[Soon I made certain that I had lost my way. I felt uneasy. But then I came back on the path. One hut, another. They are empty and locked, people are at work. Here is the office. I opened the door, got inside...]
That peaceful scene revolted me... How many hungry woodcutters did that bursar rob [so that his family could eat away about five kilograms of meat if a worker's daily ration consists of 50 grams of meat (60 per cent of it are bones) and 20 grams of grain or noodles?! The expression of thievish fear and gesture with which the elders tried to cover the basin with meat confirmed my guess.]
Without inquiring about the direction I turned, took up my load and went at random. It was growing dark. The frost was getting stronger. The snow was wiping out my footmarks.