Голод
Part III
ImadearesolutionnottoreturntohimuntilIcouldtakesomethingwithme,thatsatisfiedmeperfectly;somethingthatwouldastonishthe"commandor"abit,andmakehimordermetobepaidhalf-a-sovereignwithoutamoment’shesitation.Iwenthome,andtackledmywritingoncemore.
Duringthefollowingevenings,assoonasitgotneareighto’clockandthegaswaslit,thefollowingthinghappenedregularlytome.
AsIcomeoutofmyroomtotakeawalkinthestreetsafterthelabourandtroublesoftheday,alady,dressedinblack,standsunderthelamp-postexactlyoppositemydoor.
SheturnsherfacetowardsmeandfollowsmewithhereyeswhenIpassherby—Iremarkthatshealwayshasthesamedresson,alwaysthesamethickveilthatconcealsherfaceandfallsoverherbreast,andthatshecarriesinherhandasmallumbrellawithanivoryringinthehandle.ThiswasalreadythethirdeveningIhadseenherthere,alwaysinthesameplace.AssoonasIhavepassedherbysheturnsslowlyandgoesdownthestreetawayfromme.Mynervousbrainvibratedwithcuriosity,andIbecameatoncepossessedbytheunreasonablefeelingthatIwastheobjectofhervisit.AtlastIwasalmostonthepointofaddressingher,ofaskingherifshewaslookingforanyone,ifsheneededmyassistanceinanyway,orifImightaccompanyherhome.
