There were no proper cupboards for their clothes; what cupboards there were either would not close at all, or burst open whenever anyone passed by them.

There were no pots and pans; there was no copper in the washhouse, nor even an ironing-board in the maids' room.

Finding instead of peace and rest all these, from her point of view, fearful calamities, Darya Alexandrovna was at first in despair.

She exerted herself to the utmost, felt the hopelessness of the position, and was every instant suppressing the tears that started into her eyes.