Голод
Part III
Thesoundless,stealthytreadinthetotaldarknessofnight;thehiddenmonstersofthewoods;theshrieksofabirdflyingpast;thewind,thesmellofblood,therumblinginspace;inshort,thereigningspiritofthekingdomofsavagecreatureshoveringoversavagery...theunconsciouspoetry!...ButIwasafraidthisboredher.Theconsciousnessofmygreatpovertyseizedmeanew,andcrushedme.IfIhadonlybeeninanywaywell-enoughdressedtohavegivenherthepleasureofthislittletourintheTivoli!Icouldnotmakeoutthiscreature,whocouldfindpleasureinlettingherselfbeaccompaniedupthewholeofCarlJohannStreetbyahalf-nakedbeggar.What,inthenameofGod,wasshethinkingof?AndwhywasIwalkingthere,givingmyselfairs,andsmilingidioticallyatnothing?HadIanyreasonablecause,either,forlettingmyselfbeworriedintoalongwalkbythisdainty,silken-cladbird?Mayhapitdidnotcostmeaneffort?DidInotfeeltheiceofdeathgorightintomyheartateventhegentlestpuffofwindthatblewagainstus?Wasnotmadnessrunningriotinmybrain,justforlackoffoodformanymonthsatastretch?Yetshehinderedmefromgoinghometogetevenalittlemilkintomyparchedmouth;aspoonfulofsweetmilk,thatImightperhapsbeabletokeepdown.Whydidn’tsheturnherbackonme,andletmegotothedeuce?...
Ibecamedistracted;mydespairreducedmetothelastextremity.Isaid:
"Consideringallthings,yououghtnottowalkwithme.
