“Briggs,” said Triona.

“Briggs—yes. The only man who knew more than I of Ukranian literature—I a Pole and you an Englishman. Ah, my friend, what has happened since those days?”

“A hell of a lot,” said Triona.

“You may indeed say so,” replied Boronowski. He smiled. “Well?”

“Well?” said Triona.

“What are you, well-dressed and looking prosperous, doing in this—” he waved a hand “—in this sordidity?”

Triona responded with a smile—but at the foreign coinage of a word.

“I’m just wandering about. And you?”

“I’m living here for the moment. Living is costly and funds are scarce. I go back to Warsaw to-morrow—next week—a fortnight——”

“Poland’s a bit upset these days,” said Triona.