Голод
Part III
"
"Yes;butthatmadeitsomuchtheworse."
"WouldyouratherIhadbeentipsy?"
"Yes...ugh...Iamafraidofyou!Lord,can’tyouletmebenow!"
Iconsideredamoment.No,Icouldn’tletherbe....Ihappened,asifinadvertently,toknockoverthelight,sothatitwentout.Shemadeadespairingstruggle—gaveventatlasttoalittlewhimper.
"No,notthat!Ifyoulike,youmayratherkissme,oh,dear,kind...."
Istoppedinstantly.Herwordssoundedsoterrified,sohelpless,Iwasstrucktotheheart.Shemeanttooffermeacompensationbygivingmeleavetokissher!Howcharming,howcharminglynaïve.Icouldhavefallendownandkneltbeforeher.
"But,dearprettyone,"Isaid,completelybewildered,"Idon’tunderstand....Ireallycan’tconceivewhatsortofagamethisis...."
Sherose,litthecandleagainwithtremblinghands.Ileantbackonthesofaanddidnothing.Whatwouldhappennow?Iwasinrealityveryillatease.
Shecastalookoverattheclockonthewall,andstarted.
"Ugh,thegirlwillsooncomenow!"shesaid;thiswasthefirstthingshesaid.Itookthehint,androse.Shetookupherjacketasiftoputiton,bethoughtherself,andletitlie,andwentovertothefireplace.