Голод
Part II
"Ifitwasonlyoutofconsiderationforsanitaryconditions,"saidI;andIslappedhimontheshoulders.
"Excuseme,Iamastrangerhere,andknownothingofthesanitaryconditions,"hereplied,andstaredatmewithpositivefear.
Oh,thataltersthecase!ifhewasastranger....CouldInotrenderhimaserviceinanyway?showhimabout?Reallynot?becauseitwouldbeapleasuretome,anditwouldcosthimnothing....
Butthemanwantedabsolutelytogetridofme,andhesheeredoff,inallhaste,totheothersideofthestreet.
Ireturnedtothebenchandsatdown.Iwasfearfullydisturbed,andthebigstreetorganthathadbeguntogrindatunealittlefartherawaymademestillworse—aregularmetallicmusic,afragmentofWeber,towhichalittlegirlissingingamournfulstrain.Theflute-likesorrowfulnessoftheorganthrillsthroughmyblood;mynervesvibrateinresponsiveecho.Amomentlater,andIfallbackontheseat,whimperingandcrooningintimetoit.
Oh,whatstrangefreaksone’sthoughtsareguiltyofwhenoneisstarving.Ifeelmyselfliftedupbythesenotes,dissolvedintones,andIfloatout,Ifeelsoclearly.HowIfloatout,soaringhighabovethemountains,dancingthroughzonesoflight!...
"Ahalfpenny,"whinesthelittleorgan-girl,reachingforthherlittletinplate;"onlyahalfpenny.
