Kitabı oku: «Рассказы / Short Stories», sayfa 7

“Der balance¹⁵,” said the customer, “is not in good drawing. Der bairspective¹⁶ of it is not true. Thank you, madame.”

He took his bread, bowed, and hurried out.

Yes, he must be an artist. Miss Martha took the picture back to her room.

How gentle and kindly his eyes shone behind his spectacles! What a broad brow he had! Genius often has to struggle.

He saw the perspective at once. She wanted to help him – to keep house for him, to share with him all the good things she had in her bakery. Maybe even two thousand dollars. But these were day-dreams, Miss Martha.

Often now when he came he talked to her for a few minutes. But he bought only stale bread as before. Never a cake, never a pie, never one of her delicious sweets.

She thought he began to look thinner and discouraged. Her heart wished to add something good to eat to his meagre purchase. But she did not dare affront him. She knew the pride of artists.

Miss Martha began to wear her new blue silk dress. She also began to use some cream in order to make her face a little more beautiful.

One day the customer came in as usual, laid hisnickel¹⁷ on the showcase, and asked for his stale loaves. While Miss Martha was getting them there from the shelf, the siren of a fire-engine was heard.

The customer hurried to the door to look. Miss Martha seized the opportunity.

On the bottom shelf behind the counter was a pound of fresh butter that the dairyman had left ten minutes before. With a bread knife Miss Martha made a deep cut in each of the stale loaves, inserted a big piece of butter, and pressed the loaves tight again.

When the customer turned from the door, she was tying the paper around them.

When he had gone, after an unusually pleasant little chat, Miss Martha smiled to herself.

She was thinking about her deed. Had she the right to do such a thing? Will he feel offended? But surely not. That’s just butter, nothing more.

She imagined the scene when he discovers her little deception.

He will lay down his brushes and palette. He will prepare for his luncheon of dry bread and water. He will cut into a loaf – ah!