Page 1109 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

could not bear the look in his eyes. He was afraid to look
at me, but that is not all....’ Alexey Alexandrovitch would
have referred to the bill that had been brought him, but
his voice shook, and he stopped. That bill on blue paper,

for a hat and ribbons, he could not recall without a rush of
self-pity.
‘I understand, dear friend,’ said Lidia Ivanovna. ‘I
understand it all. Succor and comfort you will find not in
me, though I have come only to aid you if I can. If I
could take from off you all these petty, humiliating
cares...I understand that a woman’s word, a woman’s
superintendence is needed. You will intrust it to me?’
Silently and gratefully Alexey Alexandrovitch pressed
her hand.
‘Together we will take care of Seryozha. Practical
affairs are not my strong point. But I will set to work. I
will be your housekeeper. Don’t thank me. I do it not
from myself..’
‘I cannot help thanking you.’
‘But, dear friend, do not give way to the feeling of
which you spoke—being ashamed of what is the
Christian’s highest glory: *he who humbles himself shall
be exalted*. And you cannot thank me. You must thank
Him, and pray to Him for succor. In Him alone we find

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