Strange Life of Ivan Osokin

Osokin is visibly agitated although he tries not to show it. Zinaida is talking to her brother, Michail, OsokinÕs friend, a young officer in the uniform of one of the Moscow Grenadier regiments, and two girls. Then she turns to Osokin and walks aside with him.

ÒI am going to miss you very much,Ó she says. ÒItÕs a pity you cannot come with us. Though it seems to me that you donÕt particularly want to, otherwise you would come. You donÕt want to do anything for me. Your staying behind now makes all our talks ridiculous and futile. But I am tired of arguing with you. You must do as you like.Ó Ivan Osokin becomes more and more troubled, but he tries to control himself and says with an effort: ÒI canÕt come at present, but I shall come later, I promise you. You cannot imagine how hard it is for me to stay here.Ó ÒNo, I cannot imagine it and I donÕt believe it,Ó says Zinaida quickly. ÒWhen a man wants anything as strongly as you say you do, he acts. I am sure you are in love with one of your pupils hereÑsome nice, poetical girl who studies fencing. Confess!Ó She laughs.

ZinaidaÕs words and tone hurt Osokin very deeply. He begins to speak but stops himself, then says: ÒYou know that is not true; you know I am all yours.Ó ÒHow am I to know?Ó says Zinaida with a surprised air. ÒYou are always busy. You always refuse to come and see us. You never have any time for me, and now I should so much like you to come with us.