"No, young man, you know very well that this is not allowed. And if I hear of it again we shall have to get rid of you."
From time to time Grushina arranged evening parties for young people, from among whom she hoped to find another husband. To conceal her purpose she also invited married people.
The guests came early to one of these parties.
Pictures covered in thick muslin hung on the walls of Grushina's drawing-room. There was really nothing indecent in them. When Grushina, with an arch, wanton smile, raised these curtains, the guests gazed at badly-drawn figures of naked women.
"Why is this woman so crooked?" asked Peredonov morosely.
"She's not crooked at all," Grushina defended the picture warmly. "She's only bending over."
"She is crooked," repeated Peredonov, "and her eyes are not the same—like yours."
"Much you understand about it," said Grushina offendedly. "These pictures are very good and very expensive. Artists always prefer such models."
Peredonov suddenly burst out laughing: he recalled the advice he had given Vladya a few days ago.