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Chapter Six
LATER on Raskolnikov happened to find out why the huckster and his
wife had invited Lizaveta。 It was a very ordinary matter and there was
nothing exceptional about it。 A family who had come to the town and
been reduced to poverty were selling their household goods and
clothes； all women's things。 As the things would have fetched little
in the market； they were looking for a dealer。 This was Lizaveta's
business。 She undertook such jobs and was frequently employed； as
she was very honest and always fixed a fair price and stuck to it。 She
spoke as a rule little and； as we have said already； she was very
submissive and timid。
But Raskolnikov had become superstitious of late。 The traces of
superstition remained in him long after； and were almost ineradicable。
And in all this he was always afterwards disposed to see something
strange and mysterious； as it were the presence of some peculiar
influences and coincidences。 In the previous winter a student he
knew called Pokorev； who had left for Harkov； had chanced in
conversation to give him the address of Alyona Ivanovna； the old
pawnbroker； in case he might want to pawn anything。 For a long while
he did not go to her； for he had lessons and managed to get along
somehow。 Six weeks ago he had remembered the address； he had two
articles that could be pawned： his father's old silver watch and a
little gold ring with three red stones； a present from his sister at
parting。 He decided to take the ring。 When he found the old woman he
had felt an insurmountable repulsion for her at the first glance；
though he knew nothing special about her。 He got two roubles from
her and went into a miserable little tavern on his way home。 He
asked for tea； sat down and sank into deep thought。 A strange idea was
pecking at his brain like a chicken in the egg； and very； very much
absorbed him。
Almost beside him at the next table there was sitting a student；
whom he did not know and had never seen； and with him a young officer。
They had played a game of billiards and began drinking tea。 All at
once he heard the student mention to the officer the pawnbroker Alyona
Ivanovna and give him her address。 This of itself seemed strange to
Raskolnikov； he had just come from her and here at once he heard her
name。 Of course it was a chance； but he could not shake off a very
extraordinary impression； and here some one seemed to be speaking
expressly for him； the student began telling his friend various
details about Alyona Ivanovna。
〃She is first rate；〃 he said。 〃You can always get money from her。
She is as rich as a Jew； she can give you five thousand roubles at a
time and she is not above taking a pledge for a rouble。 Lots of our
fellows have had dealings with her。 But she is an awful old harpy。。。。〃
And he began describing how spiteful and uncertain she was； how if
you were only a day late with your interest the pledge was lost； how
she gave a quarter of the value of an article and took five and even
seven percent a month on it and so on。 The student chattered on；
saying that she had a sister Lizaveta； whom the wretched little
creature was continually beating； and kept in complete bondage like
a small child； though Lizaveta was at least six feet high。
〃There's a phenomenon for you；〃 cried the student and he laughed。
They began talking about Lizaveta。 The student spoke about her
with a peculiar relish and was continually laughing and the officer
listened with great interest and asked him to send Lizaveta to do some
mending for him。 Raskolnikov did not miss a word and learned
everything about her。 Lizaveta was younger than the old woman and
was her half…sister； being the child of a different mother。 She was
thirty…five。 She worked day and night for her sister； and besides
doing the cooking and the washing； she did sewing and worked as a
charwoman and gave her sister all she earned。 She did not dare to
accept an order or job of any kind without her sister's permission。
The old woman had already made her will； and Lizaveta knew of it；
and by this will she would not get a farthing； nothing but the
movables； chairs and so on； all the money was left to a monastery in
the province of N___； that prayers might be said for her in
perpetuity。 Lizaveta was of lower rank than her sister； unmarried
and awfully uncouth in appearance； remarkably tall with long feet that
looked as if they were bent outwards。 She always wore battered
goatskin shoes； and was clean in her person。 What the student
expressed most surprise and amusement about was the fact that Lizaveta
was continually with child。
〃But you say she is hideous？〃 observed the officer。
〃Yes； she is so dark…skinned and looks like a soldier dressed up；
but you know she is not at all hideous。 She has such a good…natured
face and eyes。 Strikingly so。 And the proof of it is that lots of
people are attracted by her。 She is such a soft； gentle creature；
ready to put up with anything； always willing； willing to do anything。
And her smile is really very sweet。〃
〃You seem to find her attractive yourself；〃 laughed the officer。
〃From her queerness。 No； I'll tell you what。 I could kill that
damned old woman and make off with her money； I assure you； without
the faintest conscience…prick；〃 the student added with warmth。 The
officer laughed again while Raskolnikov shuddered。 How strange it was！
〃Listen； I want to ask you a serious question；〃 the student said
hotly。 〃I was joking of course； but look here； on one side we have a
stupid； senseless； worthless； spiteful； ailing； horrid old woman；
not simply useless but doing actual mischief； who has not an idea what
she is living for herself； and who will die in a day or two in any
case。 You understand？ You understand？〃
〃Yes； yes； I understand；〃 answered the officer； watching his excited
companion at