. You get less for murder, I’m led to believe???
‘Don’t tell anyone,’ Alexander said confidentially, ‘but this colour isn’t entirely natural.’ He touched his – now he mentioned it – rather walnut-coloured cheek. ‘So I’m off to the spa for a little touch-up. My wife always says I look better with a bit of colour.’
‘I didn’t know you were married,’ I said, hoping my surprise wasn’t too evident in my voice.
Alexander nodded. ‘For my sins. Thirty-eight years this year. You get less for murder, I’m led to believe!’
He gave a slightly grating laugh, and I cringed inwardly. If he hadn’t heard what we were saying earlier, it was an odd remark. If he had heard then it was in very poor taste indeed.

I would like to know what does ". You get less for murder, I’m led to believe" here mean . Thanks.

Question

. You get less for murder, I’m led to believe???
‘Don’t tell anyone,’ Alexander said confidentially, ‘but this colour isn’t entirely natural.’ He touched his – now he mentioned it – rather walnut-coloured cheek. ‘So I’m off to the spa for a little touch-up. My wife always says I look better with a bit of colour.’
‘I didn’t know you were married,’ I said, hoping my surprise wasn’t too evident in my voice.
Alexander nodded. ‘For my sins. Thirty-eight years this year. You get less for murder, I’m led to believe!’
He gave a slightly grating laugh, and I cringed inwardly. If he hadn’t heard what we were saying earlier, it was an odd remark. If he had heard then it was in very poor taste indeed.

I would like to know what does ". You get less for murder, I’m led to believe" here mean . Thanks.

Answer

Hi KellyXu,

Alexander first compares his marriage to a punishment ("For my sins"). He then adds more detail to the metaphor by comparing the length of his marriage to a specific type of punishment - incarceration ("Thirty-eight years this year"). The clue to understanding it is the final sentence, which you are asking about ("You get less for murder, I’m led to believe!").

The sentence basically means that from what he has been told ("I'm led to believe") murderers spend less years in jail, than he has spent in his own "jail" - his marriage.

Answer

Hello.  In my opinion, the character Alexander is saying that his marriage is like a punishment for a crime.  He considers his "sins" (a religious concept) are the "crime" for which he is being punished.

His punishment has endured for 38 years. Apparently it's a long time to him. He says the crime of murder would have resulted in fewer years of punishment.

I hope this is helpful. Good luck!