Этюд в багровых тонах
Tobias Gregson shows what he can do.
“Mrs.Charpentierblushedatmypertinentquestion. ‘WouldtoGodthatIhadgivenhimnoticeontheverydaythathecame,’shesaid. ‘Butitwasasoretemptation. Theywerepayingapoundadayeach—fourteenpoundsaweek,andthisistheslackseason. Iamawidow,andmyboyintheNavyhascostmemuch. Igrudgedtolosethemoney. Iactedforthebest. Thislastwastoomuch,however,andIgavehimnoticetoleaveonaccountofit. Thatwasthereasonofhisgoing.’
“‘Well?’
“‘MyheartgrewlightwhenIsawhimdriveaway. Mysonisonleavejustnow,butIdidnottellhimanythingofallthis,forhistemperisviolent,andheispassionatelyfondofhissister. WhenIclosedthedoorbehindthemaloadseemedtobeliftedfrommymind. Alas,inlessthananhourtherewasaringatthebell,andIlearnedthatMr.Drebberhadreturned. Hewasmuchexcited,andevidentlytheworsefordrink. Heforcedhiswayintotheroom,whereIwassittingwithmydaughter,andmadesomeincoherentremarkabouthavingmissedhistrain. HethenturnedtoAlice,andbeforemyveryface,proposedtoherthatsheshouldflywithhim. “Youareofage,”hesaid,“andthereisnolawtostopyou. Ihavemoneyenoughandtospare. Nevermindtheoldgirlhere,butcomealongwithmenowstraightaway. Youshalllivelikeaprincess.” PoorAlicewassofrightenedthatsheshrunkawayfromhim,buthecaughtherbythewristandendeavouredtodrawhertowardsthedoor. Iscreamed,andatthatmomentmysonArthurcameintotheroom.
