"It seems you want to get work here?" asked Malva.
"Well ... I don't quite know.... If I find a job ... I will work."
"You'll find one fast enough!" said Malva with assurance, watching him always with her curious oblique green eyes.
He was not looking at her; but with the sleeve of his shirt was wiping away the sweat which covered his face.
All of a sudden she broke into laughter.
"Your mother very likely gave you all sorts of messages and greetings for your father?"
Jakoff replied with a gesture of impatience—
"Of course she did! And what then?..."
"Nothing!" she said, still laughing.
Her mocking laughter displeased Jakoff. He moved away from the woman, and began to think of his mother's words.