Fathers And Sons

Nikolai’s meeting with the steward is not a success, as “the new system of estate management, introduced only recently, squeaked like an ungreased wheel, creaked like homemade furniture made from unseasoned wood” (27). Pavel frequently loans Nikolai money to help, but Nikolai is just not a very competent manger of his estate.

Pavel visits Fenechka, whom he compliments on her new curtains. He asks Fenechka to show him his nephew, and she agrees, answers him only in whispers because she is “terrified” (29). Pavel takes in his surroundings, noting Fenechka’s icons, indicating her belief in Orthodox Christianity. He also notes her homemade jam, and her pet bird. Pavel plays with the baby, but leaves quickly when his brother enters, embarrassed by his display of interest. Nikolai greets his son and assures Fenechka it is too late for her to move to the servant’s quarters, as Arkady and Bazarov are already there.

Nikolai and Fenechka became involved when Nikolai hired Fenechka’s mother to be his housekeeper after he decided it was no longer appropriate for him to rely on unpaid peasant labor for domestic tasks. He noticed Fenechka in church and became besotted with her after he helped remove a splinter from her eye.