Mimo could be a delightfully agreeable guest, even though he was changed by years and poverty.
And Mirko would be in healthy surroundings; surely it was worth it, after all! The taxi drew up in the mean street and she got out, paid the man, and then knocked at the dingy door.
A slatternly, miserable, little general servant opened it.

No, the foreign gentleman and the little boy were not in, they said they would be back in a few minutes--would the lady step up and wait?
She followed the lumpy, untidy figure upstairs to a large attic at the top.

It was always let as a studio, apparently.

It had a fine northern light from a big window, and was quite clean, though the wretched furniture spoke of better days.
Cleanliness was one of Count Sykypri's peculiarities; he always kept whatever room he was in tidy and clean.

This orderly instinct seemed at variance with all the rest of his easy-going character.