Pagina 317 van 1294

"Come, Rodya, my boy, don't oppose it, afterwards will be too

late; and I shan't sleep all night, for I bought it by guess,

without measure. Just right!" he cried triumphantly, fitting it

on, "just your size! A proper head-covering is the first thing in

dress and a recommendation in its own way. Tolstyakov, a friend

of mine, is always obliged to take off his pudding basin when he

goes into any public place where other people wear their hats or

caps. People think he does it from slavish politeness, but it's

simply because he is ashamed of his bird's nest; he is such a

boastful fellow! Look, Nastasya, here are two specimens of

headgear: this Palmerston"--he took from the corner Raskolnikov's

old, battered hat, which for some unknown reason, he called a

Palmerston--"or this jewel! Guess the price, Rodya, what do you

suppose I paid for it, Nastasya!" he said, turning to her, seeing

that Raskolnikov did not speak.

"Twenty copecks, no more, I dare say," answered Nastasya.