A man and a woman, both advanced in middle age, well fed, parsimoniously washed and possessing profiles of an outline disquieting to Christian prejudices, leaned over the counter, handled the articles offered them, consulted each other in incomprehensible monosyllables, talked volubly to the customers in oily undertones and from time to time counted out small doses of change which they gave to the eager recipients, accompanied by little slips of paper on which there were both printed and written words.

The room was warm and redolent of poverty.
A broad flame of gas burned, without a shade, over the middle of the counter.
In spite of their unctuous tones the Hebrew and his wife did their business rapidly, with sharpness and decision.

Either one of them would have undertaken to name the precise pawning value of anything on earth and, possibly, of most things in heaven, provided that the universe were brought piecemeal to their counter.

Both Vjera and Schmidt had been made acquainted by previous necessities with the establishment.

Vjera held her paper parcel in her hand.