Page 262 - ANNA KARENINA
P. 262

Anna Karenina


                                     The family doctor listened attentively and respectfully.
                                     ‘But in favor of foreign travel I would urge the change
                                  of habits, the removal from conditions calling up
                                  reminiscences. And then the mother wishes it,’ he added.

                                     ‘Ah! Well, in that case, to be sure, let them go. Only,
                                  those German quacks are mischievous.... They ought to be
                                  persuaded.... Well, let them go then.’
                                     He glanced once more at his watch.
                                     ‘Oh! time’s up already,’ And he went to the door. The
                                  celebrated doctor announced to the princess (a feeling of
                                  what was due from him dictated his doing so) that he
                                  ought to see the patient once more.
                                     ‘What! another examination!’ cried the mother, with
                                  horror.
                                     ‘Oh, no, only a few details, princess.’
                                     ‘Come this way.’
                                     And the mother, accompanied by the doctor, went into
                                  the drawing room to Kitty.  Wasted and flushed, with a
                                  peculiar glitter in her eyes,  left there by the agony of
                                  shame she had been put through, Kitty stood in the
                                  middle of the room. When the doctor came in she flushed
                                  crimson, and her eyes filled with tears. All her illness and
                                  treatment struck her as a thing so stupid, ludicrous even!
                                  Doctoring her seemed to her as absurd as putting together



                                                         261 of 1759
   257   258   259   260   261   262   263   264   265   266   267