Pagina 381 di 1294

"Why, she's pretty," he said, drawing himself up and looking at

her.

She smiled, much pleased at the compliment.

"You're very nice looking yourself," she said.

"Isn't he thin though!" observed another woman in a deep bass.

"Have you just come out of a hospital?"

"They're all generals' daughters, it seems, but they have all

snub noses," interposed a tipsy peasant with a sly smile on his

face, wearing a loose coat. "See how jolly they are."

"Go along with you!"

"I'll go, sweetie!"

And he darted down into the saloon below. Raskolnikov moved on.

"I say, sir," the girl shouted after him.

"What is it?"

She hesitated.

"I'll always be pleased to spend an hour with you, kind

gentleman, but now I feel shy. Give me six copecks for a drink,

there's a nice young man!"

Raskolnikov gave her what came first--fifteen copecks.

"Ah, what a good-natured gentleman!"

"What's your name?"

"Ask for Duclida."