Aftersittingalittlewhilewithherguests，notunderstandingawordtheyweresaying，sheslippedoutandwenttothenursery。
ThechildrenweresittingonchairsplayingatdrivingtoMoscow，andinvitedhertojointhem。Shesatdownandplayedwiththem，butthethoughtofherhusbandandhiscauselessill-temperworriedherallthetime。Shegotup，andwalkedwithdifficultyontiptoetothelittledivan-room
‘‘Perhapsheisnotasleep。Iwillspeakplainlytohim，’’shesaidtoherself。Andryusha，herelderboy，followedherontiptoe，imitatingher。Hismotherdidnotnoticehim。
‘‘DearMarie，Ibelieveheisasleep;hewassotired，’’saidSonya，meetingherinthenextroom（itseemedtoCountessMaryathatshewaseverywhere）。‘‘Andryushahadbetternotwakehim。’’
CountessMaryalookedround，sawAndryushabehindher，feltthatSonyawasright，andforthatveryreasonflushedangrily，andwithevidentdifficultyrestrainedherselffromacruelretort。Shesaidnothing，and，soasnottoobeyher，letAndryushafollowher，butsignedtohimtobequiet，andwentuptothedoor。Sonyawentoutbytheotherdoor。FromtheroomwhereNikolaywasasleep，hiswifecouldhearhisevenbreathing，everytoneofwhichwassofamiliar。Asshelistenedtoit，shecouldseehissmooth，handsomebrow，hismoustaches，thewholefaceshehadsooftengazedatinthestillnessofthenightwhenhewasasleep。Nikolaysuddenlystirredandclearedhisthroat。AndatthesameinstantAndryushashoutedfromthedoor，‘‘Papa，mamma’shere！’’Hismotherturnedpalewithdismayandmadesignstotheboy。Hewasquiet，andtherefollowedaterriblesilencethatlastedaminute。SheknewhowNikolaydislikedbeingwaked。Suddenlysheheardhimstirandclearhisthroatagain，andinatoneofdispleasurehesaid：