A cold shiver ran down his back when he one day met young Veyergang coming out of his mother's.

He only looked indifferently at Nikolai with half-closed eyes, when they met in the doorway, as if he did not quite remember him, and then asked Barbara over his shoulder, with a nod at Nikolai: "Is that the fellow ?" and went out: "What's he been doing here, mother ?" "Nothing." "Have you been borrowing money of him ?" he continued sharply.
"Of course not.

Not a penny, though I do need it so badly." "What was he talking about ?" "He wanted to light his cigar, as he so often does when he goes down this way.

Surely that can't do you any harm! And it wouldn't be much good forbidding him to do it either, I should think--either for me or for you!" She added the last words red with anger.
"No, I certainly can't forbid him, mother.

But remember, if you borrow of him, everything is at an end between us!" "Oh, Nikolai, you are so quick-tempered.