XXVII + 

“Volodya,” said his mother to him at breakfast, “you must stop it, darling; you will become a wreck if you spend your nights also with the shadows.” + 

The pale lad lowered his head in dejection. His lips quivered nervously. + 

“I’ll tell you what we’ll do,” continued his mother. “Perhaps we had better play a little while together with the shadows each evening, and then we will study your lessons. What do you say?” + 

Volodya grew somewhat animated. + 

“Mamma, you’re a darling!” he said shyly. + 