Портрет Дориана Грея
Chapter 9
"Waitforananswer,"hesaid,handingittohim, "andshowthemeninhere."
Intwoorthreeminutestherewasanotherknock,andMr.Hubbardhimself,thecelebratedframe-makerofSouthAudleyStreet,cameinwithasomewhatrough-lookingyoungassistant. Mr.Hubbardwasaflorid,red-whiskeredlittleman, whoseadmirationforartwasconsiderablytemperedbytheinveterateimpecuniosityofmostoftheartistswhodealtwithhim. Asarule,heneverlefthisshop.Hewaitedforpeopletocometohim. ButhealwaysmadeanexceptioninfavourofDorianGray. TherewassomethingaboutDorianthatcharmedeverybody. Itwasapleasureeventoseehim.
"WhatcanIdoforyou,Mr.Gray? "hesaid,rubbinghisfatfreckledhands. "IthoughtIwoulddomyselfthehonourofcomingroundinperson. Ihavejustgotabeautyofaframe,sir. Pickeditupatasale. OldFlorentine.CamefromFonthill,Ibelieve. Admirablysuitedforareligioussubject,Mr.Gray."
"Iamsosorryyouhavegivenyourselfthetroubleofcominground,Mr.Hubbard. Ishallcertainlydropinandlookattheframe—thoughIdon’tgoinmuchatpresentforreligiousart —buttodayIonlywantapicturecarriedtothetopofthehouseforme. Itisratherheavy,soIthoughtIwouldaskyoutolendmeacoupleofyourmen."
"Notroubleatall,Mr.Gray. Iamdelightedtobeofanyservicetoyou. Whichistheworkofart,sir?"
"This,"repliedDorian,movingthescreenback. "Canyoumoveit,coveringandall,justasitis? Idon’twantittogetscratchedgoingupstairs."
