Pagina 19 de 1294

He walked along the pavement like a drunken man, regardless of

the passers-by, and jostling against them, and only came to his

senses when he was in the next street. Looking round, he noticed

that he was standing close to a tavern which was entered by steps

leading from the pavement to the basement. At that instant two

drunken men came out at the door, and abusing and supporting one

another, they mounted the steps. Without stopping to think,

Raskolnikov went down the steps at once. Till that moment he had

never been into a tavern, but now he felt giddy and was tormented

by a burning thirst. He longed for a drink of cold beer, and

attributed his sudden weakness to the want of food. He sat down

at a sticky little table in a dark and dirty corner; ordered some

beer, and eagerly drank off the first glassful. At once he felt

easier; and his thoughts became clear.