Голод
Part IV
Whydidn’ttheoldfellowmove?Whydidn’theflingthechildrenasidewithhisarms?Itookastride,andapproachedthebed.
"Letthemalone!letthemalone!heisparalysed,"calledthelandlord.
Andoutoffeartobeshownthedoorforthenight,simplyoutoffearofrousingtheman’sdispleasurebyinterferingwiththisscene,Isteppedbacksilentlytomyoldplaceandkeptmyselfquiet.WhyshouldIriskmylodgingandmyportionofbreadandbutterbypokingmynoseintothefamilysquabbles?Noidioticpranksforthesakeofahalf-dyingoldman,andIstoodandfeltasdelightfullyhardasaflint.
Thelittleurchinsdidnotceasetheirplaguing;itamusedthemthattheoldchapcouldnotholdhisheadquiet,andtheyaimedathiseyesandnostrils.Hestaredatthemwithaludicrousexpression;hesaidnothing,andcouldnotstirhisarms.Suddenlyheraisedtheupperpartofhisbodyalittleandspatinthefaceofoneofthelittlegirls,drewhimselfupagainandspatattheother,butdidnotreachher.Istoodandlookedon,sawthatthelandlordflungthecardsonthetableatwhichhesat,andsprangovertowardsthebed.Hisfacewasflushed,andheshouted:
"Willyousitandspitrightintopeople’seyes,youoldboar?"
"But,goodLord,hegotnopeacefromthem!"Icried,besidemyself.
