Дракула

           Iwashandinghimthehalf-sovereign,whensomethingcamebobbingupagainstthewindow,andMr.Bilder’sfacedoubleditsnaturallengthwithsurprise. 

           "Godblessme!"hesaid. "Ifthereain’toldBersickercomebackby‘isself!" 

           Hewenttothedoorandopenedit,amostunnecessaryproceedingitseemedtome. Ihavealwaysthoughtthatawildanimalneverlookssowellaswhensomeobstacleofpronounceddurabilityisbetweenus. Apersonalexperiencehasintensifiedratherthandiminishedthatidea. 

           Afterall,however,thereisnothinglikecustom,forneitherBildernorhiswifethoughtanymoreofthewolfthanIshouldofadog. Theanimalitselfwasapeacefulandwell-behavedasthatfatherofallpicture-wolves,RedRidingHood’squondamfriend,whilstmovingherconfidenceinmasquerade. 

           Thewholescenewasaunutterablemixtureofcomedyandpathos. ThewickedwolfthatforahalfadayhadparalyzedLondonandsetallthechildrenintownshiveringintheirshoes,wasthereinasortofpenitentmood,andwasreceivedandpettedlikeasortofvulpineprodigalson. OldBilderexaminedhimalloverwithmosttendersolicitude,andwhenhehadfinishedwithhispenitentsaid, 

           "There,Iknewthepooroldchapwouldgetintosomekindoftrouble. Didn’tIsayitallalong? Here’shisheadallcutandfullofbrokenglass. ‘E’sbeena-gettin’oversomebloomin’wallorother. It’sashymethatpeopleareallowedtotoptheirwallswithbrokenbottles. This’ere’swhatcomesofit. Comealong,Bersicker." 

           Hetookthewolfandlockedhimupinacage,withapieceofmeatthatsatisfied,inquantityatanyrate,theelementaryconditionsofthefattedcalf,andwentofftoreport. Icameofftoo,toreporttheonlyexclusiveinformationthatisgiventodayregardingthestrangeescapadeattheZoo.