Голод
Part III
IstoodatthecornerofthemarketandMarketStreet;thesweatrandownintomyeyesandblindedme,andIhadjuststoppedinordertowipeitawayalittle.IdidnotnoticetheplaceIwasstandingin;infact,Ididnotthinkaboutit;thenoisearoundmewassomethingfrightful.
Suddenlyacallringsout,acold,sharpwarning.Ihearthiscry—hearitquitewell,andIstartnervouslytooneside,steppingasquicklyasmybadfootallowsmeto.Amonsterofabread-vanbrushespastme,andthewheelgrazesmycoat;ImightperhapshavebeenalittlequickerifIhadexertedmyself.Well,therewasnohelpforit;onefootpainedme,acoupleoftoeswerecrunched.Ifeltthatthey,asitwere,curledupinmyshoes.
Thedriverreinsinhishorsewithallhismight.Heturnsroundonthevanandinquiresinafrighthowitfareswithme.Oh!itmighthavebeenworse,farworse....Itwasperhapsnotsodangerous....Ididn’tthinkanyboneswerebroken.Oh,pray....
IrushedoverasquicklyasIcouldtoaseat;allthesepeoplewhostoppedandstaredatmeabashedme.Afterall,itwasnomortalblow;comparativelyspeaking,Ihadgotoffluckilyenough,asmisfortunewasboundtocomeinmyway.Theworstthingwasthatmyshoewascrushedtopieces;thesolewastornlooseatthetoe.Ihelpupmyfoot,andsawbloodinsidethegap.Well,itwasn’tintentionaloneitherside;itwasnottheman’spurposetomakethingsworseformethantheywere;helookedmuchconcernedaboutit.
