A dish-washer, a laundress, a
cook. All toil elevates a human being."

Lichonin shook his head.

"Words of gold. Wisdom itself speaks with your lips, Simanovsky.
Dish-washer, cook, maid, housekeeper ... but, in the first place, it's
doubtful if she's capable for that; in the second place, she has
already been a maid and has tasted all the sweets of masters' bawlings
out, and masters' pinches behind doors, in the corridor. Tell me, is it
possible you don't know that ninety per cent, of prostitution is
recruited from the number of female servants? And, therefore, poor
Liuba, at the very first injustice, at the first rebuff, will the more
easily and readily go just there where I have gotten her out of; if not
even worse, because for her that's customary and not so frightful; and,
perhaps, it will even seem desirable after the masters' treatment. And
besides that, is it worth while for me--that is, I want to say--is it
worth while for all of us, to go to so much trouble, to try so hard and
put ourselves out so, if, after having saved a being from one slavery,
we only plunge her into another?"

"Right," confirmed Soloviev.

"Just as you wish," drawled Simanovsky with a disdainful air.

"But as far as I'm concerned," said the prince, "I'm ready, as a friend
and a curious man, to be present at this experiment and to participate
in it. But even this morning I warned you, that there have been such
experiments before and that they have always ended in ignominious
failure, at least those of which we know personally; while those of
which we know only by hearsay are dubious as regards authenticity. But
you have begun the business--and go on with it. We are your helpers."

Lichonin struck the table with his palm.

"No!" he exclaimed stubbornly. "Simanovsky is partly right concerning
the great danger of a person's being led in leading strings. But I
don't see any other way out. In the beginning I'll help her with room
and board... find some easy work, buy the necessary accessories for
her. Let be what may! And let us do everything in order to educate her
mind a little; and that her heart and soul are beautiful, of that I am
sure. I've no grounds for the faith, but I am sure, I almost know.
Nijeradze! Don't clown!" he cried abruptly, growing pale, "I've
restrained myself several times already at your fool pranks. I have
until now held you as a man of conscience and feeling. One more
inappropriate witticism, and I'll change my o