Случай Чарльза Декстера Варда
Chapter 3
Thistimenothingmusthappen,andleastofallthoughanyidiotfearsofmyown.PrayforgetallIwrityou,Sir,andhavenofearofthisplaceoranyinit.Dr.Allenisamanoffineparts,andIownhimanapologyforanythingillIhavesaidofhim.IwishIhadnoneedtosparehim,buttherewerethingshehadtodoelsewhere.Hiszealisequaltomineinallthosematters,andIsupposethatwhenIfearedtheworkIfearedhimtooasmygreatesthelperinit.’
Wardpaused,andthedoctorhardlyknewwhattosayorthink.Hefeltalmostfoolishinthefaceofthiscalmrepudiationoftheletter;andyetthereclungtohimthefactthatwhilethepresentdiscoursewasstrangeandalienandindubitablymad,thenoteitselfhadbeentragicinitsnaturalnessandlikenesstotheCharlesWardheknew.Willettnowtriedtoturnthetalkonearlymatters,andrecalltotheyouthsomepasteventswhichwouldrestoreafamiliarmood;butinthisprocessheobtainedonlythemostgrotesqueresults.Itwasthesamewithallthealienistslateron.ImportantsectionsofCharlesWard’sstoreofmentalimages,mainlythosetouchingmoderntimesandhisownpersonallife,hadbeenunaccountablyexpunged;whilstallthemassedantiquarianismofhisyouthhadwelledupfromsomeprofoundsubconsciousnesstoengulfthecontemporaryandtheindividual.Theyouth’sintimateknowledgeofelderthingswasabnormalandunholy,andhetriedhisbesttohideit.
