Дневник незначительного лица
Chapter 21
Perkuppsaid:“Praydon’tdiscussthematter;itisatanend.Yoursonwillbringhispunishmentuponhimself.”Iwenthomeintheevening,thinkingofthehopelessfutureofLupin.Ifoundhiminmostextravagantspiritsandineveningdress.Hethrewaletteronthetableformetoread.
Tomyamazement,IreadthatGyltersonandSonshadabsolutelyengagedLupinatasalaryof£200ayear,withotheradvantages.Ireadtheletterthroughthreetimesandthoughtitmusthavebeenforme.Butthereitwas—LupinPooter—plainenough.Iwassilent.Lupinsaid:“WhatpricePerkuppnow?Youtakemytip,Guv.—‘off’withPerkuppandfreezeontoGylterson,thefirmofthefuture!Perkupp’sfirm?Thestagnantdummieshavebeenstandingstillforyears,andnowaremovingback.Iwanttogoon.InfactImustgooff,asIamdiningwiththeMurrayPoshsto-night.”
Intheexuberanceofhisspiritshehithishatwithhisstick,gavealoudwar“Whoo-oop,”jumpedoverachair,andtookthelibertyofrumplingmyhairallovermyforehead,andbouncedoutoftheroom,givingmenochanceofremindinghimofhisageandtherespectwhichwasduetohisparent.GowingandCummingscameintheevening,andpositivelycheeredmeupwithcongratulationsrespectingLupin.
Gowingsaid:“Ialwayssaidhewouldgeton,and,takemyword,hehasmoreinhisheadthanwethreeputtogether.”
Carriesaid:“HeisasecondHardfurHuttle.”
