Голод
Part I
Ihadyetafewhourstowalkabout;therewasnouseingoingtothenewspaperofficebeforeten,perhapseleven.Imustloungeaboutsolong,andthink,inthemeantime,oversomeexpedienttoraisebreakfast.Forthatmatter,Ihadnofearofgoingtobedhungrythatday;thosetimeswereover,Godbepraised!Thatwasathingofthepast,anevildream.Henceforth,Excelsior!
But,inthemeanwhile,thegreenblanketwasatroubletome.NeithercouldIwellmakemyselfconspicuousbycarryingsuchathingaboutrightunderpeople’seyes.Whatwouldanyonethinkofme?AndasIwentonItriedtothinkofaplacewhereIcouldhaveitkepttilllateron.ItoccurredtomethatImightgointoSemb’sandgetitwrappedupinpaper;notonlywoulditlookbetter,butIneednolongerbeashamedofcarryingit.
Ienteredtheshop,andstatedmyerrandtooneoftheshopboys.
Helookedfirstattheblanket,thenatme.Itstruckmethatheshruggedhisshoulderstohimselfalittlecontemptuouslyashetookit;thisannoyedme.
"Youngman,"Icried,"dobealittlecareful!Therearetwocostlyglassvasesinthat;theparcelhastogotoSmyrna."
Thishadafamouseffect.Thefellowapologizedwitheverymovementhemadefornothavingguessedthattherewassomethingoutofthecommoninthisblanket.WhenhehadfinishedpackingitupIthankedhimwiththeairofamanwhohadsentpreciousgoodstoSmyrnabeforenow.
