Голод
Part I
Idonotknowfromwheretheimpressioncame,butitappearedtomethatIhadneverinmylifeseenamorevilebackthanthisone,andIdidnotregretthatIhadabusedthecreaturebeforeheleftme.
Thedaybegantodecline,thesunsank,itcommencedtorustlelightlyinthetreesaround,andthenursemaidswhosatingroupsneartheparallelbarsmadereadytowheeltheirperambulatorshome.Iwascalmedandingoodspirit.TheexcitementIhadjustlabouredunderquieteddownlittlebylittle,andIgrewweaker,morelanguid,andbegantofeeldrowsy.NeitherdidthequantityofbreadIhadeatencausemeanylongeranyparticulardistress.Ileantagainstthebackoftheseatinthebestofhumours,closedmyeyes,andgotmoreandmoresleepy.Idozed,andwasjustonthepointoffallingasleep,whenapark-keeperputhishandonmyshoulderandsaid:
"Youmustnotsithereandgotosleep!"
"No?"Isaid,andsprangimmediatelyup,myunfortunatepositionrisingallatoncevividlybeforemyeyes.Imustdosomething;findsomewayoranotheroutofit.Tolookforsituationshadbeenofnoavailtome.EventherecommendationsIshowedhadgrownalittleold,andwerewrittenbypeoplealltoolittleknowntobeofmuchuse;besidesthat,constantrefusalsallthroughthesummerhadsomewhatdisheartenedme.Atallevents,myrentwasdue,andImustraisethewindforthat;therestwouldhavetowaitalittle.
