“Bravo! that is deeds, not words. Koslov would wither without a home and without care. It is an excellent idea you have taken into your head.”
“It comes not from me, but from a woman, and not from her head, but from her heart. My Aunt....”
“The old lady has a sound heart. I must go and breakfast with her one day. It is a pity she has amassed so many foolish ideas. Now I am going. Look after Koslov, if not personally, through some one else. The day before yesterday his head had to be cooled all day, and at night cabbage leaves should be laid on it. I was a little disturbed, because in his dazed state he got the cabbage and began to eat it. Good-bye! I have neither slept nor eaten, though Avdotya has treated me to a horrible brew of coffee....”
“Allow me to send the coachman home to fetch some supper,” said Raisky.
“Perhaps you have no money,” said Raisky nervously drawing out his pocket book.
“I have money,” said Mark enigmatically, hardly able to restrain a callous laugh, “I am going to the bath-house before I have my supper, as I haven’t been able to undress here. I have changed my quarters, and now live with a clerical personage.”
Mark’s face grew more evil and sinister than before.
“You too look worse,” he said. “If you look in the glass you will see yellow patches and hollow eyes.”
“So have I. Good-bye,” said Mark, and was gone.
Raisky went into the study and walked up to the bed on tiptoe.
When Leonti recognised Raisky he pushed his feet out of bed, and sat up.
“Is he gone?” he asked weakly. “I pretended to be asleep. You have not been for so long, and I have been expecting you all the time. The face of an old comrade is the only one that I can bear to see.”
“I have been away, and heard when I returned of your illness.”
“It is gossip. There is a conspiracy to say I am ill, which is all foolish talk. Mark, who even fetched a doctor, has been hanging about here as if he were afraid I should do myself an injury,” said Leonti and paced up and down the room.
“You are weak, and walk with difficulty,” said Raisky. “It would be better for you to lie down.”
“I am weak, that is true,” admitted Leonti.
He bent over the chair-back to Raisky, embraced him, and laid his face against his hair. Raisky felt hot tears on his forehead and cheeks.