When the fatman had left I said:

"DirkStroeve thinks you're a great artist. "

"What thehell do you suppose I care?"

"Will youlet me see your pictures?"

"Whyshould I?"

"I mightfeel inclined to buy one. "

"I mightnot feel inclined to sell one. "

"Are youmaking a good living?" I asked, smiling.

He chuckled.

"Do I lookit?"

"You lookhalf starved. "

"I am halfstarved. "

"Then comeand let's have a bit of dinner. "

"Why doyou ask me?"

"Not outof charity, " I answered coolly. "I don't really care a twopenny damnif you starve or not."

His eyes lit upagain.

"Come on,then, " he said, getting up. "I'd like a decent meal. "

当这个胖子走了以后，我开口说：

“戴尔克·施特略夫说你是个了不起的画家。”

“我才他妈的不在乎他怎么说呢！”

“你可以不可以让我看看你的画？”

“为什么我要给你看？”

“说不定我想买一两幅。”

“说不定我还不想卖呢。”

“你过得不错吧？”我笑着说。

他咯咯地笑了两声。

“我象过得不错的吗？”

“你象连肚皮也吃不饱的样子。”

“我就是连饭也吃不饱。”

“那咱们去吃点什么吧。”

“你干嘛请我吃饭？”

“不是出于慈善心肠，”我冷冷地说，“你吃得饱吃不饱才不干我的事呢。”

他的眼睛又闪起亮来。

“那就走吧，”他说，站了起来，“我倒是想好好地吃它一顿。”