XV

Katia, the maidservant, made her appearance, terribly frightened.

“Goodness knows what it means, ma’am,” she said. “There is a whole collection of men come⁠—all tipsy⁠—and want to see you. They say that ‘it’s Rogojin, and she knows all about it.’ ”

“It’s all right, Katia, let them all in at once.”

“Surely not all , ma’am? They seem so disorderly⁠—it’s dreadful to see them.”

398