“To the ground.”
“And are all the books and things burnt too?”
“No; they were saved. The fire was in the day-time, and our people had time to get the books out.”
“That’s good. So I suppose it will soon be built again, and you can go on being teacher?”
“I don’t wish to take that work.”
“Why not?”
“I’m sick of it! You wouldn’t believe me, I’ve often thought of putting an end to myself.”
“So you prefer to be a clerk?”
“Yes, sir.”
“H’m’m—I am sorry that I can’t help you; it’s true that I’ve just dismissed my clerk, but I don’t want another. You see, in these times one must look after everything oneself. I do all my accounts myself. Now, I have a vacancy for a bailiff, but you wouldn’t care for that ... the salary is so small ... three roubles a month.”