Троє в човні крім собаки
Chapter 1
Hedidn’tfeelsohungryashethoughtheshould,andsocontentedhimselfwithabitofboiledbeef,andsomestrawberriesandcream.Heponderedagooddealduringtheafternoon,andatonetimeitseemedtohimthathehadbeeneatingnothingbutboiledbeefforweeks,andatothertimesitseemedthathemusthavebeenlivingonstrawberriesandcreamforyears.
Neitherthebeefnorthestrawberriesandcreamseemedhappy,either—seemeddiscontentedlike. Atsix,theycameandtoldhimdinnerwasready.Theannouncementarousednoenthusiasmwithinhim,buthefeltthattherewassomeofthattwo-pound-fivetobeworkedoff,andheheldontoropesandthingsandwentdown.Apleasantodourofonionsandhotham,mingledwithfriedfishandgreens,greetedhimatthebottomoftheladder;andthenthestewardcameupwithanoilysmile,andsaid:
"WhatcanIgetyou,sir?"
"Getmeoutofthis,"wasthefeeblereply.
Andtheyranhimupquick,andproppedhimup,overtoleeward,andlefthim.
Forthenextfourdayshelivedasimpleandblamelesslifeonthincaptain’sbiscuits(Imeanthatthebiscuitswerethin,notthecaptain)andsoda-water;but,towardsSaturday,hegotuppish,andwentinforweakteaanddrytoast,andonMondayhewasgorginghimselfonchickenbroth.HelefttheshiponTuesday,andasitsteamedawayfromthelanding-stagehegazedafteritregretfully. "Thereshegoes,"hesaid,"thereshegoes,withtwopounds’worthoffoodonboardthatbelongstome,andthatIhaven’thad."
Hesaidthatiftheyhadgivenhimanotherdayhethoughthecouldhaveputitstraight.