Page 1160 - ANNA KARENINA

Anna Karenina

old man she went with light, swift steps up the stairs. Bent
double, and his galoshes catching in the steps, Kapitonitch
ran after her, trying to overtake her.
‘The tutor’s there; maybe he’s not dressed. I’ll let him

know.’
Anna still mounted the familiar staircase, not
understanding what the old man was saying.
‘This way, to the left, if you please. Excuse its not
being tidy. His honor’s in the old parlor now,’ the hall
porter said, panting. ‘Excuse me, wait a little, your
excellency; I’ll just see,’ he said, and overtaking her, he
opened the high door and disappeared behind it. Anna
stood still waiting. ‘He’s only just awake,’ said the hall
porter, coming out. And at the very instant the porter said
this, Anna caught the sound of a childish yawn. From the
sound of this yawn alone she knew her son and seemed to
see him living before her eyes.
‘Let me in; go away!’ she said, and went in through the
high doorway. On the right of the door stood a bed, and
sitting up in the bed was the boy. His little body bent
forward with his nightshirt unbuttoned, he was stretching
and still yawning. The instant his lips came together they
curved into a blissfully sleepy smile, and with that smile he
slowly and deliciously rolled back again.

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