The Schoolmaster and other stories - Penn State University

The Schoolmaster & other stories“So you believe in hypnotism?” said Father Andreyto Nina Ivanovna.“I cannot, of course, assert that I believe,” answeredNina Ivanovna, assuming a very serious, even severe,expression; “but I must own that there is much that ismysterious and incomprehensible in nature.”“I quite agree with you, though I must add that religiondistinctly curtails for us the domain of the mysterious.”A big and very fat turkey was served. Father Andreyand Nina Ivanovna went on with their conversation.Nina Ivanovna’s diamonds glittered on her fingers, thentears began to glitter in her eyes, she grew excited.“Though I cannot venture to argue with you,” she said,“you must admit there are so many insoluble riddles inlife!”“Not one, I assure you.”After supper Andrey Andreitch played the fiddle andNina Ivanovna accompanied him on the piano. Ten yearsbefore he had taken his degree at the university in theFaculty of Arts, but had never held any post, had nodefinite work, and only from time to time took part inconcerts for charitable objects; and in the town he wasregarded as a musician.Andrey Andreitch played; they all listened in silence.The samovar was boiling quietly on the table and noone but Sasha was drinking tea. Then when it strucktwelve a violin string suddenly broke; everyone laughed,bustled about, and began saying good-bye.After seeing her fiancé out, Nadya went upstairs whereshe and her mother had their rooms (the lower storeywas occupied by the grandmother). They began puttingthe lights out below in the dining-room, while Sashastill sat on drinking tea. He always spent a long timeover tea in the Moscow style, drinking as much as sevenglasses at a time. For a long time after Nadya had undressedand gone to bed she could hear the servants clearingaway downstairs and Granny talking angrily. At lasteverything was hushed, and nothing could be heard butSasha from time to time coughing on a bass note in hisroom below.36