With the quick and eager curiosity of youth he involuntarily noticed the firm maidenly form revealed by the fine print smock, and the beautiful black eyes fixed on him with childlike terror and wild curiosity.

'This is SHE,' thought Olenin.

'But there will be many others like her' came at once into his head, and he opened the inner door.

Old Granny Ulitka, also dressed only in a smock, was stooping with her back turned to him, sweeping the floor.
'Good-day to you.

Mother! I've come about my lodgings,' he began.
The Cossack woman, without unbending, turned her severe but still handsome face towards him.
'What have you come here for?
Want to mock at us, eh?
I'll teach you to mock; may the black plague seize you!' she shouted, looking askance from under her frowning brow at the new-comer.
Olenin had at first imagined that the way-worn, gallant Caucasian Army (of which he was a member) would be everywhere received joyfully, and especially by the Cossacks, our comrades in the war; and he therefore felt perplexed by this reception.