winter noon
Without languages I 'm like a bird without wings . I might just as well give up the work . '' And he made up his mind at all costs to overcome his innate laziness , and to learn French and German ; and began to look out for a teacher . One winter noon , as Vorotov was sitting in his study at work , the servant told him that a young lady was inquiring for him . `` Ask her in , '' said Vorotov . And a young lady elaborately dressed in the last fashion walked in . She introduced herself as a teacher of French , Alice Osipovna Enquête , and told Vorotov that she had been sent to him by one of his friends .