Человек-невидимка
The Furniture That Went Mad
Itwasexactlyasifahandhadclutchedtheminthecentreandflungthemaside.Immediatelyafter,thestranger'shathoppedoffthebed-post,describedawhirlingflightintheairthroughthebetterpartofacircle,andthendashedstraightatMrs.Hall'sface. Thenasswiftlycamethespongefromthewashstand;andthenthechair,flingingthestranger'scoatandtrouserscarelesslyaside,andlaughingdrilyinavoicesingularlylikethestranger's,turneditselfupwithitsfourlegsatMrs.Hall,seemedtotakeaimatherforamoment,andchargedather. Shescreamedandturned,andthenthechairlegscamegentlybutfirmlyagainstherbackandimpelledherandHalloutoftheroom. Thedoorslammedviolentlyandwaslocked. Thechairandbedseemedtobeexecutingadanceoftriumphforamoment,andthenabruptlyeverythingwasstill.
Mrs.HallwasleftalmostinafaintingconditioninMr.Hall'sarmsonthelanding. ItwaswiththegreatestdifficultythatMr.HallandMillie,whohadbeenrousedbyherscreamofalarm,succeededingettingherdownstairs,andapplyingtherestorativescustomaryinsuchcases.
"'Tassperits,"saidMrs.Hall."Iknow'tassperits.I'vereadinpapersofen.Tablesandchairsleapinganddancing..."
"Takeadropmore,Janny,"saidHall."'Twillsteadyye."
"Lockhimout,"saidMrs.Hall."Don'tlethimcomeinagain.Ihalfguessed—Imightha'known.Withthemgogglingeyesandbandagedhead,andnevergoingtochurchofaSunday. Andalltheybottles—more'nit'srightforanyonetohave.He'sputthesperitsintothefurniture....Mygoodoldfurniture! 'TwasinthatverychairmypoordearmotherusedtositwhenIwasalittlegirl. Tothinkitshouldriseupagainstmenow!"
