"Do you know, Tatiana Osipovna?" Mariana began at last; "you think that we want to teach the people, but we want to serve them.""Serve them? Teach them; that's the best thing you can do for them.Look at me, for instance.When I married Egoritch I didn't so much as know how to read and write.Now I've learned, thanks to Vassily Fedotitch.He didn't teach me himself, he paid an old man to do it.It was he who taught me.You see I'm still young, although I'm grown up."Mariana was silent.
"I wanted to learn some sort of trade, Tatiana Osipovna," Mariana began; "we must talk about that later on.I'm not good at sewing, but if I could learn to cook, then I could go out as a cook."Tatiana became thoughtful.
"Why a cook? Only rich people and merchants keep cooks; the poor do their own cooking.And to cook at a mess for workmen...why you couldn't do that!""But I could live in a rich man's house and get to know poor people.How else can I get to know them? I shall not always have such an opportunity as I have with you."Tatiana turned her empty cup upside down on the saucer.
"It's a difficult matter," she said at last with a sigh, "and can't be settled so easily.I'll do what I can, but I'm not very clever.We must talk it over with Egoritch.He's clever if you like! Reads all sorts of books and has everything at his fingers'
ends." At this point she glanced at Mariana who was rolling up a cigarette.
"You'll excuse me, Mariana Vikentievna, but if you really want to become simplified you must give that up." She pointed to the cigarette."If you want to be a cook, that would never do.Everyone would see at once that you are a lady."Mariana threw the cigarette out of the window.
"I won't smoke any more...It's quite easy to give that up.
Women of the people don't smoke, so I suppose I ought not to.""That's quite true, Mariana Vikentievna.Our men indulge in it, but not the women.And here's Vassily Fedotitch coming to see you.Those are his steps.You ask him.He'll arrange everything for you in the best possible way."Solomin's voice was heard at the door.
"Can I come in?"
"Come in, come in!" Mariana called out.
"It's an English habit of mine," Solomin observed as he came in.
"Well, and how are you getting on? Not homesick yet, eh? I see you're having tea with Tatiana.You listen to her, she's a sensible person.My employer is coming today.It's rather a nuisance.He's staying to dinner.But it can't be helped.He's the master.""What sort of a man is he?" Nejdanov asked, coming out of his corner.
"Oh, he's not bad...knows what he's about.One of the new generation.He's very polite, wears cuffs, and has his eyes about him no less than the old sort.He would skin a flint with his own hands and say, 'Turn to this side a little, please...there is still a living spot here...I must clean it!' He's nice enough to me, because I'm necessary to him.I just looked in to say that I may not get a chance of seeing you again today.Dinner will be brought to you here, and please don't show yourselves in the yard.
Do you think the Sipiagins will make a search for you, Mariana?
Will they make a hunt?"
"I don't think so," Mariana replied.
"And I think they will," Nejdanov remarked.
"It doesn't matter either way," Solomin continued."You must be a little careful at first, but in a short time you can do as you like.""Yes; only there's one thing," Nejdanov observed, "Markelov must know where I am; he must be informed.""But why?"
"I am afraid it must be done--for the cause.He must always know my whereabouts.I've given my word.But he's quite safe, you know!"Very well.We can send Pavel."
"And will my clothes be ready for me?"
"Your special costume you mean? Why, of course...the same masquerade.It's not expensive at any rate.Goodbye.You must be tired.Come, Tatiana."Mariana and Nejdanov were left alone again.
