Crime and Punishment

Raskolnikov was not used to crowds, and, as we said before, he avoided society of everysort, more especially of late. But now all at once he felt a desire to be with other people. Something new seemed to be taking place within him, and with it he felt a sort of thirst forcompany. He was so weary after a whole month of concentrated wretchedness and gloomyexcitement that he longed to rest, if only for a moment, in some other world, whatever itmight be; and, in spite of the filthiness of the surroundings, he was glad now to stay in thetavern. The master of the establishment was in another room, but he frequently came downsome steps into the main room, his jaunty, tarred boots with red turn-over tops cominginto view each time before the rest of his person. He wore a full coat and a horribly greasyblack satin waistcoat, with no cravat, and his whole face seemed smeared with oil like aniron lock. At the counter stood a boy of about fourteen, and there was another boysomewhat younger who handed whatever was wanted. On the counter lay some slicedcucumber, some pieces of dried black bread, and some fish, chopped up small, all smellingvery bad. It was insufferably close, and so heavy with the fumes of spirits that five minutesin such an atmosphere might well make a man drunk.