Голод
Part II
"Notnow—perhapslateron,maybeintheafternoon,"andIstaggeredupthestairstomyroom.
Iflungmyselfonmybed,andlaughed.Howconfoundedlyluckyitwasthathehadforestalledme;myself-respectwassaved.Fiveshillings!Godblessyou,man,youmightjustaswellhaveaskedmeforfivesharesintheDampkökken,oranestateoutinAker.
Andthethoughtofthesefiveshillingsmademelaughlouderandlouder.Wasn’tIadevilofafellow,eh?Fiveshillings!Mymirthincreased,andIgavewaytoit.Ugh!whatashockingsmellofcookingtherewashere—adownrightdisgustinglystrongsmellofchopsfordinner,phew!andIflungopenthewindowtoletoutthisbeastlysmell."Waiter,aplateofbeef!"Turningtothetable—thismiserabletablethatIwasforcedtosupportwithmykneeswhenIwrote—Ibowedprofoundly,andsaid:
"MayIaskwillyoutakeaglassofwine?No?IamTangen—Tangen,theCabinetMinister.I—more’sthepity—Iwasoutalittlelate...thedoor-key."Oncemoremythoughtsranwithoutreininintricatepaths.IwascontinuallyconsciousthatItalkedatrandom,andyetIgaveutterancetonowordwithouthearingandunderstandingit.Isaidtomyself,"Nowyouaretalkingatrandomagain,"andyetIcouldnothelpmyself.Itwasasifonewerelyingawake,andyettalkinginone’ssleep.
Myheadwaslight,withoutpainandwithoutpressure,andmymoodwasunshadowed.Itsailedawaywithme,andImadenoeffort.