Загадочная история Бенджамина Баттона

           Mr.RogerButton,thepresidentofRogerButton&Co.,WholesaleHardware,begantoruntowardDoctorKeenewithmuchlessdignitythanwasexpectedfromaSoutherngentlemanofthatpicturesqueperiod."DoctorKeene!"hecalled."Oh,DoctorKeene!"

           Thedoctorheardhim,facedaround,andstoodwaiting,acuriousexpressionsettlingonhisharsh,medicinalfaceasMr.Buttondrewnear.

           "Whathappened?"demandedMr.Button,ashecameupinagaspingrush."Whatwasit?Howisshe"Aboy?Whoisit?What—"

           "Talksense!"saidDoctorKeenesharply,Heappearedsomewhatirritated.

           "Isthechildborn?"beggedMr.Button.

           DoctorKeenefrowned."Why,yes,Isupposeso—afterafashion."AgainhethrewacuriousglanceatMr.Button.

           "Ismywifeallright?"

           "Yes."

           "Isitaboyoragirl?"

           "Herenow!"criedDoctorKeeneinaperfectpassionofirritation,"I’llaskyoutogoandseeforyourself.Outrageous!"Hesnappedthelastwordoutinalmostonesyllable,thenheturnedawaymuttering:"Doyouimagineacaselikethiswillhelpmyprofessionalreputation?Onemorewouldruinme—ruinanybody."

           "What’sthematter?"demandedMr.Buttonappalled."Triplets?"