Tamara sat
down on Jennka's bed, gently embraced her, and, having put her
mouth near her very ear, said in a whisper:
"What's the matter, Jennechka? I've seen for a long time that
something strange is going on in you. And Manka feels that too.
Just see, how she's wasted without your caressing. Tell me.
Perhaps I'll be able to help you in some way?"
Jennka closed her eyes and shook her head in negation. Tamara
moved away from her a little, but continued to stroke her shoulder
gently.
"It's your affair, Jennechka. I daren't butt into your soul. I
only asked because you're the only being who..."
Jennka with decision suddenly jumped out of bed, seized Tamara by
the hand and said abruptly and commandingly:
"All right! Let's get out of here for a minute. I'll tell you
everything. Girls, wait for us a little while."
In the light corridor Jennka laid her hands on the shoulders of
her mate and with a distorted, suddenly blanched face, said:
"Well, then, listen here: some one has infected me with syphilis."
"Oh, my poor darling. Long?"
"Long. Do you remember, when the students were here? The same ones
who started a row with Platonov? I found out about it for the
first time then.
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