character, and I added that I had done nothing, and that I would not

take the first step. If she wants a divorce, so much the better! My

sister-in-law would not listen to this idea, and went away without

having gained anything. I was obstinate, and I said boldly and

determinedly, in talking to her, that I would not take the first

step. Immediately she had gone I went into the other room, and saw the

children in a frightened and pitiful state, and there I found myself

already inclined to take this first step. But I was bound by my word.

Again I walked up and down, always smoking. At breakfast I drank brandy

and wine, and I reached the point which I unconsciously desired, the

point where I no longer saw the stupidity and baseness of my situation.

Toward three o'clock she came. I thought that she was appeased, or

admitted her defeat. I began to tell her that I was provoked by her

reproaches. She answered me, with the same severe and terribly downcast

face, that she had not come for explanations, but to take the children,

that we could not live together. I answered that it was not my fault,

that she had put me beside myself. She looked at me with a severe and

solemn air, and said: 'Say no more. You will repent it.' I said that I

could not tolerate comedies. Then she cried out something that I did not

understand, and rushed toward her room. The key turned in the lock,

and she shut herself up. I pushed at the door. There was no response.

Furious, I went away.

A half hour later Lise came running all in tears. 'What! Has anything

happened? We cannot hear Mamma!' We went toward my wife's room. I pushed

The Kreutzer Sonata and Other Stories