I saw shelves and shelves of books, and people buying them, and taking them away to keep.

I was told that some people had in their own houses more books than were in the store.

Was not that wonderful?
It was a great city, Vitebsk; I never could exhaust its delights.
Although I did not often think of my people at home, struggling desperately to live while I revelled in abundance and pleasure and excitement, I did do my little to help the family by giving lessons in lacemaking.

As this was the only time in my life that I earned money by the work of my hands, I take care not to forget it and I like to give an account of it.
I was always, as I have elsewhere admitted, very clumsy with my hands, counting five thumbs to the hand.

Knitting and embroidery, at which my sister was so clever, I could never do with any degree of skill.