Chapter 16 (1/2)

Maria clearly knows why her son is not doing well, and she reminds him.

”Andre.”

Andrea, though a little impatient, did not stare at macarone with boredom, but said, ”do you mind if I go to my room for a while? Aunt Anna. ”

The boy's big light blue eyes looked at Anna with a kind of childlike and asking eyes, and Anna was sure that she could not refuse the child's request.

”No, I don't mind.” Anna said and looked at each other curiously.

Andre, with permission, made only a look at his mother that he was going first and left.

”I'm sorry, Anna.” Said Maria, somewhat apologetic.

”That's nothing. I mean, if you don't mind, can you tell me what happened to him? ”

”In fact, it's because Charlie and his family are going to Russia next week. Charlie is Andre's playmate, but his father faces a job transfer and they have to be separated

”I can understand that it's really hard to part from a friend.” Anna said.

”I hope he'll get better some time.” Said Maria.

At dinner, Andre did not arrive on time. Luid asked his servant to call for him. When he saw his son coming, the father, who had always been gentle, looked a little ugly for the first time.

”Andre, you can't keep playing. You're a big boy

Anna was also worried that luid's public remarks would upset Andre. After all, he didn't look like a good and obedient child. However, unexpectedly, Andrea looked around all the people and said, ”I won't be like this next time, Dad.”

Andre sits next to her sister Lucia, who gives him a caring expression, but Andre just shakes his head and enjoys his dinner in silence.

His dining etiquette is almost impeccable, except for the expression on his face, which is not very good, but also maintains in a polite range.

After dinner, they went to the living room to rest. Luid and Karenin were talking about political matters. The children and women were far away from them.

Maria takes care of them with some fruit.

Andrea did not leave early this time. He stayed and sat on the sofa, near the armrest, with his left thumb and forefinger resting on his temple and chin. Anna felt that the child showed that I was in a state of ”nothingness and immortality”, so that she couldn't help laughing.

Maria and Lucia are talking about something. Anna thought no one would see her smile, but Andrea raised her eyes sensitively. A pair of light blue eyes as if doped with mercury, with a bit of inorganic matter indifferent feeling.

”Why do you laugh at me?” Andre remained in that position, her lips slightly closed and moved a few times, for Anna could tell the child's meaning because of her slow movement.

”Sorry.” She also lip apologized.

Andrea looked at her again for a moment, then blinked and pursed his lips. He looked away as if he was back in the state of ”you stupid adults can't understand my colorful inner world.”.

Anna held back her smile. She lowered her head and took a bite of the fruit.

By nine o'clock, the children had already gone to bed, and Maria advised Anna to go to bed early.

”Luid, you still have a lot of time to chat after that. Now, let Alexey and anna go to bed earlier.” Maria commands gently.

Luid laughed and he said a few words.

Back to Maria's guest room, Anna sat at the dresser, broke her braids, and then chatted with Karenin, and unconsciously talked about Andre.

”It's a smart kid, isn't it?” Anna told Karenin about the lip talk incident.

”Andre is a bit clever, but he is too proud. This kind of pride will hurt him if he is not sure of his degree. ” Karenin commented that even if Andre was his nephew, he would not be too partial.

”I thought you would like his character. Smart, not admit defeat, proud but not blind. ”

”Like it or not can't be the criterion.” Karenin said, looking at Anna again, he said, ”go to bed early. Tomorrow I have to visit an official with luid.”

”OK.”