Голод

           Shelooksatmewithafrightenedair.

           IinquireforKierulf—JoachimKierulf,ifImightaddfurther—awool-dealer;inshort,notamanonecouldmakeamistakeabout....

           Thegirlshookherhead."NoKierulfliveshere,"saidshe.

           Shestaredatme,andheldthedoorreadytocloseit.Shemadenoefforttofindthemanforme.ShereallylookedasifsheknewthepersonIinquiredfor,ifshewouldonlytakethetroubletoreflectabit.Thelazyjade!Igotvexed,turnedmybackonher,andrandownstairsagain.

           "Hewasn’tthere,"Icalledtothedriver.

           "Wasn’thethere?"

           "No.DrivetoTomtegaden,No.11."Iwasinastateofthemostviolentexcitement,andimpartedsomethingofthesamefeelingtothedriver.Heevidentlythoughtitwasamatteroflifeanddeath,andhedroveon,withoutfurtherado.Hewhippedupthehorsesharply.

           "What’stheman’sname?"heinquired,turningroundonthebox.

           "Kierulf,adealerinwool—Kierulf."

           Andthedriver,too,thoughtthiswasamanonewouldnotbelikelytomakeanymistakeabout.

           "Didn’thegenerallywearalightmorning,coat?"

           "What!"Icried;"alightmorning-coat?Areyoumad?Doyouthinkitisatea-cupIaminquiringabout?"Thislightmorning-coatcamemostinopportunely;itspoiltthewholemanformesuchasIhadfanciedhim.