Голод
Part I
Andoutsidetherethesearockedindrowsyrest;shipsandclumsy,broad-nosedpramsploughedgravesinitsbluishsurface,andscatteredraystotherightandleft,andglidedon,whilstthesmokerolledupindownymassesfromthechimney-stacks,andthestrokeoftheenginepistonspiercedtheclammyairwithadullsound.Therewasnosunandnowind;thetreesbehindmewerealmostwet,andtheseatuponwhichIsatwascoldanddamp.
Timewent.Isettleddowntodoze,waxedtired,andalittleshiverrandownmyback.AwhileafterIfeltthatmyeyelidsbegantodroop,andIletthemdroop....
WhenIawokeitwasdarkallaroundme.Istartedup,bewilderedandfreezing.Iseizedmyparcelandcommencedtowalk.Iwentfasterandfasterinordertogetwarm,slappedmyarms,chafedmylegs—whichbynowIcouldhardlyfeelunderme—andthusreachedthewatch-houseofthefirebrigade.Itwasnineo’clock;Ihadbeenasleepforseveralhours.
WhatevershallIdowithmyself?Imustgotosomeplace.Istandthereandstareupatthewatch-house,andqueryifitwouldnotbepossibletosucceedingettingintooneofthepassagesifIweretowatchforamomentwhenthewatchman’sbackwasturned.Iascendthesteps,andpreparetoopenaconversationwiththeman.Heliftshisaxinsalute,andwaitsforwhatImayhavetosay.Theupliftedax,withitsedgeturnedagainstme,dartslikeacoldslashthroughmynerves.
