Голод
Part II
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"Nodisturbanceinthestreet,"saystheconstable;"so,march,"andhegivesmeashoveon.
"Isthemyourpapers?"hecallsafterme.
"Yes,byJove!mynewspaperleader;manyimportantpapers!HowevercouldIbesocareless?"Isnatchupmymanuscript,convincemyselfthatitislyinginorderandgo,withoutstoppingasecondorlookingaboutme,towardstheeditor’soffice.
ItwasnowfourbytheclockofOurSaviour’sChurch.Theofficeisshut.Isteadnoiselesslydownthestairs,frightenedasathief,andstandirresolutelyoutsidethedoor.WhatshouldIdonow?Ileanupagainstthewall,staredownatthestones,andconsider.Apinislyingglisteningatmyfeet;Istoopandpickitup.SupposingIweretocutthebuttonsoffmycoat,howmuchcouldIgetforthem?Perhapsitwouldbenouse,thoughbuttonsarebuttons;butyet,Ilookandexaminethem,andfindthemasgoodasnew—thatwasaluckyideaallthesame;Icouldcutthemoffwithmypenknifeandtakethemtothepawn-office.Thehopeofbeingabletosellthesefivebuttonscheeredmeimmediately,andIcried,"See,see;itwillallcomeright!"Mydelightgottheupperhandofme,andIatoncesettocutoffthebuttonsonebyone.Whilstthusoccupied,Iheldthefollowinghushedsoliloquy:
Yes,youseeonehasbecomealittleimpoverished;amomentaryembarrassment...