Sanine

"Come, come! What's the matter?" said Sanine, as he took hold of her

hand.

"Oh! don't! What an awful thing life is!" she exclaimed, as her head

sank lower, and she covered her face with her hands, while the soft

plait of hair, slipping over her shoulder, hung down in front.

"For shame!" said Sanine. "What's the use of crying about such

trifles?"

"Are there really no other ... better men, then?" murmured Lida.

Sanine smiled.

"No, certainly not. Man is vile by nature. Expect nothing good from

him.... And then the harm that he does to you will not make you

grieve."

Lida looked up at him with beautiful tear-stained eyes.

"Do you expect nothing good from your fellow-men, either?"

"Of course not," replied Sanine, "I live alone."