Голод

           "

           "Yes,"Isaid,unthinkingly,andIsprangtomyfeetandransackedallmypockets.ButthechildthinksIonlywanttomakefunofher,andshegoesawayatoncewithoutsayingaword.

           Thisdumbforbearancewastoomuchforme.Ifshehadabusedme,itwouldhavebeenmoreendurable.Iwasstungwithpain,andrecalledher.

           "Idon’tpossessafarthing;butIwillrememberyoulateron,maybetomorrow.Whatisyourname?Yes,thatisaprettyname;Iwon’tforgetit.Tilltomorrow,then...."

           ButIunderstoodquitewellthatshedidnotbelieveme,althoughsheneversaidoneword;andIcriedwithdespairbecausethislittlestreetwenchwouldnotbelieveinme.

           OnceagainIcalledherback,toreopenmycoat,andwasabouttogivehermywaistcoat."Iwillmakeuptoyouforit,"saidI;"waitonlyamoment"...andlo!Ihadnowaistcoat.

           Whatintheworldmademelookforit?Weekshadgonebysinceitwasinmypossession.Whatwasthematterwithme,anyway?Theastonishedchildwaitednolonger,butwithdrewfearsomely,andIwascompelledtolethergo.Peoplethrongroundme,laughaloud;apolicemanthrustshiswaythroughtome,andwantstoknowwhatistherow.

           "Nothing!"Ireply,"nothingatall;Ionlywantedtogivethelittlegirlovertheremywaistcoat...forherfather...youneedn’tstandthereandlaughatthat...Ihaveonlytogohomeandputonanother.