In the opinion of Ivan's mother, beauty was a kind of luxury which only nobles and rich merchants could afford, and ordinary comeliness was a very secondary consideration--so secondary as to be left almost entirely out of sight.

This was likewise the opinion of Ivan's wife.

She had never been comely herself, she used to say, but she had been a good wife to her husband.

He had never complained about her want of good looks, and had never gone after those who were considered good-looking.

In expressing this opinion she always first bent forward, then drew herself up to her full length, and finally gave a little jerky nod sideways, so as to clench the statement.