Chapter
17
The door opened slowly, and bending to pass through, Rybin strode in heavily.
"Here I am!" he said, raising his head and smiling.
He wore a short fur overcoat, all stained with tar, a pair of dark mittens stuck from his belt, and his head was covered with a shaggy fur cap.
"Are you well? Have they let you out of prison, Pavel? So, how are you, Nilovna?"
"Why, you? How glad I am to see you!"
Slowly removing his overclothes, Rybin said:
"Yes, I've turned muzhik again. You're gradually turning gentlemen, and I am turning the other way. That's it!"
Pulling his ticking shirt straight, he passed through the room, examined it attentively, and remarked:
"You can see your property has not increased, but you've grown richer in books. So! That's the dearest possession, books are,
