I'll call the police!"
"Call away!"
Again they stood for a minute facing each other.
At last Svidrigailov's face changed.
Having satisfied himself that Raskolnikov was not frightened at his threat, he assumed a mirthful and friendly air.
"What a fellow!
I purposely refrained from referring to your affair, though I am devoured by curiosity.
It's a fantastic affair.
I've put it off till another time, but you're enough to rouse the dead....
Well, let us go, only I warn you beforehand I am only going home for a moment, to get some money; then I shall lock up the flat, take a cab and go to spend the evening at the Islands.
Now, now are you going to follow me?"
"I'm coming to your lodgings, not to see you but Sofya Semyonovna, to say I'm sorry not to have been at the funeral."
"That's as you like, but Sofya Semyonovna is not at home.
She has taken the three children to an old lady of high rank, the patroness of some orphan asylums, whom I used to know years ago.
I charmed the old lady by depositing a sum of money with her to provide for the three children of Katerina Ivanovna and subscribing to the institution as well. I told her too the story of Sofya Semyonovna in full detail, suppressing nothing.
It produced an indescribable effect on her.
That's why Sofya Semyonovna has been invited to call to-day at the X. Hotel where the lady is staying for the time."
"No matter, I'll come all the same."
"As you like, it's nothing to me, but I won't come with you; here we are at home.
By the way, I am convinced that you regard me with suspicion just because I have shown such delicacy and have not so far troubled you with questions... you understand?
It struck you as extraordinary; I don't mind betting it's that.
Well, it teaches one to show delicacy!"
"And to listen at doors!"
"Ah, that's it, is it?" laughed Svidrigailov. "Yes, I should have been surprised if you had let that pass after all that has happened.
Ha-ha!
Though I did understand something of the pranks you had been up to and were telling Sofya Semyonovna about, what was the meaning of it?
Perhaps I am quite behind the times and can't understand.
For goodness' sake, explain it, my dear boy.
Expound the latest theories!"
"You couldn't have heard anything. You're making it all up!"
"But I'm not talking about that (though I did hear something). No, I'm talking of the way you keep sighing and groaning now.
The Schiller in you is in revolt every moment, and now you tell me not to listen at doors.
If that's how you feel, go and inform the police that you had this mischance: you made a little mistake in your theory.
But if you are convinced that one mustn't listen at doors, but one may murder old women at one's pleasure, you'd better be off to America and make haste.
Run, young man!
There may still be time.
I'm speaking sincerely.
Haven't you the money?
I'll give you the fare."
"I'm not thinking of that at all," Raskolnikov interrupted with disgust.
"I understand (but don't put yourself out, don't discuss it if you don't want to). I understand the questions you are worrying over--moral ones, aren't they? Duties of citizen and man?
Lay them all aside. They are nothing to you now, ha-ha!
You'll say you are still a man and a citizen.
If so you ought not to have got into this coil. It's no use taking up a job you are not fit for.
Well, you'd better shoot yourself, or don't you want to?"
"You seem trying to enrage me, to make me leave you."
"What a queer fellow! But here we are. Welcome to the staircase.
You see, that's the way to Sofya Semyonovna. Look, there is no one at home.
Don't you believe me?
Ask Kapernaumov. She leaves the key with him.