Голод
Part IV
Ihadnevermolestedherinanyway,andcouldnotrecallthatIhadeveraskedhertodomeaservice.Onthecontrary,Imadeupmybedonthefloorintheante-roommyself,inordernottogiveheranytroublewithit.Shemadefunofme,too,becausemyhairfellout.HairlayandfloatedaboutinthebasinIwashedinthemornings,andshemademerryoverit.Thenmyshoes,too,hadgrownrathershabbyoflate,particularlytheonethathadbeenrunoverbythebread-van,andshefoundsubjectforjestinginthem."Godblessyouandyourshoes!"saidshe,lookingatthem;"theyareaswideasadog’shouse."Andshewasright;theyweretroddenout.ButthenIcouldn’tprocuremyselfanyothersjustatpresent.
WhilstIsitandcallallthistomind,andmarvelovertheevidentmaliceoftheservant,thelittlegirlshavebeguntoteasetheoldmanoverinthebed;theyarejumpingaroundhim,fullybentonthisdiversion.Theybothfoundastraw,whichtheypokedintohisears.Ilookedonatthisforawhile,andrefrainedfrominterfering.Theoldfellowdidnotmoveafingertodefendhimself;heonlylookedathistormentorswithfuriouseyeseachtimetheyproddedhim,andjerkedhisheadtoescapewhenthestrawswerealreadyinhisears.Igotmoreandmoreirritatedatthissight,andcouldnotkeepmyeyesawayfromit.Thefatherlookedupfromhiscards,andlaughedattheyoungsters;healsodrewtheattentionofhiscomradesatplaytowhatwasgoingon.
