If you listen to what he tells you, you will soon have no sickness in the village.

The worst houses first--and quickly.
You need not be afraid, but if you do not care to come in, you may stay outside." As they walked down the straggling village-street the Moscow doctor told the starosta in no measured terms, as was his wont, wherein lay the heart of the sickness.

Here, as in Osterno, dirt and neglect were at the base of all the trouble.

Here, as in the larger village, the houses were more like the abode of four-footed beasts than the dwellings of human beings.
The starosta prudently remained outside the first house to which he introduced the visitors.

Paul went fearlessly in, while Steinmetz stood in the door-way, holding open the door.
As he was standing there he perceived a flickering light approaching him.