Голод
Part IV
.
Igoontothecorner,takestockofthewoman,andcometoastandstillbeforeher.Ismile,nodastoanacquaintance,andshapemywordsasifitwereaforegoneconclusionthatIwouldreturnsometime.
"Good-day,"sayI;"perhapsyoudon’trecognizemeagain."
"No,"sherepliedslowly,andlooksatme.
Ismilestillmore,asifthiswereonlyanexcellentjokeofhers,thispretendingnottoknowmeagain,andsay:
"Don’tyourecollectthatIgaveyoualotofsilveronce?Ididnotsayanythingontheoccasioninquestion;asfarasIcancalltomind,Ididnot;itisnotmywaytodoso.Whenonehashonestfolktodealwith,itisunnecessarytomakeanagreement,sotosay,drawupacontractforeverytrifle.Ha,ha!Yes,itwasIwhogaveyouthemoney!"
"No,then,now;wasityou?Yes,Irememberyou,nowthatIcometothinkoverit...."
Iwantedtopreventherfromthankingmeforthemoney,soIsay,therefore,hastily,whilstIcastmyeyeoverthetableinsearchofsomethingtoeat:
"Yes;I’vecomenowtogetthecakes."
Shedidnotseemtotakethisin.
"Thecakes,"Ireiterate;"I’vecomenowtogetthem—atanyrate,thefirstinstalment;Idon’tneedallofthemtoday.
