Hunger

饥饿 （2）

[6] "I need money badly. May I have a few dollars now out of the royalties on my book?"

[7] Seeing no customers around, I whispered to the cashier with embarrassment.

[8] "No, not now. Royalty payments are made only twice a year. How could I pay you ahead of time?"

[9] "I just can't wait. Today you've got to give me an advance of a few dollars. I wouldn't be here bothering you if I could help it. Believe me, I can't even afford the streetcar fare going back home. I came here on foot."

[10] The uncontrollable desire for food burning within me, I ignored all propriety and poured out my complaints without feeling ashamed. The cashier seemed apathetic, smiling a sardonic smile. A young clerk, however, was kind enough to tell me.

[11] "You just need to wait a little while. I'm sure your book will sell quick. Soon you can take all the money that comes from today's sale of it."

“我没有钱用了，请你付几元钱的版税给我好吗？”

趁着店里没有买主的时候，我这样含羞着地轻声问那位管账的。

“不能，版税一年只能结算两次，现在还不到时候，我怎好付给你呢？”

“我等不到结算版税的时候了，今天非预支几元不可。我如果不到万不得已的时候，也决不会催讨的。你不信，我连回去搭电车的钱都没有，来的时候也是跑路的。”

饥饿之火在我的腹内燃烧着，我忘记了什么是羞耻，这样诉苦时，好像一点也不觉得难为情。但对方只是冷冷地一笑，似乎并不同情我，倒是一个小伙计对我很好，他说：

“你多等一会儿吧，买你的书的人一定不少，等下收进多少钱，你就通通拿去好了。”