"it is quite true," said mrs. epanchin decisively. "talk, but not too loud, and don’t excite yourself. you have made me sorry for you. prince, you don’t deserve that i should stay and have tea with you, yet i will, all the same, but i won’t apologize. i apologize to nobody! nobody! it is absurd! however, forgive me, prince, if i blew you up that is, if you like, of course. but please don’t let me keep anyone," she added suddenly to her husband and daughters, in a tone of resentment, as though they had grievously offended her. "i can come home alone quite well."