[1] The Karaim are Jews of the pure original stock who entered Russia long before the main immigration and settled in the Crimea. They are free from the ordinary Jewish restrictions.
‘All right. I’ll come now. Oh, I’ve something very interesting to tell you. Wait a second. I’ll dress.’
‘Nonsense. Don’t. Who are you nervous about? Leonka? Come, just as you are!’
She began to put on her petticoat.
Ribnikov roused out of sleep.
‘Where are you going to?’ he asked drowsily.
‘Only a minute.... Back immediately ... I must ...’ she answered, hurriedly tying the tape round her waist. ‘You go to sleep. I’ll be back in a second.’
He had not heard her last words. A dark heavy sleep had instantly engulfed him.