Pagina 244 van 1294

The assistant superintendent, still shaken by Raskolnikov's

disrespect, still fuming and obviously anxious to keep up his

wounded dignity, pounced on the unfortunate smart lady, who had

been gazing at him ever since he came in with an exceedingly

silly smile.

"You shameful hussy!" he shouted suddenly at the top of his

voice. (The lady in mourning had left the office.) "What was

going on at your house last night? Eh! A disgrace again, you're a

scandal to the whole street. Fighting and drinking again. Do you

want the house of correction? Why, I have warned you ten times

over that I would not let you off the eleventh! And here you are

again, again, you... you...!"

The paper fell out of Raskolnikov's hands, and he looked wildly

at the smart lady who was so unceremoniously treated. But he soon

saw what it meant, and at once began to find positive amusement

in the scandal. He listened with pleasure, so that he longed to

laugh and laugh... all his nerves were on edge.