Two rows of three-story tenements are its sides, a stingy strip of sky is its lid, a littered pavement is the floor, and a narrow mouth its exit.
But I saw a very different picture on my introduction to Union Place.
I saw two imposing rows of brick buildings, loftier than any dwelling I had ever lived in.

Brick was even on the ground for me to tread on, instead of common earth or boards.

Many friendly windows stood open, filled with uncovered heads of women and children.

I thought the people were interested in us, which was very neighborly.

I looked up to the topmost row of windows, and my eyes were filled with the May blue of an American sky! In our days of affluence in Russia we had been accustomed to upholstered parlors, embroidered linen, silver spoons and candlesticks, goblets of gold, kitchen shelves shining with copper and brass.