Page 54 - the-idiot

IV

LL three of the Miss Epanchins were fine, healthy
Agirls, wellgrown, with good shoulders and busts, and
strong—almost masculine—hands; and, of course, with
all the above attributes, they enjoyed capital appetites, of
which they were not in the least ashamed.
Elizabetha Prokofievna sometimes informed the girls
that they were a little too candid in this matter, but in spite
of their outward deference to their mother these three young
women, in solemn conclave, had long agreed to modify the
unquestioning obedience which they had been in the habit
of according to her; and Mrs. General Epanchin had judged
it better to say nothing about it, though, of course, she was
well aware of the fact.
It is true that her nature sometimes rebelled against these
dictates of reason, and that she grew yearly more capricious
and impatient; but having a respectful and well-disciplined
husband under her thumb at all times, she found it possible,
as a rule, to empty any little accumulations of spleen upon
his head, and therefore the harmony of the family was kept
duly balanced, and things went as smoothly as family mat-
ters can.
Mrs. Epanchin had a fair appetite herself, and generally
took her share of the capital mid-day lunch which was al-
ways served for the girls, and which was nearly as good as