Голод
Part I
Iblowatthemtogetridofthem—blowharderandharder;tonopurpose,thelittlepeststhrowthemselvesontheirbacks,makethemselvesheavy,andfightagainstmeuntiltheirslenderlegsbend.Theyarenottobemovedfromthespot;theyfindsomethingtohookonto,settheirheelsagainstacommaoranunevennessinthepaper,orstandimmovablystilluntiltheythemselvesthinkfittogotheirway.
Theseinsectscontinuedtobusymeforalongtime,andIcrossedmylegstoobservethematleisure.Allatonceacoupleofhighclarionetnoteswaveduptomefromthebandstand,andgavemythoughtsanewimpulse.
Despondentatnotbeingabletoputmyarticletogether,Ireplacedthepaperinmypocket,andleantbackintheseat.AtthisinstantmyheadissoclearthatIcanfollowthemostdelicatetrainofthoughtwithouttiring.AsIlieinthisposition,andletmyeyesglidedownmybreastandalongmylegs,Inoticethejerkingmovementmyfootmakeseachtimemypulsebeats.Ihalfriseandlookdownatmyfeet,andIexperienceatthismomentafantasticandsingularfeelingthatIhaveneverfeltbefore—adelicate,wonderfulshockthroughmynerves,asifsparksofcoldlightquiveredthroughthem—itwasasifcatchingsightofmyshoesIhadmetwithakindoldacquaintance,orgotbackapartofmyselfthathadbeenrivenloose.Afeelingofrecognitiontremblesthroughmysenses;thetearswellupinmyeyes,andIhaveafeelingasifmyshoesareasoft,murmuringstrainrisingtowardsme.
