Pagina 500 van 1294

And yet as he dressed he examined his attire more carefully than

usual. He hadn't another suit--if he had had, perhaps he wouldn't

have put it on. "I would have made a point of not putting it on."

But in any case he could not remain a cynic and a dirty sloven;

he had no right to offend the feelings of others, especially when

they were in need of his assistance and asking him to see them.

He brushed his clothes carefully. His linen was always decent; in

that respect he was especially clean.

He washed that morning scrupulously--he got some soap from

Nastasya--he washed his hair, his neck and especially his hands.

When it came to the question whether to shave his stubbly chin or

not (Praskovya Pavlovna had capital razors that had been left by

her late husband), the question was angrily answered in the

negative. "Let it stay as it is! What if they think that I shaved

on purpose to...? They certainly would think so! Not on any

account!"