As the sun rose, the lawyer had already finished a good part of his day's work and turned back to the ward, which looked like a country cottage standing in a pretty garden. In the doorway, leaning against the doorpost, Michael Petroff, a former officer in the Russian army, stood smiling, and greeted him with a bright, cheerful "Good morning, my friend!" The lawyer in his woolen shawl, scarf and wadded boots, bowed and touched his cap. "Good morning, Captain!" They bowed several times, for they respected each other highly, and shook hands only after the completion of this ceremony. "Did you sleep well, Herr Advokat?" asked Michael Petroff, bending forward a little and smiling pleasantly. "Did I sleep well? Yes, thank you." "I too passed an excellent night," Michael Petroff continued with a bright happy laugh. "Really excellent. I had a dream--," he added, smiling and gazing out into the garden with his right eye half closed. "Yes, indeed!--Now do come into my office, my friend. I have news. After you!" He laid his hand on the little lawyer's shoulder and with a slight bow allowed him to pass in first. Captain Michael Petroff was a tall slender man with cheerful steel-blue eyes and a small blond mustache, which like his soft, blond, parted hair, was beginning to turn white. He was dressed with scrupulous neatness and was carefully shaved. His chin was round and exquisitely formed, though a trifle weak, the modeling of his mouth was unusually fine and delicate, like that of a mere boy. "Please be seated," said Michael Petroff, while with a gesture he invited the lawyer to sit on the sofa. "But perhaps I am intruding?" whispered the lawyer, and remained standing. "No, indeed! How could you--?" And Michael Petroff led the lawyer over to the sofa. The little man sat down timidly, looking gratefully up at his host. "You are so very busy--I know--," said he, and nodded at the writing table, which was heaped with documents, newspapers, and manuscripts. "I have plenty to do," added Michael Petroff, with a curious smile on his pretty boyish lips. "But one has always time for one's friends. Here, do listen! I have just outlined a petition to the Hessian government--," Michael Petroff smiled and balanced a sheet of paper on his hand--"The Hessian government is to be urgently requested, most--urgently--requested, to reconsider the verdict in the case of a teacher!"