"When the door is open I'll probably find room to stand there, too." Cornelli obeyed.

A slender girl a good deal taller than Cornelli opened the door and looked with surprise at the new arrivals through a pair of dark and serious eyes.

Cornelli retreated suddenly.
"Well, what I see is not very dreadful," the Director said, stepping forward.
"How do you do, child.

Is your mother at home, and can I speak to her a moment ?" The girl who had opened the door was Nika.

With great politeness she led the gentleman to a room and informed him that she would go at once to fetch her mother, who was with her sick brother.
Upon her polite invitation the Director followed her, and settled down in an arm-chair.