very much to make you acquainted. If only you knew, Insarov, what a
marvellous girl there is there! There is an intimate friend of mine
staying there too, a man of great talent; I am sure you would get on
with him. [The Russian loves to be hospitable--of his friends if he
can offer nothing else.] Really, you must come. And what would be
better still, come and stay with me, do. We could work and read
together. ... I am busy, as you know, with history and philosophy. All
that would interest you. I have a lot of books.'

Insarov got up and walked about the room. 'Let me know,' he said,
'how much do you pay for your cottage?'

'A hundred silver roubles.'

'And how many rooms are there?'

'Five.'

'Then one may reckon that one room costs twenty roubles?'

'Yes, one may reckon so. ... But really it's utterly unnecessary for
me. It simply stands empty.'

'Perhaps so; but listen,' added Insarov, with a decided, but at the
same time good-natured movement of his head: 'I can only take
advantage of your offer if you agree to take the sum we have reckoned.
Twenty roubles I am able to give, the more easily, since, as you say,
I shall be economising there in other things.'

'Of course; but really I am ashamed to take it.'