" ... He raised his head, and fell to dreaming.

Old Laska, who had not yet fully digested her delight at his return, and had run out into the yard to bark, came back wagging her tail, and crept up to him, bringing in the scent of fresh air, put her head under his hand, and whined plaintively, asking to be stroked.

"There, who'd have thought it?" said Agafea Mihalovna.

" The dog now...why, she understands that her master's come home, and that he's low-spirited.