'And had you much difficulty?'

'Yes. One was obstinate through everything. He did not want to give
back the money.'

'What? Was the dispute over money?'

'Yes; and a small sum of money too. What did you suppose?'

'And you travelled over fifty miles for such trifling matters? Wasted
three days?'

'They are not trifling matters, Elena Nikolaevna, when my countrymen
are involved. It would be wicked to refuse in such cases. I see here
that you don't refuse help even to puppies, and I think well of you
for it. And as for the time I have lost, that's no great harm; I will
make it up later. Our time does not belong to us.'

'To whom does it belong then?'

'Why, to all who need us. I have told you all this on the spur of the
moment, because I value your good opinion. I can fancy how Andrei
Petrovitch must have made you wonder!'

'You value my good opinion,' said Elena, in an undertone, 'why?'

Insarov smiled again.

'Because you are a good young lady, not an aristocrat . . . that's