Голод

           "

           "Yes;butthatmadeitsomuchtheworse."

           "WouldyouratherIhadbeentipsy?"

           "Yes...ugh...Iamafraidofyou!Lord,can’tyouletmebenow!"

           Iconsideredamoment.No,Icouldn’tletherbe....Ihappened,asifinadvertently,toknockoverthelight,sothatitwentout.Shemadeadespairingstruggle—gaveventatlasttoalittlewhimper.

           "No,notthat!Ifyoulike,youmayratherkissme,oh,dear,kind...."

           Istoppedinstantly.Herwordssoundedsoterrified,sohelpless,Iwasstrucktotheheart.Shemeanttooffermeacompensationbygivingmeleavetokissher!Howcharming,howcharminglynaïve.Icouldhavefallendownandkneltbeforeher.

           "But,dearprettyone,"Isaid,completelybewildered,"Idon’tunderstand....Ireallycan’tconceivewhatsortofagamethisis...."

           Sherose,litthecandleagainwithtremblinghands.Ileantbackonthesofaanddidnothing.Whatwouldhappennow?Iwasinrealityveryillatease.

           Shecastalookoverattheclockonthewall,andstarted.

           "Ugh,thegirlwillsooncomenow!"shesaid;thiswasthefirstthingshesaid.Itookthehint,androse.Shetookupherjacketasiftoputiton,bethoughtherself,andletitlie,andwentovertothefireplace.