Clippings

“… it was to avoid the disgrace of it that I wanted to drown myself, but then I thought, standing there over the water, that if I’ve considered myself strong up till now, then why should I be afraid now of disgrace?” he said, running ahead. “Was that pride, Dunya?”

“Yes, Rodya.”

A light seemed to gleam in his extinguished eyes; he seemed to be pleased at still being proud.

“You don’t think, do you, sister, that I was simply afraid of the water?” he asked, staring into her face with an ugly grin.