death had something oppressive and mysteriously awful; and it was long since he had heard the requiem service. And there was something else here as well, too awful and disturbing. He looked at the children: * they were all kneeling by the coffin; * Polenka was weeping. Behind them Sonia prayed, softly and, as it were,
“These last two days she hasn’t said a word to me, she hasn’t glanced at me,” Raskolnikov thought suddenly.
The sunlight was bright in the room; the incense rose in clouds; the priest read, “Give rest, oh Lord. …”
Raskolnikov stayed all through the service. As he blessed them and took his leave, the priest looked round strangely.
After the service, Raskolnikov went up to Sonia. She took both his hands and let her head sink on his shoulder.
This slight friendly gesture bewildered Raskolnikov. It seemed strange to him that there was no trace of repugnance, no trace of disgust, no tremor in her hand. It was the furthest limit of self-abnegation, at least so he interpreted it.