"Why, are you married?" cried Ilya in astonishment, and looked incredulously at her pretty slender figure. She was not angered, but laughed gaily:
"How funny you are! first you take me for a housemaid, then you won't believe I'm married."
"How can I believe it, when you look just like a little girl?" said Ilya, and laughed too.
"And I tell you, that I've been married for three years, and that my man is district inspector—in the police."
Ilya looked in her face and smiled quietly, he did not know why.
"What a silly!" cried the girl, shrugging her shoulders and inspecting Ilya curiously. "Well, anyhow, will you take the room?"
"Agreed! D'you want a deposit?"
"Of course, a rouble, at least."
"I'll bring my things in, in two or three hours."
"As you please. I'm glad to have such a lodger, you're a cheerful one, I fancy."