Голод
Part II
ThusIgo,drillingmyselfinhypocrisy;stampimpatientlyinthestreetwhenIfailtosucceed;railatmyselfforbeingsuchablockhead,whilsttheastonishedpassers-byturnroundandstareatme.
Icheweduninterruptedlyatmyshaving,andproceeded,assteadilyasIcould,alongthestreet.BeforeIrealizedit,Iwasattherailwaysquare.ThedockonOurSaviour’spointedtohalf-pastone.Istoodforabitandconsidered.Afaintsweatforceditselfoutonmyface,andtrickleddownmyeyelids.Accompanymedowntothebridge,saidItomyself—thatistosay,ifyouhavesparetime!—andImadeabowtomyself,andturnedtowardstherailwaybridgenearthewharf.
Theshipslaythere,andthesearockedinthesunshine.Therewasbustleandmovementeverywhere,shriekingsteam-whistles,quayporterswithcasesontheirshoulders,lively"shanties"comingfromtheprams.Anoldwoman,avendorofcakes,sitsnearme,andbendsherbrownnosedownoverherwares.Thelittletablebeforeherissinfullyfullofnicethings,andIturnawaywithdistaste.Sheisfillingthewholequaywithhersmellofcakes—phew!upwiththewindows!
Iaccostedagentlemansittingatmyside,andrepresentedforciblytohimthenuisanceofhavingcake-sellershere,cake-sellersthere....Eh?Yes;buthemustreallyadmitthat....Butthegoodmansmeltarat,anddidnotgivemetimetofinishspeaking,forhegotupandleft.Irose,too,andfollowedhim,firmlydeterminedtoconvincehimofhismistake.
