Голод

           Howwasonetokeepupone’scouragewhenonewassobrokendown?HereIstoodbeforeayounglady,dirty,ragged,torn,disfiguredbyhunger,unwashed,andonlyhalf-clad;itwasenoughtomakeonesinkintotheearth.Ishrankintomyself,bentmyheadinvoluntarily,andsaid:

           "MayInotmeetyouanymorethen?"

           Ihadnohopeofbeingpermittedtoseeheragain.IalmostwishedforasharpNo,thatwouldpullmetogetherabitandrendermecallous.

           "Yes,"shewhisperedsoftly,almostinaudibly.

           "When?"

           "Idon’tknow."

           Apause....

           "Won’tyoubesokindastoliftyourveil,onlyjustforaminute,"Iasked."SothatIcanseewhomIhavebeentalkingto.Justforonemoment,forindeedImustseewhomIhavebeentalkingto."

           Anotherpause....

           "YoucanmeetmeoutsidehereonTuesdayevening,"shesaid."Willyou?"

           "Yes,dearlady,ifIhavepermissionto."

           "Ateighto’clock."

           "Verywell."

           Istrokeddownhercloakwithmyhand,merelytohaveanexcusefortouchingher.Itwasadelighttometobesonearher.

           "Andyoumustn’tthinkalltoobadlyofme,"sheadded;shewassmilingagain.

           "No."

           Suddenlyshemadearesolutemovementanddrewherveilupoverherforehead;westoodandgazedatoneanotherforasecond.

           "Ylajali!"Icried.