Голод
Part IV
Itookforthmypapersoncemore,anddeterminedtothrustallirrelevantimpressionsaside.Ihadleftoffrightinthemiddleofasentenceintheinquisitor’saddress—"ThusdictateGodandthelawtome,thusdictatesalsothecounselofmywisemen,thusdictateIandmyownconscience...."Ilookedoutofthewindowtothinkoverwhathisconscienceshoulddictatetohim.Alittlerowreachedmefromtheroominside.Well,itwasnoaffairofmineanyway;itwasentirelyandtotallyindifferenttomewhatnoisearose.WhythedevilshouldIsitthinkingaboutit?Keepquietnow!"ThusdictateIandmyownconscience...."Buteverythingconspiredagainstme.Outsideinthestreet,somethingwastakingplacethatdisturbedme.Alittleladsatandamusedhimselfinthesunontheoppositesideofthepavement.Hewashappyandinfearofnodanger—justsatandknottedtogetheralotofpaperstreamers,andinjuringnoone.Suddenlyhejumpsupandbeginstocurse;hegoesbackwardstothemiddleofthestreetandcatchessightofaman,agrown-upman,witharedbeard,whoisleaningoutofanopenwindowinthesecondstorey,andwhospatdownonhishead.Thelittlechapcriedwithrage,andsworeimpatientlyupatthewindow;andthemanlaughedinhisface.Perhapsfiveminutespassedinthisway.Iturnedasidetoavoidseeingthelittlelad’stears.
"ThusdictateIandmyownconscience...."Ifounditimpossibletogetanyfarther.
