"Oh, well!" he thought, walking quickly along the street, "the
very beginning has been laid down, the most difficult part has
been done. Hold fast, now, Lichonin, and don't fall in spirit!
What you've done is splendid and lofty. Let me be even a victim of
this deed--it's all one! It's a shame, having done a good deed, to
expect rewards for it right away. I'm not a little circus dog, and
not a trained camel, and not the first pupil of a young ladies'
genteel institute. Only it was useless for me to let loose
yesterday before these bearers of enlightenment. It all turned out
to be silly, tactless, and, in any case, premature. But everything
in life is reparable. A person will sustain the heaviest, most
disgraceful things; but, time passes, and they are recalled as
trifles ..."
To his amazement, Liubka was not especially struck, and did not at
all become overjoyed when he triumphantly showed her the passport.
She was only glad to see Lichonin again. Perhaps, this primitive,
naive soul had already contrived to cleave to its protector? She
did throw herself upon his neck, but he stopped her, and quietly,
almost in her ear, asked her:
"Liubka, tell me .
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