Book 1, The Short Stories : Chapter 3, The Land Lady Cont. Summary

This second begins with Katerina in the young man's arms. This is the fellow her own age, rather than the older man. She has evidently given in to him and he to her. Even so, within the first page Dostoevsky writes of her great exertions to exhibit restraint with him in regard to both her emotions and her sexual feelings. They are also both concerned about the old man. Here they are: they are avoiding him; they are working around him; they respect and fear him. They want to make sure that the help the old man - he is ill and really does need their help and they do honestly care for his welfare. Then the young man Ordynov asks Katerina about her life, in order...