Ivan Turgenev

“ AT NIKOLSKOE KATYA AND ARKADY WERE SITTING IN THE GARDEN on a turf seat in the shade of a tall ash tree; Fifi had placed herself on the ground near them, giving her long body that graceful curve which is known among sportsmen as the "hare's bend." Both Arkady and Katya were silent; he held in his hands a half-open book, while she was picking out of a basket some remaining crumbs of white bread and throwing them to the small family of sparrows which with their peculiar cowardly impudence were chirping and hopping around right up to her feet. ”

“ Arkady flung a grateful glance at Katya.
"That's all very well," he went on; "but people in your position--I mean with your fortune, seldom possess that gift; it is hard for them, as it is for emperors, to get at the truth."
"But, you see, I am not rich."
Arkady was surprised and did not at once understand Katya. "Why, as a matter of fact, the property is all her sister's!" struck him suddenly; the thought was not disagreeable to him. ”

“ But, as for Anna Sergeyevna, you remember she agreed with Evgeny in a great many things."
"My sister was under his influence then, just as you were."
"As I was! Have you noticed that I've already shaken off his influence?"
Katya remained silent.
"I know," continued Arkady, "you never liked him."
"I'm unable to judge him."
"Do you know, Katerina Sergeyevna, every time I hear that answer, I don't believe it . . . there is no one beyond the capacity of judgment of any of us! That is just a pretext for getting out of it." ”

“ So you suppose he had a great influence on Anna Sergeyevna?"
"Yes. But no one can keep the upper hand of her for long," added Katya in a low voice.
"Why do you think that?"
"She's very proud . . . I didn't mean to say that . . she values her independence very much."
"Who doesn't value it?" asked Arkady, and the thought flashed through his mind: "What is it for?" The same thought occurred to Katya. Young people who are friendly and often together constantly find themselves thinking the same thoughts. ”

“ No, I turned in here--the devil knows why. You see it's sometimes a good thing for a man to take himself by the scruff of the neck and pull himself away, like a radish out of its bed; that's what I've just done . ”