But he saw that this was essential for her.

And, loving her as he did, though he did not understand the reason of them, and jeered at these domestic pursuits, he could not help admiring them.

He jeered at the way in which she arranged the furniture they had brought from Moscow; rearranged their room; hung up curtains; prepared rooms for visitors; a room for Dolly; saw after an abode for her new maid; ordered dinner of the old cook; came into collision with Agafea Mihalovna, taking from her the charge of the stores.