Голод
Part I
"Itisperhapsonthefirstfloor.Ionlywanted,inanycase,torecommendamanIknow,inwhomIaminterested;mynameisWedel-Jarlsberg,"3andIbowedagainanddrewback.Theyoungladyblushedcrimson,andinherembarrassmentcouldnotstirfromthespot,butstoodandstaredaftermeasIdescendedthestairs.
Mycalmhadreturnedtome,andmyheadwasclear.Thelady’ssayingthatshehadnothingformetodayhadacteduponmelikeanicyshower.Soithadgonesofarwithmethatanyonemightpointatme,andsaytohimself,"Theregoesabeggar—oneofthosepeoplewhogettheirfoodhandedouttothematfolk’sback-doors!"
Ihaltedoutsideaneating-houseinMöllerStreet,andsniffedthefreshsmellofmeatroastinginside;myhandwasalreadyuponthedoor-handle,andIwasonthepointofenteringwithoutanyfixedpurpose,whenIbethoughtmyselfintime,andleftthespot.Onreachingthemarket,andseekingforaplacetorestforalittle,Ifoundallthebenchesoccupied,andIsoughtinvainallroundoutsidethechurchforaquietseat,whereIcouldsitdown.
Naturally,Itoldmyself,gloomily—naturally,naturally;andIcommencedtowalkagain.Itookaturnroundthefountainatthecornerofthebazaar,andswallowedamouthfulofwater.Onagain,draggingonefootaftertheother;stoppedforalongtimebeforeeachshopwindow;halted,andwatchedeveryvehiclethatdroveby.Ifeltascorchingheatinmyhead,andsomethingpulsatedstrangelyinmytemples.
