hing more I
don't know. I can cook a little ... I lived at the priest's--cooked for
him."

"That's splendid! That's excellent!" Lichonin grew joyous. "I will
assist you, you'll open a dining room ... A cheap dining room, you
understand ... I'll advertise it for you ... The students will come!
That's magnificent! ..."

"That's enough of making fun of me!" retorted Liuba, a bit offended,
and again looked askance and questioningly at Jennie.

"He's not joking," answered Jennie with a voice which quavered
strangely. "He's in earnest, seriously."

"Here's my word of honour that I'm serious! Honest to God, now!" the
student caught her up with warmth and for some reason even made the
sign of the cross in the direction of the empty corner.

"And really," said Jennie, "take Liubka. That's not the same thing as
taking me. I'm like an old dragoon's nag, and used to it. You can't
make me over, neither with hay nor a stick. But Liubka is a simple girl
and a kind one. And she hasn't grown used to our life yet. What are you
popping your eyes out at me for, you ninny? Answer when you're asked.
Well? Do you want to or don't you want to?"

"And why not? If they ain't laughing, but for real ... And you,
Jennechka, what would you advise me ..."

"Oh, you're such wood!" Jennie grew angry. "What's better according to
you--to rot on straw with a nose fallen through? To croak under the
fence like a dog? Or to turn honest? Fool! You ought to kiss his hands;
but no, you're getting particular."

The naive Liuba did, in fact, extend her lips toward Lichonin's hand,
and this movement made everybody laugh, and touched them just the least
trifle.

"And that's very good! It's like magic!" bustled the overjoyed
Lichonin. "Go and notify the proprietress at once that you're going
away from here forever. And take the most necessary things; it isn't as
it used to be; now a girl can go away from a brothel whenever she wants
to."

"No, it can't be done that way," Jennie stopped him; "she can go away,
that's so, but you'll have no end of unpleasantness and hullabaloo.
Here's what you do, student. You won't regret ten roubles?"

"Of course, of course ... if you please."

"Let Liuba tell the housekeeper that you're taking her to your rooms
for to-day. That's the fixed rate--ten roubles. And afterwards, well,
even to-morrow--come after the ticket and things. That's nothing; we'll
work this thing roundly. And after that you must go to the police w