Mihailov again tried to say that that was how he understood Pilate, but his lips quivered intractably, and he could not pronounce the words.

Vronsky and Anna too said something in that subdued voice in which, partly to avoid hurting the artist's feelings and partly to avoid saying out loud something silly--so easily said when talking of art--people usually speak at exhibitions of pictures.

Mihailov fancied that the picture had made an impression on them too.