The Mysterious Portrait Summary

Part 1. An artist called Tchartkoff happens to be passing a little picture shop when he stops and looks at the simple prints. Tchartkoff finds these prints trite and does not understand why so many people are fascinated by them or stop so often to look. However, when Tchartkoff is caught by the proprietor after staring himself for quite some time, he feels guilty. Tchartkoff goes into the store to see if there is anything truly worth buying in the store. Tchartkoff finds a portrait that shows some talent, but appears unfinished. Tchartkoff buys the painting after negotiating a price of twenty kopeks. As Tchartkoff walks home, he realizes that he had spent his last twenty kopeks.

At home Tchartkoff has to wait for his servant to come and open the door. The boy tells Tchartkoff that the landlord came...