Whenherememberedthesceneafterwards，thisishowRaskolnikovsawit。
Thenoisebehindthedoorincreased，andsuddenlythedoorwasopenedalittle。
“Whatisit？”criedPorfiryPetrovitch，annoyed。“Why，Igaveorders…”
Foraninstanttherewasnoanswer，butitwasevidentthattherewereseveralpersonsatthedoor，andthattheywereapparentlypushingsomebodyback。
“Whatisit？”PorfiryPetrovitchrepeated，uneasily。
“TheprisonerNikolayhasbeenbrought，”someoneanswered。
“Heisnotwanted！Takehimaway！Lethimwait！What’shedoinghere？Howirregular！”criedPorfiry，rushingtothedoor。
“Buthe…”beganthesamevoice，andsuddenlyceased。
Twoseconds，notmore，werespentinactualstruggle，thensomeonegaveaviolentshove，andthenaman，verypale，strodeintotheroom。
Thisman’sappearancewasatfirstsightverystrange。Hestaredstraightbeforehim，asthoughseeingnothing。Therewasadeterminedgleaminhiseyes；atthesametimetherewasadeathlypallorinhisface，asthoughhewerebeingledtothescaffold。Hiswhitelipswerefaintlytwitching。
Hewasdressedlikeaworkmanandwasofmediumheight，veryyoung，slim，hishaircutinroundcrop，withthinsparefeatures。Themanwhomhehadthrustbackfollowedhimintotheroomandsucceededinseizinghimbytheshoulder；hewasawarder；butNikolaypulledhisarmaway。
Severalpersonscrowdedinquisitivelyintothedoorway。Someofthemtriedtogetin。Allthistookplacealmostinstantaneously。
“Goaway，it’stoosoon！Waittillyouaresentfor！…Whyhaveyoubroughthimsosoon？”PorfiryPetrovitchmuttered，extremelyannoyed，andasitwerethrownoutofhisreckoning。
ButNikolaysuddenlykneltdown。
“What’sthematter？”criedPorfiry，surprised。
“Iamguilty！Mineisthesin！Iamthemurderer，”Nikolayarticulatedsuddenly，ratherbreathless，butspeakingfairlyloudly。
Fortensecondstherewassilenceasthoughallhadbeenstruckdumb；eventhewardersteppedback，mechanicallyretreatedtothedoor，andstoodimmovable。
“Whatisit？”criedPorfiryPetrovitch，recoveringfromhismomentarystupefaction。
“I…amthemurderer，”repeatedNikolay，afterabriefpause。
“What…you…what…whomdidyoukill？”PorfiryPetrovitchwasobviouslybewildered。
Nikolayagainwassilentforamoment。
“AlyonaIvanovnaandhersisterLizavetaIvanovna，I…killed…withanaxe。Darknesscameoverme，”headdedsuddenly，andwasagainsilent。
Hestillremainedonhisknees。PorfiryPetrovitchstoodforsomemomentsasthoughmeditating，butsuddenlyrousedhimselfandwavedbacktheuninvitedspectators。Theyinstantlyvanishedandclosedthedoor。ThenhelookedtowardsRaskolnikov，whowasstandinginthecorner，staringwildlyatNikolayandmovedtowardshim，butstoppedshort，lookedfromNikolaytoRaskolnikovandthenagainatNikolay，andseemingunabletorestrainhimselfdartedatthelatter。
“You’reintoogreatahurry，”heshoutedathim，almostangrily。“Ididn’taskyouwhatcameoveryou。…Speak，didyoukillthem？”
“Iamthemurderer。…Iwanttogiveevidence，”Nikolaypronounced。
“Ach！Whatdidyoukillthemwith？”
“Anaxe。Ihaditready。”
“Ach，heisinahurry！Alone？”
Nikolaydidnotunderstandthequestion。
“Didyoudoitalone？”
“Yes，alone。AndMitkaisnotguiltyandhadnoshareinit。”
“Don’tbeinahurryaboutMitka！A-ach！Howwasityourandownstairslikethatatthetime？Theportersmetyouboth！”
“Itwastoputthemoffthescent…IranafterMitka，”Nikolayrepliedhurriedly，asthoughhehadpreparedtheanswer。
“Iknewit！”criedPorfiry，withvexation。“It’snothisowntaleheistelling，”hemutteredasthoughtohimself，andsuddenlyhiseyesrestedonRaskolnikovagain。
HewasapparentlysotakenupwithNikolaythatforamomenthehadforgottenRaskolnikov。Hewasalittletakenaback。
“MydearRodionRomanovitch，excuseme！”heflewuptohim，“thiswon’tdo；I’mafraidyoumustgo…it’snogoodyourstaying…Iwill…yousee，whatasurprise！…Good-bye！”
Andtakinghimbythearm，heshowedhimtothedoor。
“Isupposeyoudidn’texpectit？”saidRaskolnikovwho，thoughhehadnotyetfullygraspedthesituation，hadregainedhiscourage。
“Youdidnotexpectiteither，myfriend。Seehowyourhandistrembling！He-he！”
“You’retrembling，too，PorfiryPetrovitch！”
“Yes，Iam；Ididn’texpectit。”
Theywerealreadyatthedoor；PorfirywasimpatientforRaskolnikovtobegone。
“Andyourlittlesurprise，aren’tyougoingtoshowittome？”Raskolnikovsaid，sarcastically。
“Why，histeetharechatteringasheasks，he-he！Youareanironicalperson！Come，tillwemeet！”
“Ibelievewecansaygood-bye！”
“That’sinGod’shands，”mutteredPorfiry，withanunnaturalsmile。
Ashewalkedthroughtheoffice，Raskolnikovnoticedthatmanypeoplewerelookingathim。Amongthemhesawthetwoportersfromthehouse，whomhehadinvitedthatnighttothepolicestation。Theystoodtherewaiting。ButhewasnosooneronthestairsthanheheardthevoiceofPorfiryPetrovitchbehindhim。Turninground，hesawthelatterrunningafterhim，outofbreath。
“Oneword，RodionRomanovitch；astoalltherest，it’sinGod’shands，butasamatterofformtherearesomequestionsIshallhavetoaskyou…soweshallmeetagain，shan’twe？”
AndPorfirystoodstill，facinghimwithasmile。
“Shan’twe？”headdedagain。
Heseemedtowanttosaysomethingmore，butcouldnotspeakout。
“Youmustforgiveme，PorfiryPetrovitch，forwhathasjustpassed…Ilostmytemper，”beganRaskolnikov，whohadsofarregainedhiscouragethathefeltirresistiblyinclinedtodisplayhiscoolness。
“Don’tmentionit，don’tmentionit，”Porfiryreplied，almostgleefully。“Imyself，too…Ihaveawickedtemper，Iadmitit！Butweshallmeetagain。Ifit’sGod’swill，wemayseeagreatdealofoneanother。”
“Andwillgettoknoweachotherthroughandthrough？”addedRaskolnikov。
“Yes；knoweachotherthroughandthrough，”assentedPorfiryPetrovitch，andhescreweduphiseyes，lookingearnestlyatRaskolnikov。“Nowyou’regoingtoabirthdayparty？”
“Toafuneral。”
“Ofcourse，thefuneral！Takecareofyourself，andgetwell。”
“Idon’tknowwhattowishyou，”saidRaskolnikov，whohadbeguntodescendthestairs，butlookedbackagain。“Ishouldliketowishyousuccess，butyourofficeissuchacomicalone。”
“Whycomical？”PorfiryPetrovitchhadturnedtogo，butheseemedtoprickuphisearsatthis。
“Why，howyoumusthavebeentorturingandharassingthatpoorNikolaypsychologically，afteryourfashion，tillheconfessed！Youmusthavebeenathimdayandnight，provingtohimthathewasthemurderer，andnowthathehasconfessed，you’llbeginvivisectinghimagain。‘Youarelying，’you’llsay。‘Youarenotthemurderer！Youcan’tbe！It’snotyourowntaleyouaretelling！’Youmustadmitit’sacomicalbusiness！”
“He-he-he！YounoticedthenthatIsaidtoNikolayjustnowthatitwasnothisowntalehewastelling？”
“HowcouldIhelpnoticingit！”
“He-he！Youarequick-witted。Younoticeeverything！You’vereallyaplayfulmind！Andyoualwaysfastenonthecomicside…he-he！TheysaythatwasthemarkedcharacteristicofGogol，amongthewriters。”
“Yes，ofGogol。”
“Yes，ofGogol。…Ishalllookforwardtomeetingyou。”
“SoshallI。”
Raskolnikovwalkedstraighthome。Hewassomuddledandbewilderedthatongettinghomehesatforaquarterofanhouronthesofa，tryingtocollecthisthoughts。HedidnotattempttothinkaboutNikolay；hewasstupefied；hefeltthathisconfessionwassomethinginexplicable，amazing—somethingbeyondhisunderstanding。ButNikolay’sconfessionwasanactualfact。Theconsequencesofthisfactwerecleartohimatonce，itsfalsehoodcouldnotfailtobediscovered，andthentheywouldbeafterhimagain。Tillthen，atleast，hewasfreeandmustdosomethingforhimself，forthedangerwasimminent。
Buthowimminent？Hispositiongraduallybecamecleartohim。Remembering，sketchily，themainoutlinesofhisrecentscenewithPorfiry，hecouldnothelpshudderingagainwithhorror。Ofcourse，hedidnotyetknowallPorfiry’saims，hecouldnotseeintoallhiscalculations。Buthehadalreadypartlyshownhishand，andnooneknewbetterthanRaskolnikovhowterriblePorfiry’s“lead”hadbeenforhim。Alittlemoreandhemighthavegivenhimselfawaycompletely，circumstantially。Knowinghisnervoustemperamentandfromthefirstglanceseeingthroughhim，Porfiry，thoughplayingaboldgame，wasboundtowin。There’snodenyingthatRaskolnikovhadcompromisedhimselfseriously，butnofactshadcometolightasyet；therewasnothingpositive。Butwashetakingatrueviewoftheposition？Wasn’themistaken？WhathadPorfirybeentryingtogetat？Hadhereallysomesurprisepreparedforhim？Andwhatwasit？Hadhereallybeenexpectingsomethingornot？HowwouldtheyhavepartedifithadnotbeenfortheunexpectedappearanceofNikolay？
Porfiryhadshownalmostallhiscards—ofcourse，hehadriskedsomethinginshowingthem—andifhehadreallyhadanythinguphissleeve(Raskolnikovreflected)，hewouldhaveshownthat，too。Whatwasthat“surprise”？Wasitajoke？Haditmeantanything？Couldithaveconcealedanythinglikeafact，apieceofpositiveevidence？Hisyesterday’svisitor？Whathadbecomeofhim？Wherewasheto-day？IfPorfiryreallyhadanyevidence，itmustbeconnectedwithhim。…
Hesatonthesofawithhiselbowsonhiskneesandhisfacehiddeninhishands。Hewasstillshiveringnervously。Atlasthegotup，tookhiscap，thoughtaminute，andwenttothedoor。
Hehadasortofpresentimentthatforto-day，atleast，hemightconsiderhimselfoutofdanger。Hehadasuddensensealmostofjoy；hewantedtomakehastetoKaterinaIvanovna’s。Hewouldbetoolateforthefuneral，ofcourse，buthewouldbeintimeforthememorialdinner，andthereatoncehewouldseeSonia。
Hestoodstill，thoughtamoment，andasufferingsmilecameforamomentontohislips。
“To-day！To-day，”herepeatedtohimself。“Yes，to-day！Soitmustbe。…”
Butashewasabouttoopenthedoor，itbeganopeningofitself。Hestartedandmovedback。Thedooropenedgentlyandslowly，andtheresuddenlyappearedafigure—yesterday’svisitorfromunderground。
Themanstoodinthedoorway，lookedatRaskolnikovwithoutspeaking，andtookastepforwardintotheroom。Hewasexactlythesameasyesterday；thesamefigure，thesamedress，buttherewasagreatchangeinhisface；helookeddejectedandsigheddeeply。Ifhehadonlyputhishanduptohischeekandleanedhisheadononesidehewouldhavelookedexactlylikeapeasantwoman。
“Whatdoyouwant？”askedRaskolnikov，numbwithterror。Themanwasstillsilent，butsuddenlyheboweddownalmosttotheground，touchingitwithhisfinger。
“Whatisit？”criedRaskolnikov。
“Ihavesinned，”themanarticulatedsoftly。
“How？”
“Byevilthoughts。”
Theylookedatoneanother。
“Iwasvexed。Whenyoucame，perhapsindrink，andbadetheportersgotothepolicestationandaskedabouttheblood，Iwasvexedthattheyletyougoandtookyoufordrunken。IwassovexedthatIlostmysleep。Andrememberingtheaddresswecamehereyesterdayandaskedforyou。…”
“Whocame？”Raskolnikovinterrupted，instantlybeginningtorecollect。
“Idid，I’vewrongedyou。”
“Thenyoucomefromthathouse？”
“Iwasstandingatthegatewiththem…don’tyouremember？Wehavecarriedonourtradeinthathouseforyearspast。Wecureandpreparehides，wetakeworkhome…mostofallIwasvexed。…”
AndthewholesceneofthedaybeforeyesterdayinthegatewaycameclearlybeforeRaskolnikov’smind；herecollectedthattherehadbeenseveralpeopletherebesidestheporters，womenamongthem。Herememberedonevoicehadsuggestedtakinghimstraighttothepolice-station。Hecouldnotrecallthefaceofthespeaker，andevennowhedidnotrecogniseit，butherememberedthathehadturnedroundandmadehimsomeanswer。…
Sothiswasthesolutionofyesterday’shorror。Themostawfulthoughtwasthathehadbeenactuallyalmostlost，hadalmostdoneforhimselfonaccountofsuchatrivialcircumstance。Sothismancouldtellnothingexcepthisaskingabouttheflatandthebloodstains。SoPorfiry，too，hadnothingbutthatdelirium，nofactsbutthispsychologywhichcutsbothways，nothingpositive。Soifnomorefactscometolight(andtheymustnot，theymustnot！)then…thenwhatcantheydotohim？Howcantheyconvicthim，eveniftheyarresthim？AndPorfirythenhadonlyjustheardabouttheflatandhadnotknownaboutitbefore。
“WasityouwhotoldPorfiry…thatI’dbeenthere？”hecried，struckbyasuddenidea。
“WhatPorfiry？”
“Theheadofthedetectivedepartment？”
“Yes。Theportersdidnotgothere，butIwent。”
“To-day？”
“Igottheretwominutesbeforeyou。AndIheard，Ihearditall，howheworriedyou。”
“Where？What？When？”
“Why，inthenextroom。Iwassittingthereallthetime。”
“What？Why，thenyouwerethesurprise？Buthowcouldithappen？Uponmyword！”
“IsawthattheportersdidnotwanttodowhatIsaid，”begantheman；“forit’stoolate，saidthey，andmaybehe’llbeangrythatwedidnotcomeatthetime。IwasvexedandIlostmysleep，andIbeganmakinginquiries。Andfindingoutyesterdaywheretogo，Iwentto-day。ThefirsttimeIwenthewasn’tthere，whenIcameanhourlaterhecouldn’tseeme。Iwentthethirdtime，andtheyshowedmein。Iinformedhimofeverything，justasithappened，andhebeganskippingabouttheroomandpunchinghimselfonthechest。‘Whatdoyouscoundrelsmeanbyit？IfI’dknownaboutitIshouldhavearrestedhim！’Thenheranout，calledsomebodyandbegantalkingtohiminthecorner，thenheturnedtome，scoldingandquestioningme。Hescoldedmeagreatdeal；andItoldhimeverything，andItoldhimthatyoudidn’tdaretosayawordinanswertomeyesterdayandthatyoudidn’trecogniseme。Andhefelltorunningaboutagainandkepthittinghimselfonthechest，andgettingangryandrunningabout，andwhenyouwereannouncedhetoldmetogointothenextroom。‘Sitthereabit，’hesaid。‘Don’tmove，whateveryoumayhear。’Andhesetachairthereformeandlockedmein。‘Perhaps，’hesaid，‘Imaycallyou。’AndwhenNikolay’dbeenbroughtheletmeoutassoonasyouweregone。‘Ishallsendforyouagainandquestionyou，’hesaid。”
“AnddidhequestionNikolaywhileyouwerethere？”
“Hegotridofmeashedidofyou，beforehespoketoNikolay。”
Themanstoodstill，andagainsuddenlyboweddown，touchingthegroundwithhisfinger。
“Forgivemeformyevilthoughts，andmyslander。”
“MayGodforgiveyou，”answeredRaskolnikov。
Andashesaidthis，themanboweddownagain，butnottotheground，turnedslowlyandwentoutoftheroom。
“Itallcutsbothways，nowitallcutsbothways，”repeatedRaskolnikov，andhewentoutmoreconfidentthanever。
“Nowwe’llmakeafightforit，”hesaid，withamalicioussmile，ashewentdownthestairs。Hismalicewasaimedathimself；withshameandcontemptherecollectedhis“cowardice。”
ThemorningthatfollowedthefatefulinterviewwithDouniaandhermotherbroughtsoberinginfluencestobearonPyotrPetrovitch。Intenselyunpleasantasitwas，hewasforcedlittlebylittletoacceptasafactbeyondrecallwhathadseemedtohimonlythedaybeforefantasticandincredible。Theblacksnakeofwoundedvanityhadbeengnawingathisheartallnight。Whenhegotoutofbed，PyotrPetrovitchimmediatelylookedinthelooking-glass。Hewasafraidthathehadjaundice。Howeverhishealthseemedunimpairedsofar，andlookingathisnoble，clear-skinnedcountenancewhichhadgrownfattishoflate，PyotrPetrovitchforaninstantwaspositivelycomfortedintheconvictionthathewouldfindanotherbrideand，perhaps，evenabetterone。Butcomingbacktothesenseofhispresentposition，heturnedasideandspatvigorously，whichexcitedasarcasticsmileinAndreySemyonovitchLebeziatnikov，theyoungfriendwithwhomhewasstaying。ThatsmilePyotrPetrovitchnoticed，andatoncesetitdownagainsthisyoungfriend’saccount。Hehadsetdownagoodmanypointsagainsthimoflate。HisangerwasredoubledwhenhereflectedthatheoughtnottohavetoldAndreySemyonovitchabouttheresultofyesterday’sinterview。Thatwasthesecondmistakehehadmadeintemper，throughimpulsivenessandirritability。…Moreover，allthatmorningoneunpleasantnessfollowedanother。Heevenfoundahitchawaitinghiminhislegalcaseinthesenate。Hewasparticularlyirritatedbytheowneroftheflatwhichhadbeentakeninviewofhisapproachingmarriageandwasbeingredecoratedathisownexpense；theowner，arichGermantradesman，wouldnotentertaintheideaofbreakingthecontractwhichhadjustbeensignedandinsistedonthefullforfeitmoney，thoughPyotrPetrovitchwouldbegivinghimbacktheflatpracticallyredecorated。Inthesamewaytheupholsterersrefusedtoreturnasingleroubleoftheinstalmentpaidforthefurniturepurchasedbutnotyetremovedtotheflat。
“AmItogetmarriedsimplyforthesakeofthefurniture？”PyotrPetrovitchgroundhisteethandatthesametimeoncemorehehadagleamofdesperatehope。“Canallthatbereallysoirrevocablyover？Isitnousetomakeanothereffort？”ThethoughtofDouniasentavoluptuouspangthroughhisheart。Heenduredanguishatthatmoment，andifithadbeenpossibletoslayRaskolnikovinstantlybywishingit，PyotrPetrovitchwouldpromptlyhaveutteredthewish。
“Itwasmymistake，too，nottohavegiventhemmoney，”hethought，ashereturneddejectedlytoLebeziatnikov’sroom，“andwhyonearthwasIsuchaJew？Itwasfalseeconomy！Imeanttokeepthemwithoutapennysothattheyshouldturntomeastheirprovidence，andlookatthem！foo！IfI’dspentsomefifteenhundredroublesonthemforthetrousseauandpresents，onknick-knacks，dressing-cases，jewellery，materials，andallthatsortoftrashfromKnopp’sandtheEnglishshop，mypositionwouldhavebeenbetterand…stronger！Theycouldnothaverefusedmesoeasily！Theyarethesortofpeoplethatwouldfeelboundtoreturnmoneyandpresentsiftheybrokeitoff；andtheywouldfindithardtodoit！Andtheirconsciencewouldprickthem:howcanwedismissamanwhohashithertobeensogenerousanddelicate？。…H’m！I’vemadeablunder。”
Andgrindinghisteethagain，PyotrPetrovitchcalledhimselfafool—butnotaloud，ofcourse。
Hereturnedhome，twiceasirritatedandangryasbefore。ThepreparationsforthefuneraldinneratKaterinaIvanovna’sexcitedhiscuriosityashepassed。Hehadheardaboutitthedaybefore；hefancied，indeed，thathehadbeeninvited，butabsorbedinhisowncareshehadpaidnoattention。InquiringofMadameLippevechselwhowasbusylayingthetablewhileKaterinaIvanovnawasawayatthecemetery，heheardthattheentertainmentwastobeagreataffair，thatallthelodgershadbeeninvited，amongthemsomewhohadnotknownthedeadman，thatevenAndreySemyonovitchLebeziatnikovwasinvitedinspiteofhispreviousquarrelwithKaterinaIvanovna，thathe，PyotrPetrovitch，wasnotonlyinvited，butwaseagerlyexpectedashewasthemostimportantofthelodgers。AmaliaIvanovnaherselfhadbeeninvitedwithgreatceremonyinspiteoftherecentunpleasantness，andsoshewasverybusywithpreparationsandwastakingapositivepleasureinthem；shewasmoreoverdresseduptothenines，allinnewblacksilk，andshewasproudofit。AllthissuggestedanideatoPyotrPetrovitchandhewentintohisroom，orratherLebeziatnikov’s，somewhatthoughtful。HehadlearntthatRaskolnikovwastobeoneoftheguests。
AndreySemyonovitchhadbeenathomeallthemorning。TheattitudeofPyotrPetrovitchtothisgentlemanwasstrange，thoughperhapsnatural。PyotrPetrovitchhaddespisedandhatedhimfromthedayhecametostaywithhimandatthesametimeheseemedsomewhatafraidofhim。HehadnotcometostaywithhimonhisarrivalinPetersburgsimplyfromparsimony，thoughthathadbeenperhapshischiefobject。HehadheardofAndreySemyonovitch，whohadoncebeenhisward，asaleadingyoungprogressivewhowastakinganimportantpartincertaininterestingcircles，thedoingsofwhichwerealegendintheprovinces。IthadimpressedPyotrPetrovitch。Thesepowerfulomniscientcircleswhodespisedeveryoneandshowedeveryoneuphadlonginspiredinhimapeculiarbutquitevaguealarm。Hehadnot，ofcourse，beenabletoformevenanapproximatenotionofwhattheymeant。He，likeeveryone，hadheardthattherewere，especiallyinPetersburg，progressivesofsomesort，nihilistsandsoon，and，likemanypeople，heexaggeratedanddistortedthesignificanceofthosewordstoanabsurddegree。WhatformanyyearspasthehadfearedmorethananythingwasbeingshownupandthiswasthechiefgroundforhiscontinualuneasinessatthethoughtoftransferringhisbusinesstoPetersburg。Hewasafraidofthisaslittlechildrenaresometimespanic-stricken。Someyearsbefore，whenhewasjustenteringonhisowncareer，hehadcomeupontwocasesinwhichratherimportantpersonagesintheprovince，patronsofhis，hadbeencruellyshownup。Oneinstancehadendedingreatscandalforthepersonattackedandtheotherhadverynearlyendedinserioustrouble。ForthisreasonPyotrPetrovitchintendedtogointothesubjectassoonashereachedPetersburgand，ifnecessary，toanticipatecontingenciesbyseekingthefavourof“ouryoungergeneration。”HereliedonAndreySemyonovitchforthisandbeforehisvisittoRaskolnikovhehadsucceededinpickingupsomecurrentphrases。HesoondiscoveredthatAndreySemyonovitchwasacommonplacesimpleton，butthatbynomeansreassuredPyotrPetrovitch。Evenifhehadbeencertainthatalltheprogressiveswerefoolslikehim，itwouldnothaveallayedhisuneasiness。Allthedoctrines，theideas，thesystems，withwhichAndreySemyonovitchpesteredhimhadnointerestforhim。Hehadhisownobject—hesimplywantedtofindoutatoncewhatwashappeninghere。Hadthesepeopleanypowerornot？Hadheanythingtofearfromthem？Wouldtheyexposeanyenterpriseofhis？Andwhatpreciselywasnowtheobjectoftheirattacks？Couldhesomehowmakeuptothemandgetroundthemiftheyreallywerepowerful？Wasthisthethingtodoornot？Couldn’thegainsomethingthroughthem？Infacthundredsofquestionspresentedthemselves。
AndreySemyonovitchwasananaemic，scrofulouslittleman，withstrangelyflaxenmutton-chopwhiskersofwhichhewasveryproud。Hewasaclerkandhadalmostalwayssomethingwrongwithhiseyes。Hewasrathersoft-hearted，butself-confidentandsometimesextremelyconceitedinspeech，whichhadanabsurdeffect，incongruouswithhislittlefigure。HewasoneofthelodgersmostrespectedbyAmaliaIvanovna，forhedidnotgetdrunkandpaidregularlyforhislodgings。AndreySemyonovitchreallywasratherstupid；heattachedhimselftothecauseofprogressand“ouryoungergeneration”fromenthusiasm。Hewasoneofthenumerousandvariedlegionofdullards，ofhalf-animateabortions，conceited，half-educatedcoxcombs，whoattachthemselvestotheideamostinfashiononlytovulgariseitandwhocaricatureeverycausetheyserve，howeversincerely。
ThoughLebeziatnikovwassogood-natured，he，too，wasbeginningtodislikePyotrPetrovitch。Thishappenedonbothsidesunconsciously。HoweversimpleAndreySemyonovitchmightbe，hebegantoseethatPyotrPetrovitchwasdupinghimandsecretlydespisinghim，andthat“hewasnottherightsortofman。”HehadtriedexpoundingtohimthesystemofFourierandtheDarwiniantheory，butoflatePyotrPetrovitchbegantolistentoosarcasticallyandeventoberude。ThefactwashehadbeguninstinctivelytoguessthatLebeziatnikovwasnotmerelyacommonplacesimpleton，but，perhaps，aliar，too，andthathehadnoconnectionsofanyconsequenceeveninhisowncircle，buthadsimplypickedthingsupthird-hand；andthatverylikelyhedidnotevenknowmuchabouthisownworkofpropaganda，forhewasintoogreatamuddle。Afinepersonhewouldbetoshowanyoneup！Itmustbenoted，bytheway，thatPyotrPetrovitchhadduringthosetendayseagerlyacceptedthestrangestpraisefromAndreySemyonovitch；hehadnotprotested，forinstance，whenAndreySemyonovitchbelaudedhimforbeingreadytocontributetotheestablishmentofthenew“commune，”ortoabstainfromchristeninghisfuturechildren，ortoacquiesceifDouniaweretotakealoveramonthaftermarriage，andsoon。PyotrPetrovitchsoenjoyedhearinghisownpraisesthathedidnotdisdainevensuchvirtueswhentheywereattributedtohim。
PyotrPetrovitchhadhadoccasionthatmorningtorealisesomefive-per-centbondsandnowhesatdowntothetableandcountedoverbundlesofnotes。AndreySemyonovitchwhohardlyeverhadanymoneywalkedabouttheroompretendingtohimselftolookatallthosebanknoteswithindifferenceandevencontempt。NothingwouldhaveconvincedPyotrPetrovitchthatAndreySemyonovitchcouldreallylookonthemoneyunmoved，andthelatter，onhisside，keptthinkingbitterlythatPyotrPetrovitchwascapableofentertainingsuchanideaabouthimandwas，perhaps，gladoftheopportunityofteasinghisyoungfriendbyremindinghimofhisinferiorityandthegreatdifferencebetweenthem。
Hefoundhimincrediblyinattentiveandirritable，thoughhe，AndreySemyonovitch，beganenlargingonhisfavouritesubject，thefoundationofanewspecial“commune。”ThebriefremarksthatdroppedfromPyotrPetrovitchbetweentheclickingofthebeadsonthereckoningframebetrayedunmistakableanddiscourteousirony。Butthe“humane”AndreySemyonovitchascribedPyotrPetrovitch’sill-humourtohisrecentbreachwithDouniaandhewasburningwithimpatiencetodiscourseonthattheme。Hehadsomethingprogressivetosayonthesubjectwhichmightconsolehisworthyfriendand“couldnotfail”topromotehisdevelopment。
“Thereissomesortoffestivitybeingpreparedatthat…atthewidow’s，isn’tthere？”PyotrPetrovitchaskedsuddenly，interruptingAndreySemyonovitchatthemostinterestingpassage。
“Why，don’tyouknow？Why，IwastellingyoulastnightwhatIthinkaboutallsuchceremonies。Andsheinvitedyoutoo，Iheard。Youweretalkingtoheryesterday…”
“Ishouldneverhaveexpectedthatbeggarlyfoolwouldhavespentonthisfeastallthemoneyshegotfromthatotherfool，Raskolnikov。IwassurprisedjustnowasIcamethroughatthepreparationsthere，thewines！Severalpeopleareinvited。It’sbeyondeverything！”continuedPyotrPetrovitch，whoseemedtohavesomeobjectinpursuingtheconversation。“What？YousayIamaskedtoo？Whenwasthat？Idon’tremember。ButIshan’tgo。WhyshouldI？Ionlysaidawordtoherinpassingyesterdayofthepossibilityofherobtainingayear’ssalaryasadestitutewidowofagovernmentclerk。Isupposeshehasinvitedmeonthataccount，hasn’tshe？He-he-he！”
“Idon’tintendtogoeither，”saidLebeziatnikov。
“Ishouldthinknot，aftergivingherathrashing！Youmightwellhesitate，he-he！”
“Whothrashed？Whom？”criedLebeziatnikov，flusteredandblushing。
“Why，youthrashedKaterinaIvanovnaamonthago。Iheardsoyesterday…sothat’swhatyourconvictionsamountto…andthewomanquestion，too，wasn’tquitesound，he-he-he！”andPyotrPetrovitch，asthoughcomforted，wentbacktoclickinghisbeads。
“It’sallslanderandnonsense！”criedLebeziatnikov，whowasalwaysafraidofallusionstothesubject。“Itwasnotlikethatatall，itwasquitedifferent。You’vehearditwrong；it’salibel。Iwassimplydefendingmyself。Sherushedatmefirstwithhernails，shepulledoutallmywhiskers。…It’spermissableforanyone，Ishouldhope，todefendhimselfandIneverallowanyonetouseviolencetomeonprinciple，forit’sanactofdespotism。WhatwasItodo？Isimplypushedherback。”
“He-he-he！”Luzhinwentonlaughingmaliciously。
“Youkeeponlikethatbecauseyouareoutofhumouryourself。…Butthat’snonsenseandithasnothing，nothingwhatevertodowiththewomanquestion！Youdon’tunderstand；Iusedtothink，indeed，thatifwomenareequaltomeninallrespects，eveninstrength(asismaintainednow)thereoughttobeequalityinthat，too。Ofcourse，Ireflectedafterwardsthatsuchaquestionoughtnotreallytoarise，forthereoughtnottobefightingandinthefuturesocietyfightingisunthinkable…andthatitwouldbeaqueerthingtoseekforequalityinfighting。Iamnotsostupid…though，ofcourse，thereisfighting…therewon’tbelater，butatpresentthereis…confoundit！Howmuddledonegetswithyou！It’snotonthataccountthatIamnotgoing。Iamnotgoingonprinciple，nottotakepartintherevoltingconventionofmemorialdinners，that’swhy！Though，ofcourse，onemightgotolaughatit。…Iamsorrytherewon’tbeanypriestsatit。Ishouldcertainlygoiftherewere。”
“Thenyouwouldsitdownatanotherman’stableandinsultitandthosewhoinvitedyou。Eh？”
“Certainlynotinsult，butprotest。Ishoulddoitwithagoodobject。Imightindirectlyassistthecauseofenlightenmentandpropaganda。It’sadutyofeverymantoworkforenlightenmentandpropagandaandthemoreharshly，perhaps，thebetter。Imightdropaseed，anidea。…Andsomethingmightgrowupfromthatseed。HowshouldIbeinsultingthem？Theymightbeoffendedatfirst，butafterwardsthey’dseeI’ddonethemaservice。Youknow，Terebyeva(whoisinthecommunitynow)wasblamedbecausewhensheleftherfamilyand…devoted…herself，shewrotetoherfatherandmotherthatshewouldn’tgoonlivingconventionallyandwasenteringonafreemarriageanditwassaidthatthatwastooharsh，thatshemighthavesparedthemandhavewrittenmorekindly。Ithinkthat’sallnonsenseandthere’snoneedofsoftness；onthecontrary，what’swantedisprotest。Varentshadbeenmarriedsevenyears，sheabandonedhertwochildren，shetoldherhusbandstraightoutinaletter:‘IhaverealisedthatIcannotbehappywithyou。Icanneverforgiveyouthatyouhavedeceivedmebyconcealingfrommethatthereisanotherorganisationofsocietybymeansofthecommunities。Ihaveonlylatelylearneditfromagreat-heartedmantowhomIhavegivenmyselfandwithwhomIamestablishingacommunity。IspeakplainlybecauseIconsideritdishonesttodeceiveyou。Doasyouthinkbest。Donothopetogetmeback，youaretoolate。Ihopeyouwillbehappy。’That’showletterslikethatoughttobewritten！”
“IsthatTerebyevatheoneyousaidhadmadeathirdfreemarriage？”
“No，it’sonlythesecond，really！Butwhatifitwerethefourth，whatifitwerethefifteenth，that’sallnonsense！AndifeverIregrettedthedeathofmyfatherandmother，itisnow，andIsometimesthinkifmyparentswerelivingwhataprotestIwouldhaveaimedatthem！Iwouldhavedonesomethingonpurpose…Iwouldhaveshownthem！Iwouldhaveastonishedthem！Iamreallysorrythereisnoone！”
“Tosurprise！He-he！Well，bethatasyouwill，”PyotrPetrovitchinterrupted，“buttellmethis；doyouknowthedeadman’sdaughter，thedelicate-lookinglittlething？It’struewhattheysayabouther，isn’tit？”
“Whatofit？Ithink，thatis，itismyownpersonalconvictionthatthisisthenormalconditionofwomen。Whynot？Imean，distinguons。Inourpresentsocietyitisnotaltogethernormal，becauseitiscompulsory，butinthefuturesocietyitwillbeperfectlynormal，becauseitwillbevoluntary。Evenasitis，shewasquiteright:shewassufferingandthatwasherasset，sotospeak，hercapitalwhichshehadaperfectrighttodisposeof。Ofcourse，inthefuturesocietytherewillbenoneedofassets，butherpartwillhaveanothersignificance，rationalandinharmonywithherenvironment。AstoSofyaSemyonovnapersonally，Iregardheractionasavigorousprotestagainsttheorganisationofsociety，andIrespectherdeeplyforit；IrejoiceindeedwhenIlookather！”
“Iwastoldthatyougotherturnedoutoftheselodgings。”
Lebeziatnikovwasenraged。
“That’sanotherslander，”heyelled。“Itwasnotsoatall！ThatwasallKaterinaIvanovna’sinvention，forshedidnotunderstand！AndInevermadelovetoSofyaSemyonovna！Iwassimplydevelopingher，entirelydisinterestedly，tryingtorousehertoprotest。…AllIwantedwasherprotestandSofyaSemyonovnacouldnothaveremainedhereanyway！”
“Haveyouaskedhertojoinyourcommunity？”
“Youkeeponlaughingandveryinappropriately，allowmetotellyou。Youdon’tunderstand！Thereisnosuchroleinacommunity。Thecommunityisestablishedthatthereshouldbenosuchroles。Inacommunity，sucharoleisessentiallytransformedandwhatisstupidhereissensiblethere，what，underpresentconditions，isunnaturalbecomesperfectlynaturalinthecommunity。Italldependsontheenvironment。It’salltheenvironmentandmanhimselfisnothing。AndIamongoodtermswithSofyaSemyonovnatothisday，whichisaproofthatsheneverregardedmeashavingwrongedher。Iamtryingnowtoattracthertothecommunity，butonquite，quiteadifferentfooting。Whatareyoulaughingat？Wearetryingtoestablishacommunityofourown，aspecialone，onabroaderbasis。Wehavegonefurtherinourconvictions。Werejectmore！AndmeanwhileI’mstilldevelopingSofyaSemyonovna。Shehasabeautiful，beautifulcharacter！”
“Andyoutakeadvantageofherfinecharacter，eh？He-he！”
“No，no！Oh，no！Onthecontrary。”
“Oh，onthecontrary！He-he-he！Aqueerthingtosay！”
“Believeme！WhyshouldIdisguiseit？Infact，Ifeelitstrangemyselfhowtimid，chasteandmodernsheiswithme！”
“Andyou，ofcourse，aredevelopingher…he-he！tryingtoprovetoherthatallthatmodestyisnonsense？”
“Notatall，notatall！Howcoarsely，howstupidly—excusemesayingso—youmisunderstandtheworddevelopment！Goodheavens，how…crudeyoustillare！Wearestrivingforthefreedomofwomenandyouhaveonlyoneideainyourhead。…Settingasidethegeneralquestionofchastityandfemininemodestyasuselessinthemselvesandindeedprejudices，Ifullyacceptherchastitywithme，becausethat’sforhertodecide。Ofcourseifsheweretotellmeherselfthatshewantedme，Ishouldthinkmyselfverylucky，becauseIlikethegirlverymuch；butasitis，noonehasevertreatedhermorecourteouslythanI，withmorerespectforherdignity…Iwaitinhopes，that’sall！”
“Youhadmuchbettermakeherapresentofsomething。Ibetyouneverthoughtofthat。”
“Youdon’tunderstand，asI’vetoldyoualready！Ofcourse，sheisinsuchaposition，butit’sanotherquestion。Quiteanotherquestion！Yousimplydespiseher。Seeingafactwhichyoumistakenlyconsiderdeservingofcontempt，yourefusetotakeahumaneviewofafellowcreature。Youdon’tknowwhatacharactersheis！Iamonlysorrythatoflateshehasquitegivenupreadingandborrowingbooks。Iusedtolendthemtoher。Iamsorry，too，thatwithalltheenergyandresolutioninprotesting—whichshehasalreadyshownonce—shehaslittleself-reliance，little，sotosay，independence，soastobreakfreefromcertainprejudicesandcertainfoolishideas。Yetshethoroughlyunderstandssomequestions，forinstanceaboutkissingofhands，thatis，thatit’saninsulttoawomanforamantokissherhand，becauseit’sasignofinequality。WehadadebateaboutitandIdescribedittoher。Shelistenedattentivelytoanaccountoftheworkmen’sassociationsinFrance，too。NowIamexplainingthequestionofcomingintotheroominthefuturesociety。”
“Andwhat’sthat，pray？”
“Wehadadebatelatelyonthequestion:Hasamemberofthecommunitytherighttoenteranothermember’sroom，whethermanorwoman，atanytime…andwedecidedthathehas！”
“Itmightbeataninconvenientmoment，he-he！”
Lebeziatnikovwasreallyangry。
“Youarealwaysthinkingofsomethingunpleasant，”hecriedwithaversion。“Tfoo！HowvexedIamthatwhenIwasexpoundingoursystem，Ireferredprematurelytothequestionofpersonalprivacy！It’salwaysastumbling-blocktopeoplelikeyou，theyturnitintoridiculebeforetheyunderstandit。Andhowproudtheyareofit，too！Tfoo！I’veoftenmaintainedthatthatquestionshouldnotbeapproachedbyanovicetillhehasafirmfaithinthesystem。Andtellme，please，whatdoyoufindsoshamefulevenincesspools？Ishouldbethefirsttobereadytocleanoutanycesspoolyoulike。Andit’snotaquestionofself-sacrifice，it’ssimplywork，honourable，usefulworkwhichisasgoodasanyotherandmuchbetterthantheworkofaRaphaelandaPushkin，becauseitismoreuseful。”
“Andmorehonourable，morehonourable，he-he-he！”
“Whatdoyoumeanby‘morehonourable’？Idon’tunderstandsuchexpressionstodescribehumanactivity。‘Morehonourable，’‘nobler’—allthoseareold-fashionedprejudiceswhichIreject。Everythingwhichisofusetomankindishonourable。Ionlyunderstandoneword:useful！Youcansniggerasmuchasyoulike，butthat’sso！”
PyotrPetrovitchlaughedheartily。Hehadfinishedcountingthemoneyandwasputtingitaway。Butsomeofthenotesheleftonthetable。The“cesspoolquestion”hadalreadybeenasubjectofdisputebetweenthem。WhatwasabsurdwasthatitmadeLebeziatnikovreallyangry，whileitamusedLuzhinandatthatmomentheparticularlywantedtoangerhisyoungfriend。
“It’syourill-luckyesterdaythatmakesyousoill-humouredandannoying，”blurtedoutLebeziatnikov，whoinspiteofhis“independence”andhis“protests”didnotventuretoopposePyotrPetrovitchandstillbehavedtohimwithsomeoftherespecthabitualinearlieryears。
“You’dbettertellmethis，”PyotrPetrovitchinterruptedwithhaughtydispleasure，“canyou…orratherareyoureallyfriendlyenoughwiththatyoungpersontoaskhertostepinhereforaminute？Ithinkthey’veallcomebackfromthecemetery…Iheardthesoundofsteps…Iwanttoseeher，thatyoungperson。”
“Whatfor？”Lebeziatnikovaskedwithsurprise。
“Oh，Iwantto。Iamleavinghereto-dayorto-morrowandthereforeIwantedtospeaktoherabout…However，youmaybepresentduringtheinterview。It’sbetteryoushouldbe，indeed。Forthere’snoknowingwhatyoumightimagine。”
“Ishan’timagineanything。Ionlyaskedand，ifyou’veanythingtosaytoher，nothingiseasierthantocallherin。I’llgodirectlyandyoumaybesureIwon’tbeinyourway。”
FiveminuteslaterLebeziatnikovcameinwithSonia。Shecameinverymuchsurprisedandovercomewithshynessasusual。Shewasalwaysshyinsuchcircumstancesandwasalwaysafraidofnewpeople，shehadbeenasachildandwasevenmoresonow。…PyotrPetrovitchmether“politelyandaffably，”butwithacertainshadeofbanteringfamiliaritywhichinhisopinionwassuitableforamanofhisrespectabilityandweightindealingwithacreaturesoyoungandsointerestingasshe。Hehastenedto“reassure”herandmadehersitdownfacinghimatthetable。Soniasatdown，lookedabouther—atLebeziatnikov，atthenoteslyingonthetableandthenagainatPyotrPetrovitchandhereyesremainedrivetedonhim。Lebeziatnikovwasmovingtothedoor。PyotrPetrovitchsignedtoSoniatoremainseatedandstoppedLebeziatnikov。
“IsRaskolnikovinthere？Hashecome？”heaskedhiminawhisper。
“Raskolnikov？Yes。Why？Yes，heisthere。Isawhimjustcomein。…Why？”
“Well，Iparticularlybegyoutoremainherewithusandnottoleavemealonewiththis…youngwoman。Ionlywantafewwordswithher，butGodknowswhattheymaymakeofit。Ishouldn’tlikeRaskolnikovtorepeatanything。…YouunderstandwhatImean？”
“Iunderstand！”Lebeziatnikovsawthepoint。“Yes，youareright。…Ofcourse，Iamconvincedpersonallythatyouhavenoreasontobeuneasy，but…still，youareright。CertainlyI’llstay。I’llstandhereatthewindowandnotbeinyourway…Ithinkyouareright…”
PyotrPetrovitchreturnedtothesofa，satdownoppositeSonia，lookedattentivelyatherandassumedanextremelydignified，evensevereexpression，asmuchastosay，“don’tyoumakeanymistake，madam。”Soniawasoverwhelmedwithembarrassment。
“Inthefirstplace，SofyaSemyonovna，willyoumakemyexcusestoyourrespectedmamma。…That’sright，isn’tit？KaterinaIvanovnastandsintheplaceofamothertoyou？”PyotrPetrovitchbeganwithgreatdignity，thoughaffably。
Itwasevidentthathisintentionswerefriendly。
“Quiteso，yes；theplaceofamother，”Soniaanswered，timidlyandhurriedly。
“Thenwillyoumakemyapologiestoher？ThroughinevitablecircumstancesIamforcedtobeabsentandshallnotbeatthedinnerinspiteofyourmamma’skindinvitation。”
“Yes…I’lltellher…atonce。”
AndSoniahastilyjumpedupfromherseat。
“Wait，that’snotall，”PyotrPetrovitchdetainedher，smilingathersimplicityandignoranceofgoodmanners，“andyouknowmelittle，mydearSofyaSemyonovna，ifyousupposeIwouldhaveventuredtotroubleapersonlikeyouforamatterofsolittleconsequenceaffectingmyselfonly。Ihaveanotherobject。”
Soniasatdownhurriedly。Hereyesrestedagainforaninstantonthegrey-and-rainbow-colourednotesthatremainedonthetable，butshequicklylookedawayandfixedhereyesonPyotrPetrovitch。Shefeltithorriblyindecorous，especiallyforher，tolookatanotherperson’smoney。Shestaredatthegoldeye-glasswhichPyotrPetrovitchheldinhislefthandandatthemassiveandextremelyhandsomeringwithayellowstoneonhismiddlefinger。Butsuddenlyshelookedawayand，notknowingwheretoturn，endedbystaringPyotrPetrovitchagainstraightintheface。Afterapauseofstillgreaterdignityhecontinued。
“IchancedyesterdayinpassingtoexchangeacoupleofwordswithKaterinaIvanovna，poorwoman。Thatwassufficienttoenablemetoascertainthatsheisinaposition—preternatural，ifonemaysoexpressit。”
“Yes…preternatural…”Soniahurriedlyassented。
“Oritwouldbesimplerandmorecomprehensibletosay，ill。”
“Yes，simplerandmorecomprehen…yes，ill。”
“Quiteso。Sothenfromafeelingofhumanityandsotospeakcompassion，Ishouldbegladtobeofservicetoherinanyway，foreseeingherunfortunateposition。Ibelievethewholeofthispoverty-strickenfamilydependsnowentirelyonyou？”
“Allowmetoask，”Soniarosetoherfeet，“didyousaysomethingtoheryesterdayofthepossibilityofapension？Becauseshetoldmeyouhadundertakentogetherone。Wasthattrue？”
“Notintheslightest，andindeedit’sanabsurdity！Imerelyhintedatherobtainingtemporaryassistanceasthewidowofanofficialwhohaddiedintheservice—ifonlyshehaspatronage…butapparentlyyourlateparenthadnotservedhisfulltermandhadnotindeedbeenintheserviceatalloflate。Infact，iftherecouldbeanyhope，itwouldbeveryephemeral，becausetherewouldbenoclaimforassistanceinthatcase，farfromit。…Andsheisdreamingofapensionalready，he-he-he！…Ago-aheadlady！”
“Yes，sheis。Forsheiscredulousandgood-hearted，andshebelieveseverythingfromthegoodnessofherheartand…and…andsheislikethat…yes…Youmustexcuseher，”saidSonia，andagainshegotuptogo。
“Butyouhaven’theardwhatIhavetosay。”
“No，Ihaven’theard，”mutteredSonia。
“Thensitdown。”Shewasterriblyconfused；shesatdownagainathirdtime。
“Seeingherpositionwithherunfortunatelittleones，Ishouldbeglad，asIhavesaidbefore，sofarasliesinmypower，tobeofservice，thatis，sofarasisinmypower，notmore。Onemightforinstancegetupasubscriptionforher，oralottery，somethingofthesort，suchasisalwaysarrangedinsuchcasesbyfriendsorevenoutsidersdesirousofassistingpeople。ItwasofthatIintendedtospeaktoyou；itmightbedone。”
“Yes，yes…Godwillrepayyouforit，”falteredSonia，gazingintentlyatPyotrPetrovitch。
“Itmightbe，butwewilltalkofitlater。Wemightbeginitto-day，wewilltalkitoverthiseveningandlaythefoundationsotospeak。Cometomeatseveno’clock。Mr。Lebeziatnikov，Ihope，willassistus。ButthereisonecircumstanceofwhichIoughttowarnyoubeforehandandforwhichIventuretotroubleyou，SofyaSemyonovna，tocomehere。Inmyopinionmoneycannotbe，indeedit’sunsafetoputitintoKaterinaIvanovna’sownhands。Thedinnerto-dayisaproofofthat。Thoughshehasnot，sotospeak，acrustofbreadforto-morrowand…well，bootsorshoes，oranything；shehasboughtto-dayJamaicarum，andeven，Ibelieve，Madeiraand…andcoffee。IsawitasIpassedthrough。To-morrowitwillallfalluponyouagain，theywon’thaveacrustofbread。It’sabsurd，really，andso，tomythinking，asubscriptionoughttoberaisedsothattheunhappywidowshouldnotknowofthemoney，butonlyyou，forinstance。AmIright？”
“Idon’tknow…thisisonlyto-day，onceinherlife。…Shewassoanxioustodohonour，tocelebratethememory。…Andsheisverysensible…butjustasyouthinkandIshallbevery，very…theywillallbe…andGodwillreward…andtheorphans…”
Soniaburstintotears。
“Verywell，then，keepitinmind；andnowwillyouacceptforthebenefitofyourrelationthesmallsumthatIamabletospare，frommepersonally。Iamveryanxiousthatmynameshouldnotbementionedinconnectionwithit。Here…havingsotospeakanxietiesofmyown，Icannotdomore…”
AndPyotrPetrovitchheldouttoSoniaaten-roublenotecarefullyunfolded。Soniatookit，flushedcrimson，jumpedup，mutteredsomethingandbegantakingleave。PyotrPetrovitchaccompaniedherceremoniouslytothedoor。Shegotoutoftheroomatlast，agitatedanddistressed，andreturnedtoKaterinaIvanovna，overwhelmedwithconfusion。
AllthistimeLebeziatnikovhadstoodatthewindoworwalkedabouttheroom，anxiousnottointerrupttheconversation；whenSoniahadgonehewalkeduptoPyotrPetrovitchandsolemnlyheldouthishand。
“Iheardandsaweverything，”hesaid，layingstressonthelastverb。“Thatishonourable，Imeantosay，it’shumane！Youwantedtoavoidgratitude，Isaw！AndalthoughIcannot，Iconfess，inprinciplesympathisewithprivatecharity，foritnotonlyfailstoeradicatetheevilbutevenpromotesit，yetImustadmitthatIsawyouractionwithpleasure—yes，yes，Ilikeit。”
“That’sallnonsense，”mutteredPyotrPetrovitch，somewhatdisconcerted，lookingcarefullyatLebeziatnikov。
“No，it’snotnonsense！Amanwhohassuffereddistressandannoyanceasyoudidyesterdayandwhoyetcansympathisewiththemiseryofothers，suchaman…eventhoughheismakingasocialmistake—isstilldeservingofrespect！Ididnotexpectitindeedofyou，PyotrPetrovitch，especiallyasaccordingtoyourideas…oh，whatadrawbackyourideasaretoyou！Howdistressedyouareforinstancebyyourill-luckyesterday，”criedthesimple-heartedLebeziatnikov，whofeltareturnofaffectionforPyotrPetrovitch。“And，whatdoyouwantwithmarriage，withlegalmarriage，mydear，noblePyotrPetrovitch？Whydoyouclingtothislegalityofmarriage？Well，youmaybeatmeifyoulike，butIamglad，positivelygladithasn’tcomeoff，thatyouarefree，thatyouarenotquitelostforhumanity。…yousee，I’vespokenmymind！”
“BecauseIdon’twantinyourfreemarriagetobemadeafoolofandtobringupanotherman’schildren，that’swhyIwantlegalmarriage，”Luzhinrepliedinordertomakesomeanswer。
Heseemedpreoccupiedbysomething。
“Children？Youreferredtochildren，”Lebeziatnikovstartedofflikeawarhorseatthetrumpetcall。“Childrenareasocialquestionandaquestionoffirstimportance，Iagree；butthequestionofchildrenhasanothersolution。Somerefusetohavechildrenaltogether，becausetheysuggesttheinstitutionofthefamily。We’llspeakofchildrenlater，butnowastothequestionofhonour，Iconfessthat’smyweakpoint。Thathorrid，military，Pushkinexpressionisunthinkableinthedictionaryofthefuture。Whatdoesitmeanindeed？It’snonsense，therewillbenodeceptioninafreemarriage！Thatisonlythenaturalconsequenceofalegalmarriage，sotosay，itscorrective，aprotest。Sothatindeedit’snothumiliating…andifIever，tosupposeanabsurdity，weretobelegallymarried，Ishouldbepositivelygladofit。Ishouldsaytomywife:‘Mydear，hithertoIhavelovedyou，nowIrespectyou，foryou’veshownyoucanprotest！’Youlaugh！That’sbecauseyouareofincapableofgettingawayfromprejudices。Confounditall！Iunderstandnowwheretheunpleasantnessisofbeingdeceivedinalegalmarriage，butit’ssimplyadespicableconsequenceofadespicablepositioninwhichbotharehumiliated。Whenthedeceptionisopen，asinafreemarriage，thenitdoesnotexist，it’sunthinkable。Yourwifewillonlyprovehowsherespectsyoubyconsideringyouincapableofopposingherhappinessandavengingyourselfonherforhernewhusband。Damnitall！IsometimesdreamifIweretobemarried，pfoo！ImeanifIweretomarry，legallyornot，it’sjustthesame，Ishouldpresentmywifewithaloverifshehadnotfoundoneforherself。‘Mydear，’Ishouldsay，‘Iloveyou，butevenmorethanthatIdesireyoutorespectme。See！’AmInotright？”
PyotrPetrovitchsniggeredashelistened，butwithoutmuchmerriment。Hehardlyhearditindeed。HewaspreoccupiedwithsomethingelseandevenLebeziatnikovatlastnoticedit。PyotrPetrovitchseemedexcitedandrubbedhishands。Lebeziatnikovrememberedallthisandreflecteduponitafterwards。
ItwouldbedifficulttoexplainexactlywhatcouldhaveoriginatedtheideaofthatsenselessdinnerinKaterinaIvanovna’sdisorderedbrain。Nearlytenofthetwentyroubles，givenbyRaskolnikovforMarmeladov’sfuneral，werewasteduponit。PossiblyKaterinaIvanovnafeltobligedtohonourthememoryofthedeceased“suitably，”thatallthelodgers，andstillmoreAmaliaIvanovna，mightknow“thathewasinnowaytheirinferior，andperhapsverymuchtheirsuperior，”andthatnoonehadtheright“toturnuphisnoseathim。”Perhapsthechiefelementwasthatpeculiar“poorman’spride，”whichcompelsmanypoorpeopletospendtheirlastsavingsonsometraditionalsocialceremony，simplyinordertodo“likeotherpeople，”andnotto“belookeddownupon。”Itisveryprobable，too，thatKaterinaIvanovnalongedonthisoccasion，atthemomentwhensheseemedtobeabandonedbyeveryone，toshowthose“wretchedcontemptiblelodgers”thatsheknew“howtodothings，howtoentertain”andthatshehadbeenbroughtup“inagenteel，shemightalmostsayaristocraticcolonel’sfamily”andhadnotbeenmeantforsweepingfloorsandwashingthechildren’sragsatnight。Eventhepoorestandmostbroken-spiritedpeoplearesometimesliabletotheseparoxysmsofprideandvanitywhichtaketheformofanirresistiblenervouscraving。AndKaterinaIvanovnawasnotbroken-spirited；shemighthavebeenkilledbycircumstance，butherspiritcouldnothavebeenbroken，thatis，shecouldnothavebeenintimidated，herwillcouldnotbecrushed。MoreoverSoniahadsaidwithgoodreasonthathermindwasunhinged。Shecouldnotbesaidtobeinsane，butforayearpastshehadbeensoharassedthathermindmightwellbeoverstrained。Thelaterstagesofconsumptionareapt，doctorstellus，toaffecttheintellect。
Therewasnogreatvarietyofwines，norwasthereMadeira；butwinetherewas。Therewasvodka，rumandLisbonwine，allofthepoorestqualitybutinsufficientquantity。Besidesthetraditionalriceandhoney，therewerethreeorfourdishes，oneofwhichconsistedofpancakes，allpreparedinAmaliaIvanovna’skitchen。Twosamovarswereboiling，thatteaandpunchmightbeofferedafterdinner。KaterinaIvanovnahadherselfseentopurchasingtheprovisions，withthehelpofoneofthelodgers，anunfortunatelittlePolewhohadsomehowbeenstrandedatMadameLippevechsel’s。HepromptlyputhimselfatKaterinaIvanovna’sdisposalandhadbeenallthatmorningandallthedaybeforerunningaboutasfastashislegscouldcarryhim，andveryanxiousthateveryoneshouldbeawareofit。ForeverytrifleherantoKaterinaIvanovna，evenhuntingheroutatthebazaar，ateveryinstantcalledher“Pani。”Shewasheartilysickofhimbeforetheend，thoughshehaddeclaredatfirstthatshecouldnothavegotonwithoutthis“serviceableandmagnanimousman。”ItwasoneofKaterinaIvanovna’scharacteristicstopainteveryoneshemetinthemostglowingcolours。Herpraisesweresoexaggeratedassometimestobeembarrassing；shewouldinventvariouscircumstancestothecreditofhernewacquaintanceandquitegenuinelybelieveintheirreality。Thenallofasuddenshewouldbedisillusionedandwouldrudelyandcontemptuouslyrepulsethepersonshehadonlyafewhoursbeforebeenliterallyadoring。Shewasnaturallyofagay，livelyandpeace-lovingdisposition，butfromcontinualfailuresandmisfortunesshehadcometodesiresokeenlythatallshouldliveinpeaceandjoyandshouldnotdaretobreakthepeace，thattheslightestjar，thesmallestdisasterreducedheralmosttofrenzy，andshewouldpassinaninstantfromthebrightesthopesandfanciestocursingherfateandraving，andknockingherheadagainstthewall。
AmaliaIvanovna，too，suddenlyacquiredextraordinaryimportanceinKaterinaIvanovna’seyesandwastreatedbyherwithextraordinaryrespect，probablyonlybecauseAmaliaIvanovnahadthrownherselfheartandsoulintothepreparations。Shehadundertakentolaythetable，toprovidethelinen，crockery，etc。，andtocookthedishesinherkitchen，andKaterinaIvanovnahadleftitallinherhandsandgoneherselftothecemetery。Everythinghadbeenwelldone。Eventhetable-clothwasnearlyclean；thecrockery，knives，forksandglasseswere，ofcourse，ofallshapesandpatterns，lentbydifferentlodgers，butthetablewasproperlylaidatthetimefixed，andAmaliaIvanovna，feelingshehaddoneherworkwell，hadputonablacksilkdressandacapwithnewmourningribbonsandmetthereturningpartywithsomepride。Thispride，thoughjustifiable，displeasedKaterinaIvanovnaforsomereason:“asthoughthetablecouldnothavebeenlaidexceptbyAmaliaIvanovna！”Shedislikedthecapwithnewribbons，too。“Couldshebestuckup，thestupidGerman，becauseshewasmistressofthehouse，andhadconsentedasafavourtohelpherpoorlodgers！Asafavour！Fancythat！KaterinaIvanovna’sfatherwhohadbeenacolonelandalmostagovernorhadsometimeshadthetablesetforfortypersons，andthenanyonelikeAmaliaIvanovna，orratherLudwigovna，wouldnothavebeenallowedintothekitchen。”
KaterinaIvanovna，however，putoffexpressingherfeelingsforthetimeandcontentedherselfwithtreatinghercoldly，thoughshedecidedinwardlythatshewouldcertainlyhavetoputAmaliaIvanovnadownandsetherinherproperplace，forgoodnessonlyknewwhatshewasfancyingherself。KaterinaIvanovnawasirritatedtoobythefactthathardlyanyofthelodgersinvitedhadcometothefuneral，exceptthePolewhohadjustmanagedtorunintothecemetery，whiletothememorialdinnerthepoorestandmostinsignificantofthemhadturnedup，thewretchedcreatures，manyofthemnotquitesober。Theolderandmorerespectableofthemall，asifbycommonconsent，stayedaway。PyotrPetrovitchLuzhin，forinstance，whomightbesaidtobethemostrespectableofallthelodgers，didnotappear，thoughKaterinaIvanovnahadtheeveningbeforetoldalltheworld，thatisAmaliaIvanovna，Polenka，SoniaandthePole，thathewasthemostgenerous，noble-heartedmanwithalargepropertyandvastconnections，whohadbeenafriendofherfirsthusband’s，andaguestinherfather’shouse，andthathehadpromisedtouseallhisinfluencetosecureheraconsiderablepension。ItmustbenotedthatwhenKaterinaIvanovnaexaltedanyone’sconnectionsandfortune，itwaswithoutanyulteriormotive，quitedisinterestedly，forthemerepleasureofaddingtotheconsequenceofthepersonpraised。Probably“takinghiscue”fromLuzhin，“thatcontemptiblewretchLebeziatnikovhadnotturnedupeither。Whatdidhefancyhimself？HewasonlyaskedoutofkindnessandbecausehewassharingthesameroomwithPyotrPetrovitchandwasafriendofhis，sothatitwouldhavebeenawkwardnottoinvitehim。”
Amongthosewhofailedtoappearwere“thegenteelladyandherold-maidishdaughter，”whohadonlybeenlodgersinthehouseforthelastfortnight，buthadseveraltimescomplainedofthenoiseanduproarinKaterinaIvanovna’sroom，especiallywhenMarmeladovhadcomebackdrunk。KaterinaIvanovnaheardthisfromAmaliaIvanovnawho，quarrellingwithKaterinaIvanovna，andthreateningtoturnthewholefamilyoutofdoors，hadshoutedatherthatthey“werenotworththefoot”ofthehonourablelodgerswhomtheyweredisturbing。KaterinaIvanovnadeterminednowtoinvitethisladyandherdaughter，“whosefootshewasnotworth，”andwhohadturnedawayhaughtilywhenshecasuallymetthem，sothattheymightknowthat“shewasmorenobleinherthoughtsandfeelingsanddidnotharbourmalice，”andmightseethatshewasnotaccustomedtoherwayofliving。Shehadproposedtomakethiscleartothematdinnerwithallusionstoherlatefather’sgovernorship，andalsoatthesametimetohintthatitwasexceedinglystupidofthemtoturnawayonmeetingher。Thefatcolonel-major(hewasreallyadischargedofficeroflowrank)wasalsoabsent，butitappearedthathehadbeen“nothimself”forthelasttwodays。ThepartyconsistedofthePole，awretchedlookingclerkwithaspottyfaceandagreasycoat，whohadnotawordtosayforhimself，andsmeltabominably，adeafandalmostblindoldmanwhohadoncebeeninthepostofficeandwhohadbeenfromimmemorialagesmaintainedbysomeoneatAmaliaIvanovna’s。
Aretiredclerkofthecommissariatdepartmentcame，too；hewasdrunk，hadaloudandmostunseemlylaughandonlyfancy—waswithoutawaistcoat！OneofthevisitorssatstraightdowntothetablewithoutevengreetingKaterinaIvanovna。Finallyonepersonhavingnosuitappearedinhisdressing-gown，butthiswastoomuch，andtheeffortsofAmaliaIvanovnaandthePolesucceededinremovinghim。ThePolebroughtwithhim，however，twootherPoleswhodidnotliveatAmaliaIvanovna’sandwhomnoonehadseenherebefore。AllthisirritatedKaterinaIvanovnaintensely。“Forwhomhadtheymadeallthesepreparationsthen？”Tomakeroomforthevisitorsthechildrenhadnotevenbeenlaidforatthetable；butthetwolittleonesweresittingonabenchinthefurthestcornerwiththeirdinnerlaidonabox，whilePolenkaasabiggirlhadtolookafterthem，feedthem，andkeeptheirnoseswipedlikewell-bredchildren’s。
KaterinaIvanovna，infact，couldhardlyhelpmeetingherguestswithincreaseddignity，andevenhaughtiness。Shestaredatsomeofthemwithspecialseverity，andloftilyinvitedthemtotaketheirseats。RushingtotheconclusionthatAmaliaIvanovnamustberesponsibleforthosewhowereabsent，shebegantreatingherwithextremenonchalance，whichthelatterpromptlyobservedandresented。Suchabeginningwasnogoodomenfortheend。Allwereseatedatlast。
Raskolnikovcameinalmostatthemomentoftheirreturnfromthecemetery。KaterinaIvanovnawasgreatlydelightedtoseehim，inthefirstplace，becausehewastheone“educatedvisitor，and，aseveryoneknew，wasintwoyearstotakeaprofessorshipintheuniversity，”andsecondlybecauseheimmediatelyandrespectfullyapologisedforhavingbeenunabletobeatthefuneral。Shepositivelypounceduponhim，andmadehimsitonherlefthand(AmaliaIvanovnawasonherright)。Inspiteofhercontinualanxietythatthedishesshouldbepassedroundcorrectlyandthateveryoneshouldtastethem，inspiteoftheagonisingcoughwhichinterruptedhereveryminuteandseemedtohavegrownworseduringthelastfewdays，shehastenedtopouroutinahalfwhispertoRaskolnikovallhersuppressedfeelingsandherjustindignationatthefailureofthedinner，interspersingherremarkswithlivelyanduncontrollablelaughterattheexpenseofhervisitorsandespeciallyofherlandlady。
“It’sallthatcuckoo’sfault！YouknowwhomImean？Her，her！”KaterinaIvanovnanoddedtowardsthelandlady。“Lookather，she’smakingroundeyes，shefeelsthatwearetalkingaboutherandcan’tunderstand。Pfoo，theowl！Ha-ha！(Cough-cough-cough。)Andwhatdoessheputonthatcapfor？(Cough-cough-cough。)Haveyounoticedthatshewantseveryonetoconsiderthatsheispatronisingmeanddoingmeanhonourbybeinghere？Iaskedherlikeasensiblewomantoinvitepeople，especiallythosewhoknewmylatehusband，andlookatthesetoffoolsshehasbrought！Thesweeps！Lookatthatonewiththespottyface。AndthosewretchedPoles，ha-ha-ha！(Cough-cough-cough。)Notoneofthemhaseverpokedhisnoseinhere，I’veneverseteyesonthem。Whathavetheycomeherefor，Iaskyou？Theretheysitinarow。Hey，pan！”shecriedsuddenlytooneofthem，“haveyoutastedthepancakes？Takesomemore！Havesomebeer！Won’tyouhavesomevodka？Look，he’sjumpedupandismakinghisbows，theymustbequitestarved，poorthings。Nevermind，letthemeat！Theydon’tmakeanoise，anyway，thoughI’mreallyafraidforourlandlady’ssilverspoons…AmaliaIvanovna！”sheaddressedhersuddenly，almostaloud，“ifyourspoonsshouldhappentobestolen，Iwon’tberesponsible，Iwarnyou！Ha-ha-ha！”ShelaughedturningtoRaskolnikov，andagainnoddingtowardsthelandlady，inhighgleeathersally。“Shedidn’tunderstand，shedidn’tunderstandagain！Lookhowshesitswithhermouthopen！Anowl，arealowl！Anowlinnewribbons，ha-ha-ha！”
Hereherlaughturnedagaintoaninsufferablefitofcoughingthatlastedfiveminutes。Dropsofperspirationstoodoutonherforeheadandherhandkerchiefwasstainedwithblood。SheshowedRaskolnikovthebloodinsilence，andassoonasshecouldgetherbreathbeganwhisperingtohimagainwithextremeanimationandahecticflushonhercheeks。
“Doyouknow，Igaveherthemostdelicateinstructions，sotospeak，forinvitingthatladyandherdaughter，youunderstandofwhomIamspeaking？Itneededtheutmostdelicacy，thegreatestnicety，butshehasmanagedthingssothatthatfool，thatconceitedbaggage，thatprovincialnonentity，simplybecausesheisthewidowofamajor，andhascometotryandgetapensionandtofrayoutherskirtsinthegovernmentoffices，becauseatfiftyshepaintsherface(everybodyknowsit)…acreaturelikethatdidnotthinkfittocome，andhasnotevenansweredtheinvitation，whichthemostordinarygoodmannersrequired！Ican’tunderstandwhyPyotrPetrovitchhasnotcome？Butwhere’sSonia？Wherehasshegone？Ah，theresheisatlast！whatisit，Sonia，wherehaveyoubeen？It’soddthatevenatyourfather’sfuneralyoushouldbesounpunctual。RodionRomanovitch，makeroomforherbesideyou。That’syourplace，Sonia…takewhatyoulike。Havesomeofthecoldentreewithjelly，that’sthebest。They’llbringthepancakesdirectly。Havetheygiventhechildrensome？Polenka，haveyougoteverything？(Cough-cough-cough。)That’sallright。Beagoodgirl，Lida，and，Kolya，don’tfidgetwithyourfeet；sitlikealittlegentleman。Whatareyousaying，Sonia？”
SoniahastenedtogiveherPyotrPetrovitch’sapologies，tryingtospeakloudenoughforeveryonetohearandcarefullychoosingthemostrespectfulphraseswhichsheattributedtoPyotrPetrovitch。SheaddedthatPyotrPetrovitchhadparticularlytoldhertosaythat，assoonashepossiblycould，hewouldcomeimmediatelytodiscussbusinessalonewithherandtoconsiderwhatcouldbedoneforher，etc。，etc。
SoniaknewthatthiswouldcomfortKaterinaIvanovna，wouldflatterherandgratifyherpride。ShesatdownbesideRaskolnikov；shemadehimahurriedbow，glancingcuriouslyathim。Butfortherestofthetimesheseemedtoavoidlookingathimorspeakingtohim。Sheseemedabsent-minded，thoughshekeptlookingatKaterinaIvanovna，tryingtopleaseher。NeithershenorKaterinaIvanovnahadbeenabletogetmourning；Soniawaswearingdarkbrown，andKaterinaIvanovnahadonheronlydress，adarkstripedcottonone。
ThemessagefromPyotrPetrovitchwasverysuccessful。ListeningtoSoniawithdignity，KaterinaIvanovnainquiredwithequaldignityhowPyotrPetrovitchwas，thenatoncewhisperedalmostaloudtoRaskolnikovthatitcertainlywouldhavebeenstrangeforamanofPyotrPetrovitch’spositionandstandingtofindhimselfinsuch“extraordinarycompany，”inspiteofhisdevotiontoherfamilyandhisoldfriendshipwithherfather。
“That’swhyIamsogratefultoyou，RodionRomanovitch，thatyouhavenotdisdainedmyhospitality，eveninsuchsurroundings，”sheaddedalmostaloud。“ButIamsurethatitwasonlyyourspecialaffectionformypoorhusbandthathasmadeyoukeepyourpromise。”
Thenoncemorewithprideanddignityshescannedhervisitors，andsuddenlyinquiredaloudacrossthetableofthedeafman:“Wouldn’thehavesomemoremeat，andhadhebeengivensomewine？”Theoldmanmadenoanswerandforalongwhilecouldnotunderstandwhathewasasked，thoughhisneighboursamusedthemselvesbypokingandshakinghim。Hesimplygazedabouthimwithhismouthopen，whichonlyincreasedthegeneralmirth。
“Whatanimbecile！Look，look！Whywashebrought？ButastoPyotrPetrovitch，Ialwayshadconfidenceinhim，”KaterinaIvanovnacontinued，“and，ofcourse，heisnotlike…”withanextremelysternfacesheaddressedAmaliaIvanovnasosharplyandloudlythatthelatterwasquitedisconcerted，“notlikeyourdressedupdraggletailswhommyfatherwouldnothavetakenascooksintohiskitchen，andmylatehusbandwouldhavedonethemhonourifhehadinvitedtheminthegoodnessofhisheart。”
“Yes，hewasfondofdrink，hewasfondofit，hediddrink！”criedthecommissariatclerk，gulpingdownhistwelfthglassofvodka。
“Mylatehusbandcertainlyhadthatweakness，andeveryoneknowsit，”KaterinaIvanovnaattackedhimatonce，“buthewasakindandhonourableman，wholovedandrespectedhisfamily。Theworstofitwashisgoodnaturemadehimtrustallsortsofdisreputablepeople，andhedrankwithfellowswhowerenotworththesoleofhisshoe。Wouldyoubelieveit，RodionRomanovitch，theyfoundagingerbreadcockinhispocket；hewasdeaddrunk，buthedidnotforgetthechildren！”
“Acock？Didyousayacock？”shoutedthecommissariatclerk。
KaterinaIvanovnadidnotvouchsafeareply。Shesighed，lostinthought。
“Nodoubtyouthink，likeeveryone，thatIwastooseverewithhim，”shewenton，addressingRaskolnikov。“Butthat’snotso！Herespectedme，herespectedmeverymuch！Hewasakind-heartedman！AndhowsorryIwasforhimsometimes！Hewouldsitinacornerandlookatme，Iusedtofeelsosorryforhim，Iusedtowanttobekindtohimandthenwouldthinktomyself:‘Bekindtohimandhewilldrinkagain，’itwasonlybyseveritythatyoucouldkeephimwithinbounds。”
“Yes，heusedtogethishairpulledprettyoften，”roaredthecommissariatclerkagain，swallowinganotherglassofvodka。
“Somefoolswouldbethebetterforagooddrubbing，aswellashavingtheirhairpulled。Iamnottalkingofmylatehusbandnow！”KaterinaIvanovnasnappedathim。
Theflushonhercheeksgrewmoreandmoremarked，herchestheaved。Inanotherminuteshewouldhavebeenreadytomakeascene。Manyofthevisitorsweresniggering，evidentlydelighted。Theybeganpokingthecommissariatclerkandwhisperingsomethingtohim。Theywereevidentlytryingtoegghimon。
“Allowmetoaskwhatareyoualludingto，”begantheclerk，“thatistosay，whose…aboutwhom…didyousayjustnow…ButIdon’tcare！That’snonsense！Widow！Iforgiveyou。…Pass！”
Andhetookanotherdrinkofvodka。
Raskolnikovsatinsilence，listeningwithdisgust。Heonlyatefrompoliteness，justtastingthefoodthatKaterinaIvanovnawascontinuallyputtingonhisplate，toavoidhurtingherfeelings。HewatchedSoniaintently。ButSoniabecamemoreandmoreanxiousanddistressed；she，too，foresawthatthedinnerwouldnotendpeaceably，andsawwithterrorKaterinaIvanovna’sgrowingirritation。Sheknewthatshe，Sonia，wasthechiefreasonforthe‘genteel’ladies’contemptuoustreatmentofKaterinaIvanovna’sinvitation。ShehadheardfromAmaliaIvanovnathatthemotherwaspositivelyoffendedattheinvitationandhadaskedthequestion:“Howcouldsheletherdaughtersitdownbesidethatyoungperson？”SoniahadafeelingthatKaterinaIvanovnahadalreadyheardthisandaninsulttoSoniameantmoretoKaterinaIvanovnathananinsulttoherself，herchildren，orherfather，SoniaknewthatKaterinaIvanovnawouldnotbesatisfiednow，“tillshehadshownthosedraggletailsthattheywereboth…”TomakemattersworsesomeonepassedSonia，fromtheotherendofthetable，aplatewithtwoheartspiercedwithanarrow，cutoutofblackbread。KaterinaIvanovnaflushedcrimsonandatoncesaidaloudacrossthetablethatthemanwhosentitwas“adrunkenass！”
AmaliaIvanovnawasforeseeingsomethingamiss，andatthesametimedeeplywoundedbyKaterinaIvanovna’shaughtiness，andtorestorethegood-humourofthecompanyandraiseherselfintheiresteemshebegan，aproposofnothing，tellingastoryaboutanacquaintanceofhers“Karlfromthechemist’s，”whowasdrivingonenightinacab，andthat“thecabmanwantedhimtokill，andKarlverymuchbeggedhimnottokill，andweptandclaspedhands，andfrightenedandfromfearpiercedhisheart。”ThoughKaterinaIvanovnasmiled，sheobservedatoncethatAmaliaIvanovnaoughtnottotellanecdotesinRussian；thelatterwasstillmoreoffended，andsheretortedthather“VaterausBerlinwasaveryimportantman，andalwayswentwithhishandsinpockets。”KaterinaIvanovnacouldnotrestrainherselfandlaughedsomuchthatAmaliaIvanovnalostpatienceandcouldscarcelycontrolherself。
“Listentotheowl！”KaterinaIvanovnawhisperedatonce，hergood-humouralmostrestored，“shemeanttosayhekepthishandsinhispockets，butshesaidheputhishandsinpeople’spockets。(Cough-cough。)Andhaveyounoticed，RodionRomanovitch，thatallthesePetersburgforeigners，theGermansespecially，areallstupiderthanwe！Canyoufancyanyoneofustellinghow‘Karlfromthechemist’s’‘piercedhisheartfromfear’andthattheidiot，insteadofpunishingthecabman，‘claspedhishandsandwept，andmuchbegged。’Ah，thefool！Andyouknowshefanciesit’sverytouchinganddoesnotsuspecthowstupidsheis！Tomythinkingthatdrunkencommissariatclerkisagreatdealcleverer，anywayonecanseethathehasaddledhisbrainswithdrink，butyouknow，theseforeignersarealwayssowellbehavedandserious。…Lookhowshesitsglaring！Sheisangry，ha-ha！(Cough-cough-cough。)”
Regaininghergood-humour，KaterinaIvanovnabeganatoncetellingRaskolnikovthatwhenshehadobtainedherpension，sheintendedtoopenaschoolforthedaughtersofgentlemeninhernativetownT——。Thiswasthefirsttimeshehadspokentohimoftheproject，andshelaunchedoutintothemostalluringdetails。ItsuddenlyappearedthatKaterinaIvanovnahadinherhandstheverycertificateofhonourofwhichMarmeladovhadspokentoRaskolnikovinthetavern，whenhetoldhimthatKaterinaIvanovna，hiswife，haddancedtheshawldancebeforethegovernorandothergreatpersonagesonleavingschool。ThiscertificateofhonourwasobviouslyintendednowtoproveKaterinaIvanovna’srighttoopenaboarding-school；butshehadarmedherselfwithitchieflywiththeobjectofoverwhelming“thosetwostuck-updraggletails”iftheycametothedinner，andprovingincontestablythatKaterinaIvanovnawasofthemostnoble，“shemightevensayaristocraticfamily，acolonel’sdaughterandwasfarsuperiortocertainadventuresseswhohavebeensomuchtotheforeoflate。”Thecertificateofhonourimmediatelypassedintothehandsofthedrunkenguests，andKaterinaIvanovnadidnottrytoretainit，foritactuallycontainedthestatemententouteslettres，thatherfatherwasoftherankofamajor，andalsoacompanionofanorder，sothatshereallywasalmostthedaughterofacolonel。
Warmingup，KaterinaIvanovnaproceededtoenlargeonthepeacefulandhappylifetheywouldleadinT——，onthegymnasiumteacherswhomshewouldengagetogivelessonsinherboarding-school，oneamostrespectableoldFrenchman，oneMangot，whohadtaughtKaterinaIvanovnaherselfinolddaysandwasstilllivinginT——，andwouldnodoubtteachinherschoolonmoderateterms。NextshespokeofSoniawhowouldgowithhertoT——andhelpherinallherplans。Atthissomeoneatthefurtherendofthetablegaveasuddenguffaw。
ThoughKaterinaIvanovnatriedtoappeartobedisdainfullyunawareofit，sheraisedhervoiceandbeganatoncespeakingwithconvictionofSonia’sundoubtedabilitytoassisther，of“hergentleness，patience，devotion，generosityandgoodeducation，”tappingSoniaonthecheekandkissingherwarmlytwice。Soniaflushedcrimson，andKaterinaIvanovnasuddenlyburstintotears，immediatelyobservingthatshewas“nervousandsilly，thatshewastoomuchupset，thatitwastimetofinish，andasthedinnerwasover，itwastimetohandroundthetea。”
Atthatmoment，AmaliaIvanovna，deeplyaggrievedattakingnopartintheconversation，andnotbeinglistenedto，madeonelasteffort，andwithsecretmisgivingsventuredonanexceedinglydeepandweightyobservation，that“inthefutureboarding-schoolshewouldhavetopayparticularattentiontodieWasche，andthattherecertainlymustbeagooddametolookafterthelinen，andsecondlythattheyoungladiesmustnotnovelsatnightread。”
KaterinaIvanovna，whocertainlywasupsetandverytired，aswellasheartilysickofthedinner，atoncecutshortAmaliaIvanovna，saying“sheknewnothingaboutitandwastalkingnonsense，thatitwasthebusinessofthelaundrymaid，andnotofthedirectressofahigh-classboarding-schooltolookafterdieWasche，andasfornovel-reading，thatwassimplyrudeness，andshebeggedhertobesilent。”AmaliaIvanovnafiredupandgettingangryobservedthatsheonly“meanthergood，”andthat“shehadmeantherverygood，”andthat“itwaslongsinceshehadpaidhergoldforthelodgings。”
KaterinaIvanovnaatonce“setherdown，”sayingthatitwasalietosayshewishedhergood，becauseonlyyesterdaywhenherdeadhusbandwaslyingonthetable，shehadworriedheraboutthelodgings。TothisAmaliaIvanovnaveryappropriatelyobservedthatshehadinvitedthoseladies，but“thoseladieshadnotcome，becausethoseladiesareladiesandcannotcometoaladywhoisnotalady。”KaterinaIvanovnaatoncepointedouttoher，thatasshewasaslutshecouldnotjudgewhatmadeonereallyalady。AmaliaIvanovnaatoncedeclaredthather“VaterausBerlinwasavery，veryimportantman，andbothhandsinpocketswent，andalwaysusedtosay:‘Poof！poof！’”andsheleaptupfromthetabletorepresentherfather，stickingherhandsinherpockets，puffinghercheeks，andutteringvaguesoundsresembling“poof！poof！”amidloudlaughterfromallthelodgers，whopurposelyencouragedAmaliaIvanovna，hopingforafight。
ButthiswastoomuchforKaterinaIvanovna，andsheatoncedeclared，sothatallcouldhear，thatAmaliaIvanovnaprobablyneverhadafather，butwassimplyadrunkenPetersburgFinn，andhadcertainlyoncebeenacookandprobablysomethingworse。AmaliaIvanovnaturnedasredasalobsterandsquealedthatperhapsKaterinaIvanovnaneverhadafather，“butshehadaVaterausBerlinandthatheworealongcoatandalwayssaidpoof-poof-poof！”
KaterinaIvanovnaobservedcontemptuouslythatallknewwhatherfamilywasandthatonthatverycertificateofhonouritwasstatedinprintthatherfatherwasacolonel，whileAmaliaIvanovna’sfather—ifshereallyhadone—wasprobablysomeFinnishmilkman，butthatprobablysheneverhadafatheratall，sinceitwasstilluncertainwhetherhernamewasAmaliaIvanovnaorAmaliaLudwigovna。
AtthisAmaliaIvanovna，lashedtofury，struckthetablewithherfist，andshriekedthatshewasAmaliaIvanovna，andnotLudwigovna，“thatherVaterwasnamedJohannandthathewasaburgomeister，andthatKaterinaIvanovna’sVaterwasquiteneveraburgomeister。”KaterinaIvanovnarosefromherchair，andwithasternandapparentlycalmvoice(thoughshewaspaleandherchestwasheaving)observedthat“ifshedaredforonemomenttosethercontemptiblewretchofafatheronalevelwithherpapa，she，KaterinaIvanovna，wouldtearhercapoffherheadandtrampleitunderfoot。”AmaliaIvanovnaranabouttheroom，shoutingatthetopofhervoice，thatshewasmistressofthehouseandthatKaterinaIvanovnashouldleavethelodgingsthatminute；thensherushedforsomereasontocollectthesilverspoonsfromthetable。Therewasagreatoutcryanduproar，thechildrenbegancrying。SoniarantorestrainKaterinaIvanovna，butwhenAmaliaIvanovnashoutedsomethingabout“theyellowticket，”KaterinaIvanovnapushedSoniaaway，andrushedatthelandladytocarryoutherthreat。
Atthatminutethedooropened，andPyotrPetrovitchLuzhinappearedonthethreshold。Hestoodscanningthepartywithsevereandvigilanteyes。KaterinaIvanovnarushedtohim。
