Leo Tolstoy

“ The prisoners had now passed through the court-yard, and the four women left the window and approached Maslova. The larged-eyed illicit seller of spirits was the first to speak.
“Well, is the sentence very severe?” she asked, seating herself near Maslova and continuing to knit her stocking.
“It is severe because she has no money. If she had money to hire a good lawyer, I am sure they would not have held her,” said Korableva. “That lawyer—­what’s his name?—­that clumsy, big-nosed one can, my dear madam, lead one out of the water dry. That’s the man you should take.” ”

“ The watch-woman, although she was no smoker, immediately picked up the cigarette-end and began to straighten it, talking at the same time.
“As I said to Matveievna, dear,” she said, “it is ill-luck. They do what they please. ”