Голод
Part IV
Sheconsideredabit,butcouldnotcalltomindthatshehadalampinanyplace.IfIlikedtowaituntiltwelveo’clock,Imightperhapsgetthekitchenlamp.Whydidn’tIbuymyselfacandle?
Iheldmytongue.Ihadn’tafarthingtobuyacandle,andknewthatrightwell.OfcourseIwasfoiledagain!Theservant-girlsatinsidewithus—simplysatinthesitting-room,andwasnotinthekitchenatall;sothatthelampuptherewasnotevenlit.AndIstoodandthoughtoverthis,butsaidnomore.Suddenlythegirlremarkedtome:
"IthoughtIsawyoucomeoutofthepalaceawhileago;wereyouatadinnerparty?"andshelaughedloudlyatthisjest.
Isatdown,tookoutmypapers,andattemptedtowritesomethinghere,inthemeantime.Iheldthepaperonmyknees,andgazedpersistentlyatthefloortoavoidbeingdistractedbyanything;butithelpednotawhit;nothinghelpedme;Igotnofarther.Thelandlady’stwolittlegirlscameinandmadearowwiththecat—aqueer,sickcatthathadscarcelyahaironit;theyblewintoitseyesuntilwatersprangoutofthemandtrickleddownitsnose.Thelandlordandacoupleofotherssatatatableandplayedcentetun.Thewifealonewasbusyasever,andsatandsewedatsomegarment.ShesawwellthatIcouldnotwriteanythinginthemidstofallthisdisturbance;butshetroubledherselfnomoreaboutme;sheevensmiledwhentheservant-girlaskedmeifIhadbeenouttodine.Thewholehouseholdhadbecomehostiletowardsme.
