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Chapter 2 It was nearly eight oclock. The two young men hurried to Bakaleyevs, to arrive before Luzhin. Why, who was that? asked Razumihin, as soon as they were in the street. It was Svidrigailov, that landowner in whose house my sister was insulted when she was their governess. Through his persecuting her with his attentions, she was turned out by his wife, Marfa Petrovna. This Marfa Petrovna begged Dounias forgiveness afterwards, and shes just died suddenly. It was of her we were talking this morning. I dont know why Im afraid of that man. He came here at once after his wifes funeral. He is very strange, and is determined on doing something. We must guard Dounia from him thats what I wanted to tell you, do you hear? Guard her! What can he do to harm Avdotya Romanovna? Thank you, Rodya, for speaking to me like that. We will, we will guard her. Where does he live? I dont know. Why didnt you ask? What a pity! Ill find out, though. Did you see him? asked Raskolnikov after a pause. Yes, I noticed him, I noticed him well. You did really see him? You saw him clearly? Raskolnikov insisted. Yes, I remember him perfectly, I should know him in a thousand; I have a good memory for faces. They were silent again. Hm! thats all right, muttered Raskolnikov. Do you know, I fancied I keep thinking that it may have been an hallucination. What do you mean? I dont understand you. Well, you all say, Raskolnikov went on, twisting his mouth into a smile, that I am mad. I thought just now that perhaps I really am mad, and have only seen a phantom. What do you mean? Why, who can tell? Perhaps I am really mad, and perhaps everything that happened all these days may be only imagination. Ach, Rodya, you have been upset again! But what did he say, what did he come for? Raskolnikov did not answer. Razumihin thought a minute. Now let me tell you my story, he began, I came to you, you were asleep. Then we had dinner and then I went to Porfirys, Zametov was still with him. I tried to begin, but it was no use. I couldnt speak in the right way. They dont seem to understand and cant understand, but are not a bit ashamed. I drew Porfiry to the window, and began talking to him, but it was still no use. He looked away and I looked away. At last I shook my fist in his ugly face, and told him as a cousin Id brain him. He merely looked at me, I cursed and came away. That was all. It was very stupid. To Zametov I didnt say a word. But, you see, I thought Id made a mess of it, but as I went downstairs a brilliant idea struck me: why should we trouble? Of course if you were in any danger or anything, but why need you care? You neednt care a hang for them. We shall have a laugh at them afterwards, and if I were in your place Id mystify them more than ever. How ashamed theyll be afterwards! Hang them! We can thrash them afterwards, but lets laugh at them now! |
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