head, as if astonished at the freedom with which modern young
girls entered into conversation. Kollomietzev smiled
condescendingly.

"Of course," he said, "I can't help feeling sorry for beautiful
curls such as yours, Mariana Vikentievna, falling under the
merciless snip of a pair of scissors, but it doesn't arouse
antipathy in me. In any case, your example might even . . . even
. . . convert me!"

Kollomietzev could not think of a Russian word, and did not like
using a French one, after what his hostess had said.

"Thank heaven," Valentina Mihailovna remarked, "Mariana does not
wear glasses and has not yet discarded collars and cuffs; but,
unfortunately, she studies natural history, and is even
interested in the woman question. Isn't that so, Mariana?

This was evidently said to make Mariana feel uncomfortable, but
Mariana, however, did not feel uncomfortable.

"Yes, auntie," she replied, " I read everything I can get hold of
on the subject. I am trying to understand the woman question."

"There is youth for you!" Valentina Mihailovna exclaimed, turning
to Kollomietzev. "Now you and I are not at all interested in that
sort of thing, are we?

Kollomietzev smiled good-naturedly; he could not help entering
into the playful mood of his amiable hostess.