FATHERS AND CHILDREN
not quite well to-day really, and she will come
a little later. But why didn't you tell me I had
a brother ? I should have kissed him last night,
as I have kissed him just now/
Nikolai Petrovitch tried to articulate some-
thing, tried to get up and open his arms.
Arkady flung himself on his neck.
'What's this? embracing again?' sounded
the voice of Pavel Petrovitch behind them.
Father and son were equally rejoiced at his
appearance at that instant; there are positions,
genuinely affecting, from which one longs to
escape as soon as possible,
' Why should you be surprised at that ?' said
Nikolai Petrovitch gaily. < Think what ages I
have been waiting for Arkasha I Ve not had
time to get a good look at him since yesterday/
' I *m not at all surprised/ observed Pavel
Petrovitch; * I feel not indisposed to be em-
bracing him myself/
Arkady went up to his uncle, and again felt
his cheeks caressed by his perfumed moustache,
Pavel Petrovitch sat down to the table. He
wore an elegant morning suit in the English
style, and a gay little fez on his head This fez
and the carelessly tied little cravat carried a
suggestion of the freedom of country life, but
tie stiff collars of his shirt—not white, it is true
but striped, as is correct in morning dress—'