"What do you want?" suddenly cried the old lady to Semka.
"O-oh ... nothing. If you would kindly go on reading—I am listening!" he explained meekly.
"Why are you touching the clasp with your dirty great hand?" she said, in exasperation.
"I'm curious, for—it's such fine work, you see. And it's in my line. I understand locksmith work. So I just felt it."
"Listen," said the old lady drily. "Tell me, what have I been reading about?"
"Why, certainly. I understand."
"Well, tell me."
"A sermon—so, of course, it's teaching on the faith and likewise on sin. It's very simple, all of it, and—all very true. Just takes hold of the soul—pinches it, like!"
The old lady shook her head sadly and looked round on us all with reproach.
"Lost souls you are—stones. Go back to work!"