Мартін Іден

Chapter 4

           Hehadworkedhimself; hisfirstmemoriesseemedconnectedwithwork,andallhisfamilyhadworked. TherewasGertrude. Whenherhandswerenothardfromtheendlesshousework,theywereswollenandredlikeboiledbeef,whatofthewashing. AndtherewashissisterMarian. Shehadworkedinthecannerytheprecedingsummer,andherslim,prettyhandswereallscarredwiththetomato-knives. Besides,thetipsoftwoofherfingershadbeenleftinthecuttingmachineatthepaper-boxfactorytheprecedingwinter. Herememberedthehardpalmsofhismotherasshelayinhercoffin. Andhisfatherhadworkedtothelastfadinggasp; thehornedgrowthonhishandsmusthavebeenhalfaninchthickwhenhedied. ButHerhandsweresoft,andhermother’shands,andherbrothers’. Thislastcametohimasasurprise; itwastremendouslyindicativeofthehighnessoftheircaste,oftheenormousdistancethatstretchedbetweenherandhim. 

           Hesatbackonthebedwithabitterlaugh,andfinishedtakingoffhisshoes. Hewasafool; hehadbeenmadedrunkenbyawoman’sfaceandbyawoman’ssoft,whitehands. Andthen,suddenly,beforehiseyes,onthefoulplaster-wallappearedavision. Hestoodinfrontofagloomytenementhouse. Itwasnight-time,intheEastEndofLondon,andbeforehimstoodMargey,alittlefactorygirloffifteen. Hehadseenherhomeafterthebean-feast. Shelivedinthatgloomytenement,aplacenotfitforswine. Hishandwasgoingouttohersashesaidgoodnight. Shehadputherlipsuptobekissed,buthewasn’tgoingtokissher. Somehowhewasafraidofher. Andthenherhandclosedonhisandpressedfeverishly. Hefelthercallousesgrindandgrateonhis,andagreatwaveofpitywelledoverhim. 

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