Chapter 17 Summary

Nellie's brother, Charlie, wires that he will be arriving in Moscow on March 31st (March 18th by the Russian calendar). The servants ask what must be prepared for the English visitor. Frank says Karl Karlovich (that is, Charlie) will need plenty of hot water and a boiled egg every morning. Dolly asks which of the children Frank will take with him to meet Charlie. Frank says he will not take any of them, that Charlie will want a few quiet moments to take everything in. Dollie asks if Uncle Charlie was quite right in the head. Ben asked if he was bringing Mother back with him. Frank said, "No." Ben continued, "If Mother does come, will you have to get rid of Lisa?" Frank does not like the expression 'get rid of' reserving that for bad things like an epidemic of cholera or...