“You’d better tell me this,” Pyotr Petrovitch interrupted with haughty displeasure, “can you⁠ ⁠… or rather are you really friendly enough with that young person to ask her to step in here for a minute? I think they’ve all come back from the cemetery⁠ ⁠… I heard the sound of steps⁠ ⁠… I want to see her, that young person.”

“What for?” Lebeziatnikov asked with surprise.

“Oh, I want to. I am leaving here today or tomorrow and therefore I wanted to speak to her about⁠ ⁠… However, you may be present during the interview. It’s better you should be, indeed. For there’s no knowing what you might imagine.”

“I shan’t imagine anything. I only asked and, if you’ve anything to say to her, nothing is easier than to call her in. I’ll go directly and you may be sure I won’t be in your way.”