"Natasha was more calm, but not more cheerful. She not only avoided all external conditions of joyfulness--balls, promenades, concerts, the theater--but she never once laughed so that tears were not heard behind her laughter. ...And there were in her none of those former interests of life from the girlish, carefree, hope-filled life she used to lead. ...What would she not have given to bring back just one day of that time! But now it was over forever. Her presentiment had not deceived her then, that that state of freedom and openness to all joys would never return again. Yet one had to live."
"It comforted her to think that she was not better, as she had thought before, but worse, much worse, than everyone, everyone in the world. But that was not all. She knew it, and asked herself: "And what then?" And then there was nothing. There was no joy in life, and life was going by. Natasha clearly tried only not to be a burden to anyone or to bother anyone, but for herself she wanted nothing."
No comments:
Post a Comment