“Sit down,” I said mechanically, moving a chair up to the table, and I sat down on the sofa. She obediently sat down at once and gazed at me open-eyed, evidently expecting something from me at once. This naivete of expectation drove me to fury, but I restrained myself.

She ought to have tried not to notice, as though everything had been as usual, while instead of that, she⁠ ⁠… and I dimly felt that I should make her pay dearly for all this .

“You have found me in a strange position, Liza,” I began, stammering and knowing that this was the wrong way to begin. “No, no, don’t imagine anything,” I cried, seeing that she had suddenly flushed. “I am not ashamed of my poverty.⁠ ⁠… On the contrary, I look with pride on my poverty. I am poor but honourable.⁠ ⁠… One can be poor and honourable,” I muttered. “However⁠ ⁠… would you like tea?⁠ ⁠…”

“No,” she was beginning.

“Wait a minute.”