Человек-невидимка
The Strange Man’s Arrival
Butthevisitorwasnottobedrawnsoeasily. "Theydo,"hesaidthroughhismuffler,eyeingherquietlythroughhisimpenetrableglasses.
"Buttheytakelongenoughtogetwell,don'tthey? ...Therewasmysister'sson,Tom,jestcuthisarmwithascythe,tumbledonitinthe'ayfield,and,blessme!hewasthreemonthstiedupsir.You'dhardlybelieveit. It'sregulargivenmeadreadofascythe,sir."
"Icanquiteunderstandthat,"saidthevisitor.
"Hewasafraid,onetime,thathe'dhavetohaveanop'ration—hewasthatbad,sir."
Thevisitorlaughedabruptly,abarkofalaughthatheseemedtobiteandkillinhismouth. "Washe?"hesaid.
"Hewas,sir. Andnolaughingmattertothemashadthedoingforhim,asIhad—mysisterbeingtookupwithherlittleonessomuch. Therewasbandagestodo,sir,andbandagestoundo. SothatifImaymakesoboldastosayit,sir—"
"Willyougetmesomematches?"saidthevisitor,quiteabruptly. "Mypipeisout."
Mrs.Hallwaspulledupsuddenly. Itwascertainlyrudeofhim,aftertellinghimallshehaddone. Shegaspedathimforamoment,andrememberedthetwosovereigns.Shewentforthematches.