I'm Charmoiselle

Stanisław Pigoń (about the news of Baczynski's death)

“So buy me a drink.” “What would you like?” “Um...I'd like, uh, ice-cream soda...with extra chocolate syrup. Please.”

“I could be a dancer. That’s a major option. ‘Cause I do have a natural grace. You know. A kind of sad beauty.” “I'd like to see you dance sometime.”

Krzysztof Kamil Baczyński “Autobiografia” (fragment), 6. XII. 1942

“Anya!”

“I came looking for you. I understood something.” “What did you understand?”

“God. Forgive me.”

She brought papers from Maman.

“For God's sake! Anna isn't a criminal.” “I'd call on her if she'd only broken the law. But she broke the rules.”

“Why are you leaving Moscow?” “What else can I do? I have to be where you are.”

“But why?” “Because that's where Aunt Dolly lives. She's not well. I must go to see her.” “But why, Mama?” “Don't make Mama cry. I'll be back before you know, and bring you a present.” “I don't want a present. I want you to stay.”

I'm here to see Serozha.

“Now, when am I going to come and shoot some snipe? Look at you, in Western clothes you told me you'd never wear again. Something's up.” “Yes, I'm in love. I've come back to propose. Have you guessed who she is?” “I... I have a suspicion. Why didn't you propose when you were here?” “I decided it was impossible. Kitty is of the heavens, an angel. And I am of the earth. But then, I thought and thought, and there's no life for me without her. Do I have a chance?” “Of course you do.” 

“Besides this, Konstantin Levin was not at his ease with his brother, because in summer in the country Levin was continually busy with work on the land, and the long summer day was not long enough for him to get through all he had to do, while Sergey Ivanovitch was taking a holiday.”

“I want to see everything.”

“The doctor here is useless. Get me one from Moscow.” “I will nurse him with Agafia. It is a torment to me that I've brought you under the same roof as this unfortunate...As this fallen...And in your precious, delicate condition.” “Kostya. Good. A clean nightshirt and sheets. A towel and a clean pail of warm water. And bring the perfume bottle, in the outside pocket of my handbag.”

On that day of the week and at that time of day people of one set, all acquainted with one another, used to meet on the ice. There were crack skaters there, showing off their skill, and learners clinging to chairs with timid, awkward movements, boys, and elderly people skating with hygienic motives.