Pagina 531 de 1294

"Don't be irritated." Zossimov forced himself to laugh. "Assume

that you are my first patient--well--we fellows just beginning to

practise love our first patients as if they were our children,

and some almost fall in love with them. And, of course, I am not

rich in patients."

"I say nothing about him," added Raskolnikov, pointing to

Razumihin, "though he has had nothing from me either but insult

and trouble."

"What nonsense he is talking! Why, you are in a sentimental mood

to-day, are you?" shouted Razumihin.

If he had had more penetration he would have seen that there was

no trace of sentimentality in him, but something indeed quite the

opposite. But Avdotya Romanovna noticed it. She was intently and

uneasily watching her brother.

"As for you, mother, I don't dare to speak," he went on, as

though repeating a lesson learned by heart. "It is only to-day

that I have been able to realise a little how distressed you must

have been here yesterday, waiting for me to come back."