Голод
Part I
Thereupontheybothcameback,wentthesameroadastheyhadcome,passedmeagain,andturnedthecornerofUniversityStreetanduptowardsSt.Olav’splace.IwasallthetimeascloseattheirheelsasIdaredtobe.Theyturnedroundonce,andsentmeahalf-fearful,half-questioninglook,andIsawnoresentmentnoranytraceofafrowninit.
Thisforbearancewithmyannoyanceshamedmethoroughlyandmademelowermyeyes.Iwouldnolongerbeatroubletothem;outofsheergratitudeIwouldfollowthemwithmygaze,notlosesightofthemuntiltheyenteredsomeplacesafelyanddisappeared.
OutsideNo.2,alargefour-storeyedhouse,theyturnedagainbeforegoingin.Ileantagainstalamp-postnearthefountainandlistenedfortheirfootstepsonthestairs.Theydiedawayonthesecondfloor.Iadvancedfromthelamp-postandlookedupatthehouse.Thensomethingoddhappened.Thecurtainsabovewerestirred,andasecondafterawindowopened,aheadpoppedout,andtwosingular-lookingeyesdweltonme."Ylajali!"Imuttered,half-aloud,andIfeltIgrewred.
Whydoesshenotcallforhelp,orpushoveroneoftheseflower-potsandstrikemeonthehead,orsendsomeonedowntodrivemeaway?Westandandlookintooneanother’seyeswithoutmoving;itlastsaminute.Thoughtsdartbetweenthewindowandthestreet,andnotawordisspoken.Sheturnsround,Ifeelawrenchinme,adelicateshockthroughmysenses;Iseeashoulderthatturns,abackthatdisappearsacrossthefloor.
