You won't regret ten
roubles?"
"Of course, of course ... if you please."
"Let Liuba tell the housekeeper that you're taking her to your
rooms for to-day. That's the fixed rate--ten roubles. And
afterwards, well, even to-morrow--come after the ticket and
things. That's nothing; we'll work this thing roundly. And after
that you must go to the police with her ticket and declare, that
Liubka So-and-so has hired herself to you as chambermaid, and that
you desire to exchange her blank for a real passport. Well,
Liubka, lively! Take the money and march. And, look out, be as
quick as possible with the housekeeper, or else she, the bitch,
will read it in your eyes. And also don't forget," she cried, now
after Liuba, "wipe the rouge off your puss, now. Or else the
drivers will be pointing their fingers at you."
After half an hour Liuba and Lichonin were getting on a cab at the
entrance. Jennie and the reporter were standing on the sidewalk.
"You're committing a great folly, Lichonin," Platonov was saying
listlessly, "but I honour and respect the fine impulse within you.
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