Sergei hatte ihn einmal auf dem Flur getroffen und gehört, wie er den Pförtner kläglich gebeten hatte, ihn zu melden; er müsse sonst mit seinen Kindern elend umkommen.
Serezha had met him in the hall, and had heard him piteously begging the porter to announce him to Karenin, and saying that he and his children were face to face with death.