Why then, you know, I don't believe I should be frightened any more!'" I remember that he then explained to me that he wished Nikitin had been sent instead of Semyonov.

Nikitin was much more sympathetic.
"You seem very fond of Nikitin," I said.
"We are friends ...

we have been friends for many years.

My wife was very fond of him.

I am a lonely man, Ivan Andreievitch, since the death of my wife, and to be with any one who knew her is a great happiness ...