"You call him Vaska? That`s funny! And is he very nice?"

"Yes!" she replied. "And with thee?"

"Leave him alone," said Mary Hendrikhovna, smiling timidly and happily. "He is sleeping well as it is, after a sleepless night."

"O good youth," answered the Jew, "thou canst defend me, and I know thou wouldst. Poor as I am, I will requite it---not with money, for money, so help me my Father Abraham, I have none---but ------"