Vladimir Nabokov. El reencuentro : Клуб изучающих испанский языкVladimir Nabokov. El reencuentro
Vladimir Nabokov. THE REUNION
d report (under the iron base where a tall tin teapot bearing a large birthmark on its flank stood with the air of a victim) a very different, livid flame like a serrated blue crown burst into life. How and why all this happened Lev did not know, nor did the matter interest him. He blindly followed the landlady's instructions. At first Serafim watched the fuss with the spirit lamp over his shoulder, to the extent allowed by his corpulence; then he got up and came closer, and they talked for a while about the apparatus, Serafim explaining its operation and turning the thumbscrew gently back and forth.
"Well, how's life?" he asked, sinking once again into the tight armchair.