Pagina 51 van 1294

Six days ago when I brought her my first earnings in

full--twenty-three roubles forty copecks altogether--she called

me her poppet: 'poppet,' said she, 'my little poppet.' And when

we were by ourselves, you understand? You would not think me a

beauty, you would not think much of me as a husband, would

you?... Well, she pinched my cheek, 'my little poppet,' said

she."

Marmeladov broke off, tried to smile, but suddenly his chin began

to twitch. He controlled himself however. The tavern, the

degraded appearance of the man, the five nights in the hay barge,

and the pot of spirits, and yet this poignant love for his wife

and children bewildered his listener. Raskolnikov listened

intently but with a sick sensation. He felt vexed that he had

come here.