So I resolved to gain possession of the old woman’s money and to use it for my first years without worrying my mother, to keep myself at the university and for a little while after leaving it⁠—and to do this all on a broad, thorough scale, so as to build up a completely new career and enter upon a new life of independence.⁠ ⁠… Well⁠ ⁠… that’s all.⁠ ⁠… Well, of course in killing the old woman I did wrong.⁠ ⁠… Well, that’s enough.”

He struggled to the end of his speech in exhaustion and let his head sink.

“Oh, that’s not it, that’s not it,” Sonia cried in distress. “How could one⁠ ⁠… no, that’s not right, not right.”

“You see yourself that it’s not right. But I’ve spoken truly, it’s the truth.”

“As though that could be the truth! Good God!”

“I’ve only killed a louse, Sonia, a useless, loathsome, harmful creature.”