Madame Nashatyrin is fed up with violent behaviour and foul language emanating from an abusive male guest next door. She has two grown-up daughters and is concerned about their well-being when complaining to the hotel-keeper. 'Either give me other apartments, or I shall leave your confounded hotel altogether! It's a sink of iniquity! Why don't you get rid of the scoundrel?'

But as soon as the marital status of the scoundrel is revealed, she meditates and concludes that there's something good in everyone after all. 'Why, whatever he may be, we ought not to despise him. Perhaps your fate is here. Change your dresses anyway,' says Madame Nashatyrin to one of her daughters. Read in English, unabridged.