Голод
Part III
AsIgotnearerandnearertotheprovisionshop,Ihadthehalf-consciousfeelingofapproachingadanger,butIdeterminedtosticktomypurpose;Iwouldgivemyselfup.Iranquicklyupthesteps.AtthedoorImetalittlegirlwhowascarryingacupinherhands,andIslippedpastherandopenedthedoor.TheshopboyandIstandfacetofacealoneforthesecondtime.
"Well!"heexclaims;"fearfullybadweathernow,isn’tit?"Whatdidthisgoingroundthebushsignify?Whydidn’theseizemeatonce?Igotfurious,andcried:
"Oh,Ihaven’tcometoprateabouttheweather."
Thisviolentpreliminarytakeshimaback;hislittlehucksterbrainfailshim.IthasneverevenoccurredtohimthatIhavecheatedhimoffiveshillings.
"Don’tyouknow,then,thatIhaveswindledyou?"Iqueryimpatiently,andIbreathequicklywiththeexcitement;Itrembleandamreadytouseforceifhedoesn’tcometothepoint.
Butthepoormanhasnomisgivings.
Well,blessmysoul,whatstupidcreaturesonehastomixwithinthisworld!Iabusehim,explaintohimeverydetailastohowithadallhappened,showhimwherethefactwasaccomplished,wherethemoneyhadlain;howIhadgathereditupinmyhandandclosedmyfingersoverit—andhetakesitallinanddoesnothing.
