"We've only been sitting here half an hour, and how many questions we
have settled, when you come to think of it!" said Orlov, seeing me into
the hall. "So I will see to that matter.... I will see Pekarsky
to-day.... Don't be uneasy."
He stood waiting while I put on my coat, and was obviously relieved at
the feeling that I was going away.
"Georgy Ivanitch, give me back my letter," I said.
"Certainly."
He went to his study, and a minute later returned with the letter. I
thanked him and went away.
The next day I got a letter from him. He congratulated me on the
satisfactory settlement of the question. Pekarsky knew a lady, he wrote,
who kept a school, something like a kindergarten, where she took quite
little children. The lady could be entirely depended upon, but before
concluding anything with her it would be as well to discuss the matter
with Krasnovsky--it was a matter of form. He advised me to see Pekarsky
at once and to take the birth certificate with me, if I had it. "Rest
assured of the sincere respect and devotion of your humble servant...."
I read this letter, and Sonya sat on the table and gazed at me
attentively without blinking, as though she knew her fate was being
decided.