I suppose your wife does not mind your reading the letters she writes." Fischelowitz took the letter stupidly, turned it over, saw the address, and took out the folded sheet.

Akulina's face expressed a blank amazement almost comical in its vacuity.

For once, she was taken off her guard.

Her husband read the letter over twice and examined the handwriting curiously.
"A joke is a joke, Akulina," he said at last.

"But you have carried this too far.