“Now to tell one’s fortune in the empty bathhouse is frightening!” said an old maid who lived with the Melyukóvs, during supper.

“Why?” said the eldest Melyukóv girl.

“You wouldn’t go, it takes courage.⁠ ⁠…”

“I’ll go,” said Sónya.

“Tell what happened to the young lady!” said the second Melyukóv girl.

“Well,” began the old maid, “a young lady once went out, took a cock, laid the table for two, all properly, and sat down. After sitting a while, she suddenly hears someone coming⁠ ⁠… a sleigh drives up with harness bells; she hears him coming! He comes in, just in the shape of a man, like an officer⁠—comes in and sits down to table with her.”

“Ah! ah!” screamed Natásha, rolling her eyes with horror.