Тэсс из рода д’Эрбервиллей

Chapter 10

           

           ThisleadingpedestrianwasCartheQueenofSpades,whocarriedawicker-basketcontaininghermother’sgroceries,herowndraperies,andotherpurchasesfortheweek.Thebasketbeinglargeandheavy,Carhadplaceditforconvenienceofporterageonthetopofherhead,whereitrodeoninjeopardizedbalanceasshewalkedwitharmsakimbo.

           “Wellwhateveristhata-creepingdownthyback,CarDarch?”saidoneofthegroupsuddenly.

           AlllookedatCar.Hergownwasalightcottonprint,andfromthebackofherheadakindofropecouldbeseendescendingtosomedistancebelowherwaist,likeaChinaman’squeue.

           “’Tisherhairfallingdown,”saidanother.

           No;itwasnotherhair:itwasablackstreamofsomethingoozingfromherbasket,anditglistenedlikeaslimysnakeinthecoldstillraysofthemoon.

           “’Tistreacle,”saidanobservantmatron.

           Treacleitwas.Car’spooroldgrandmotherhadaweaknessforthesweetstuff.Honeyshehadinplentyoutofherownhives,buttreaclewaswhathersouldesired,andCarhadbeenabouttogiveheratreatofsurprise.Hastilyloweringthebasketthedarkgirlfoundthatthevesselcontainingthesyruphadbeensmashedwithin.

           BythistimetherehadarisenashoutoflaughterattheextraordinaryappearanceofCar’sback,whichirritatedthedarkqueenintogettingridofthedisfigurementbythefirstsuddenmeansavailable,andindependentlyofthehelpofthescoffers.

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