But she did not stop to study it, but excitedly inquired: "What! Illitch, is everything all right with you ?" He slowly muttered something, but his wife could not understand what he said.
"What!" she cried out, "have you been to see our mistress ?" Polikey still sat on the bed in his corner, glaring wildly about him, and smiling bitterly.

He did not reply for a long time, and Akulina again cried: "Eh?
Illitch! Why don't you answer me?
Why don't you speak ?" Finally he said: "Akulina, I delivered the money to our mistress; and oh, how she thanked me!" Then he suddenly looked about him, with an anxious, startled air, and with a sad smile on his lips.

Two things in the room seemed to engross the most of his attention: the baby in the cradle, and the rope which was attached to the ladder.

Approaching the cradle, he began with his thin fingers quickly to untie the knot in the rope by which the two were connected.

After untying it he stood for a few moments looking silently at the baby.
Akulina did not notice this proceeding, and with her cakes on the board went to place them in a corner.
Polikey quickly hid the rope beneath his coat, and again seated himself on the bed.
"What is it that troubles you, Illitch ?" inquired Akulina.