Once or twice they seemed to linger; these strangers, or neighbors, as the case might be, were looking at the display of toys and petty commodities in Hepzibah's shop-window.
It was an extremely romantic feeling, delicate as an aroma, capable of quickening to an active principle, or dying to " a painless sympathy, " as the case might be.
If the approaching clatter gave warning that the mistress was returning to the house Mashutka quickly took off her dirty apron and wiped her hands on a towel or a bit of rag, as the case might be.