Преступление и наказание

           “Sonia!Sonia!Idon’tbelieveit!Yousee,Idon’tbelieveit!”shecriedinthefaceoftheobviousfact,swayinghertoandfroinherarmslikeababy,kissingherfacecontinually,thensnatchingatherhandsandkissingthem,too,“youtookit!Howstupidthesepeopleare!Ohdear!Youarefools,fools,”shecried,addressingthewholeroom,“youdon’tknow,youdon’tknowwhataheartshehas,whatagirlsheis!Shetakeit,she?She’dsellherlastrag,she’dgobarefoottohelpyouifyouneededit,that’swhatsheis!Shehastheyellowpassportbecausemychildrenwerestarving,shesoldherselfforus!Ah,husband,husband!Doyousee?Doyousee?Whatamemorialdinnerforyou!Mercifulheavens!Defendher,whyareyouallstandingstill?RodionRomanovitch,whydon’tyoustandupforher?Doyoubelieveit,too?Youarenotworthherlittlefinger,allofyoutogether!GoodGod!Defendhernow,atleast!”

           Thewailofthepoor,consumptive,helplesswomanseemedtoproduceagreateffectonheraudience.Theagonised,wasted,consumptiveface,theparchedblood-stainedlips,thehoarsevoice,thetearsunrestrainedasachild’s,thetrustful,childishandyetdespairingprayerforhelpweresopiteousthateveryoneseemedtofeelforher.PyotrPetrovitchatanyratewasatoncemovedtocompassion.