صفحة 53 من 1294

Well, then, sir" (Marmeladov suddenly gave a sort of start,

raised his head and gazed intently at his listener) "well, on the

very next day after all those dreams, that is to say, exactly

five days ago, in the evening, by a cunning trick, like a thief

in the night, I stole from Katerina Ivanovna the key of her box,

took out what was left of my earnings, how much it was I have

forgotten, and now look at me, all of you! It's the fifth day

since I left home, and they are looking for me there and it's the

end of my employment, and my uniform is lying in a tavern on the

Egyptian bridge. I exchanged it for the garments I have on... and

it's the end of everything!"

Marmeladov struck his forehead with his fist, clenched his teeth,

closed his eyes and leaned heavily with his elbow on the table.

But a minute later his face suddenly changed and with a certain

assumed slyness and affectation of bravado, he glanced at

Raskolnikov, laughed and said: