IV + 

Saksaoolov liked to listen to the opinions of Fedota. When he returned home he told him about the boy Lesha. + 

“She did it on purpose,” decided Fedota. “Just think what a witch she is to take the boy such a way from home!” + 

“Why should she?” Saksaoolov asked. + 

“It’s simple enough. What can you expect of a stupid woman! She thought the boy would get lost somewhere, and someone would pick him up. After all, she’s a stepmother. What’s a homeless child to her?” + 

Saksaoolov was incredulous. He observed: “But the police would have found her out.” + 

“Of course they would; but you can’t tell, she may have meant to leave town; then find her if you can.” + 

Saksaoolov smiled. + 

“Really,” he thought, “my Fedota should be a district attorney.” + 

He fell into a doze that evening as he sat reading before a lamp. Tamar appeared to him⁠—the gentle, white Tamar⁠—and sat down beside him. Her face was strangely like Lesha’s face. She looked steadily and persistently, and awaited something. It tormented Saksaoolov to see her bright, pleading eyes, and not to know what she wanted. He rose quickly and went to the armchair where he thought he saw Tamar sitting. He stopped before her and asked loudly and with emotion: + 

“What do you wish? Tell me.” + 

But she was no longer there. + 

“It was only a dream,” thought Saksaoolov sadly. + 