I turned away, pressed my forehead against the glass. Light, figures, sparks, were trembling in the black, wet mirror.⁠ ⁠… No, all this was I, myself⁠—within me.⁠ ⁠… What did he call me for? Is it possible that he knows already about her, about me, about everything?

U- , already dressed, was at the door. I made a step toward her and pressed her hand as hard as though I hoped to squeeze out of it drop by drop what I needed.

“Listen.⁠ ⁠… Her name, you know whom I am talking of⁠—did you report her name? No? Tell the truth, I must.⁠ ⁠… I care not what happens, but tell the truth!”

“No.”

“No? But why not, since you.⁠ ⁠…”

Her lower lip turned out like the lip of that boy and her face⁠ ⁠… tears were running down her cheeks.

“Because I⁠ ⁠… I was afraid that if I did you might⁠ ⁠… you would stop lov⁠—Oh, I cannot, I could not!”