Голод

           Couldn’thegivemeacoupleofhalfpenceforthem?—whateverhethoughthimself—quiteaccordingtohisownjudgment."Forthebuttons?"—and"Uncle"staresastonishedlyatme—"forthesebuttons?"Onlyforacigarorwhateverhelikedhimself;Iwasjustpassing,andthoughtIwouldlookin.

           Uponthis,theoldpawnbrokerburstoutlaughing,andreturnedtohisdeskwithoutsayingaword.ThereIstood;Ihadnothopedformuch,yet,allthesame,Ihadthoughtofapossibilityofbeinghelped.Thislaughterwasmydeath-warrant.Itcouldn’t,Isuppose,beofanyusetryingwithmyeyeglasseseither?Ofcourse,Iwouldletmyglassesgoinwiththem;thatwasamatterofcourse,saidI,andItookthemoff.Onlyapenny,orifhewished,ahalfpenny.

           "YouknowquitewellIcan’tlendyouanythingonyourglasses,"said"Uncle";Itoldyouthatoncebefore."

           "ButIwantastamp,"Isaid,dully."Ican’tevensendoffthelettersIhavewritten;apennyorahalfpennystamp,justasyouwill."

           "Oh,Godhelpyou,goyourway!"hereplied,andmotionedmeoffwithhishands.

           Yes,yes;well,itmustbeso,Isaidtomyself.Mechanically,Iputonmyglassesagain,tookthebuttonsinmyhand,and,turningaway,badehimgood-night,andclosedthedooraftermeasusual.Well,now,therewasnothingmoretobedone!Tothinkhewouldnottakethematanyprice,Imuttered.Theyarealmostnewbuttons;Ican’tunderstandit.