HUSBAND THROWN IN.

Auckland Star, Volume LXII, Issue 264, 7 November 1931, Page 12

HUSBAND THROWN IN.

LODGINGS IN MOSCOW.

AMERICAN GIRL'S DILEMMA.

"It is easier to find diamonds in the street, than to find lodgings in. Moscow. And when you do find a room, they want to throw in a husband with it," writes an American girl from the, Soviet capital of Communism.

"For five months I have been looking for a room to live in, because the one I am occupying is subject to « day's notice. I heard of a vacant room. It turned out to be a flat of five rooms, formerly, occupied by a single family, now by four, families, and the one room was over. The room belonged to a young doctor, who wa? in the provinces, but .who would return to Moscow at stated intervals, therefore did not wish to lose it, that is what the woman in charge of the flat explained. "Would Madame consider marrying the gentleman?" she asked. "Marry him!" I exclaimed in astonishment. "I don't want to marry. I haven't seen the-gentleman, not even the room." "He doesn't want to marry either, nor has he seen you," the woman replied. "And it is no use showing the room unless you accept the conditions." An unknown husband for an unknown room! Not a very sporting proposition. I said so. "Such a nice young man he is, quite good looking, too.. And so timid. He's afraid of women. He really doesn't want to marry. You see, he. had a girl whom he intended to marry—in order to. keep this room. But she fell in love with him, and insisted that he should live with her. He just wants a fictitious marriage, just so that he can keep this room. It would be nothing for you to go to the Registry Office with him. You know you can get a divorce any time. It costs but fifty kopecs." She continued eloquently. "And what does one do when he comes i to Moscow ? Move out ?" I asked.

"Not at all necessary," the woman explained to me. "There's a sofa in the room. You wouldn't mind him for a few days, I am sure." I wasn't so sure about that. No, she would not show the room. "What would be the use if you will not marry him?" I lost a room and an unknown husband. And the divorce would cost but fifty kopecs!