Лавка древностей

Chapter 9

           But,inalittletime,thisclosed,thelightwasextinguished,andallwasgloomyandquiet,exceptwhensomestrayfootstepssoundedonthepavement,oraneighbour,outlaterthanhiswont,knockedlustilyathishouse-doortorousethesleepinginmates.

           Whenthenighthadwornawaythusfar(andseldomnowuntilithad)thechildwouldclosethewindow,andstealsoftlydownstairs,thinkingasshewentthatifoneofthosehideousfacesbelow,whichoftenmingledwithherdreams,weretomeetherbytheway,renderingitselfvisiblebysomestrangelightofitsown,howterrifiedshewouldbe.Butthesefearsvanishedbeforeawell-trimmedlampandthefamiliaraspectofherownroom.Afterprayingfervently,andwithmanyburstingtears,fortheoldman,andtherestorationofhispeaceofmindandthehappinesstheyhadonceenjoyed,shewouldlayherheaduponthepillowandsobherselftosleep:oftenstartingupagain,beforetheday-lightcame,tolistenforthebellandrespondtotheimaginarysummonswhichhadrousedherfromherslumber.

           Onenight,thethirdafterNelly’sinterviewwithMrsQuilp,theoldman,whohadbeenweakandillallday,saidheshouldnotleavehome.Thechild’seyessparkledattheintelligence,butherjoysubsidedwhentheyrevertedtohiswornandsicklyface.

           ‘Twodays,’hesaid,‘twowhole,clear,dayshavepassed,andthereisnoreply.Whatdidhetellthee,Nell?’

           ‘ExactlywhatItoldyou,deargrandfather,indeed.’

           ‘True,’saidtheoldman,faintly.‘Yes.Buttellmeagain,Nell.Myheadfailsme.

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