"
"No ... I don't understand ..." meditatively drawled Rovinskaya,
without looking the German in the eyes, but casting hers on the
floor. "I've heard a great deal of your life here, in these ...
what do you call them? .. these houses. They say it is something
horrible. That you're forced to love the most repulsive, old and
hideous men, that you are plucked and exploited in the most cruel
manner ..."
"Oh, never, madam ... Each one of us has an account book, wherein
is written accurately the income and expense. During last month I
earned a little more than five hundred roubles. As always, two-
thirds went to the proprietress for board, quarters, fuel, light,
linen ... There remains to me more than a hundred and fifty, it is
not so? Fifty I spent on costumes and all sorts of trifles. A
hundred I save. What exploitation is it, then, madam, I ask you?
And if I do not like a man at all--true, there are some who are
exceedingly nasty--I can always say I am sick, and instead of me
will go one of the newest girls ..."
"But then ... pardon me, I do not know your name .
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