Going up the broad cast-iron staircase to the landing, they walked into the first large room.

The walls were stuccoed to look like marble, the huge plate-glass windows were already in, only the parquet floor was not yet finished, and the carpenters, who were planing a block of it, left their work, taking off the bands that fastened their hair, to greet the gentry.

"This is the reception room," said Vronsky.

" Here there will be a desk, tables, and benches, and nothing more.

" "This way; let us go in here.