Загадочная история Бенджамина Баттона

           "Oh,Ibegyourpardon.Ithoughtyousaidsixhours.You’llfindtheyouths’departmentinthenextaisle."

           Mr.Buttonturnedmiserablyaway.Thenhestopped,brightened,andpointedhisfingertowardadresseddummyinthewindowdisplay."There!"heexclaimed."I’lltakethatsuit,outthereonthedummy."

           Theclerkstared."Why,"heprotested,"that’snotachild’ssuit.Atleastitis,butit’sforfancydress.Youcouldwearityourself!"

           "Wrapitup,"insistedhiscustomernervously."That’swhatIwant."

           Theastonishedclerkobeyed.

           BackatthehospitalMr.Buttonenteredthenurseryandalmostthrewthepackageathisson."Here’syourclothes,"hesnappedout.

           Theoldmanuntiedthepackageandviewedthecontentswithaquizzicaleye.

           "Theylooksortoffunnytome,"hecomplained,"Idon’twanttobemadeamonkeyof—"

           "You’vemadeamonkeyofme!"retortedMr.Buttonfiercely."Neveryoumindhowfunnyyoulook.Putthemon—orI’ll—orI’llspankyou."Heswalloweduneasilyatthepenultimateword,feelingneverthelessthatitwastheproperthingtosay.

           "Allright,father"—thiswithagrotesquesimulationoffilialrespect—"you’velivedlonger;youknowbest.Justasyousay."

           Asbefore,thesoundoftheword"father"causedMr.Buttontostartviolently.