B1030 <=> B1032 (BTG XLII Beelzebub in America, p. 1031)

“I used to visit them often at their home and enjoyed playing chess with this senator – as is customary there among what are called ‘respectable people.’

“This elderly couple had several daughters.

“All the elder daughters were already settled, that is, married; only their youngest daughter, twelve years old, remained at home.

“As this couple had no further responsibilities concerning their other daughters, they decided to give this youngest daughter of theirs the very best education according to the notions of that time, and for this purpose they placed her in a special ‘boarding school,’ a higher educational establishment called an ‘institute.’

“This youngest daughter of theirs came home only on Sundays and for the chief holidays, and once a week on special days her father and mother used to visit her at the boarding school.

“I was almost always with them during the holidays, and I met this charming as yet unspoiled girl and sometimes even took walks with her in the neighboring what is called ‘park.’

“During these walks we either joked or she told me about her lessons and her new impressions.

“During these meetings and conversations, a tie, something like friendship, grew up little by little between us.

“She was very quick in her perceptions and manifestations, or as your favorites themselves define such persons from among themselves, an ‘alert and thoughtful’ girl.

“My acquaintance, this senator, was sent on a certain as they say there ‘inspection,’ somewhere far off in Siberia.

“His wife decided to accompany him, for the senator was suffering from what is called ‘liver trouble’ and constantly needed care; but they could not make this joint trip because of their youngest daughter, since there would be no one to visit her at the institute and to take her home during the holidays.