Book 2 Chapter 13 Nurse Maslova

When he rang the bell at the front entrance Nekhludoff's heart
stood still with horror as he thought of the state he might find
Maslova in to-day, and at the mystery that he felt to be in her
and in the people that were collected in the prison. He asked the
jailer who opened the door for Maslova. After making the
necessary inquiry the jailer informed him that she was in the
hospital. Nekhludoff went there. A kindly old man, the hospital
doorkeeper, let him in at once and, after asking Nekhludoff whom
he wanted, directed him to the children's ward. A young doctor
saturated with carbolic acid met Nekhludoff in the passage and
asked him severely what he wanted. This doctor was always making
all sorts of concessions to the prisoners, and was therefore
continually coming into conflict with the prison authorities and
even with the head doctor. Fearing lest Nekhludoff should demand
something unlawful, and wishing to show that he made no
exceptions for any one, he pretended to be cross. "There are no
women here; it is the children's ward," he said.

"Yes, I know; but a prisoner has been removed here to be an
assistant nurse."

"Yes, there are two such here. Then whom do you want?"

"I am closely connected with one of them, named Maslova,"
Nekhludoff answered, "and should like to speak to her. I am going
to Petersburg to hand in an appeal to the Senate about her case
and should like to give her this. It is only a photo," Nekhludoff
said, taking an envelope out of his pocket.