irresolution.

"It's only very proud people who are silent and love solitude,"
Nyuta went on, pulling his hand away from his forehead. "You are
proud, Volodya. Why do you look at me like that from under your
brows? Look me straight in the face, if you please! Yes, now then,
clumsy seal!"

Volodya made up his mind to speak. Wanting to smile, he twitched
his lower lip, blinked, and again put his hand to his forehead.

"I . . . I love you," he said.

Nyuta raised her eyebrows in surprise, and laughed.

"What do I hear?" she sang, as prima-donnas sing at the opera when
they hear something awful. "What? What did you say? Say it again,
say it again. . . ."

"I . . . I love you!" repeated Volodya.

And without his will's having any part in his action, without
reflection or understanding, he took half a step towards Nyuta and
clutched her by the arm. Everything was dark before his eyes, and
tears came into them. The whole world was turned into one big, rough
towel which smelt of the bathhouse.

"Bravo, bravo!" he heard a merry laugh. "Why don't you speak? I
want you to speak! Well?"