———
Meanwhile it began to dawn; my neighbor's long, thin, yellow face became visible—with a pair of black-ringed, tired-looking red eyes.
He was apparently anxious to recite his prayers, and began to polish the window-pane, but I interrupted him.
"Tell me, my friend, don't take it amiss. Is your wife content now?"
"How, content?"
"She is no longer dull?"
"She has a stall with salt and herrings; one child at the breast and two to wash and comb. She has a day's work blowing their noses."
Again he rubs the pane, and again I question:
"Tell me, friend, what is your wife like?"
My neighbor sat up, threw a side-glance at me, looked me down from head to foot, and asked severely: