“Ah, yes⁠—you were going away just now, and I thought to myself: ‘I shall never see these people again⁠—never again! This is the last time I shall see the trees, too. I shall see nothing after this but the red brick wall of Meyer’s house opposite my window. Tell them about it⁠—try to tell them,’ I thought. ‘Here is a beautiful young girl⁠—you are a dead man; make them understand that. Tell them that a dead man may say anything⁠—and Mrs. Grundy will not be angry’⁠—ha-ha! You are not laughing?” He looked anxiously around. “But you know I get so many queer ideas, lying there in bed. I have grown convinced that nature is full of mockery⁠—you called me an atheist just now, but you know this nature⁠ ⁠… why are you laughing again? You are very cruel!” he added suddenly, regarding them all with mournful reproach. “I have not corrupted Colia,” he concluded in a different and very serious tone, as if remembering something again.