Лавка древностей

Chapter 1

           Ishouldbesorrythatyouwentaway,andthoughtIwasunmindfulofyourgoodness,orcarelessofherIamnotindeed.’

           Iwassureofthat,Isaid,fromwhatIhadseen.‘But,’Iadded,‘mayIaskyouaquestion?’

           ‘Ay,sir,’repliedtheoldman,‘Whatisit?’

           ‘Thisdelicatechild,’saidI,‘withsomuchbeautyandintelligencehasshenobodytocareforherbutyou?Hasshenoothercompanionoradvisor?’

           ‘No,’hereturned,lookinganxiouslyinmyface,‘no,andshewantsnoother.’

           ‘Butareyounotfearful,’saidI,‘thatyoumaymisunderstandachargesotender?Iamsureyoumeanwell,butareyouquitecertainthatyouknowhowtoexecutesuchatrustasthis?Iamanoldman,likeyou,andIamactuatedbyanoldman’sconcerninallthatisyoungandpromising.DoyounotthinkthatwhatIhaveseenofyouandthislittlecreatureto-nightmusthaveaninterestnotwhollyfreefrompain?’

           ‘Sir,’rejoinedtheoldmanafteramoment’ssilence.‘Ihavenorighttofeelhurtatwhatyousay.ItistruethatinmanyrespectsIamthechild,andshethegrownpersonthatyouhaveseenalready.Butwakingorsleeping,bynightorday,insicknessorhealth,sheistheoneobjectofmycare,andifyouknewofhowmuchcare,youwouldlookonmewithdifferenteyes,youwouldindeed.Ah!It’sawearylifeforanoldmanaweary,wearylifebutthereisagreatendtogainandthatIkeepbeforeme.

Настройки
Фон страницы
Размер шрифта
Межстрочный интервал
Фразовые глаголы
Показать / Скрыть меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Страница 14 из 836