Голод

           "Comein!Yes,onlycomerightin!Asyouseeeverythingisofruby—Ylajali,Ylajali!thatswellingcrimsonsilkendivan!Ah,howpassionatelyshebreathes.Kissme—lovedone—more—more!Yourarmsarelikepaleamber,yourmouthblushes....WaiterIaskedforaplateofbeef!"

           Thesungleamedinthroughthewindow,andIcouldhearthehorsesbelowchewingoats.Isatandmumbledovermychipgaily,gladatheartasachild.

           Ikeptallthetimefeelingformymanuscript.Itwasn’treallyinmythoughts,butinstincttoldmeitwasthere—’twasinmybloodtorememberit,andItookitout.

           Ithadgotwet,andIspreaditoutinthesuntodry;thenItooktowanderingupanddowntheroom.Howdepressingeverythinglooked!Smallscrapsoftinshavingsweretroddenintothefloor;therewasnotachairtositupon,notevenanailinthebarewalls.Everythinghadbeenbroughttomy"Uncle’s,"andconsumed.Afewsheetsofpaperlyingonthetable,coveredwiththickdust,weremysolepossession;theoldgreenblanketonthebedwaslenttomebyHansPaulisomemonthsago....HansPauli!Isnapmyfingers.HansPauliPettersenshallhelpme!HewouldcertainlybeveryangrythatIhadnotappealedtohimatonce.Iputonmyhatinhaste,gatherupthemanuscript,thrustitintomypocket,andhurrydownstairs.

           "Listen,JensOlaj!"Icalledintothestable,"IamnearlycertainIcanhelpyouintheafternoon.