" And Stepan Arkadyevitch smiled.

No one else in Stepan Arkadyevitch's place, having to do with such despair, would have ventured to smile (the smile would have seemed brutal); but in his smile there was so much of sweetness and almost feminine tenderness that his smile did not wound, but softened and soothed.

His gentle, soothing words and smiles were as soothing and softening as almond oil.