Гарри Поттер и философский камень
The Boy who lived
Mr.Dursleyhummed ashepickedouthismostboringtieforwork, andMrs.Dursleygossipedawayhappily asshewrestledascreamingDudleyintohishighchair.
Noneofthemnoticedalarge, tawnyowlflutterpastthewindow.
Athalfpasteight,Mr.Dursleypickeduphisbriefcase, peckedMrs.Dursleyonthecheek, andtriedtokissDudleygood-bye butmissed,becauseDudleywasnowhavingatantrum andthrowinghiscerealatthewalls. "Littletyke,"chortledMr.Dursleyasheleftthehouse. Hegotintohiscarandbackedoutofnumberfour’sdrive.
Itwasonthecornerofthestreetthathenoticedthefirstsignofsomethingpeculiar —acatreadingamap. Forasecond,Mr.Dursleydidn’trealizewhathehadseen —thenhejerkedhisheadaroundtolookagain. TherewasatabbycatstandingonthecornerofPrivetDrive, buttherewasn’tamapinsight. Whatcouldhehavebeenthinkingof? Itmusthavebeenatrickofthelight. Mr.Dursleyblinkedandstaredatthecat. Itstaredback. AsMr.Dursleydrovearoundthecorneranduptheroad, hewatchedthecatinhismirror. Itwasnowreadingthesign thatsaidPrivetDrive —no,lookingatthesign; catscouldn’treadmapsorsigns. Mr.Dursleygavehimselfalittleshakeandputthecatoutofhismind. Ashedrovetowardtownhethoughtofnothingexceptalargeorderofdrills hewashopingtogetthatday.
Butontheedgeoftown, drillsweredrivenoutofhismindbysomethingelse. Ashesatintheusualmorningtrafficjam, hecouldn’thelpnoticing thatthereseemedtobealotofstrangelydressedpeopleabout. Peopleincloaks. Mr.Dursleycouldn’tbearpeoplewhodressedinfunnyclothes —thegetupsyousawonyoungpeople!
