Stepan Arkadyevitch is about to leave when Seryozha is announced into his father’s study. Anna Karenina had asked him to try to get custody of her son in the divorce, but Stepan Arkadyevitch knows now that will never happen. Nevertheless, he is glad for the opportunity to see his nephew. Before the boy enters, Alexey Alexandrovitch begs him not to mention Anna Karenina’s name to the boy, as they never speak of her.

After his mother’s last visit, Seryozha had been so upset they had actually feared for his life. With “rational treatment” and sea-bathing in the summer, he has regained his strength and the doctor has finally allowed the boy to return to school. School and the companionship of others have been good for him; now he is perfectly well and making good progress.

Stepan Arkadyevitch is impressed when he sees his nephew. He is a handsome, broad-shouldered young man, and he enters the room alertly and confidently. He looks healthy and good-humored as he bows to his father’s guest. When he recognizes his uncle, though, he blushes and turns hurriedly away from him. It is as if he is offended or irritated at something. Seryozha shows his father his grades from school. Alexey Alexandrovitch tells him his grades are very fair and dismisses him.

As the boy is leaving, Stepan Arkadyevitch asks him if he remembers him; Seryozha answers yes after glancing at his father, but he again looks downcast. His uncle shakes Seryozha’s hand and asks how things are going for him. He wants to talk to his nephew, but he does not know what to say to him. Seryozha blushes but does not answer and withdraws his hand. As soon as he is free, he glances doubtfully at his father and darts out of the room.

It has been a year since Seryozha has seen his mother and has heard nothing of her since then. He spends his time at school and with his friends; the dreams and memories of his mother which had made him ill are no longer part of his thoughts. When they do come back, he consciously drives them away as if they are “shameful and girlish.” He knows his parents are separated by a quarrel of some kind and that he must stay with his father; he tries to get used to that reality.

Seeing his uncle is unpleasant for him, for he reminds Seryozha of his mother and calls up those shameful memories; he knows the men must have been talking about his mother. To maintain his emotional peace, Seryozha does not think about any of it. But when Stepan Arkadyevitch catches him outside of his father’s presence and asks what he does in his free time, Seryozha speaks more freely. Looking at the boy’s eager eyes is too much for the uncle, and he cannot refrain from asking if the boy remembers his mother. The boy immediately answers no and his face clouds over.

Later, the tutor finds the boy and wonders if he is angry or crying. When he asks about it, Seryozha tells him to stay away, and if he does or does not remember, what business is it of his? Why should he remember? Seryozha is speaking not to his tutor but to the world.