“Well, what is it?”

“He’s been taken wrongfully.⁠ ⁠… I’m left with three children.”

“Who’s been taken, and where to?”

“My husband⁠ ⁠… sent off to Krapívny.”

“Why? What for?”

“For a soldier, you know. But it’s wrong⁠—because, you see, he’s the breadwinner! We can’t get on without him.⁠ ⁠… Be a father to us, sir!”

“But how is it? Is he the only man in the family?”

“Just so⁠ ⁠… the only man!”

“Then how is it they have taken him, if he’s the only man?”