Book 1, The Short Stories : Chapter 5, An Honest Thief & A Christmas Tree & A Wedding, White Nights Summary

Here, readers are introduced to a small household. There is a man and his servant woman. The woman lets the room to an elderly man. She then suggests to her boss that he make the decision to do what she has already done. The man admits that the new lodger is actually a wonderful addition to his home; it makes it far less lonesome. Amongst other qualities the old soldier turns out to be great at telling stories, which the preceding resident loves. A man bursts in off the street and steals a coat. They chase after him but do not catch him. This leads to another conversation about thieves, about their character and whether...