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"But I personally value friendly relations with you more

because...."

"Why, why?"

Konstantin could not say that he valued it more because Nikolay

was unhappy, and needed affection. But Nikolay knew that this was

just what he meant to say, and scowling he took up the vodka

again.

"Enough, Nikolay Dmitrievitch!" said Marya Nikolaevna, stretching

out her plump, bare arm towards the decanter.

"Let it be! Don't insist! I'll beat you!" he shouted.

Marya Nikolaevna smiled a sweet and good-humored smile, which was

at once reflected on Nikolay's face, and she took the bottle.

"And do you suppose she understands nothing?" said Nikolay. "She

understands it all better than any of us. Isn't it true there's

something good and sweet in her?"

"Were you never before in Moscow?" Konstantin said to her, for

the sake of saying something.