After luncheon¹ we began to play at round games, in which I took a lively part. While indulging in “cat and mouse”, I happened to cannon² rather awkwardly against the Kornakoffs’ governess, who was playing with us, and, stepping on her dress, tore a large hole in it. Seeing that the girls—particularly Sonetchka—were anything but displeased³ at the spectacle of the governess angrily departing to the maidservants’ room to have her dress mended, I resolved to procure⁴ them the satisfaction a second time. Accordingly, in pursuance of this amiable⁵ resolution, I waited until my victim returned, and then began to gallop⁶ madly round her, until a favourable⁷ moment occurred for once more planting my heel upon her dress and reopening the rent. Sonetchka and the young princesses had much ado to restrain their laughter, which excited my conceit⁸ the more, but St. Jerome, who had probably divined my tricks, came up to me with the frown which I could never abide⁹ in him, and said that, since I seemed disposed to mischief¹⁰, he would have to send me away if I did not moderate my behaviour.