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To be sure, they are very young, especially little Zosia, but

that is no matter; it is time at last to release Zosia from

confinement, for at all events she is growing up and is no longer

a child."

Telimena, amazed and almost panic-stricken, raised herself

gradually and knelt on the shawl; at first she listened with

attention, then with a gesture she opposed him, waving her hand

vigorously over her ear, as if she were driving off the

unpleasant words like gnats, back into the mouth of the speaker.