The pendulum of the clock flashed beneath the
glass door of the case like some broad, grinning face, and
monotonously told the seconds. When Foma noticed that Lubov
glanced at him a few times questioningly, with expectant and
hostile looks, he understood that he was in her way and that she
was impatiently expecting him to leave.
"I am going to stay here over night," said he, with a smile. "I
must speak with my godfather. And then it is rather lonesome in
my house alone."
"Then go and tell Marfusha to make the bed for you in the corner
room," Lubov hastened to advise him.
"I shall."
He arose and went out of the dining-room. And he soon heard that
Taras asked his sister about something in a low voice.
"About me!" he thought. Suddenly this wicked thought flashed
through his mind: "It were but right to listen and hear what wise
people have to say."
He laughed softly, and, stepping on tiptoe, went noiselessly into
the other room, also adjoining the dining-room. There was no
light there, and only a thin band of light from the dining-room,
passing through the unclosed door, lay on the dark floor.
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