Голод
Part IV
WhenIhaddrunkalittlecoldwaterandopenedthedoorquietly,Iwentoutdirectly,forIwasafraidtofacemylandladyagain.
AcoupleofpolicemenwhohadbeenonwatchallnightweretheonlylivingbeingsIsawinthestreet.Awhileafter,somemenbegantoextinguishthelamps.Iwanderedaboutwithoutaimorend,reachedKirkegadenandtheroaddowntowardsthefortress.Coldandstillsleepy,weakinthekneesandbackaftermylongwalk,andveryhungry,Isatdownonaseatanddozedforalongtime.ForthreeweeksIhadlivedexclusivelyonthebreadandbutterthatmylandladyhadgivenmemorningandevening.Nowitwastwenty-fourhourssinceIhadhadmylastmeal.Hungerbegantognawbadlyatmeagain;Imustseekahelpforitrightquickly.WiththisthoughtIfellasleepagainupontheseat....
Iwasarousedbythesoundofpeoplespeakingnearme,andwhenIhadcollectedmyselfalittleIsawthatitwasbroadday,andthateveryonewasupandabout.Igotupandwalkedaway.Thesunburstovertheheights,theskywaspaleandtender,andinmydelightoverthelovelymorning,afterthemanydarkgloomyweeks,Iforgotallcares,anditseemedtomeasifIhadfaredworseonotheroccasions.Iclappedmyselfonthechestandsangalittlesnatchformyself.Myvoicesoundedsowretched,downrightexhausteditsounded,andImovedmyselftotearswithit.Thismagnificentday,thewhiteheavensswimminginlight,hadfartoomightyaneffectuponme,andIburstintoloudweeping.