said Natásha in a whisper, moving closer to Nikoláy and Sónya, “that when one goes on and on recalling memories, one at last begins to remember what happened before one was in the world. …”
“That is metempsychosis,” said Sónya, who had always learned well, and remembered everything. “The Egyptians believed that our souls have lived in animals, and will go back into animals again.”
“No, I don’t believe we ever were in animals,” said Natásha, still in a whisper though the music had ceased. “But I am certain that we were angels somewhere there , and have been here, and that is why we remember. …”
“May I join you?” said Dimmler who had come up quietly, and he sat down by them.
“If we have been angels, why have we fallen lower?” said Nikoláy. “No, that can’t be!”
“Not