XIX + 

Volodya’s mother looked at the “one” and turned her uncomprehending eyes on her son. Then again she glanced at the report and exclaimed quietly: + 

“Volodya!” + 

Volodya stood before her, and he felt intensely small. He looked at the folds of his mother’s dress and at his mother’s pale hands; his trembling eyelids were conscious of her frightened glances fixed upon them. + 

“What’s this?” she asked. + 

“Don’t you worry, mamma,” burst out Volodya suddenly; “after all, it’s my first!” + 

“Your first!” + 

“It may happen to anyone. And really it was all an accident.” + 

“Oh, Volodya, Volodya!” + 

Volodya began to cry and to rub his tears, childlike, over his face with the palm of his hand. + 

“Mamma darling, don’t be angry,” he whispered. + 

“That’s what comes of your shadows,” said his mother. + 

Volodya felt the tears in her voice. His heart was touched. He glanced at his mother. She was crying. He turned quickly toward her. + 

“Mamma, mamma,” he kept on repeating, while kissing her hands, “I’ll drop the shadows, really I will.” + 