»Certainly. You have paid your money and....«
»Yes, yes,« and he blushed for the third time, »quite true, but that isn't what I mean.... And, if you like ... you can lie down too. I will leave room for you. Only please lie next the wall. You don't mind?«
»No, I don't want to sleep. I will just sit here.«
»Will you read?«
»There are no books here.«
» Would you like today's paper? I have it here. There is something interesting in it.«
»No, thank you.«
»As you like. You know best. But ... with your permission....«
He shut and locked the door and put the key in his pocket, without noticing the strange look with which the girl followed his movements. This courteous and decent conversation, such a curious conversation in this home of misery where the very air was thick with the vapours of drunken brawls, seemed to him perfectly natural and quite convincing. With the same polite air, as though he were in the company of young ladies, he touched the edge of his frock-coat and asked:
»Do you mind if I take off my coat?«