by agreement the prostitute receives board, quarters, heat, light, bed linen, baths and so forth, and for this pays out to the proprietress in no case more than two-thirds of her earnings; while out of the remaining money she is bound to dress neatly and decently, having no less than two dresses for going out.  Further, mention was made of the fact that payment was made with the help of stamps, which the proprietress gives out to the prostitute upon receipt of money from her; while the account is drawn up at the end of every month.  And, finally, that the prostitute can at any time leave the house of prostitution, even if there does remain a debt of hers, which, however, she binds herself to cancel on the basis of general civil laws.

Lichonin prodded the last point with his finger, and, having turned the face of the book to the housekeeper, said triumphantly: 

“Aha!  There, you see:  she has the right to leave the house at any time.  Consequently, she can at any time quit your abominable dive of violence, baseness, and depravity, in which you ...”  Lichonin began rattling off, but the housekeeper calmly cut him short: 

“O!  I have no doubt of this.  Let her go away.  Let her only pay the money.”

“What about promissory notes?  She can give promissory notes.”

“Pst!  Promissory notes!  In the first place, she’s illiterate; while in the second, what are her promissory notes worth?  A spit and no more.  Let her find a surety who would be worthy of trust, and then I have nothing against it.”

“But, then, there’s nothing said in the rules about sureties.”

“There’s many a thing not said!  In the rules it also does not say that it’s permitted to carry a girlie out of the house, without giving warning to the owners.”

“But in any case you’ll have to give me her blank.”

“I will never do such a foolishness!  Come here with some respectable person and with the police; and let the police certify that this friend of yours is a man of means; and let this man stand surety for you; and let, besides that, the police certify that you are not taking the girl in order to trade in her, or to sell her over to another stablishment—­then as you please!  Hand and foot!”

“The devil!” exclaimed Lichonin.  “But if that surety will be I, I myself!  If I’ll sign your promissory notes right away ...”

“Young man!  I don’t know what you are taught in your different universities, but is it possible that you reckon me such a positive fool?  God grant, that you have, besides those which are on you, still some other pants!  God grant, that you should even the day after have for dinner the remnants of sausages from the sausage shop, and yet you say—­a promissory note!  What are you bothering my head for?”

Lichonin grew completely angry.  He drew his wallet out of his pocket and slapped it down on the table.

“In that case I pay in cash and immediately!”