and continue our efforts to protect precious lands from

unaware of it, she raised her voice and began at once speaking with

conviction of Sonia's undoubted ability to assist her, of "her

gentleness, patience, devotion, generosity and good education,"

tapping Sonia on the cheek and kissing her warmly twice. Sonia flushed

crimson, and Katerina Ivanovna suddenly burst into tears,

immediately observing that she was "nervous and silly, that she was

too much upset, that it was time to finish, and as the dinner was

over, it was time to hand round the tea."