“As I see it you were quite right, and I told Natásha so. Pierre says everybody is suffering, tortured, and being corrupted, and that it is our duty to help our neighbor. Of course he is right there,” said Countess Márya, “but he forgets that we have other duties nearer to us, duties indicated to us by God Himself, and that though we might expose ourselves to risks we must not risk our children.”

“Yes, that’s it! That’s just what I said to him,” put in Nikoláy, who fancied he really had said it. “But they insisted on their own view: love of one’s neighbor and Christianity⁠—and all this in the presence of Nikólenka, who had gone into my study and broke all my things.”

“Ah, Nicolas, do you know I am often troubled about Nikólenka,” said Countess Márya. “He is such an exceptional boy. I am afraid I neglect him in favor of my own: we all have children and relations while he has no one. He is constantly alone with his thoughts.”