"Courage, courage, my friend! He has asked to see you.

That is well!" and he turned to go.

But Pierre thought it necessary to ask: "How is..." and hesitated, not knowing whether it would be proper to call the dying man "the count," yet ashamed to call him "father.

" "He had another stroke about half an hour ago.

Courage, my friend..." Pierre's mind was in such a confused state that the word "stroke" suggested to him a blow from something.