Голод
Part I
Ididnotpause,notforonesecond,butthewholepeculiarornamentationoftheentrancestruckonmyperceptioninaflash;everydetailofthedecorationandthetilingofthefloorstoodclearonmymentalvisionasIsprangupthestairs.Irangviolentlyonthesecondfloor.WhyshouldIstopexactlyonthesecondfloor?Andwhyjustseizeholdofthisbellwhichwassomelittlewayfromthestairs?
Ayoungladyinagreygownwithblacktrimmingcameoutandopenedthedoor.Shelookedforamomentinastonishmentatme,thenshookherheadandsaid:
"No,wehavenotgotanythingtoday,"andshemadeafeinttoclosethedoor.
Whatinducedmetothrustmyselfinthiscreature’sway?Shetookmewithoutfurtheradoforabeggar.
Igotcoolandcollectedatonce.Iraisedmyhat,madearespectfulbow,and,asifIhadnotcaughtherwords,said,withtheutmostpoliteness:
"Ihopeyouwillexcuseme,madam,forringingsohard,thebellwasnewtome.Isitnotherethataninvalidgentlemanliveswhohasadvertisedforamantowheelhimaboutinachair?"
Shestoodawhileanddigestedthismendaciousinventionandseemedtobeirresoluteinhersummingupofmyperson.
"No!"shesaidatlength;"no,thereisnoinvalidgentlemanlivinghere."
"Notreally?Anelderlygentleman—twohoursaday—sixpenceanhour?"
"No!"
"Ah!inthatcase,Iagainaskpardon,"saidI.
