Поворот винта
Chapter 23
”
“Ah,then,isthatwhatyou’vestayedoverfor?”
HespokewithagaietythroughwhichIcouldstillcatchthefinestlittlequiverofresentfulpassion;butIcan’tbegintoexpresstheeffectuponmeofanimplicationofsurrenderevensofaint.ItwasasifwhatIhadyearnedforhadcomeatlastonlytoastonishme.“Well,yes—Imayaswellmakeacleanbreastofit,itwaspreciselyforthat.”
HewaitedsolongthatIsupposeditforthepurposeofrepudiatingtheassumptiononwhichmyactionhadbeenfounded;butwhathefinallysaidwas:“Doyoumeannow—here?”
“Therecouldn’tbeabetterplaceortime.”Helookedroundhimuneasily,andIhadtherare—oh,thequeer!—impressionoftheveryfirstsymptomIhadseeninhimoftheapproachofimmediatefear.Itwasasifheweresuddenlyafraidofme—whichstruckmeindeedasperhapsthebestthingtomakehim.YetintheverypangoftheeffortIfeltitvaintotrysternness,andIheardmyselfthenextinstantsogentleastobealmostgrotesque.“Youwantsotogooutagain?”
“Awfully!”Hesmiledatmeheroically,andthetouchinglittlebraveryofitwasenhancedbyhisactuallyflushingwithpain.Hehadpickeduphishat,whichhehadbroughtin,andstoodtwirlingitinawaythatgaveme,evenasIwasjustnearlyreachingport,aperversehorrorofwhatIwasdoing.
