Chapter 3

“Pyotr Petrovitch,” she cried, “protect me... you at least! Make this foolish woman understand that she can’t behave like this to a lady in misfortune... that there is a law for such things.... I’ll go to the governor-general himself.... She shall answer for it.... Remembering my father’s hospitality protect these orphans.”

“Pyotr Petrovitch,” she cried, “protect me... at least you can! Make this foolish woman understand she can’t treat a lady in trouble this way... that there are laws against it.... I’ll go to the governor-general himself.... She’ll have to answer for this.... Remember my father’s hospitality and protect these orphans.”

“Allow me, madam.... Allow me.” Pyotr Petrovitch waved her off. “Your papa as you are well aware I had not the honour of knowing” (someone laughed aloud) “and I do not intend to take part in your everlasting squabbles with Amalia Ivanovna.... I have come here to speak of my own affairs... and I want to have a word with your stepdaughter, Sofya... Ivanovna, I think it is? Allow me to pass.”

“Excuse me, madam.... Excuse me.” Pyotr Petrovitch waved her off. “As you know, I never had the honor of meeting your father.” (Someone laughed aloud.) “And I don't intend to get involved in your endless quarrels with Amalia Ivanovna.... I've come here on my own business... and I want to speak with your stepdaughter, Sofya... Ivanovna, I think? Let me pass.”

Pyotr Petrovitch, edging by her, went to the opposite corner where Sonia was.

Pyotr Petrovitch edged past her and went to the opposite corner, where Sonia was.

Katerina Ivanovna remained standing where she was, as though thunderstruck. She could not understand how Pyotr Petrovitch could deny having enjoyed her father’s hospitality. Though she had invented it herself, she believed in it firmly by this time. She was struck too by the businesslike, dry and even contemptuously menacing tone of Pyotr Petrovitch. All the clamour gradually died away at his entrance. Not only was this “serious business man” strikingly incongruous with the rest of the party, but it was evident, too, that he had come upon some matter of consequence, that some exceptional cause must have brought him and that therefore something was going to happen. Raskolnikov, standing beside Sonia, moved aside to let him pass; Pyotr Petrovitch did not seem to notice him. A minute later Lebeziatnikov, too, appeared in the doorway; he did not come in, but stood still, listening with marked interest, almost wonder, and seemed for a time perplexed.

Katerina Ivanovna stood where she was, as if struck by lightning. She could not understand how Pyotr Petrovitch could deny having been a guest of her father. Though she had invented the story herself, by now she firmly believed it. She was also struck by Pyotr Petrovitch’s businesslike, cold, and even contemptuously threatening tone. All the noise gradually died down when he entered. This “serious business man” stood out sharply from the rest of the party. But it was also clear that he had come on important business. Some extraordinary reason must have brought him, and so something was going to happen. Raskolnikov, standing beside Sonia, moved aside to let him pass. Pyotr Petrovitch did not seem to notice him. A minute later, Lebeziatnikov appeared in the doorway too. He did not come in, but stood listening with obvious interest, almost amazement. For a while, he seemed puzzled.

“Excuse me for possibly interrupting you, but it’s a matter of some importance,” Pyotr Petrovitch observed, addressing the company generally. “I am glad indeed to find other persons present. Amalia Ivanovna, I humbly beg you as mistress of the house to pay careful attention to what I have to say to Sofya Ivanovna. Sofya Ivanovna,” he went on, addressing Sonia, who was very much surprised and already alarmed, “immediately after your visit I found that a hundred-rouble note was missing from my table, in the room of my friend Mr. Lebeziatnikov. If in any way whatever you know and will tell us where it is now, I assure you on my word of honour and call all present to witness that the matter shall end there. In the opposite case I shall be compelled to have recourse to very serious measures and then... you must blame yourself.”

“Excuse me if I’m interrupting, but this is an important matter,” Pyotr Petrovitch said to the company. “I’m very glad to find other people here. Amalia Ivanovna, as the mistress of the house, I ask you to listen carefully to what I have to say to Sofya Ivanovna. Sofya Ivanovna,” he continued, turning to Sonia, who was very surprised and already alarmed, “immediately after your visit, I found that a hundred-rouble note was missing from my table in my friend Mr. Lebeziatnikov’s room. If you know anything about where it is now and will tell us, I give you my word of honour that the matter will end there. I call everyone here to witness my promise. Otherwise, I will be forced to take very serious measures, and then... you must blame yourself.”

Complete silence reigned in the room. Even the crying children were still. Sonia stood deadly pale, staring at Luzhin and unable to say a word. She seemed not to understand. Some seconds passed.

The room was completely silent. Even the crying children were quiet. Sonia stood deathly pale, staring at Luzhin, unable to speak. She seemed not to understand. A few seconds passed.

“Well, how is it to be then?” asked Luzhin, looking intently at her.

“Well, what will it be, then?” Luzhin asked, looking intently at her.

“I don’t know.... I know nothing about it,” Sonia articulated faintly at last.

“I don’t know.... I know nothing about it,” Sonia said faintly at last.

“No, you know nothing?” Luzhin repeated and again he paused for some seconds. “Think a moment, mademoiselle,” he began severely, but still, as it were, admonishing her. “Reflect, I am prepared to give you time for consideration. Kindly observe this: if I were not so entirely convinced I should not, you may be sure, with my experience venture to accuse you so directly. Seeing that for such direct accusation before witnesses, if false or even mistaken, I should myself in a certain sense be made responsible, I am aware of that. This morning I changed for my own purposes several five-per-cent securities for the sum of approximately three thousand roubles. The account is noted down in my pocket-book. On my return home I proceeded to count the money—as Mr. Lebeziatnikov will bear witness—and after counting two thousand three hundred roubles I put the rest in my pocket-book in my coat pocket. About five hundred roubles remained on the table and among them three notes of a hundred roubles each. At that moment you entered (at my invitation)—and all the time you were present you were exceedingly embarrassed; so that three times you jumped up in the middle of the conversation and tried to make off. Mr. Lebeziatnikov can bear witness to this. You yourself, mademoiselle, probably will not refuse to confirm my statement that I invited you through Mr. Lebeziatnikov, solely in order to discuss with you the hopeless and destitute position of your relative, Katerina Ivanovna (whose dinner I was unable to attend), and the advisability of getting up something of the nature of a subscription, lottery or the like, for her benefit. You thanked me and even shed tears. I describe all this as it took place, primarily to recall it to your mind and secondly to show you that not the slightest detail has escaped my recollection. Then I took a ten-rouble note from the table and handed it to you by way of first instalment on my part for the benefit of your relative. Mr. Lebeziatnikov saw all this. Then I accompanied you to the door—you being still in the same state of embarrassment—after which, being left alone with Mr. Lebeziatnikov I talked to him for ten minutes—then Mr. Lebeziatnikov went out and I returned to the table with the money lying on it, intending to count it and to put it aside, as I proposed doing before. To my surprise one hundred-rouble note had disappeared. Kindly consider the position. Mr. Lebeziatnikov I cannot suspect. I am ashamed to allude to such a supposition. I cannot have made a mistake in my reckoning, for the minute before your entrance I had finished my accounts and found the total correct. You will admit that recollecting your embarrassment, your eagerness to get away and the fact that you kept your hands for some time on the table, and taking into consideration your social position and the habits associated with it, I was, so to say, with horror and positively against my will, compelled to entertain a suspicion—a cruel, but justifiable suspicion! I will add further and repeat that in spite of my positive conviction, I realise that I run a certain risk in making this accusation, but as you see, I could not let it pass. I have taken action and I will tell you why: solely, madam, solely owing to your black ingratitude! Why! I invite you for the benefit of your destitute relative, I present you with my donation of ten roubles and you, on the spot, repay me for all that with such an action. It is too bad! You need a lesson. Reflect! Moreover, like a true friend I beg you—and you could have no better friend at this moment—think what you are doing, otherwise I shall be immovable! Well, what do you say?”

“No, you know nothing?” Luzhin repeated, and again he paused for several seconds. “Think for a moment, mademoiselle,” he began sternly, though still as if warning her. “Think it over. I am prepared to give you time. Please understand this: if I were not completely convinced, I would not accuse you so directly. You can be sure of that, given my experience. I know that if such a direct accusation before witnesses were false, or even mistaken, I would bear some responsibility. “This morning, for my own purposes, I exchanged several five-percent securities for approximately three thousand roubles. The transaction is recorded in my pocketbook. When I came home, I began to count the money, as Mr. Lebeziatnikov can confirm. After counting two thousand three hundred roubles, I put the rest in my pocketbook, in my coat pocket. About five hundred roubles remained on the table, including three hundred-rouble notes. “Just then, you came in at my invitation. You were extremely embarrassed the whole time you were there. Three times you jumped up in the middle of our conversation and tried to leave. Mr. Lebeziatnikov can confirm this. And you yourself, mademoiselle, will probably confirm why I invited you through Mr. Lebeziatnikov. It was solely to discuss the hopeless poverty of your relative, Katerina Ivanovna, whose dinner I could not attend. I also wanted to discuss whether we should organize a collection, a lottery, or something similar for her benefit. You thanked me and even shed tears. I describe everything as it happened, first to remind you of it, and second to show you that I remember every detail. “Then I took a ten-rouble note from the table and handed it to you. It was my first contribution for your relative. Mr. Lebeziatnikov saw all this. Then I accompanied you to the door, while you were still just as embarrassed. After you left, I spoke with Mr. Lebeziatnikov alone for ten minutes. Then he went out, and I returned to the table where the money lay. I intended to count it and put it away, as I had planned to do before. To my surprise, one hundred-rouble note had disappeared. “Please consider the situation. I cannot suspect Mr. Lebeziatnikov. I am ashamed even to suggest such a thing. I cannot have made a mistake in counting. Just before you came in, I had finished checking my accounts and found the total correct. You will admit that I remembered your embarrassment and your eagerness to leave. I also remembered that you kept your hands on the table for some time. Considering your social position and the habits associated with it, I was, so to speak, horrified and compelled against my will to suspect you. It was a cruel suspicion, but a justified one! “I must add, and repeat, that despite my firm conviction, I know I am taking a certain risk. But as you can see, I could not let the matter pass. I took action, and I will tell you why. It was solely, madam, solely because of your black ingratitude! Why, I invite you here for the benefit of your destitute relative. I give you my donation of ten roubles, and you repay me on the spot with such an act. This is too much! You need a lesson. Think! And as a true friend, I beg you to think what you are doing. You could have no better friend at this moment. Otherwise, I shall not be moved! Well, what do you say?”

“I have taken nothing,” Sonia whispered in terror, “you gave me ten roubles, here it is, take it.”

“I didn’t take anything,” Sonia whispered in terror. “You gave me ten roubles. Here they are. Take them.”

Sonia pulled her handkerchief out of her pocket, untied a corner of it, took out the ten-rouble note and gave it to Luzhin.

Sonia pulled her handkerchief from her pocket and untied one corner. She took out the ten-rouble note and gave it to Luzhin.

“And the hundred roubles you do not confess to taking?” he insisted reproachfully, not taking the note.

“And what about the hundred roubles you won't admit you took?” he insisted reproachfully, without taking the note.

Sonia looked about her. All were looking at her with such awful, stern, ironical, hostile eyes. She looked at Raskolnikov... he stood against the wall, with his arms crossed, looking at her with glowing eyes.

Sonia looked around. Everyone was staring at her with awful, stern, mocking, hostile eyes. She looked at Raskolnikov... He stood against the wall with his arms crossed, looking at her with glowing eyes.

“Good God!” broke from Sonia.

“Good God!” Sonia exclaimed.

“Amalia Ivanovna, we shall have to send word to the police and therefore I humbly beg you meanwhile to send for the house porter,” Luzhin said softly and even kindly.

“Amalia Ivanovna, we’ll have to notify the police. So I respectfully ask you to send for the house porter in the meantime,” Luzhin said softly, almost kindly.

“Gott der Barmherzige! I knew she was the thief,” cried Amalia Ivanovna, throwing up her hands.

“Merciful God! I knew she was the thief,” cried Amalia Ivanovna, throwing up her hands.

“You knew it?” Luzhin caught her up, “then I suppose you had some reason before this for thinking so. I beg you, worthy Amalia Ivanovna, to remember your words which have been uttered before witnesses.”

“You knew it?” Luzhin interrupted her. “Then I suppose you had some reason to think so before now. Please remember, Amalia Ivanovna, that you said this in front of witnesses.”

There was a buzz of loud conversation on all sides. All were in movement.

Loud conversation buzzed on all sides. Everyone was moving.

“What!” cried Katerina Ivanovna, suddenly realising the position, and she rushed at Luzhin. “What! You accuse her of stealing? Sonia? Ah, the wretches, the wretches!”

“What!” cried Katerina Ivanovna, suddenly realizing what was happening. She rushed at Luzhin. “What! You accuse her of stealing? Sonia? Oh, the villains, the villains!”

And running to Sonia she flung her wasted arms round her and held her as in a vise.

She ran to Sonia, threw her thin arms around her, and held her in a tight grip.

“Sonia! how dared you take ten roubles from him? Foolish girl! Give it to me! Give me the ten roubles at once—here!”

“Sonia! How dare you take ten roubles from him? You foolish girl! Give me the money! Give me the ten roubles right now. Here!”

And snatching the note from Sonia, Katerina Ivanovna crumpled it up and flung it straight into Luzhin’s face. It hit him in the eye and fell on the ground. Amalia Ivanovna hastened to pick it up. Pyotr Petrovitch lost his temper.

Katerina Ivanovna snatched the note from Sonia, crumpled it up, and threw it straight into Luzhin’s face. It hit him in the eye and fell to the ground. Amalia Ivanovna hurried to pick it up. Pyotr Petrovitch lost his temper.

“Hold that mad woman!” he shouted.

“Hold that mad woman!” he shouted.

At that moment several other persons, besides Lebeziatnikov, appeared in the doorway, among them the two ladies.

At that moment, several other people appeared in the doorway with Lebeziatnikov, including the two ladies.

“What! Mad? Am I mad? Idiot!” shrieked Katerina Ivanovna. “You are an idiot yourself, pettifogging lawyer, base man! Sonia, Sonia take his money! Sonia a thief! Why, she’d give away her last penny!” and Katerina Ivanovna broke into hysterical laughter. “Did you ever see such an idiot?” she turned from side to side. “And you too?” she suddenly saw the landlady, “and you too, sausage eater, you declare that she is a thief, you trashy Prussian hen’s leg in a crinoline! She hasn’t been out of this room: she came straight from you, you wretch, and sat down beside me, everyone saw her. She sat here, by Rodion Romanovitch. Search her! Since she’s not left the room, the money would have to be on her! Search her, search her! But if you don’t find it, then excuse me, my dear fellow, you’ll answer for it! I’ll go to our Sovereign, to our Sovereign, to our gracious Tsar himself, and throw myself at his feet, to-day, this minute! I’m alone in the world! They would let me in! Do you think they wouldn’t? You’re wrong, I will get in! I will get in! You reckoned on her meekness! You relied upon that! But I am not so submissive, let me tell you! You’ve gone too far yourself. Search her, search her!”

“What! Crazy? Am I crazy? Idiot!” shrieked Katerina Ivanovna. “You’re the idiot, you petty lawyer, you lowlife! Sonia, Sonia take his money! Sonia a thief! Why, she’d give away her last penny!” Katerina Ivanovna burst into hysterical laughter. “Have you ever seen such an idiot?” She turned from side to side. “And you too?” She suddenly noticed the landlady. “You too, sausage eater? You say she’s a thief, you trashy Prussian chicken leg in a crinoline! She hasn’t left this room. She came straight from you, you wretch, and sat down beside me. Everyone saw her. She sat here, beside Rodion Romanovitch. Search her! Since she hasn’t left the room, the money would have to be on her! Search her, search her! But if you don’t find it, then excuse me, my dear fellow, you’ll answer for it! I’ll go to our Sovereign, to our Sovereign, to our gracious Tsar himself. I’ll throw myself at his feet, today, this very minute! I’m alone in the world! They’d let me in! Do you think they wouldn’t? You’re wrong, I will get in! I will get in! You were counting on her being meek! You relied on that! But I’m not so submissive, let me tell you! You’ve gone too far yourself. Search her, search her!”

And Katerina Ivanovna in a frenzy shook Luzhin and dragged him towards Sonia.

And in a frenzy, Katerina Ivanovna shook Luzhin and dragged him toward Sonia.

“I am ready, I’ll be responsible... but calm yourself, madam, calm yourself. I see that you are not so submissive!... Well, well, but as to that...” Luzhin muttered, “that ought to be before the police... though indeed there are witnesses enough as it is.... I am ready.... But in any case it’s difficult for a man... on account of her sex.... But with the help of Amalia Ivanovna... though, of course, it’s not the way to do things.... How is it to be done?”

“I’m ready, I’ll take responsibility... but calm down, madam, calm down. I see you’re not so submissive!... Well, well, but as for that...” Luzhin muttered, “the police should handle that... though there are plenty of witnesses already.... I’m ready.... But in any case, it’s difficult for a man... because she’s a woman.... But with Amalia Ivanovna’s help... though, of course, that’s not how it should be done.... How should it be done?”

“As you will! Let anyone who likes search her!” cried Katerina Ivanovna. “Sonia, turn out your pockets! See! Look, monster, the pocket is empty, here was her handkerchief! Here is the other pocket, look! D’you see, d’you see?”

“Go ahead! Anyone who wants to can search her!” cried Katerina Ivanovna. “Sonia, turn out your pockets! See! Look, monster, the pocket is empty. Her handkerchief was here! Here’s the other pocket, look! Do you see? Do you see?”

And Katerina Ivanovna turned—or rather snatched—both pockets inside out. But from the right pocket a piece of paper flew out and describing a parabola in the air fell at Luzhin’s feet. Everyone saw it, several cried out. Pyotr Petrovitch stooped down, picked up the paper in two fingers, lifted it where all could see it and opened it. It was a hundred-rouble note folded in eight. Pyotr Petrovitch held up the note showing it to everyone.

Katerina Ivanovna turned both pockets inside out, or rather, she yanked them out. But a piece of paper flew from the right pocket. It arced through the air and landed at Luzhin’s feet. Everyone saw it, and several people cried out. Pyotr Petrovitch bent down and picked up the paper with two fingers. He held it up for everyone to see and unfolded it. It was a hundred-rouble note folded into eight. Pyotr Petrovitch held up the note, showing it to everyone.

“Thief! Out of my lodging. Police, police!” yelled Amalia Ivanovna. “They must to Siberia be sent! Away!”

“Thief! Get out of my lodging. Police, police!” yelled Amalia Ivanovna. “They must be sent to Siberia! Get out!”

Exclamations arose on all sides. Raskolnikov was silent, keeping his eyes fixed on Sonia, except for an occasional rapid glance at Luzhin. Sonia stood still, as though unconscious. She was hardly able to feel surprise. Suddenly the colour rushed to her cheeks; she uttered a cry and hid her face in her hands.

People cried out on all sides. Raskolnikov said nothing. He kept his eyes on Sonia, except for an occasional quick glance at Luzhin. Sonia stood still, as if unconscious. She could hardly feel surprised. Suddenly, her cheeks flushed. She cried out and hid her face in her hands.

“No, it wasn’t I! I didn’t take it! I know nothing about it,” she cried with a heartrending wail, and she ran to Katerina Ivanovna, who clasped her tightly in her arms, as though she would shelter her from all the world.

“No, it wasn’t me! I didn’t take it! I don’t know anything about it,” she cried with a heartbreaking wail. She ran to Katerina Ivanovna, who held her tightly, as if to protect her from the whole world.

“Sonia! Sonia! I don’t believe it! You see, I don’t believe it!” she cried in the face of the obvious fact, swaying her to and fro in her arms like a baby, kissing her face continually, then snatching at her hands and kissing them, too, “you took it! How stupid these people are! Oh dear! You are fools, fools,” she cried, addressing the whole room, “you don’t know, you don’t know what a heart she has, what a girl she is! She take it, she? She’d sell her last rag, she’d go barefoot to help you if you needed it, that’s what she is! She has the yellow passport because my children were starving, she sold herself for us! Ah, husband, husband! Do you see? Do you see? What a memorial dinner for you! Merciful heavens! Defend her, why are you all standing still? Rodion Romanovitch, why don’t you stand up for her? Do you believe it, too? You are not worth her little finger, all of you together! Good God! Defend her now, at least!”

“Sonia! Sonia! I don’t believe it! You see, I don’t believe it!” she cried, despite the obvious fact. She rocked Sonia back and forth in her arms like a baby, kissing her face over and over. Then she grabbed her hands and kissed them too. “You took it! How stupid these people are! Oh dear! You’re fools, fools,” she cried, turning to everyone in the room. “You don’t know, you don’t know what a heart she has, what kind of girl she is! She took it? She would sell her last rag. She would go barefoot to help you if you needed it. That’s the kind of girl she is! She has the yellow passport because my children were starving. She sold herself for us! Ah, husband, husband! Do you see? Do you see? What a memorial dinner for you! Merciful heavens! Defend her! Why are you all standing there? Rodion Romanovitch, why don’t you stand up for her? Do you believe it too? All of you together aren’t worth her little finger! Good God! Defend her now, at least!”

The wail of the poor, consumptive, helpless woman seemed to produce a great effect on her audience. The agonised, wasted, consumptive face, the parched blood-stained lips, the hoarse voice, the tears unrestrained as a child’s, the trustful, childish and yet despairing prayer for help were so piteous that everyone seemed to feel for her. Pyotr Petrovitch at any rate was at once moved to compassion.

The cries of the poor, helpless woman with tuberculosis seemed to affect her audience deeply. Her face was anguished and wasted by disease. Her dry lips were stained with blood, and her voice was hoarse. She wept freely, like a child, and her plea for help was trusting and childlike, yet desperate. She was so pitiful that everyone seemed to feel for her. Pyotr Petrovitch, at any rate, was immediately moved to compassion.

“Madam, madam, this incident does not reflect upon you!” he cried impressively, “no one would take upon himself to accuse you of being an instigator or even an accomplice in it, especially as you have proved her guilt by turning out her pockets, showing that you had no previous idea of it. I am most ready, most ready to show compassion, if poverty, so to speak, drove Sofya Semyonovna to it, but why did you refuse to confess, mademoiselle? Were you afraid of the disgrace? The first step? You lost your head, perhaps? One can quite understand it.... But how could you have lowered yourself to such an action? Gentlemen,” he addressed the whole company, “gentlemen! Compassionating and, so to say, commiserating these people, I am ready to overlook it even now in spite of the personal insult lavished upon me! And may this disgrace be a lesson to you for the future,” he said, addressing Sonia, “and I will carry the matter no further. Enough!”

“Madam, madam, this incident does not reflect badly on you!” he cried emphatically. “No one would accuse you of instigating it or even helping her. You proved her guilt by turning out her pockets, showing you knew nothing about it beforehand. I am very, very ready to show compassion if poverty, so to speak, drove Sofya Semyonovna to do it. But why did you refuse to confess, mademoiselle? Were you afraid of the disgrace? Was this your first offense? Perhaps you lost your head? One can quite understand that.... But how could you have lowered yourself to do such a thing? Gentlemen,” he said to the whole company, “gentlemen! I feel compassion and, so to speak, pity for these people. So I am ready to overlook the offense even now, despite the personal insult heaped upon me! And may this disgrace be a lesson to you in the future,” he said to Sonia. “I will take the matter no further. Enough!”

Pyotr Petrovitch stole a glance at Raskolnikov. Their eyes met, and the fire in Raskolnikov’s seemed ready to reduce him to ashes. Meanwhile Katerina Ivanovna apparently heard nothing. She was kissing and hugging Sonia like a madwoman. The children, too, were embracing Sonia on all sides, and Polenka—though she did not fully understand what was wrong—was drowned in tears and shaking with sobs, as she hid her pretty little face, swollen with weeping, on Sonia’s shoulder.

Pyotr Petrovitch glanced at Raskolnikov. Their eyes met, and the fire in Raskolnikov’s eyes seemed ready to burn him to ashes. Meanwhile, Katerina Ivanovna apparently heard nothing. She was kissing and hugging Sonia like a madwoman. The children were hugging Sonia from all sides too. Polenka did not fully understand what was wrong, but she was in tears and shaking with sobs. She hid her pretty little face, swollen from crying, on Sonia’s shoulder.

“How vile!” a loud voice cried suddenly in the doorway.

“How disgusting!” a loud voice suddenly cried from the doorway.

Pyotr Petrovitch looked round quickly.

Pyotr Petrovitch looked around quickly.

“What vileness!” Lebeziatnikov repeated, staring him straight in the face.

“How disgusting!” Lebeziatnikov repeated, staring him straight in the face.

Pyotr Petrovitch gave a positive start—all noticed it and recalled it afterwards. Lebeziatnikov strode into the room.

Pyotr Petrovitch visibly startled. Everyone noticed and remembered it afterward. Lebeziatnikov strode into the room.

“And you dared to call me as witness?” he said, going up to Pyotr Petrovitch.

“And you dared to call me as a witness?” he said, walking up to Pyotr Petrovitch.

“What do you mean? What are you talking about?” muttered Luzhin.

“What do you mean? What are you talking about?” muttered Luzhin.

“I mean that you... are a slanderer, that’s what my words mean!” Lebeziatnikov said hotly, looking sternly at him with his short-sighted eyes.

“I mean that you... are a slanderer. That’s what I mean!” Lebeziatnikov said angrily, looking sternly at him with his nearsighted eyes.

He was extremely angry. Raskolnikov gazed intently at him, as though seizing and weighing each word. Again there was a silence. Pyotr Petrovitch indeed seemed almost dumbfounded for the first moment.

He was extremely angry. Raskolnikov stared at him, as if catching and weighing every word. Again, there was silence. For a moment, Pyotr Petrovitch seemed almost stunned.

“If you mean that for me,...” he began, stammering. “But what’s the matter with you? Are you out of your mind?”

“If you mean that for me,...” he began, stammering. “But what’s wrong with you? Are you out of your mind?”

“I’m in my mind, but you are a scoundrel! Ah, how vile! I have heard everything. I kept waiting on purpose to understand it, for I must own even now it is not quite logical.... What you have done it all for I can’t understand.”

“I’m in my right mind, but you’re a scoundrel! Oh, how vile! I heard everything. I waited on purpose to understand it, because I have to admit, even now it doesn’t quite make sense.... I can’t understand why you did it all.”

“Why, what have I done then? Give over talking in your nonsensical riddles! Or maybe you are drunk!”

“Why, what have I done? Stop talking in these ridiculous riddles! Or maybe you’re drunk!”

“You may be a drunkard, perhaps, vile man, but I am not! I never touch vodka, for it’s against my convictions. Would you believe it, he, he himself, with his own hands gave Sofya Semyonovna that hundred-rouble note—I saw it, I was a witness, I’ll take my oath! He did it, he!” repeated Lebeziatnikov, addressing all.

“You may be a drunk, you vile man, but I’m not! I never touch vodka because it’s against my beliefs. Would you believe it? He gave Sofya Semyonovna that hundred-rouble note himself, with his own hands. I saw it. I was a witness. I swear it! He did it, he did!” Lebeziatnikov repeated, addressing everyone.

“Are you crazy, milksop?” squealed Luzhin. “She is herself before you—she herself here declared just now before everyone that I gave her only ten roubles. How could I have given it to her?”

“Are you crazy, you wimp?” Luzhin squealed. “She’s right here in front of you. She just told everyone herself that I gave her only ten roubles. How could I have given it to her?”

“I saw it, I saw it,” Lebeziatnikov repeated, “and though it is against my principles, I am ready this very minute to take any oath you like before the court, for I saw how you slipped it in her pocket. Only like a fool I thought you did it out of kindness! When you were saying good-bye to her at the door, while you held her hand in one hand, with the other, the left, you slipped the note into her pocket. I saw it, I saw it!”

“I saw it, I saw it,” Lebeziatnikov repeated. “Although it’s against my principles, I’m ready to swear to it in court right now, any way you like. I saw you slip it into her pocket. But like a fool, I thought you did it out of kindness! You were saying goodbye to her at the door, holding her hand in one of yours. With your other hand, your left, you slipped the note into her pocket. I saw it, I saw it!”

Luzhin turned pale.

Luzhin turned pale.

“What lies!” he cried impudently, “why, how could you, standing by the window, see the note? You fancied it with your short-sighted eyes. You are raving!”

“What lies!” he cried brazenly. “How could you see the note from where you stood by the window? You imagined it with your nearsighted eyes. You’re raving!”

“No, I didn’t fancy it. And though I was standing some way off, I saw it all. And though it certainly would be hard to distinguish a note from the window—that’s true—I knew for certain that it was a hundred-rouble note, because, when you were going to give Sofya Semyonovna ten roubles, you took up from the table a hundred-rouble note (I saw it because I was standing near then, and an idea struck me at once, so that I did not forget you had it in your hand). You folded it and kept it in your hand all the time. I didn’t think of it again until, when you were getting up, you changed it from your right hand to your left and nearly dropped it! I noticed it because the same idea struck me again, that you meant to do her a kindness without my seeing. You can fancy how I watched you and I saw how you succeeded in slipping it into her pocket. I saw it, I saw it, I’ll take my oath.”

“No, I didn’t imagine it. Though I was standing some distance away, I saw everything. It’s true that it would be hard to make out a banknote from the window. But I knew for certain that it was a hundred-rouble note. When you were about to give Sofya Semyonovna ten roubles, you picked up a hundred-rouble note from the table. I saw it because I was standing nearby then. An idea struck me at once, so I didn’t forget that you had the note in your hand. You folded it and kept it in your hand the whole time. I didn’t think about it again until you got up. Then you moved it from your right hand to your left and nearly dropped it! I noticed because the same idea struck me again. I thought you meant to do her a kindness without my seeing. You can imagine how closely I watched you, and I saw you manage to slip it into her pocket. I saw it, I saw it, I’ll swear to it.”

Lebeziatnikov was almost breathless. Exclamations arose on all hands chiefly expressive of wonder, but some were menacing in tone. They all crowded round Pyotr Petrovitch. Katerina Ivanovna flew to Lebeziatnikov.

Lebeziatnikov was almost out of breath. People exclaimed all around them, mostly in surprise, but some sounded threatening. They all crowded around Pyotr Petrovitch. Katerina Ivanovna rushed to Lebeziatnikov.

“I was mistaken in you! Protect her! You are the only one to take her part! She is an orphan. God has sent you!”

“I was wrong about you! Protect her! You are the only one who can stand up for her! She is an orphan. God has sent you!”

Katerina Ivanovna, hardly knowing what she was doing, sank on her knees before him.

Katerina Ivanovna, hardly knowing what she was doing, fell to her knees before him.

“A pack of nonsense!” yelled Luzhin, roused to fury, “it’s all nonsense you’ve been talking! ‘An idea struck you, you didn’t think, you noticed’—what does it amount to? So I gave it to her on the sly on purpose? What for? With what object? What have I to do with this...?”

“What nonsense!” yelled Luzhin, furious. “Everything you’ve said is nonsense! ‘An idea struck you, you didn’t think, you noticed.’ What does any of that prove? So you’re saying I deliberately slipped it to her? Why? What for? What do I have to do with this...?”

“What for? That’s what I can’t understand, but that what I am telling you is the fact, that’s certain! So far from my being mistaken, you infamous criminal man, I remember how, on account of it, a question occurred to me at once, just when I was thanking you and pressing your hand. What made you put it secretly in her pocket? Why you did it secretly, I mean? Could it be simply to conceal it from me, knowing that my convictions are opposed to yours and that I do not approve of private benevolence, which effects no radical cure? Well, I decided that you really were ashamed of giving such a large sum before me. Perhaps, too, I thought, he wants to give her a surprise, when she finds a whole hundred-rouble note in her pocket. (For I know, some benevolent people are very fond of decking out their charitable actions in that way.) Then the idea struck me, too, that you wanted to test her, to see whether, when she found it, she would come to thank you. Then, too, that you wanted to avoid thanks and that, as the saying is, your right hand should not know... something of that sort, in fact. I thought of so many possibilities that I put off considering it, but still thought it indelicate to show you I knew your secret. But another idea struck me again that Sofya Semyonovna might easily lose the money before she noticed it, that was why I decided to come in here to call her out of the room and to tell her that you put a hundred roubles in her pocket. But on my way I went first to Madame Kobilatnikov’s to take them the ‘General Treatise on the Positive Method’ and especially to recommend Piderit’s article (and also Wagner’s); then I come on here and what a state of things I find! Now could I, could I, have all these ideas and reflections if I had not seen you put the hundred-rouble note in her pocket?”

“Why? That’s what I can’t understand. But what I’m telling you is a fact, that’s certain! I’m not mistaken, you infamous criminal. I remember a question occurring to me at once, just as I was thanking you and shaking your hand. What made you put the money in her pocket secretly? Why did you do it secretly, I mean? Could it have been just to hide it from me? You know my beliefs are opposed to yours and that I don’t approve of private charity, which doesn’t solve problems at their root. Well, I decided you really were ashamed to give such a large sum in front of me. Perhaps, I thought, he also wants to surprise her when she finds a whole hundred-rouble note in her pocket. (I know some charitable people love to dress up their good deeds that way.) Then it also occurred to me that you wanted to test her. You wanted to see whether she would come to thank you when she found the money. Or perhaps you wanted to avoid being thanked and, as the saying goes, not let your right hand know... something like that, anyway. I thought of so many possibilities that I put off thinking them through. But I still thought it would be tactless to let you know I knew your secret. Then another thought struck me. Sofya Semyonovna might easily lose the money before she noticed it. That’s why I decided to come here, call her out of the room, and tell her you had put a hundred roubles in her pocket. But on my way, I first went to Madame Kobilatnikov’s to bring them the ‘General Treatise on the Positive Method.’ I especially wanted to recommend Piderit’s article (and Wagner’s too). Then I come here, and what a situation I find! Now, could I, could I, have had all these thoughts and reflections if I hadn’t seen you put the hundred-rouble note in her pocket?”

When Lebeziatnikov finished his long-winded harangue with the logical deduction at the end, he was quite tired, and the perspiration streamed from his face. He could not, alas, even express himself correctly in Russian, though he knew no other language, so that he was quite exhausted, almost emaciated after this heroic exploit. But his speech produced a powerful effect. He had spoken with such vehemence, with such conviction that everyone obviously believed him. Pyotr Petrovitch felt that things were going badly with him.

When Lebeziatnikov finished his long-winded speech with its final logical conclusion, he was quite tired. Sweat streamed down his face. Unfortunately, he could not even express himself correctly in Russian, though he knew no other language. So this heroic effort left him exhausted, almost emaciated. But his speech had a powerful effect. He had spoken so passionately and with such conviction that everyone obviously believed him. Pyotr Petrovitch felt that things were going badly for him.

“What is it to do with me if silly ideas did occur to you?” he shouted, “that’s no evidence. You may have dreamt it, that’s all! And I tell you, you are lying, sir. You are lying and slandering from some spite against me, simply from pique, because I did not agree with your free-thinking, godless, social propositions!”

“What does it have to do with me if you had some silly ideas?” he shouted. “That’s no evidence. You may have dreamed it, that’s all! And I tell you, you’re lying, sir. You’re lying and slandering me out of spite, simply because I didn’t agree with your free-thinking, godless social ideas!”

But this retort did not benefit Pyotr Petrovitch. Murmurs of disapproval were heard on all sides.

But this reply did Pyotr Petrovitch no good. Murmurs of disapproval came from all sides.

“Ah, that’s your line now, is it!” cried Lebeziatnikov, “that’s nonsense! Call the police and I’ll take my oath! There’s only one thing I can’t understand: what made him risk such a contemptible action. Oh, pitiful, despicable man!”

“Oh, so that’s what you’re saying now!” cried Lebeziatnikov. “That’s nonsense! Call the police, and I’ll swear to it! There’s only one thing I can’t understand. Why did he risk doing something so contemptible? Oh, what a pitiful, despicable man!”

“I can explain why he risked such an action, and if necessary, I, too, will swear to it,” Raskolnikov said at last in a firm voice, and he stepped forward.

“I can explain why he risked doing it, and if necessary, I’ll swear to it too,” Raskolnikov said at last, his voice firm. He stepped forward.

He appeared to be firm and composed. Everyone felt clearly, from the very look of him that he really knew about it and that the mystery would be solved.

He seemed confident and calm. Everyone could see just by looking at him that he really knew about it. They felt sure the mystery would be solved.

“Now I can explain it all to myself,” said Raskolnikov, addressing Lebeziatnikov. “From the very beginning of the business, I suspected that there was some scoundrelly intrigue at the bottom of it. I began to suspect it from some special circumstances known to me only, which I will explain at once to everyone: they account for everything. Your valuable evidence has finally made everything clear to me. I beg all, all to listen. This gentleman (he pointed to Luzhin) was recently engaged to be married to a young lady—my sister, Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikov. But coming to Petersburg he quarrelled with me, the day before yesterday, at our first meeting and I drove him out of my room—I have two witnesses to prove it. He is a very spiteful man.... The day before yesterday I did not know that he was staying here, in your room, and that consequently on the very day we quarrelled—the day before yesterday—he saw me give Katerina Ivanovna some money for the funeral, as a friend of the late Mr. Marmeladov. He at once wrote a note to my mother and informed her that I had given away all my money, not to Katerina Ivanovna but to Sofya Semyonovna, and referred in a most contemptible way to the... character of Sofya Semyonovna, that is, hinted at the character of my attitude to Sofya Semyonovna. All this you understand was with the object of dividing me from my mother and sister, by insinuating that I was squandering on unworthy objects the money which they had sent me and which was all they had. Yesterday evening, before my mother and sister and in his presence, I declared that I had given the money to Katerina Ivanovna for the funeral and not to Sofya Semyonovna and that I had no acquaintance with Sofya Semyonovna and had never seen her before, indeed. At the same time I added that he, Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin, with all his virtues, was not worth Sofya Semyonovna’s little finger, though he spoke so ill of her. To his question—would I let Sofya Semyonovna sit down beside my sister, I answered that I had already done so that day. Irritated that my mother and sister were unwilling to quarrel with me at his insinuations, he gradually began being unpardonably rude to them. A final rupture took place and he was turned out of the house. All this happened yesterday evening. Now I beg your special attention: consider: if he had now succeeded in proving that Sofya Semyonovna was a thief, he would have shown to my mother and sister that he was almost right in his suspicions, that he had reason to be angry at my putting my sister on a level with Sofya Semyonovna, that, in attacking me, he was protecting and preserving the honour of my sister, his betrothed. In fact he might even, through all this, have been able to estrange me from my family, and no doubt he hoped to be restored to favour with them; to say nothing of revenging himself on me personally, for he has grounds for supposing that the honour and happiness of Sofya Semyonovna are very precious to me. That was what he was working for! That’s how I understand it. That’s the whole reason for it and there can be no other!”

“Now I can explain everything to myself,” said Raskolnikov, addressing Lebeziatnikov. “From the start, I suspected that some villainous plot lay behind it all. I suspected it because of certain circumstances known only to me. I will explain them to everyone at once. They account for everything. Your valuable evidence has finally made everything clear to me. I beg everyone, everyone, to listen. “This gentleman,” he said, pointing to Luzhin, “was recently engaged to a young woman, my sister, Avdotya Romanovna Raskolnikov. But when he came to Petersburg, he quarreled with me at our first meeting, the day before yesterday. I drove him out of my room. I have two witnesses to prove it. He is a very spiteful man.... “Until the day before yesterday, I did not know he was staying here, in your room. So, on the very day we quarreled, he saw me give Katerina Ivanovna some money for the funeral. I gave it to her as a friend of the late Mr. Marmeladov. He immediately wrote a note to my mother. He told her I had given away all my money, not to Katerina Ivanovna but to Sofya Semyonovna. He also spoke in a most contemptible way about Sofya Semyonovna’s... character. In other words, he hinted at the nature of my relationship with her. You understand that he meant to turn my mother and sister against me. He was suggesting that I was wasting on unworthy causes the money they had sent me, which was all they had. “Yesterday evening, in front of my mother and sister and in his presence, I explained what had happened. I said I had given the money to Katerina Ivanovna for the funeral, not to Sofya Semyonovna. I said I did not know Sofya Semyonovna and had never even seen her before. I also said that he, Pyotr Petrovitch Luzhin, with all his virtues, was not worth Sofya Semyonovna’s little finger, though he spoke so badly of her. He asked whether I would let Sofya Semyonovna sit beside my sister. I answered that I had already done so that day. “My mother and sister were unwilling to quarrel with me because of his insinuations, and this irritated him. He gradually became unforgivably rude to them. The final break came, and he was thrown out of the house. All this happened yesterday evening. “Now I beg you to pay close attention. Consider what would have happened if he had succeeded in proving that Sofya Semyonovna was a thief. He would have shown my mother and sister that his suspicions were almost right. He would have shown that he had reason to be angry with me for putting my sister on the same level as Sofya Semyonovna. He would have shown that, by attacking me, he was protecting the honor of my sister, his fiancée. In fact, he might even have turned my family against me through all this. And no doubt he hoped they would welcome him back. That is not to mention his revenge on me personally. He has reason to think that Sofya Semyonovna’s honor and happiness are very precious to me. That was what he was working for! That’s how I understand it. That’s the whole reason for it, and there can be no other!”

It was like this, or somewhat like this, that Raskolnikov wound up his speech which was followed very attentively, though often interrupted by exclamations from his audience. But in spite of interruptions he spoke clearly, calmly, exactly, firmly. His decisive voice, his tone of conviction and his stern face made a great impression on everyone.

That, or something like it, was how Raskolnikov ended his speech. His listeners followed him very attentively, though they often interrupted with exclamations. But despite the interruptions, he spoke clearly, calmly, precisely, and firmly. His decisive voice, his tone of conviction, and his stern face made a great impression on everyone.

“Yes, yes, that’s it,” Lebeziatnikov assented gleefully, “that must be it, for he asked me, as soon as Sofya Semyonovna came into our room, whether you were here, whether I had seen you among Katerina Ivanovna’s guests. He called me aside to the window and asked me in secret. It was essential for him that you should be here! That’s it, that’s it!”

“Yes, yes, that’s it,” Lebeziatnikov agreed gleefully. “That must be it. As soon as Sofya Semyonovna came into our room, he asked me whether you were here. He asked if I had seen you among Katerina Ivanovna’s guests. He called me aside to the window and asked me in secret. It was essential to him that you be here! That’s it, that’s it!”

Luzhin smiled contemptuously and did not speak. But he was very pale. He seemed to be deliberating on some means of escape. Perhaps he would have been glad to give up everything and get away, but at the moment this was scarcely possible. It would have implied admitting the truth of the accusations brought against him. Moreover, the company, which had already been excited by drink, was now too much stirred to allow it. The commissariat clerk, though indeed he had not grasped the whole position, was shouting louder than anyone and was making some suggestions very unpleasant to Luzhin. But not all those present were drunk; lodgers came in from all the rooms. The three Poles were tremendously excited and were continually shouting at him: “The pan is a lajdak!” and muttering threats in Polish. Sonia had been listening with strained attention, though she too seemed unable to grasp it all; she seemed as though she had just returned to consciousness. She did not take her eyes off Raskolnikov, feeling that all her safety lay in him. Katerina Ivanovna breathed hard and painfully and seemed fearfully exhausted. Amalia Ivanovna stood looking more stupid than anyone, with her mouth wide open, unable to make out what had happened. She only saw that Pyotr Petrovitch had somehow come to grief.

Luzhin smiled with contempt and said nothing. But he was very pale. He seemed to be looking for a way out. Perhaps he would have been glad to give up everything and leave, but that was hardly possible now. Leaving would have meant admitting that the accusations against him were true. Besides, the company, already excited by drink, was now too worked up to let him leave. The commissariat clerk had not fully understood the situation, but he was shouting louder than anyone. He was also making some suggestions that were very unpleasant to Luzhin. But not everyone present was drunk. Lodgers were coming in from all the rooms. The three Poles were extremely excited and kept shouting at him: “The pan is a lajdak!” They also muttered threats in Polish. Sonia had been listening intently, though she too seemed unable to understand it all. She looked as if she had just regained consciousness. She kept her eyes on Raskolnikov, feeling that her safety depended entirely on him. Katerina Ivanovna was breathing hard and painfully and seemed terribly exhausted. Amalia Ivanovna stood with her mouth wide open, looking more stupid than anyone. She could not understand what had happened. She could only see that Pyotr Petrovitch had somehow come to grief.

Raskolnikov was attempting to speak again, but they did not let him. Everyone was crowding round Luzhin with threats and shouts of abuse. But Pyotr Petrovitch was not intimidated. Seeing that his accusation of Sonia had completely failed, he had recourse to insolence:

Raskolnikov tried to speak again, but they would not let him. Everyone crowded around Luzhin, threatening him and shouting insults. But Pyotr Petrovitch was not intimidated. Seeing that his accusation against Sonia had completely failed, he turned to insolence:

“Allow me, gentlemen, allow me! Don’t squeeze, let me pass!” he said, making his way through the crowd. “And no threats, if you please! I assure you it will be useless, you will gain nothing by it. On the contrary, you’ll have to answer, gentlemen, for violently obstructing the course of justice. The thief has been more than unmasked, and I shall prosecute. Our judges are not so blind and... not so drunk, and will not believe the testimony of two notorious infidels, agitators, and atheists, who accuse me from motives of personal revenge which they are foolish enough to admit.... Yes, allow me to pass!”

“Let me through, gentlemen, let me through! Don’t crowd me, let me pass!” he said, pushing through the crowd. “And no threats, please! I assure you, threats won’t work. You won’t gain anything by them. On the contrary, you’ll have to answer for using force to obstruct justice, gentlemen. The thief has been thoroughly exposed, and I will press charges. Our judges are not so blind and... not so drunk. They won’t believe the testimony of two notorious infidels, agitators, and atheists. Those two accuse me out of personal revenge, which they are foolish enough to admit.... Yes, let me pass!”

“Don’t let me find a trace of you in my room! Kindly leave at once, and everything is at an end between us! When I think of the trouble I’ve been taking, the way I’ve been expounding... all this fortnight!”

“Don’t leave a trace of yourself in my room! Leave right now, and everything between us is over! When I think of all the trouble I’ve taken, all the explaining I’ve done... for two whole weeks!”

“I told you myself to-day that I was going, when you tried to keep me; now I will simply add that you are a fool. I advise you to see a doctor for your brains and your short sight. Let me pass, gentlemen!”

“I told you today that I was leaving when you tried to stop me. Now I’ll just add that you’re a fool. I advise you to see a doctor about your brain and your poor eyesight. Let me pass, gentlemen!”

He forced his way through. But the commissariat clerk was unwilling to let him off so easily: he picked up a glass from the table, brandished it in the air and flung it at Pyotr Petrovitch; but the glass flew straight at Amalia Ivanovna. She screamed, and the clerk, overbalancing, fell heavily under the table. Pyotr Petrovitch made his way to his room and half an hour later had left the house. Sonia, timid by nature, had felt before that day that she could be ill-treated more easily than anyone, and that she could be wronged with impunity. Yet till that moment she had fancied that she might escape misfortune by care, gentleness and submissiveness before everyone. Her disappointment was too great. She could, of course, bear with patience and almost without murmur anything, even this. But for the first minute she felt it too bitter. In spite of her triumph and her justification—when her first terror and stupefaction had passed and she could understand it all clearly—the feeling of her helplessness and of the wrong done to her made her heart throb with anguish and she was overcome with hysterical weeping. At last, unable to bear any more, she rushed out of the room and ran home, almost immediately after Luzhin’s departure. When amidst loud laughter the glass flew at Amalia Ivanovna, it was more than the landlady could endure. With a shriek she rushed like a fury at Katerina Ivanovna, considering her to blame for everything.

He pushed his way through. But the commissariat clerk was not willing to let him go so easily. He picked up a glass from the table, waved it in the air, and threw it at Pyotr Petrovitch. But the glass flew straight at Amalia Ivanovna. She screamed, and the clerk lost his balance and fell heavily under the table. Pyotr Petrovitch made his way to his room and left the house half an hour later. Sonia was timid by nature. Even before that day, she had felt that she could be mistreated more easily than anyone else. She also felt that people could wrong her without fear of punishment. Yet until that moment, she had imagined she could avoid misfortune by being careful, gentle, and submissive to everyone. The disappointment was too great. Of course, she could bear anything patiently and almost without complaint, even this. But at first it was too bitter to bear. Despite her triumph and the proof of her innocence, she felt helpless and wronged. Once her first terror and shock had passed, she could understand everything clearly. Her heart throbbed with anguish, and she broke into hysterical sobs. At last, unable to bear any more, she rushed out of the room and ran home. This was almost immediately after Luzhin left. The glass flew at Amalia Ivanovna amid loud laughter. It was more than the landlady could bear. With a shriek, she rushed like a fury at Katerina Ivanovna, whom she blamed for everything.

“Out of my lodgings! At once! Quick march!”

“Get out of my rooms! Right now! Move!”

And with these words she began snatching up everything she could lay her hands on that belonged to Katerina Ivanovna, and throwing it on the floor. Katerina Ivanovna, pale, almost fainting, and gasping for breath, jumped up from the bed where she had sunk in exhaustion and darted at Amalia Ivanovna. But the battle was too unequal: the landlady waved her away like a feather.

With those words, she began grabbing everything she could find that belonged to Katerina Ivanovna and throwing it on the floor. Katerina Ivanovna was pale, nearly fainting, and gasping for breath. She jumped up from the bed where she had collapsed in exhaustion and rushed at Amalia Ivanovna. But it was no fair fight. The landlady brushed her aside like a feather.

“What! As though that godless calumny was not enough—this vile creature attacks me! What! On the day of my husband’s funeral I am turned out of my lodging! After eating my bread and salt she turns me into the street, with my orphans! Where am I to go?” wailed the poor woman, sobbing and gasping. “Good God!” she cried with flashing eyes, “is there no justice upon earth? Whom should you protect if not us orphans? We shall see! There is law and justice on earth, there is, I will find it! Wait a bit, godless creature! Polenka, stay with the children, I’ll come back. Wait for me, if you have to wait in the street. We will see whether there is justice on earth!”

“What! As if that godless slander weren’t enough, this vile creature attacks me! What! On the day of my husband’s funeral, I’m being thrown out of my lodging! After eating my bread and salt, she throws me and my orphaned children into the street! Where am I to go?” wailed the poor woman, sobbing and gasping. “Good God!” she cried, her eyes flashing. “Is there no justice on earth? Who should you protect if not us orphans? We’ll see! There is law and justice on earth, there is, and I’ll find it! Just wait, godless creature! Polenka, stay with the children. I’ll come back. Wait for me, even if you have to wait in the street. We’ll see whether there’s justice on earth!”

And throwing over her head that green shawl which Marmeladov had mentioned to Raskolnikov, Katerina Ivanovna squeezed her way through the disorderly and drunken crowd of lodgers who still filled the room, and, wailing and tearful, she ran into the street—with a vague intention of going at once somewhere to find justice. Polenka with the two little ones in her arms crouched, terrified, on the trunk in the corner of the room, where she waited trembling for her mother to come back. Amalia Ivanovna raged about the room, shrieking, lamenting and throwing everything she came across on the floor. The lodgers talked incoherently, some commented to the best of their ability on what had happened, others quarrelled and swore at one another, while others struck up a song....

Katerina Ivanovna threw the green shawl over her head, the one Marmeladov had mentioned to Raskolnikov. She squeezed through the unruly, drunken crowd of lodgers who still filled the room. Crying and wailing, she ran into the street. She had a vague idea of going somewhere at once to seek justice. Polenka crouched in terror on the trunk in the corner of the room, holding the two little ones in her arms. She waited there, trembling, for her mother to return. Amalia Ivanovna raged around the room, shrieking and lamenting. She threw everything she came across onto the floor. The lodgers talked incoherently. Some did their best to comment on what had happened. Others quarreled and swore at one another, while still others began to sing....

“Now it’s time for me to go,” thought Raskolnikov. “Well, Sofya Semyonovna, we shall see what you’ll say now!”

“Now it’s time for me to go,” thought Raskolnikov. “Well, Sofya Semyonovna, let’s see what you say now!”

And he set off in the direction of Sonia’s lodgings.

And he headed toward Sonia’s place.