and seasons, for the secret of the times and seasons is in the wisdom of
Madame Hohlakov warmly entreated Alyosha to report this new “miracle of
unexpectedly and accidentally, and by that time very likely he did not
thought her great glowing black eyes were very fine, especially with her
sight. And the witness Maximov has testified that the prisoner had twenty
“It was a joke.... I don’t see of what interest that can be to you.... I
“Do, then; you won’t find out anything,” laughed Alyosha.
treated him badly over Father Zossima.”
“But it’s false, it’s false! It can’t be so! He’s slandering me from
nose to his mouth. The audience, of course, expressed enthusiasm and
listened with intense curiosity. A few days later it was fully decided and
him, and taking him by the shoulders began shaking him violently. “Do you
was a fuss. I got up suddenly and said to Rakitin, ‘It’s painful for me to
spying in agony, while he prepared himself for the first, happy solution
responsible to all men for all and everything, for all human sins,
would venture to try something else. The invalid was taken to the lodge,
from his place:
he is sitting in the summer‐house.”
once said about her that she was just as lively and at her ease as she was
happiness, or—how shall I say?—an instrument, a machine for his happiness,
the lamp‐post this evening and shouted to him, ‘You learnt it from _him_!
it. We shall fight. But I shall love her, I shall love her infinitely.
“Listen. Did you kill him alone? With my brother’s help or without?”
“Stay,” Ivan interrupted; “if he had killed him, he would have taken the
assistance again. Listen, it was I caught you, not you me. I told you your
“No, I haven’t yet, but I certainly shall. You must explain a great deal
trust that his youthful idealism and impulse towards the ideas of the
Alyosha felt at once that he had gravely wronged her in his thoughts. He
suddenly, “Of course I hate my name Nikolay.”
time. I’ll think it over and let you know through Smurov’—that’s the boy
“I thank you sincerely,” said Grushenka, bowing to him, “I’m going with
jump up, and instantly contrived to catch hold of the top of the fence.
“Don’t go near him, he’ll hurt you,” cried Smurov in a warning voice.
“You see, Alyosha,” Grushenka turned to him with a nervous laugh. “I was
had not yet lost her youthful cheerfulness. There was a soft light in the
exclaimed Trifon Borissovitch. “Akim gave you twenty‐five copecks the day
Kramskoy, called “Contemplation.” There is a forest in winter, and on a
shade of possibility, but a shade of probability in my propositions, do
But Mitya did not hear. He was frantically praying and muttering to
He took the notes, and for a minute he was almost unable to answer, quite
Borissovitch firmly. “You flung it about at random and they picked it up.
spot on his breast_, the shame he carried upon it, that weighed on his
time uttered an inarticulate grunt. How could she have been proud?
man was too hateful to him at that moment; but such an unceremonious
with uneasy curiosity.
prepared.”
drove away.
alarming idea of her, and had been horribly distressed the day before by
tears to dear, kind God to protect her? Do you understand that, friend and
it again.”
Street. They all shouted: “Aha, he is funking, he is running away. Wisp of
the true Kingdom of Christ will come.” That was the dream in Alyosha’s
account of Grushenka, like the frantic, savage fool he is, but he won’t
composure.
table fiercely. “That would have been filthy beyond everything! Yes, do
were selling rolls, cottons and threads, etc., in their booths. These
And he repeatedly made the sign of the cross to the saints painted above
you will stake.”
has come from the devil’s son and a holy innocent. Nurse him and weep no
the house, besides he had Perezvon, who had been told to lie flat, without
captain’s young ladies,” as he called them, and was always hanging about
Father Païssy stood over him for a little.
the spot....
doesn’t come (for very likely she does not mean to come at all) then he
Alyosha sit down to listen.
between him and Fyodor Pavlovitch.
stupid to me at the time ... I remember its seeming stupid ... it flashed
in the room who realized it. As for the captain he behaved like a small
“I’ve seen his portrait. It’s not the features, but something indefinable.
“Can Rakitin really have told the truth? I thought that you had just
luckless man trampled on the money, Lise could not help clasping her hands
student, and where she had thrown herself into a life of complete
woman, possessed of remarkable physical strength. Finally, she left the
noticed Rakitin. He was waiting for some one.
If the realist once believes, then he is bound by his very realism to
street, so that no one knew of it in the town. I lodged with two decrepit
“And I kiss you too, Lise. Listen, Alexey Fyodorovitch,” Madame Hohlakov
confirmed by documentary evidence; but for the present we will only note
“You seem very merry about it now,” observed Alyosha, looking into his
shouting group far behind. He too was in high spirits, though he was still
to say to each other.”
“What’s the use of the counsel? I told him all about it. He’s a soft,
governor of the feast called the bridegroom,_
interesting because it’s national. Though to us it’s absurd to cut off a
But Trifon Borissovitch did not even turn round. He was, perhaps, too
“To be sure I can, only I don’t quite know whether in this dress—”
of the erring brother. In this way, it all takes place without the
understood. But Ivan soon saw that, though the sun, moon, and stars might
eyes were gray, large and luminous, but strikingly prominent. He spoke
by, Alexey!”
went out of the hut. He did not find the forester in the next room; there
Alexandrovna in and she passes the night there, I’ll be the first to
“Why should He forbid?” Ivan went on in the same whisper, with a malignant
One such lady, a pining widow, who tried to seem young though she had a
it all seems so unnatural in our religion.”
On her and on me!
face I began recalling how often I had been on the point of declaring my
He had, no doubt, impressed Alyosha by some peculiar quality of his soul.
“No, I didn’t, I didn’t! I refused to give it him, for he could not
now even I have found grace. I am dying in the Lord.’ ‘Yes, Richard, die
the night without the sick headache which always, with her, followed such
talking to you, Rakitin, while a prince like this is standing here. Such a
drank a bottle and a half of it, and I was ready to dance, it took it away
absolution in spite of his great deeds. Only after this could the funeral
come into fashion,” and so on, and so on. And that was why they had
going through now, and no one ever can know.... For perhaps I shall take a
But we don’t know yet who will be in charge of the party, and it’s
were ordinary enough, he found nothing of interest in the interior of the
worldly affairs, and, apparently, after nothing else. Fyodor Pavlovitch,
with the success of his mission. “Mr. Kalganov has kindly provided these
Ivan took out the notes and showed them to him. Smerdyakov looked at them
not met the solicitation requirements, we know of no prohibition against
ran to the scene of the crime. On the way, Marya Kondratyevna remembered
“A most unworthy play upon words for an ecclesiastic!” Father Païssy could
now.”
Mitya was indescribably agitated. He turned pale.
earlier, on your own showing, you pledged your pistols for the sake of ten
Chapter I. The Fatal Day
have hysterics? Then, next day another fit, and the same thing on the
Grigory and Marfa, but the boy grew up “with no sense of gratitude,” as
was taken—taken from his mother and kept shut up all night. Early that
“When all are undressed, one is somehow not ashamed, but when one’s the
the two hundred roubles by to‐morrow, for he has already vindicated his
“But Katerina Ivanovna!” exclaimed Alyosha sorrowfully.
tea away; he wouldn’t have any.”
“Insolent creature!” cried Katerina Ivanovna, as though suddenly grasping
we are lonely and helpless, and evil environment is wearing us away and
“Very good,” he commented at last. “You see, I haven’t jumped up, I
“I’ll explain the rest now, in two words. In Moscow their fortunes changed
often amazingly shallow and credulous.
At last he goes up slowly, sets the light on the table and speaks.
nastiness into both ears, while he struggled, slipped to the floor, tried
strained look in his face was easy to understand at this moment. Every one
about the Nihilists asked the Ministry whether it was not high time to
his face; he was much thinner and sallower. His eyes were sunken and there
three without grieving overmuch, and now I have buried the last I can’t
“I did promise—to my father—my brothers—others too.”
I give it for what it’s worth. So that’s the sort of ideas we have on such
Mitya flushed red and flew into a rage.
two women, and which they could always recognize afterwards as theirs, and
Alyosha say suddenly.
not. And though I shall be awfully tempted to spy, I know that I won’t do
been lifted over by somebody; others hinted at something more uncanny. The
and the celebrated doctor had criticized his treatment with extreme
often quite a trifling and ridiculous one—some article left about in the
till her body was one bruise. Then, they went to greater refinements of
“You don’t remember? Then you didn’t quite know what you were doing?”
a Church over the whole world—which is the complete opposite of
know Katerina Ivanovna is here now?”
honorable one. I shall sow in you only a tiny grain of faith and it will
I will note briefly that Fyodor Pavlovitch was found to be quite dead,
And Mitya suddenly went off into his short, wooden laugh, startling
“Your touching tears are but a relief to your spirit and will serve to
that Ivan Karamazov is suffering from brain fever, that his statement may
whole future life, and you can never know what was in my heart. Yes,
I would not, however, have dwelt on such trivial and irrelevant details,
drinking while I am away. He’s sure to. It used to be so before. As soon
so humane, and would show what a blessing reformed law courts are. I knew
that it only extenuates it, if it does constitute. If I had believed then
second statement we heard only cries of resentment and revenge, cries of
in these last words of his, perhaps obscure to himself, but yet torturing
the play the fatal scene takes place on the staircase. I heard it all; I
although mamma muddles things ... she always rushes from one thing to
the prosecutor was now seated, and on Mitya’s right hand, where Grushenka
satisfied—the show had been a varied one. Then I remember the Moscow
afterwards, when everything was quiet again and every one understood what
frightened at it. He wasn’t walking away from me with a resolute step, but
not trouble the flock!” he repeated impressively.
by lightning.
added Marya Kondratyevna.
“I am Alexey Karamazov,” Alyosha began in reply.
on earth is hidden from us, but to make up for that we have been given a
she won’t come, but maybe she’s looking for more than that—I mean to be
“Enough, Dmitri Fyodorovitch, it’s said and done.” Madame Hohlakov cut him
say, had been reached only during the last hours, that is, after his last
ritual, and all the monks gathered together in the church. And before dawn
aberration?”
he was passionately anxious to make a career in one way or another. To
of them was willing to live in Fyodor Pavlovitch’s empty house. Alyosha
almost entirely finished packing one box of provisions, and were only
said I, ‘be our Napravnik.’ ‘What do you mean by Napravnik?’ said he. I
somehow. I don’t pity her. It’s her own doing. She deserves what she gets.
almost believing it himself. He was so touched he was almost weeping. But
“ ‘Ah, you scoundrel!’—that’s what she said. ‘You wicked scoundrel! How
entertained the Bishop and General Pahatov, do you remember? I shan’t be
civic rights, or even of keeping down the price of meat. You will show
Inquisitor. He blesses the people in silence and passes on. The guards
and you can have it. That’s what Ivan is afraid of, he is on the watch to
here’s something to make you happier!” He was perfectly enchanted himself.
The boy waited for him without budging. Coming up to him, Alyosha saw
hand, a tiny letter folded up tight and sealed. He glanced at it and
rebuilding his flagging fortunes by means of it, Fetyukovitch, they said,
from newspapers and books, and I’ve already got a fine collection. The
warm‐hearted sincerity. The “pride and haughtiness,” which had struck
themselves to him, and to the indissoluble bond between him and them.
She went with rapid steps to the table, opened a drawer, pulled out a
Katya’s favor. But that concerned the future. Meanwhile she gave her, for
itself. Ha ha ha!”
“And I of you,” said Alyosha, smiling and pressing his hand.
“Of course you may,” Krassotkin assented heartily, and, taking the cannon
sorry to be—losing a friend. But that was acting, too—you were playing a
And now the man who should, he believed, have been exalted above every one
“To be sure I will, it’s not a secret, that’s what I’ve been leading up
over again; he stood before me and I was beating him straight on the face
there’s no criticism and what would a journal be without a column of
law. It’s a spiritual, psychological process. To transform the world, to
him.... And I had no right, indeed, to be exacting as to that money,” she
peeped in at them, he would certainly have concluded that they were
given absolute power to bind and to loose, but the greater the power, the
“Fyodor Pavlovitch himself has so begged you to,” he said at last, slowly
without a prospect of gain for himself. His object in this case was
“Now, gentlemen, I am at your disposal, entirely at your disposal. And if
it’s true, of brief duration, so that the President did not think it
righteous in Paradise forgave them, beholding their torments, and called
and invited him to come to his cell whenever he liked.
for ever. I referred to her being rich and having a dowry while I was only
well. His kind will come first, and better ones after.”
he did not know. He knew nothing of his father’s money relations with
really was somewhere in the house. Dmitri looked at him with hatred as he
goings on. But there are a few peculiar men among them who believe in God
road, sighing and shaking our heads, no doubt, and yet smiling joyfully in
righteous men, but as they are never lacking, it will continue still
“How did you get it?”
“Father, give me a flower, too; take that white one out of his hand and
But Trifon Borissovitch stood proudly, with both hands behind his back,
“How do you mean, mamma, one on the top of another, how is that?” muttered
they are weak, that they are only pitiful children, but that childlike
away for the asking, either for good works or perhaps to a clever rogue.
gentlemen, I’ll reveal it. You’ve some foolish idea in your hearts. You
“He’s drunk,” Mitya decided. “Good Lord! What am I to do? What am I to
scornful.” It was nothing to take off his coat, but he was asked to
against his ugly face.”
were there, too,’ they said, ‘you helped, you’re known all over the
far from being so simple as every one thought him. He awaited the day with
flung myself into a life of pleasure, and plunged headlong into all the
came to me and held out her hand.
contrary, his self‐confidence increased with the increase of danger. It
“He is a beast, he stabbed Krassotkin in class the other day with a
hazarded.
would have hesitated to ruin a man’s life simply from the prejudice
true that at Easter the Jews steal a child and kill it?”
He really was late. They had waited for him and had already decided to
borrowed three roubles from the people of the house, who loved him so much
Alyosha’s finger had been badly bitten to the bone, close to the nail; it
or would investigate the state of his boots, or would shout angrily for
then!’ Let him laugh to himself, that’s no matter, a man often laughs at
“I say, I’ve been looking for you for the last two hours. You suddenly
indiscretion.
they heard in the distance the rumble of the train leaving the station.
“The devil! He’s taken to visiting me. He’s been here twice, almost three
But Father Zossima, on entering the portico, went first straight to the
“Oh, yes,” he laughed gloomily. “Of course I recognize it. Let me have a
were not so well satisfied, though even they were pleased with his
their hands. Too, too well will they know the value of complete
night at Mokroe only about old Grigory and praying to God that the old man
Chapter II. Lizaveta
for whom I have the highest respect and esteem ...”
dressmaker. She had a talent for it. She gave her services freely without
The jury withdrew and the court adjourned. People could get up, move
faintly.
passage. They went into that room and lighted a tallow candle. The hut was
“There is an anecdote precisely on our subject, or rather a legend, not an
outbursts of the same unconscious and, as it were, incoherent anxiety. At
house by means of those taps. That was inevitable, so I was expecting
was like a mat on her head, and that she was short of five foot by a wee
bear now at this very minute on my breast, here, here, which will come to
“What is it?” asked Alyosha, startled.
seeing how she was being drawn out, began catching hold of her so as to be
lying in a box. And afterwards I suggested to Fyodor Pavlovitch, as I was
was sitting at home. It was Sunday and there was no school. It had just
sick!”
brother Ivan. He was extremely interested in his brother Ivan, but when
the one, Mavriky Mavrikyevitch. I won’t be unruly, I won’t run away from
Chapter II. The Alarm
To angels—vision of God’s throne,
positively afraid of doing it, for you’d have thrashed me for daring to
What worried Alyosha more than anything was that, incredible as it seemed,
of young ladies of good family and fortune, daughter of a gallant colonel,
it is a monstrous slander, that I am exaggerating. Let them say so—and
upon her by force or kindness was also impossible: she would yield to
always keeps up relations with the criminal as a dear and still precious
It must be noted again that our monastery never had played any great part
followed by a deep sleep) at that moment when the old Grigory shouted at
silence. His face looked firm and earnest. This action and all the
Alyosha that he understood it all, and had grasped every point. But as the
eternal life?”
monks depart in the Lord, the monk designated (that is, whose office it
“Gentlemen, I was the cause of it all,” Mitya began again, unable to make
sing‐song voice, looking at the coffin of the dead elder:
Fyodorovitch, reflect that then neither Dmitri Fyodorovitch nor yourself
felt a centipede biting at my heart then—a noxious insect, you understand?
had gone away, and trade had got worse, yet the grocery stores flourished
degraded, though the continual opening of the heart to the elder by the
And his queen I’ll gladly be.
tailor, who had his measure. He wore immaculate black kid gloves and
told “such people” the story of his jealousy so sincerely and
anything. Let us get to the point, though. I noticed that there was a sort
“Who has made me a judge over them?” was all he said, smilingly, to
Smerdyakov lifted the book off the notes and laid it on one side.
“I did think of prosecuting him,” the captain went on, “but look in our
“He has a tail, your excellency, and that would be irregular! _Le diable
course, I’m to blame, and I shall have to answer for it. But if there
“Wait, dear. I haven’t told you the chief, the final decision I came to
subject, though he would have done well to put into words his doubt
the conversations with Alyosha, and the horrible scene of violence when
for the first time on coming of age, when he visited our neighborhood on
it all and you’ll see something.”
would certainly have to keep watch to‐day, but where? Here or at
great a faith that you are continually swearing at me, you try yourself
“Open, open to him. There’s a snowstorm and he is your brother. _Monsieur
I shall never be at home to you again, and I shall take her away, you may
times not to forget to say so.”
love in action is a harsh and dreadful thing compared with love in dreams.
noticed it with some embarrassment. He ascribed his brother’s indifference
Of the pride of Satan what I think is this: it is hard for us on earth to
Agrafena Alexandrovna(3) sent for me and shouted at me: ‘Don’t dare to
but infinitely merciful. He has made Himself like unto us from love and
Only flesh of bloodstained victims
there shouldn’t be either, if it’s according to justice,” Smerdyakov
a kind‐hearted, brave boy, he felt for his father’s honor and resented the
to‐morrow for three days, eh?”
doctor drove up. The captain darted out after the doctor, and, bowing
say more of the stinking son of Stinking Lizaveta! God will kill him, you
prisoner had to face this terrible ordeal the next day?
world—was thrown into a very sympathetic and attractive light, but ... I
the course he suddenly announced to the ladies that he was going to see
back precisely half the money, that is, fifteen hundred roubles? why not
that I have, leaving Lise, and becoming a sister of mercy. I close my eyes
“I don’t know.”
the fence where he had been knocked down, but about twenty paces off. It
breast, so that I remember the idea struck me at the time that the heart
“A regular Sodom!” Vrublevsky roared suddenly. “Landlord, send the
listen, there’s no harm in that. I don’t apologize.”
Vassilyevitch does not come, because I wait upon him alone in his room
apologize simply for having come with him....”
but her benefactress, the general’s widow, who had been kept by illness in
back his words afterwards, for Fetyukovitch caught him out over it at
impressed Father Païssy as unseemly. Though he had long foreseen something
well‐to‐do people of influence and position. They always gave me a cordial
faith? But I only believed when I was a little child, mechanically,
diseased, Ilya used to beat Lizaveta inhumanly whenever she returned to
deserve to suffer. Stay, wait, afterwards, I won’t have that....” she
“He knows everything, father, he knows more than any of us!” put in
he was aware of it himself. As a rule he was very willful, even
penitent, with new love, to the woman he had once betrayed, with honorable
dependents, dog‐boys, and huntsmen, all mounted around him in full hunting
He turned and walked on with a firm step, not looking back.
These excellent intentions were strengthened when he entered the Father
seemed to Mitya.
with business of such urgency be standing over this dolt on whom his whole
“I said just now that I would not venture to touch upon my client’s
began. I would not give an explanation, I could not ask forgiveness. I
philanthropic ladies, and the like. They taught him to read and write in
pounced on her, snatched her up in his arms, and carried the precious
especially with the peasants of Mokroe, but he had the power of assuming
and yet it would be better if it were he, as you’d have nothing to cry
man in a duel if he called me names because I am descended from a filthy
they talk of ‘middle‐aged charms’ as though that were my motive! He writes
about him, his eyes hastily searching in every corner.
heart for your guidance, seeing you are young, and the temptations of the
him sit down on the bed. She sat down beside him, and still keeping his
“I don’t know you. Do you know me?” Alyosha continued.
child who was given as a child of six by his parents to some shepherds on
had something to keep me here, I would have run over myself long ago, for
“You were so primed up with your elder’s teaching last night that now you
reports, performances and research. They may be modified and printed and
tear. “And is your father’s blessing nothing to you? If I curse you, what
The President and the prosecutor, of course, tried to calm her. I can’t
“He looked too closely at my socks, and turned them inside out on purpose
argument that there was nothing in the whole world to make men love their
heard the master moving about, sighing, so I knew he was alive. ‘Ech!’ I
ever; but he will learn at least that that sister is really his sister,
again! It’s shameful! Why are you crying? _As though you had anything to
“I believed, I believe, I want to believe, and I will believe, what more
“This way, my economist, this way, don’t be angry.” Mitya drew him into a
now he needed money more than ever. Karamazov would die, Karamazov would
“Don’t disturb yourself. We will arrange something. And meanwhile take off
and lay down. The agitation in his heart passed at once. “God, have mercy
“She was listening,” he murmured angrily to himself, but Alyosha heard it.
with him, of such gravity that he dare not defer it for a moment, and
must set it in order. Is that a pun, eh?”
capable of reasoning. But he could not reason at that moment. His present
“Well, never mind him, if he’s ill. So you meant to shoot yourself to‐
moment when it would be most natural to bring in Smerdyakov’s name. He
Europe the people are already rising up against the rich with violence,
approach.
Krassotkin, the widow of a former provincial secretary, who had been dead
alley for ever—his filthy back‐alley, his beloved back‐alley, where he is
listening in silence, said with a smile. “Is it simply a wild fantasy, or
“Whatever he says, he won’t get round our peasants.”
it before you went.”
about it. I assure you he understood, too, that I gave him that money to
“That’s what I loved you for, that you are generous at heart!” broke from
So Marfa brought up the child. He was christened Pavel, to which people
decisions of the most precise and phlegmatic people. Pyotr Ilyitch was by
to me. You look out for her,’ says he, ‘till midnight and later; and if
“Lise,” she whispered almost in his ear, “Lise has greatly surprised me
captain, too, came back.
hour of it. Of a truth, I am a lie, and the father of lies. Though I
“What are we to believe then? The first legend of the young officer
afternoon Dmitri Fyodorovitch borrowed ten roubles from me, and I know for
back to reason. But I swear, by God, Alyosha, I never insulted the poor
the monastery, not even Mitya, knew of it. I was told that Rakitin turned
aren’t you? How can you break off the engagement if she, your betrothed,
life with such tales!
“I ask you for the second time—need I take off my shirt or not?” he said,
“Listen, gentlemen, could anything be more likely than this theory and
of this old woman, who was apparently not bad‐hearted but had become an
everything was changed. He had gone to school in the morning, he came back
jealousy of the dead man’s saintliness, so firmly established during his
They arrested him, and he was tried for the murder; but a week after the
and brothers, that I cannot express this clearly. But woe to those who
“That’s all nonsense, and was it my fault that he would pester me?” But a
accumulating a greater mass of objects, but the joy in the world has grown
you? Are you laughing at me?”
father’s blood.... I meant to kill him. But I’m not guilty. Not I.”
every day. He rarely appeared at mass. Visitors who came to do him homage
and will be there directly.... But listen, listen, tell them to have
am guilty. And there is something else at the bottom of my heart, of which
that is, after honorably confessing your errors to her, why could you not
money and lived on it, so now she has nothing to go back with. Though
a feature of the Karamazovs, it’s true, that thirst for life regardless of
He jumped up and walked quickly to the intruder.
responsible for all. For all the ‘babes,’ for there are big children as
leave their coats in there, because the room is small and hot.”
God. And they will have no secrets from us. We shall allow or forbid them
spite of its youth? Is it that our moral principles are shattered to their
only Karamazovs!’ That was cleverly said!”
And Kolya hurriedly pulled out of his satchel the little bronze cannon. He
kneeling and the prayer. Ever since then—only yesterday I took it up—I’ve
means a bad one, belonging to some rich merchants. They kept everything
“Yes.” Alyosha smiled gently.
“Wait, wait,” Krassotkin did his utmost to shout above them all. “I’ll
and her aunt lived in her father’s house with a sort of voluntary
the play the fatal scene takes place on the staircase. I heard it all; I
or four ceased throwing for a minute.
The President and the prosecutor, of course, tried to calm her. I can’t
east!”
whether they would love him:
how it all happened. He had enemies certainly. Suddenly there was a marked
that you knew not the Lord, when you coveted the pigs’ food and were
fear of being laughed at, and yet how true it is! One who does not believe
come?”
now. Sit still. Now we’ve a treat for you, in your own line, too. It’ll
“No, I never believed it,” she answered firmly. “I had faith in his noble
Oh, my God! What is happening to me? Every minute I close my eyes and see
every one knew that she had taken in Grushenka as a lodger, four years
repeated, rather impatiently.
request, of the work in its original “Plain Vanilla ASCII” or other form.
everything; because I must, because I need you, because to‐morrow I shall
about Ilusha, though all that day the boys had been jeering at him at
Besides, my vogue was somewhat over. I say this, not as blame, for they
despised me, and do you know, he has despised me from the very moment that
to be atoms, five senses, four elements, and then everything hung together
just now, I made him promise to believe me and I told him a lie. I told
The body of Father Zossima was prepared for burial according to the
conclusion: that’s a man who would find gold.”
off and remain on guard, seeing there was no one to look after the house,
smiled bitterly. “Cain’s answer about his murdered brother, wasn’t it?
cash. At the same time, he was all his life one of the most senseless,
as the tomb. I only wanted, in view of “possibilities,” to add, that when
“Yes,” said Alyosha, not wanting to contradict him. Mitya paused for a
“fascinated.” He admitted himself, when talking about it afterwards, that
Katerina Ivanovna snapped. Her face was white and her lips were moving
was proud, and his eyes were full of fire. I like children like that. And
“There’s nothing to finish. It’s all clear. It’s the same old tune,
“Not real?” Kolya flushed. “It burns. I don’t know, of course.”
“For mercy’s sake! I’m Karamazov, Dmitri Karamazov. I have an offer to
repulsion. Only one thing was strange, however. Alyosha persisted that
horse, and God has given horses to be beaten. So the Tatars have taught
earlier, waiting for him to wake, having received a most confident
“Scolding you, I scold myself,” Ivan laughed again, “you are myself,
there is more joy in heaven than over ten righteous men. Go, and fear not.
come, but don’t tell him beforehand, for perhaps I may go, but not go
Thy day ... for I love the queen of my soul ... I love her and I cannot
“But still—”
certainly be salutary and of great benefit; those, on the other hand, who
had not said that he would be sure to pay him the remainder next day in
groan, he wakes up and falls asleep again; and the same thing again two
I loved you.... When you fell down and were carried out ... All my life!
cottage, Ivan suddenly came upon a solitary drunken little peasant. He was
“That’s just the point, that ‘but’!” cried Ivan. “Let me tell you, novice,
denying miracles. But those who remained faithful were all the more ardent
boots on his feet, and his little breeches hanging by one button.”
not, like Ivan, staying with his father, but living apart at the other end
she got up and she rushed to me, but when she saw Grigory Vassilyevitch
say more of the stinking son of Stinking Lizaveta! God will kill him, you
the Hôtel de Ville of Paris in the reign of Louis XI. in honor of the
“What despair! What death all round!” he repeated, striding on and on.
white paper, which was torn in many places, there hung two large
and that I myself was even prepared to help to bring that about?”
Alyosha, I’ll go for a turn in the yard. My head’s begun to ache.”
“I’ve come—about that business.”
jumped up and saw at once that the cursed peasant was drunk again,
idea, only I’ve forgotten it; in fact, it was just the thing for an album.
coming to earth, the power of saying, “I am and I love.” Once, only once,
oblivion. It was revived among us towards the end of last century by one
evidently considered it beforehand, and made this bow in all seriousness,
throws all the blame on Smerdyakov, not accusing him of being his
When Alyosha came in, dinner was over, but coffee and preserves had been
Kolya from being teased, laughed at, or beaten by them. She went so far
know all this? So young and yet he knows what’s in the heart.... I should
brain of “the contemplative.” They discussed philosophical questions and
heart for your guidance, seeing you are young, and the temptations of the
way, everything by contraries. I know her through and through! Won’t you
every one, and if I can’t borrow it, I give you my word of honor I
“Tell me, Karamazov, what sort of man is the father? I know him, but what
“Well, Alyosha, it’s sometimes very unwise to be a Russian at all, but
“Go away—go away, make haste!” cried Alyosha, clasping his hands
Ivanovna was greatly excited, though she looked resolute. At the moment
smile. ‘Yes, we’ve paid dearly for it,’ he goes on, looking sternly at
powerful friends, and, moreover, all the town was on my side, so he
with some one to see her; but she had not taken to him. But here she
getting work, at first giving sixpenny lessons and afterwards getting
tall, spare man, with long thin legs, with extremely long, thin, pale
up, he was torn to pieces by the dogs, at eight years old. Oh, Alyosha, I
that piece of evidence. After which I will beg you to continue.”
without settings; but such churches are the best for praying in. During
one of the remote frontier towns of Russia. There he led a wild life as an
him and taken the money.’ Then I began groaning with suspense and
“Better acquit ten guilty men than punish one innocent man! Do you hear,
observation struck every one as very queer.
In brief, Mitya was informed that he was, from that moment, a prisoner,
before what terms you were on with him, or I’d have come to you long ago
“Have you been admitted to Communion?”
murder, not his brother, she had sacrificed herself to save him, to save
I am surprised at you, brother! Jump in, jump in! Let him pass, Ivan. It
“Polish women?” repeated Mitya, perfectly ecstatic.
book of the future” (this was Madame Hohlakov’s expression), words of
boot, with its thick, dirty sole. The dress of both the Poles looked
“I am all attention,” said Alyosha.
go on.”
believing, especially material proofs. Thomas believed, not because he saw
Katerina, and Ivan Fyodorovitch. Alyosha, I’ve been wanting to ask you a
these: “You are idlers, useless members of society, you live on the labor
“That’s true, that’s true,” cried Madame Hohlakov.
attribute to the prisoner conscious premeditation. I was firmly convinced
have a drop of brandy? Take some cold coffee and I’ll pour a quarter of a
receive his blessing. Miüsov even tried to kiss his hand, but the Father
cried in a heartrending voice. Nina, too, broke into sobs. Kolya ran out
you fast? Why do you expect reward in heaven for that? Why, for reward
what they like! Besides, it’ll all come to nothing. They’re a set of
They were silent again for a moment.
said in a joyful, hurried whisper. “Climb in here quickly! How splendid
But the meek Father’s words had little effect and even provoked a mocking
thing by yourself? He’s been brought from Petersburg for three thousand
highest integrity. Neither Alyosha nor any one else could have influenced
quite young children of our intellectual and higher classes. There is no
that young lady. I was a cur, that’s the truth.... But it’s a good thing
Whenever I go we quarrel.”
won’t renounce—will you renounce me for that, yes?”
pass on to “more essential matters.” At last, when he described his
degrees Réaumur, without snow, but a little dry snow had fallen on the
“But you told us yourself that the envelope was under your deceased
hugged me, tried to pull me away, crying to my assailant, ‘Let go, let go,
it’s awfully hard for a man who has been injured, when other people look
heart. No doubt a youth who received impressions cautiously, whose love
because I told you that myself. I not only wanted to murder him, but I
the other side of my heart to you. This is what I planned and decided. If
The new trick consisted in making the dog stand motionless with his nose
God. Love is such a priceless treasure that you can redeem the whole world
myself why.... Oh, of course, I was furious then about that creature, and
false to Katya ... Katerina Ivanovna I should say.... Oh, I’ve behaved
Just now he had not the time.
Alyosha knew, was a bedridden old woman, living with her daughter, who had
against me, but I’m not afraid of facts and I tell them against myself. Do
“How do you know?” asked Alyosha.
a post‐mortem next day on the body. But he was particularly interested in
“Madam, I am so touched. I don’t know how to thank you, indeed ... for
was deeply stirred by the power and fame of his elder. It was said that so
his claims to the wood‐cutting and fishery rights at once. He was the more
may be sitting perfectly sane and suddenly have an aberration. He may be
not foresee it when I came, though I knew with whom I had to deal. This
“Do you know for a fact,” Fetyukovitch persisted, “whether you were awake
stretched out his hand and snatched a few flowers from the coffin. He
passing. Suddenly my second, the ensign, came in with the pistols to fetch
them to take out of the box the presents for the girls, the sweets, the
though we could forgive one another! Save him, and I’ll worship you all my
with the pink ribbon on it from under his mattress as soon as Ivan has
Chemist or what?”
“How do I know? Now there’ll be a hubbub among them all day. I like to
“Yes, my dear, I am called, too, called and bidden,” he heard a soft voice
“Our Helper and Defender” is sung instead.
“He did not keep the fasts according to the rule and therefore the sign
said that the young wife showed incomparably more generosity and dignity
“Ah, my porch, my new porch!” Grushenka flung back her head, half opened
it happened. I was excited myself and could not follow. I only know that
“Very good,” Maximov whispered joyfully, and he ran back again. Mitya,
Not long ago I read the criticism made by a German who had lived in
punishment began.
criticism?’ Without criticism it would be nothing but one ‘hosannah.’ But
expressly for this moment to do so, evidently persuaded that the dead
their noses at me.”
for it was always kindly and not spiteful laughter. These conversations
“I too have something important to say to you,” observed Alyosha, “only I
false to the fact, and I have determined to stick to the fact.”
the gates of the hermitage into the waiting crowd of pilgrims of the
“If you have to choose between the two, father or son, you’d better choose
All three drank. Mitya seized the bottle and again poured out three
and writhing as though in the pains of childbirth. Laying the stole on her
abandon herself altogether to the man she loved, in spite of the Karamazov
that betrothed of his, Katerina Ivanovna, whom he has kept so carefully
evidence with as much confidence as though he had been talking with his
But at frequent intervals, all the society of our town, with the mammas
quivering, those little tails ... and when they quiver, then an image
found Smerdyakov still hanging. On the table lay a note: “I destroy my
Fathers and teachers, what is the monk? In the cultivated world the word
argument that there was nothing in the whole world to make men love their
“Here he is! Here he is!” yelled Fyodor Pavlovitch, highly delighted at
motive would be unnatural. Note that he took trouble over Grigory, wiped
And I advise you never to think about it either, my dear Alyosha,
in the hymn. Don’t speak, don’t speak. I see how you look! You have
“Before you talk of a historical event like the foundation of a
to‐day. In this condition he suddenly heard of Smerdyakov’s death, and at
“Here’s some paper.”
whose house had been burnt down lately, and who after the fire had gone
sacrificed their intellects for the glory of God? The pinching of the
back, he knew why. When he was out of sight, Alyosha picked up the two
finished, he laughed outright.
“N—no, Sicily is not the place for the family, the family should go to
confronting the hurrying apparition and will check the frenzied rush of
“By the experience of active love. Strive to love your neighbor actively
bruises and scars, which had not yet disappeared.
same about others.
resentfully; “and so I stopped you then at the gate to sound you on that
There was a general burst of laughter. Alyosha looked at them, and they at
The monk hesitated.
enter the court bitterly prejudiced against him. In fact, one may say
fully and sincerely loved humanity again.
marriage, now she is an orphan and here; she is betrothed to him, yet
considerable distance, quickly and almost in silence. Twenty paces from
though he were about to dart at his listeners, bending his long spine in
It was a bright, clear day, and many of the visitors were thronging about
recreate it afresh, men must turn into another path psychologically. Until
man who is anxious to tell the whole truth and is full of the best
angel. It’s your decision will decide it. Perhaps it’s you that is
just as it was then,” commanded Mitya. “Four dozen champagne, not a bottle
His eyes gleamed, and a grave and solemn smile came into his lips.
If necessary, tell them I’ll never abandon them.... Now leave me, leave
him to come to her “just for one minute.” Alyosha reflected that it was
“How could I?... And why should I, when it all depends on Dmitri
your nose pulled for the rest of your life, your desire has already been
in like a soldier, looking straight before him, though it would have been
Within three days he left the monastery in accordance with the words of
him in that fixed way, and that that may really be a sign of his abnormal
to Doctor Herzenstube and Nikolay Parfenovitch, the investigating lawyer,
at Mokroe, a month before the arrest, when Timofey and another peasant
after her as being an idiot, and so specially dear to God. Ilya’s
they are destroying others with them. It’s ‘the primitive force of the
“Agrafena Alexandrovna?” The inn‐keeper understood at once, looking
cruelty; am I not a bug, am I not a noxious insect? In fact a Karamazov!
“Oh, the devil!”
scoundrel, for I’ve wasted half the money, and I shall waste this, too, so
the town, still angry, and still, perhaps, in love with me. Now they live
went through the ceremony in the most simple‐hearted and complete manner,
be truthful and sincere to the end. Let us all be sincere!”
to kill his father, because he had a clear conscience and was rejoicing at
extraordinary air, remarkable in the circumstances”; that he had “marched
“To all appearances a malicious soul, full of petty pride,” thought
He hurried to the hospital where Mitya was lying now. The day after his
to draw up the deed.” So mused Mitya, with a throbbing heart, but alas!
come upstairs to him. He forbade him to be taught anything whatever for a
man was insupportable to him, and so, for a long time, he was convinced in
repulsion how he had suddenly got up from the sofa and had stealthily, as
“He certainly would have accepted it,” Mitya declared warmly. “Why, look
she is burning there to this day. So the angel wept and went away. So
“What do you mean by isolation?” I asked him.
“_Maman_, it’s you who are hysterical now, not I,” Lise’s voice caroled
“You don’t know that yet. She’s got a document in her hands, in Mitya’s
of others, you are shameless beggars.” And yet how many meek and humble
mistress here. I know myself that Samsonov, her merchant, was laughing
She was reckless now of all consequences to herself, though, no doubt, she
of this man who had once been his valet, was extraordinary in itself. He
“Don’t be uneasy, nothing will happen this time. Hallo, Natasha!” he
“And what does he tell you?”
Alyosha looked at him in silence.
for it. Reforms, when the ground has not been prepared for them,
The door from the house into the garden on the left‐hand side, was shut;
Skotoprigonyevsk are almost peasants, and even work on the land. Two of
last year that I remember it to this day.”
book (I saw the signature in the book afterwards), stood up, saying he
of the smallness of their means, and if Lutherans and heretics come and
strong, faithful man, virtuous and unlike himself, who had seen all his
radiant with modest virtues. Come, Arina Petrovna, come, mamma, first your
among you, you know; a little more in fact, and spying, indeed, for we
Agrafena Alexandrovna(3) sent for me and shouted at me: ‘Don’t dare to
“You don’t remember? Then you didn’t quite know what you were doing?”
believed in it. I want to see it, and if I am dead by then, let me rise
Book II. An Unfortunate Gathering
that every one was in a bustle at the Plotnikovs’; “They’re carrying down
two days previously, before Alyosha, the last time he saw him in the dark,
through the gate, but he stopped short and turned to Smerdyakov. Something
see Ilusha, he would choose his own time for he had “his own reasons.”
mother, they stopped for a moment and lowered it that she might say good‐
Smerdyakov, and would have accused that sixth person, for to charge
passing his hand before his eyes, “Oh, yes, _spazieren_.”
Siberia on Grushenka’s face. Grushenka told him nothing of what had passed
don’t want to murder him,’ he said, and he suddenly went and murdered him.
“I should be very grateful,” Alyosha interrupted suddenly, “if you could
“I’m afraid, sir,” faltered Andrey. “Give me five roubles extra, but more
signs of wanting to tell me something. This had become quite evident,
you, not him; take me to the other end of the world.’ And I’d only forty
prosecutor to assume that the money is hidden in some crevice at Mokroe.
“ ‘On a higher footing’ is charming, Alexey Fyodorovitch; but go on, go
on all the earth, which the Lord will not forgive to the truly repentant!
He ran with all his might to the house where Grushenka lived. At the
guest!” and he made Fyodor Pavlovitch a low bow.
“So you’re only stained, not wounded? You’d better wash,” said Pyotr
would have felt dreary without them. When the children told some story or
soul!” (she crossed herself)—“I look upon you as a monk, though you look
which she means to choose, him or me. Eh? What? Can you?”
there and gave the alarm to the whole party at the police captain’s. She
“Then the third son. Oh, he is a devout and modest youth, who does not
responsive anger in his heart. Afterwards, as he talked, Smerdyakov had
his face before.
gentleman, your paradise, even if it exists. I believe that I fall asleep
childhood, cries out, ‘O Lord, heal me and I shall see Thee!’ and, as it
“Don’t laugh, Rakitin, don’t smile, don’t talk of the dead—he was better
with a cheap opal stone in it.
Distributed Proofreading Team at