Голод
Part IV
Iputonafriendlyfaceonpurposenottoirritateherandperhapsbehustledrightoutofthehouse.
"Ah,yes,"Isaid,"thereissuretobesomeway!"andthenheldmytongue.
Shestillbustledabouttheroom.
"Forthatmatter,ImayaswelljusttellyouthatIcan’taffordtogivepeoplecreditfortheirboardandlodging,"saidshe,"andItoldyouthatbefore,too."
"Yes;but,mydearwoman,itisonlyforthesefewdays,untilIgetmyarticlefinished,"Ianswered,"andIwillwillinglygiveyouanextrafiveshillings—willingly."
Butshehadevidentlynofaithinmyarticle,Icouldseethat;andIcouldnotaffordtobeproud,andleavethehouse,justforaslightmortification;IknewwhatawaitedmeifIwentout.
Afewdayspassedover.
Istillassociatedwiththefamilybelow,foritwastoocoldintheante-roomwheretherewasnostove.Islept,too,atnightontheflooroftheroom.
Thestrangesailorcontinuedtolodgeinmyroom,anddidnotseemlikemovingveryquickly.Atnoon,too,mylandladycameinandrelatedhowhehadpaidheramonthinadvance,andbesides,hewasgoingtotakehisfirst-mate’sexaminationbeforeleaving,thatwaswhyhewasstayingintown.Istoodandlistenedtothis,andunderstoodthatmyroomwaslosttomeforever.
Iwentouttotheante-room,andsatdown.
