Short Fiction · Chapter
XXVIII explained
Three women sit at luncheon, speaking cheerfully and frequently mentioning Borya, while below the terrace an old nurse crosses herself and prays for the repose of his soul.
What happens
Three women sit at luncheon, speaking cheerfully and frequently mentioning Borya, while below the terrace an old nurse crosses herself and prays for the repose of his soul. The women's forced gaiety and anxious glances toward the gate reveal their underlying dread.
Themes in this chapter
Death and Mortality
The nurse's prayer for Borya's soul and the women's fearful reaction underscore the presence of death.
Illusion vs. Reality
The women's forced cheerfulness and chatter attempt to mask the grim reality of Borya's fate.
Characters to notice
Key passages
“O Lord, rest the soul of thy servant, Boris.”
The nurse prays for the dead Borya.
This repeated prayer reveals that Borya is dead, contradicting the women's pretense that he might still come.
“They sit at luncheon long, but they talk more industriously than they eat. They glance nervously toward the gate.”
The women prolong their meal with frantic conversation, avoiding silence and watching the gate anxiously.
Their behavior shows they are trying to delay confronting the truth of Borya's absence.