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 ALPHABET OF ‘ THE MIRROR OF LIFE ’ 69

‘ And is she in good health ? ’ ‘ Oh ! Mamma passed away some time ago.’ ‘ Oh ! really ? How very sad ! ’ The old man looked at Bender and tears came into his eyes in spite of the fact that he had seen Elena Bauer buying meat in the market earlier on in the day. ' They aU die,’ he said mournfully. ‘ Now my grandmother is taking a long time to die. But perhaps you’ll allow me to know what your business is, dearExcuse me, I don’t know your name.’ ‘ Vladimir,’ said Bender quickly. ‘ Vladimir Hippolytovich ? Well, I’m ready for what you have to say to me, Vladimir Hippolytovich.’ The old man sat down at the table, which was covered with a patterned American oilcloth, and then he looked Bender straight in the eyes. Bender picked his words carefully and expressed his sorrow for the loss of his parents. He apologized for disturbing Korobeynikov at such a late hour, and hoped that he would be forgiven when he told him what feelings had prompted him to visit him. ' I should hke to find some of papa’s furniture,’ said Bender with the utmost filial devotion, ‘ so as to preserve his memory. Do you happen to know who received the confiscated furniture from papa’s house ? ’ ‘ That’s a complicated matter,’ answered the old man after thinking for a minute. ‘ It’s only possible for a man of means to find that out'—•— But, excuse me, what is your occupation ? ’ ‘ I am a freelance. I own a slaughter-house and a frozen-meat store run on communist hues down in Samara.’ The old man looked at young Vorobianinov sus­ piciously, but he did not contradict him. ‘ This is a smart young man,’ he thought. But Bender, who had been looking closely at Korobeynikov, decided that the old man was a beast. ‘ Well ? ’ asked Bender.