Vjera worked as well and as quickly as ever, though the hours seemed so endlessly long as to make her wonder why she did not turn out more work than usual.

From time to time the two men exchanged more or less personal observations after their manner.
"It seems to me that you work better than usual," remarked the Cossack, looking at Dumnoff.
"I feel better," laughed the latter.

"I feel as though I had been having a holiday and a country dance." "For the sake of your health, you ought to have a little excitement now and then," continued Schmidt.

"It is hard for a man of your constitution to be shut up day after day as you are here.

A little bear-fight now and then would do you almost as much good as an extra bottle of brandy, besides being cheaper." "Yes." Dumnoff yawned, displaying all his ferocious white teeth to the assembled company.