It was this that brought him "white nights" and black days.
Every day Paulina called at the jail and waited long hours with uncomplaining patience in the winter cold, till she could be admitted.

Her husband showed no sign of interest, much less of gratitude.

One question alone, he asked day by day.
"The children are well ?" "They are well," Paulina would answer.

"They ask to see you every day." "They may not see me here," he would reply, after which she would turn away, her dull face full of patient suffering.
One item of news she brought him that gave him a moment's cheer.
"Kalman," she said, one day, "will speak nothing but Russian." "Ha!" he exclaimed.

"He is my son indeed.