Page 509 of 1294

"Naturally," answered Razumihin. "I have no mother, but my uncle

comes every year and almost every time he can scarcely recognise

me, even in appearance, though he is a clever man; and your three

years' separation means a great deal. What am I to tell you? I

have known Rodion for a year and a half; he is morose, gloomy,

proud and haughty, and of late--and perhaps for a long time

before--he has been suspicious and fanciful. He has a noble

nature and a kind heart. He does not like showing his feelings

and would rather do a cruel thing than open his heart freely.

Sometimes, though, he is not at all morbid, but simply cold and

inhumanly callous; it's as though he were alternating between two

characters. Sometimes he is fearfully reserved! He says he is so

busy that everything is a hindrance, and yet he lies in bed doing

nothing. He doesn't jeer at things, not because he hasn't the

wit, but as though he hadn't time to waste on such trifles. He

never listens to what is said to him.