"I came to ask you to tie up my arm," he said. "I was practising with a
pistol yesterday, and it went off and the bullet grazed the skin, and
the damned thing has begun bleeding again. I know you are a trained
nurse, Tantine. Serge, who is with me, has tried and made a ridiculous
mess of it, so I brought the bandage to you."
He now pulled back the shade and they saw he was standing there quite
sans gêne in the same kind of blue silk pyjamas Tamara
remembered to have seen once before, and his eyes, far from being
tragic or serious, had the naughtiest, most mischievous twinkle in
them, while he whispered to the Princess and enlisted her sympathy for
his pain.
"Gritzko, dearest child, but you are suffering! But let me see! only
wait in the passage until I have my dressing-gown, and then come in
again."
Tamara now thought it prudent to crouch down in the clothes and
pretend to be asleep, while the kind Princess got up and arranged
herself.
Then with a gentle tap this poor wounded one came in.
Tamara was conscious that her godmother was murmuring horrified and
affectionate solicitations, as she busily set to work. She was also
conscious that Gritzko was standing with his shoulder leant against her
berth. He was so tall he could look at her, in spite of her retirement
to the farthest side, and she was horribly conscious of the magnetic
power exercised by his eyes. She longed quite to open hers, she longed
really to look. She felt so nervous she almost gave a silly little
laugh, but her will won, and her long eyelashes remained resting on her
cheek.
"You darling. You are doing it beautifully!" he presently said, and
then more softly, "I had no idea how pretty your friend is! and how
soundly she sleeps! Do you think I might kiss her, Tantino? I have
always wanted to, only she is of such a severity I have been too
frightened. May I, Tantine?" And his voice sounded coaxing and sweet,
and Tamara felt sure he was caressing the Princess' hair with his free
hand, for that lady kept murmuring.
"Tais toi!--Gritzko--have done! How can I bind your arm if you conduct
yourself so! Not a moment of stillness! Truly what a naughty child--
keep still!" Then she spoke more severely to him in Russian, and he
laughed while he answered, and then presently the bandage was done, and
standing on tip-toe he looked full at Tamara.