She had never before spoken to him in such manner.
"What's the matter with you ?" he asked her.
"I hate you, too! You, what are you?
Dead, empty; how will you live?
What will you give to mankind ?" she said with malice, in a low voice.
"I'll give nothing; let them strive for it themselves," answered Foma, knowing that these words would augment her anger.
"Unfortunate creature!" exclaimed the girl with contempt.
The assurance and the power of her reproaches involuntarily compelled Foma to listen attentively to her spiteful words; he felt there was common sense in them.

He even came nearer to her, but she, enraged and exasperated, turned away from him and became silent.
It was still light outside, and the reflection of the setting sun lay still on the branches of the linden-trees before the windows, but the room was already filled with twilight, and the sideboard, the clock and the cupboard seemed to have grown in size.

The huge pendulum peeped out every moment from beneath the glass of the clock-case, and flashing dimly, was hiding with a weary sound now on the right side, now on the left.

Foma looked at the pendulum and he began to feel awkward and lonesome.

Luba arose and lighted the lamp which was hanging over the table.