Человек-невидимка
Mr. Marvel’s Visit to Iping
Membersoftheclub,whohadattendedchurchinthemorning,weresplendidinbadgesofpinkandgreen,andsomeofthegayer-mindedhadalsoadornedtheirbowlerhatswithbrilliant-colouredfavoursofribbon. OldFletcher,whoseconceptionsofholiday-makingweresevere,wasvisiblethroughthejasmineabouthiswindoworthroughtheopendoor(whicheverwayyouchosetolook),poiseddelicatelyonaplanksupportedontwochairs,andwhitewashingtheceilingofhisfrontroom.
Aboutfouro'clockastrangerenteredthevillagefromthedirectionofthedowns. Hewasashort,stoutpersoninanextraordinarilyshabbytophat,andheappearedtobeverymuchoutofbreath. Hischeekswerealternatelylimpandtightlypuffed. Hismottledfacewasapprehensive,andhemovedwithasortofreluctantalacrity. Heturnedthecornerofthechurch,anddirectedhiswaytothe"CoachandHorses." AmongothersoldFletcherremembersseeinghim,andindeedtheoldgentlemanwassostruckbyhispeculiaragitationthatheinadvertentlyallowedaquantityofwhitewashtorundownthebrushintothesleeveofhiscoatwhileregardinghim.
Thisstranger,totheperceptionsoftheproprietorofthecocoanutshy,appearedtobetalkingtohimself,andMr.Huxterremarkedthesamething. Hestoppedatthefootofthe"CoachandHorses"steps,and,accordingtoMr.Huxter,appearedtoundergoasevereinternalstrugglebeforehecouldinducehimselftoenterthehouse. Finallyhemarchedupthesteps,andwasseenbyMr.Huxtertoturntotheleftandopenthedooroftheparlour. Mr.Huxterheardvoicesfromwithintheroomandfromthebarapprisingthemanofhiserror. "Thatroom'sprivate!"saidHall, andthestrangershutthedoorclumsilyandwentintothebar.
