Голод

           WhilstIstood,lostinthought,amanpassedbyandenteredtheoffice.Hehadgivenmealittleshoveinhishurry.Webothmadeexcuses,andIturnedroundandlookedafterhim.

           "What!isthatyou?"hesaid,suddenly,whenhalf-wayupthesteps.Hecameback,andIrecognizedhim."Godblessme,man,whatonearthdoyoulooklike?Whatwereyoudoinginthere?"

           "Oh,Ihadbusiness.Youaregoingintoo,Isee."

           "Yes;whatwereyouinwith?"

           Mykneestrembled;Isupportedmyselfagainstthewall,andstretchedoutmyhandwiththebuttonsinit.

           "Whatthedeuce!"hecried."No;thisisreallygoingtoofar."

           "Good-night!"saidI,andwasabouttogo;Ifeltthetearschokingmybreast.

           "No;waitaminute,"hesaid.

           WhatwasItowaitfor?Washenothimselfontheroadtomy"Uncle,"bringing,perhaps,hisengagementring—hadbeenhungry,perhaps,forseveraldays—owedhislandlady?

           "Yes,"Ireplied;"ifyouwillbeoutsoon...."

           "Ofcourse,"hebrokein,seizingholdofmyarm;"butImayaswelltellyouIdon’tbelieveyou.Youaresuchanidiot,thatit’sbetteryoucomeinalongwithme."

           Iunderstoodwhathemeant,suddenlyfeltalittlesparkofpride,andanswered:

           "Ican’t;IpromisedtobeinBerntAkersStreetathalf-pastseven,and...