Almost exactly what I have said.
BTW Not going to comment on your assessment of Leora otherwise as I speak very little Russian but feel you are unfair on her. She tries to take in interest in his devices and talks a lot more than he does - conversation if it isn't superficial tends to be short in relationships in general especially after a while. He could for instance take more of interest in her art. She seems to have to drag him and he never seems effusive in hos praise and think we all know Leora likes and possibly needs praise. She gets praise for superficial reasons because we aren't having conversations with her so it is difficult to praise her insight, her art, her laughter or even her intellect. I am just saying unless you really know someone, you don't really know them. And of course he could do something about his performance!
Oh dear I have commented.