I felt my powerlessness; but the thing had been begun, and I went on
with it.



CHAPTER V.



On the first appointed day, the student enumerators arrived in the
morning, and I, the benefactor, joined them at twelve o'clock. I
could not go earlier, because I had risen at ten o'clock, then I had
drunk my coffee and smoked, while waiting on digestion. At twelve
o'clock I reached the gates of the Rzhanoff house. A policeman
pointed out to me the tavern with a side entrance on Beregovoy
Passage, where the census-takers had ordered every one who asked for
them to be directed. I entered the tavern. It was very dark, ill-
smelling, and dirty. Directly opposite the entrance was the counter,
on the left was a room with tables, covered with soiled cloths, on
the right a large apartment with pillars, and the same sort of little
tables at the windows and along the walls. Here and there at the
tables sat men both ragged and decently clad, like laboring-men or
petty tradesmen, and a few women drinking tea. The tavern was very
filthy, but it was instantly apparent that it had a good trade.

There was a business-like expression on the face of the clerk behind
the counter, and a clever readiness about the waiters. No sooner had
I entered, than one waiter prepared to remove my coat and bring me
whatever I should order. It was evident that they had been trained
to brisk and accurate service. I inquired for the enumerators.