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RECOLLECTIONS OF CHILDHOOD 29
But the point which made the most vivid
impression on my mind was the sudden change which took
place after this in the frame of mind of all our
house-servants. Up to that time they had all borne
themselves toward Marya Vasilievna with malice and
hatred. Her action had seemed so vile and black,
that every one felt a sort of pleasure in showing her
how they despised her, inventing some means of
vexing her. Now, all this underwent a sudden
alteration. She all at once appeared in the light of a
sufferer, of a victim, and the general sympathy was
transferred to her side. The servants even got up a
private protest against my father for the unnecessary
severity of his sentence.
" Of course she was guilty," said the other maids
in an undertone, when they assembled in our nursery
for consultation with nurse, as was customary after
every important event which occurred in our house.
"Well and good. The general might have scolded
her himself, the mistress might have punished her, as
is the way in other houses. All that is not so
insulting. It can be endured. But lo, and behold! what
sort of a thing has he suddenly invented ? To make
her kiss the hand of such a cricket, such a
dirty-nosed person as that Feklusha, in the sight of
everybody ! Who could endure such disgrace ?"
Marya Yasilievna did not come to herself for a
long time. One convulsion followed another for the
space of several hours. She would look about her,
come to herself, then suddenly begin to fling herself
about again, and scream. We had to send to town
for the doctor.
Pity for the sufferer increased every moment, and
discontent with the master and mistress grew in
proportion. I remember that mama came to the nursery
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