"Why, then, am I so sorry for him? Or is
it because he is such a good-looking little fellow? No. I am long
since a stranger to such feelings. Or is it because he is a boy?
Why, only a little over a year ago I shoved apples in his pocket,
when he was going away from me at night. Why have I not told him
then that which, I can, and dare, tell him now? Or would he not
have believed me, anyway? Would have grown angry? Would have gone
to another? For sooner or later this turn awaits every man... And
that he bought me for money--can that be forgiven? Or did he act
just as all of them do--blindly? ..."
"Kolya!" she said quietly, "Open your eyes."
He obeyed, opened his eyes, turned to her; entwined her neck with
his arm, drew her a little to him, and wanted to kiss her in the
opening of her chemise--on the breast. She again tenderly but
commandingly repulsed him.
"No, wait a while, wait a while--hear me out... one little minute
more. Tell me, boy, why do you come here to us--to the women?"
Kolya quietly and hoarsely began laughing.
"How silly you are! Well, what do they all come for? Am I not also
a man? For, it seems, I'm at that age when in every man ripens.
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