Трое в лодке не считая собаки

           Hedidn’tfeelsohungryashethoughtheshould,andsocontentedhimselfwithabitofboiledbeef,andsomestrawberriesandcream.Heponderedagooddealduringtheafternoon,andatonetimeitseemedtohimthathehadbeeneatingnothingbutboiledbeefforweeks,andatothertimesitseemedthathemusthavebeenlivingonstrawberriesandcreamforyears. 

           Neitherthebeefnorthestrawberriesandcreamseemedhappy,either—seemeddiscontentedlike. Atsix,theycameandtoldhimdinnerwasready.Theannouncementarousednoenthusiasmwithinhim,buthefeltthattherewassomeofthattwo-pound-fivetobeworkedoff,andheheldontoropesandthingsandwentdown.Apleasantodourofonionsandhotham,mingledwithfriedfishandgreens,greetedhimatthebottomoftheladder;andthenthestewardcameupwithanoilysmile,andsaid: 

           "WhatcanIgetyou,sir?" 

           "Getmeoutofthis,"wasthefeeblereply. 

           Andtheyranhimupquick,andproppedhimup,overtoleeward,andlefthim. 

           Forthenextfourdayshelivedasimpleandblamelesslifeonthincaptain’sbiscuits(Imeanthatthebiscuitswerethin,notthecaptain)andsoda-water;but,towardsSaturday,hegotuppish,andwentinforweakteaanddrytoast,andonMondayhewasgorginghimselfonchickenbroth.HelefttheshiponTuesday,andasitsteamedawayfromthelanding-stagehegazedafteritregretfully. "Thereshegoes,"hesaid,"thereshegoes,withtwopounds’worthoffoodonboardthatbelongstome,andthatIhaven’thad." 

           Hesaidthatiftheyhadgivenhimanotherdayhethoughthecouldhaveputitstraight.