Book 3 Chapter 16 Simonson Speaks to Nekhludoff

The voices of officials sounded from the next room. All the
prisoners were silent, and a sergeant, followed by two convoy
soldiers, entered. The time of the inspection had come. The
sergeant counted every one, and when Nekhludoff's turn came he
addressed him with kindly familiarity.

"You must not stay any longer, Prince, after the inspection; you
must go now."

Nekhludoff knew what this meant, went up to the sergeant and
shoved a three-rouble note into his hand.

"Ah, well, what is one to do with you; stay a bit longer, if you
like." The sergeant was about to go when another sergeant,
followed by a convict, a spare man with a thin beard and a bruise
under his eye, came in.

"It's about the girl I have come," said the convict.

"Here's daddy come," came the ringing accents of a child's voice,
and a flaxen head appeared from behind Rintzeva, who, with
Katusha's and Mary Pavlovna's help, was making a new garment for
the child out of one of Rintzeva's own petticoats.

"Yes, daughter, it's me," Bousovkin, the prisoner, said softly.

"She is quite comfortable here," said Mary Pavlovna, looking with
pity at Bousovkin's bruised face. "Leave her with us."

"The ladies are making me new clothes," said the girl, pointing
to Rintzeva's sewing--"nice red ones," she went on, prattling.

"Do you wish to sleep with us?" asked Rintzeva, caressing the
child.

"Yes, I wish. And daddy, too."

"No, daddy can't. Well, leave her then," she said, turning to the
father.