The old woman came back.

“Here, sir: as we say ten kopecks the rouble a month, so I must take fifteen kopecks from a rouble and a half for the month in advance. But for the two roubles I lent you before, you owe me now twenty kopecks on the same reckoning in advance. That makes thirty-five kopecks altogether. So I must give you a rouble and fifteen kopecks for the watch. Here it is.”

“What! only a rouble and fifteen kopecks now!”

“Just so.”

The young man did not dispute it and took the money. He looked at the old woman, and was in no hurry to get away, as though there was still something he wanted to say or to do, but he did not himself quite know what.

“I may be bringing you something else in a day or two, Alyona Ivanovna⁠—a valuable thing⁠—silver⁠—a cigarette-box, as soon as I get it back from a friend⁠ ⁠…” he broke off in confusion.