# XXVIII explained — The Little Demon

> Chapter companion for The Little Demon by Fyodor Sologub.

## What happens

Sasha is discovered by his landlady Kokovkina while cross-dressing at Liudmilla's house. Kokovkina scolds him but is eventually softened. Meanwhile, Varvara and Grushina send an anonymous letter to the headmaster Khripatch about Sasha's relationship with Liudmilla. Khripatch investigates, questioning Kokovkina and Sasha, but is uncertain how to proceed. Despite the growing scandal, Sasha sneaks out at night to attend a masked ball at the Routilovs'.

## Themes in this chapter

### Hypocrisy and Social Facade

Kokovkina publicly scolds Sasha but privately forgives him; Khripatch pretends to investigate while avoiding direct accusations.

### Corruption of Innocence

Grushina and Varvara spread rumors that Liudmilla has corrupted Sasha; the cross-dressing scene suggests a blurring of boundaries.

## Character check-ins

### Sasha Pilnikov

Caught cross-dressing at Liudmilla's; questioned by Khripatch; sneaks out to the masked ball.

### Liudmilla

Dresses Sasha in women's clothes; invents a play to explain to Kokovkina; prepares for the masked ball.

### Olga Kokovkina

Discovers Sasha at Liudmilla's; scolds him; meets with Khripatch about the rumors.

### Varvara

Composes an anonymous letter about Sasha and Liudmilla with Grushina.

### Grushina

Helps Varvara write the anonymous letter; informs Kokovkina bluntly about the rumors.

### Nikolai Khripatch

Receives the anonymous letter; interviews Kokovkina and Sasha; struggles with how to handle the situation.

## Key lines

> Sasha stood before the mirror in a woman’s dress, waving a fan. Liudmilla was laughing and arranging ribbons at his brightly-coloured belt.

Sasha was dressed as a woman in front of the mirror, fanning himself, while Liudmilla laughed and adjusted his ribbons.

_Captures the playful yet transgressive cross-dressing scene._

> Khripatch did not for a moment believe that Pilnikov was guilty, and that his relations with Liudmilla were improper. “This,” he thought, “is one of Peredonov’s stupid inventions and is nourished by Grushina’s envy and spitefulness.”

Khripatch thought the rumors about Sasha and Liudmilla were false, likely started by Peredonov and fueled by Grushina's malice.

_Reveals Khripatch's awareness of the town's gossip and his skepticism._

## Links

- HTML: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters/xxviii
- Book: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se
- All chapters: https://www.betterreads.online/discover/the_little_demon_se/chapters