.. right down to the soldiers' filthy den. No! Deposits will be
put away and saved with me for each one of you every month; and
will be put away in your name in a banker's office, where there
will increase interest upon them, and interest upon interest. And
then, if a girl feels herself tired, or wants to marry a
respectable man, there will always be at her disposal not a large,
but a sure capital. So is it done in the best establishments in
Riga, and everywhere abroad. Let no one say about me, that Emma
Edwardovna is a spider, a vixen, a cupping glass. But for
disobedience, for laziness, for notions, for lovers on the side, I
will punish cruelly and, like nasty weeds, will throw out--on the
street, or still worse. Now I have said all that I had to. Nina,
come near me. And all the rest of you come up in turn."
Ninka irresolutely walked right up to Emma Edwardovna--and even
staggered back in amazement: Emma Edwardovna was extending her
right hand to her, with the fingers lowered downward, and slowly
nearing it to Ninka's lips.
"Kiss it! ..." impressively and firmly pronounced Emma Edwardovna,
narrowing her eyes and with head thrown back, in the magnificent
pose of a princess ascending her throne.
Pages:
537
538
539
540
541
542
543
544
545
546
547
548
549
550
551
552
553
554
555
556
557
558
559
560
561