Голод

           Then,suddenlymylandlord’svoicemingledwiththatofhiswife,andIstoodstillwithamazement.Thesamemanwhohadthreatenedmeawhileagotookmypart,strangelyenoughnow.Hesaid:

           "No,itwon’tdototurnfolkoutatnight;doyouknowonecanbepunishedfordoingthat?"

           "Ididn’tknowiftherewasapunishmentforthat;Icouldn’tsay,butperhapsitwasso,"andthewifebethoughtherselfquickly,grewquiet,andspokenomore.

           Sheplacedtwopiecesofbreadandbutterbeforemeforsupper,butIdidnottouchthem,justoutofgratitudetotheman;soIpretendedthatIhadhadalittlefoodintown.

           WhenatlengthItookmyselfofftotheanteroomtogotobed,shecameoutafterme,stoppedonthethreshold,andsaidloudly,whilstherunsightlyfigureseemedtostrutouttowardsme:

           "Butthisisthelastnightyousleephere,sonowyouknowit."

           "Yes,yes,"Ireplied.

           Therewouldperhapsbesomewayoffindingasheltertomorrow,ifItriedhardforit.Iwouldsurelybeabletofindsomehiding-place.ForthetimebeingIwouldrejoicethatIwasnotobligedtogoouttonight.

           Islepttillbetweenfiveandsixinthemorning—itwasnotyetlightwhenIawoke—butallthesameIgotupatonce.Ihadlaininallmyclothesonaccountofthecold,andhadnodressingtodo.