Голод
Part III
Tomakeiteasierforhimtogivemearefusal,Istretchoutmyhandalittle,andsay:
"Ah,well,ofcourse,itisnotofanyusetoyou,"andIsmiletogivehimtheimpressionthatItakeiteasily.
"Everythinghastobeofsuchapopularnaturetobeofanyusetous,"hereplies;"youknowthekindofpublicwehave.Butcan’tyoutryandwritesomethingalittlemorecommonplace,orhituponsomethingthatpeopleunderstandbetter?"
Hisforbearanceastonishesme.Iunderstandthatmyarticleisrejected,andyetIcouldnothavereceivedaprettierrefusal.Nottotakeuphistimeanylonger,Ireply:
"Ohyes,IdaresayIcan."
Igotowardsthedoor.Hem—hemustprayforgivemeforhavingtakenuphistimewiththis...Ibow,andturnthedoorhandle.
"Ifyouneedit,"hesays,"youarewelcometodrawalittleinadvance;youcanwriteforit,youknow."
Now,ashehadjustseenthatIwasnotcapableofwriting,thisofferhumiliatedmesomewhat,andIanswered:
"No,thanks;Icanpullthroughyetawhile,thankingyouverymuch,allthesame.Good-day!"
"Good-day!"repliesthe"commandor,"turningatthesametimetohisdeskagain.
Hehadnonethelesstreatedmewithundeservedkindness,andIwasgratefultohimforit—andIwouldknowhowtoappreciateittoo.
