
By this time Balatka knew what was about to befall him, and was making himself ready for the visit.

He was well aware that he should be sorely perplexed as to what he should say in the coming interview.

He could not speak lightly of such an evil as this marriage with a Jew; nor when his sister-in-law should abuse the Jews could he dare to defend them.
But neither could he bring himself to say evil words of Nina, or to hear evil words spoken of her without making some attempt to screen her.

It might be best, perhaps, to lie under the bed-clothes and say nothing, if only his sister-in-law would allow him to lie there.