Убийство Роджера Экройда

           Well,thatwasayearago,asIsaid,and–Iamstillhere."Mylittleneighbournodded.

           "Thechainsofhabit.Weworktoattainanobject,andtheobjectgained,wefindthatwhatwemissisthedailytoil.Andmarkyou,monsieur,myworkwasinterestingwork.Themostinterestingworkthereisintheworld.""Yes?"Isaidencouragingly.ForthemomentthespiritofCarolinewasstrongwithinme.

           "Thestudyofhumannature,monsieur!""Justso,"Isaidkindly.

           Clearlyaretiredhairdresser.Whoknowsthesecretsofhumannaturebetterthanahairdresser?

           "Also,Ihadafriend–afriendwhoformanyyearsneverleftmyside.Occasionallyofanimbecilitytomakeoneafraid,neverthelesshewasverydeartome.FiguretoyourselfthatImissevenhisstupidity.Hisnaivete,hishonestoutlook,thepleasureofdelightingandsurprisinghimbymysuperiorgifts–alltheseImissmorethanIcantellyou.""Hedied?"Iaskedsympathetically.

           "Notso.Helivesandflourishes–butontheothersideoftheworld.HeisnowintheArgentine.""IntheArgentine,"Isaidenviously.

           IhavealwayswantedtogotoSouthAmerica.Isighed,andthenlookeduptofindMr.Porrotteyeingmesympathetically.Heseemedanunderstandinglittleman.

           "Willyougothere,yes?"heasked.

           Ishookmyheadwithasigh.

           "Icouldhavegone,"Isaid."Ayearago.ButIwasfoolishandworsethanfoolish–greedy.