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Nurse Masha asked me last evening:

"Anton Ignatyevich! Do you never pray to God?"

She spoke seriously and she believed that I would answer sincerely and seriously. And I replied, without a smile, as she wished:

"No, Masha, never. But if it will afford you pleasure, you may make the sign of the cross over me."

Maintaining the same grave demeanor, she made the sign of the cross over me thrice, and I was very glad that I afforded a minute of joy to this excellent woman. Like all highly-bred and free people, you, gentlemen experts, do not direct your attention to the servant; but to us prisoners and "madmen" it is given to observe her closely and to make astonishing discoveries occasionally.