Page:The Kiss and Other Stories by Anton Tchekhoff, 1908.pdf/111

 scolded Pashka's mother, hummed a tune, shook his head rhythmically, and thought something out. Naked Pashka stood before him, listened to the tune, and watched the smoke. When the cigarette went out the doctor started, and said in a low voice—

“Listen, woman! Ointments and mixtures are no use in this case; you must leave him here.”

“If it must be so, batiushka, so be it.”

“We must have an operation. . . . And you, Pashka, you must stay,” said the doctor, patting his shoulder. “We will let mother go, but you, brother, you will stay with me. It is not bad here, brother! I have raspberry bushes. You and I, Pashka, as soon as we get better, will go and catch thrushes, and I will show you a fox. We shall pay visits together. Eh? Will you stay? And mother will come for you to-morrow.”

Pashka looked questioningly at his mother.

“You must stay, child,” she said.

“Of course he'll stay,” said the doctor merrily. “There is nothing to argue about! I'll show him a live fox. We'll drive to the fair and buy sugar-candy. Marya Denisovna, take him upstairs!”

The doctor was certainly a merry, talkative man; and Pashka was attracted, all the more because he had never been at a fair, and wanted to see a live fox. But his mother? He thought the problem out, and decided to ask the doctor to let his mother remain Rh