Голод

           "Well,I’mhanged,wasthat’theDuke’?Sothat’swhathelookslike,"headded,reflectively."Well,ifsheisincontactwiththatfellow;well,then,Iwouldn’tliketoanswerforher."

           Istillkeptsilent.Yes,ofcourse"theDuke"wouldmakethepacewithher.Well,whatodds?Howdiditconcernme?Ibadehergood-daywithallherwiles:agood-dayIbadeher;andItriedtoconsolemyselfbythinkingtheworstthoughtsabouther;tookadownrightpleasureindraggingherthroughthemire.ItonlyannoyedmetothinkthatIhaddoffedmyhattothepair,ifIreallyhaddoneso.WhyshouldIraisemyhattosuchpeople?Ididnotcareforheranylonger,certainlynot;shewasnolongerintheveryslightestdegreelovelytome;shehadfallenoff.Ah,thedevilknowshowsoiledIfoundher!Itmighteasilyhavebeenthecasethatitwasonlymeshelookedat;Iwasnotintheleastastoundedatthat;itmightberegretthatbegantostirinher.Butthatwasnoreasonformetogoandlowermyselfandsalute,likeafool,especiallywhenshehadbecomesoseriouslybesmirchedoflate."TheDuke"waswelcometoher;Iwishhimjoy!ThedaymightcomewhenIwouldjusttakeintomyheadtopassherhaughtilybywithoutglancingoncetowardsher.Ay,itmighthappenthatIwouldventuretodothis,evenifsheweretogazestraightintomyeyes,andhaveablood-redgownonintothebargain.Itmightveryeasilyhappen!Ha,ha!thatwouldbeatriumph.