Anna Karenina - LimpidSoft

PART TWO CHAPTER 35
“But I know everything that’s interesting: the plum soup I know, and the pea
sausages I know. I know everything.”
“No, you may say what you like, prince, there’s the interest of their institutions,”
said the colonel.
“But what is there interesting about it? They’re all as pleased as brass halfpence.
They’ve conquered everybody, and why am I to be pleased at that? I haven’t conquered
anyone; and I’m obliged to take off my own boots, yes, and put them away
too; in the morning, get up and dress at once, and go to the dining room to drink
bad tea! How different it is at home! You get up in no haste, you get cross, grumble
a little, and come round again. You’ve time to think things over, and no hurry.”
“But time’s money, you forget that,” said the colonel.
“Time, indeed, that depends! Why, there’s time one would give a month of for
sixpence, and time you wouldn’t give half an hour of for any money. Isn’t that so,
Katinka? What is it? why are you so depressed?”
“I’m not depressed.”
“Where are you off to? Stay a little longer,” he said to Varenka.
“I must be going home,” said Varenka, getting up, and again she went off into a
giggle. When she had recovered, she said good-bye, and went into the house to get
her hat.
Kitty followed her. Even Varenka struck her as different. She was not worse, but
different from what she had fancied her before.
“Oh, dear! it’s a long while since I’ve laughed so much!” said Varenka, gathering
up her parasol and her bag. “How nice he is, your father!”
Kitty did not speak.
“When shall I see you again?” asked Varenka.
“Mamma meant to go and see the Petrovs. Won’t you be there?” said Kitty, to try
Varenka.
“Yes,” answered Varenka. “They’re getting ready to go away, so I promised to
help them pack.”
“Well, I’ll come too, then.”
“No, why should you?”
“Why not? why not? why not?” said Kitty, opening her eyes wide, and clutching
at Varenka’s parasol, so as not to let her go. “No, wait a minute; why not?”
“Oh, nothing; your father has come, and besides, they will feel awkward at your
helping.”
“No, tell me why you don’t want me to be often at the Petrovs’. You don’t want
me to–why not?”
“I didn’t say that,” said Varenka quietly.
“No, please tell me!”
“Tell you everything?” asked Varenka.
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