Загадочная история Бенджамина Баттона

           Shepointedthedirection,andMr.Button,bathedincoolperspiration,turnedfalteringly,andbegantomounttothesecondfloor.Intheupperhallheaddressedanothernursewhoapproachedhim,basininhand."I’mMr.Button,"hemanagedtoarticulate."Iwanttoseemy——"

           Clank!Thebasinclatteredtothefloorandrolledinthedirectionofthestairs.Clank!Clank!Ibeganamethodicaldecentasifsharinginthegeneralterrorwhichthisgentlemanprovoked.

           "Iwanttoseemychild!"Mr.Buttonalmostshrieked.Hewasonthevergeofcollapse.

           Clank!Thebasinreachedthefirstfloor.Thenurseregainedcontrolofherself,andthrewMr.Buttonalookofheartycontempt.

           "Allright,Mr.Button,"sheagreedinahushedvoice."Verywell!Butifyouknewwhatastateit’sputusallinthismorning!It’sperfectlyoutrageous!Thehospitalwillneverhaveaghostofareputationafter——"

           "Hurry!"hecriedhoarsely."Ican’tstandthis!"

           "Comethisway,then,Mr.Button."

           Hedraggedhimselfafterher.Attheendofalonghalltheyreachedaroomfromwhichproceededavarietyofhowls—indeed,aroomwhich,inlaterparlance,wouldhavebeenknownasthe"crying-room."Theyentered.

           "Well,"gaspedMr.Button,"whichismine?"

           "There!"saidthenurse.