“No one has been here. That’s the blood crying in your ears. When there’s no outlet for it and it gets clotted, you begin fancying things.⁠ ⁠… Will you eat something?”

He made no answer. Nastasya still stood over him, watching him.

“Give me something to drink⁠ ⁠… Nastasya.”

She went downstairs and returned with a white earthenware jug of water. He remembered only swallowing one sip of the cold water and spilling some on his neck. Then followed forgetfulness.