his "eh" was pronounced in a quite different tone, much lower.)
"Is that how the land lies? They had better take care I don't open them
too wide!"

"That is your own affair, my dear. But as for that new young man of
yours, you may be quite easy about him. I will see that everything is
all right. Every precaution will be taken."

It turned out that no precautions were necessary, however. Solomin was
not in the least alarmed or embarrassed.

As soon as he was announced Sipiagin jumped up, exclaiming in a voice
loud enough to be heard in the hall, "Show him in, of course show him
in!" He then went up to the drawing-room door and stood waiting. No
sooner had Solomin crossed the threshold, almost knocking against
Sipiagin, when the latter extended both his hands, saying with an
amiable smile and a friendly shake of the head, "How very nice of you to
come.... I can hardly thank you enough." Then he led him up to Valentina
Mihailovna.

"Allow me to introduce you to my wife," he said, gently pressing his
hand against Solomin's back, pushing him towards her as it were. "My
dear, here is our best local engineer and manufacturer, Vassily...
Fedosaitch Solomin."

Madame Sipiagina stood up, raised her wonderful eyelashes, smiled
sweetly as to an acquaintance, extended her hand with the palm upwards,
her elbow pressed against her waist, her head bent a little to the
right, in the attitude of a suppliant. Solomin let the husband and wife
go through their little comedy, shook hands with them both, and sat
down at the first invitation to do so. Sipiagin began to fuss about him,
asking if he would like anything, but Solomin assured him that he wanted
nothing and was not in the least bit tired from the journey.

"Then may we go to the factory?" Sipiagin asked, a little shame-faced,
not daring to believe in so much condescension on the part of his guest.

"As soon as you like, I'm quite ready," Solomin replied. "How awfully
good of you! Shall we drive or would you like to walk?"

"Is it a long way?"

"About half a mile."

"It's hardly worthwhile bringing out the carriage."

"Very well. Ivan! my hat and stick! Make haste! And you'll see about
some dinner, little one, won't you? My hat, quick!"

Sipiagin was far more excited than his visitor, and calling out once
more, "Why don't they give me my hat," he, the stately dignitary,
rushed out like a frolicsome schoolboy. While her husband was talking to
Solomin, Valentina Mihailov