按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
utterly petty it all is！〃
But in spite of this scornful reflection； he was by now looking
cheerful as though he were suddenly set free from a terrible burden：
and he gazed round in a friendly way at the people in the room。 But
even at that moment he had a dim foreboding that this happier frame of
mind was also not normal。
There were few people at the time in the tavern。 Besides the two
drunken men he had met on the steps； a group consisting of about
five men and a girl with a concertina had gone out at the same time。
Their departure left the room quiet and rather empty。 The persons
still in the tavern were a man who appeared to be an artisan； drunk；
but not extremely so； sitting before a pot of beer； and his companion；
a huge； stout man with a grey beard； in a short full…skirted coat。
He was very drunk： and had dropped asleep on the bench； every now
and then； he began as though in his sleep； cracking his fingers；
with his arms wide apart and the upper part of his body bounding about
on the bench； while he hummed some meaningless refrain； trying to
recall some such lines as these：
…
〃His wife a year he fondly loved
His wife a… a year he… fondly loved。〃
…
Or suddenly waking up again：
…
〃Walking along the crowded row
He met the one he used to know。〃
…
But no one shared his enjoyment： his silent companion looked with
positive hostility and mistrust at all these manifestations。 There was
another man in the room who looked somewhat like a retired
government clerk。 He was sitting apart； now and then sipping from
his pot and looking round at the company。 He； too； appeared to be in
some agitation。
Chapter Two
RASKOLNIKOV was not used to crowds； and； as we said before； he
avoided society of every sort； more especially of late。 But now all at
once he felt a desire to be with other people。 Something new seemed to
be taking place within him； and with it he felt a sort of thirst for
company。 He was so weary after a whole month of concentrated
wretchedness and gloomy excitement that he longed to rest； if only for
a moment； in some other world； whatever it might be； and； in spite
of the filthiness of the surroundings； he was glad now to stay in
the tavern。
The master of the establishment was in another room； but he
frequently came down some steps into the main room； his jaunty； tarred
boots with red turn…over tops coming into view each time before the
rest of his person。 He wore a full coat and a horribly greasy black
satin waistcoat； with no cravat； and his whole face seemed smeared
with oil like an iron lock。 At the counter stood a boy of about
fourteen； and there was another boy somewhat younger who handed
whatever was wanted。 On the counter lay some sliced cucumber； some
pieces of dried black bread； and some fish； chopped up small； all
smelling very bad。 It was insufferably close； and so heavy with the
fumes of spirits that five minutes in such an atmosphere might well
make a man drunk。
There are chance meetings with strangers that interest us from the
first moment； before a word is spoken。 Such was the impression made on
Raskolnikov by the person sitting a little distance from him； who
looked like a retired clerk。 The young man often recalled this
impression afterwards； and even ascribed it to presentiment。 He looked
repeatedly at the clerk； partly no doubt because the latter was
staring persistently at him； obviously anxious to enter into
conversation。 At the other persons in the room； including the
tavern…keeper； the clerk looked as though he were used to their
company； and weary of it； showing a shade of condescending contempt
for them as persons of station and culture inferior to his own； with
whom it would be useless for him to converse。 He was a man over fifty；
bald and grizzled； of medium height； and stoutly built。 His face；
bloated from continual drinking； was of a yellow； even greenish；
tinge； with swollen eyelids out of which keen reddish eyes gleamed
like little chinks。 But there was something very strange in him； there
was a light in his eyes as though of intense feeling… perhaps there
were even thought and intelligence； but at the same time there was a
gleam of something like madness。 He was wearing an old and
hopelessly ragged black dress coat； with all its buttons missing
except one； and that one he had buttoned； evidently clinging to this
last trace of respectability。 A crumpled shirt front covered with
spots and stains； protruded from his canvas waistcoat。 Like a clerk；
he wore no beard； nor moustache； but had been so long unshaven that
his chin looked like a stiff greyish brush。 And there was something
respectable and like an official about his manner too。 But he was
restless； he ruffled up his hair and from time to time let his head
drop into his hands dejectedly resting his ragged elbows on the
stained and sticky table。 At last he looked straight at Raskolnikov；
and said loudly and resolutely：
〃May I venture； honoured sir； to engage you in polite
conversation？ Forasmuch as； though your exterior would not command
respect； my experience admonishes me that you are a man of education
and not accustomed to drinking。 I have always respected education when
in conjunction with genuine sentiments； and I am besides a titular
counsellor in rank。 Marmeladov… such is my name； titular counsellor。 I
make bold t