Тяжёлые времена

           TheperformanceseemedalittlelongtoSissyandLouisa,particularlywhenitstoppedtoaffordtheClownanopportunityoftellingMr.Sleary(whosaid‘Indeed,sir!’toallhisobservationsinthecalmestway,andwithhiseyeonthehouse)abouttwolegssittingonthreelegslookingatoneleg,whenincamefourlegs,andlaidholdofoneleg,andupgottwolegs,caughtholdofthreelegs,andthrew’ematfourlegs,whoranawaywithoneleg.For,althoughaningeniousAllegoryrelatingtoabutcher,athree-leggedstool,adog,andalegofmutton,thisnarrativeconsumedtime;andtheywereingreatsuspense.Atlast,however,littlefair-hairedJosephinemadehercurtseyamidgreatapplause;andtheClown,leftaloneinthering,hadjustwarmedhimself,andsaid,‘NowI’llhaveaturn!’whenSissywastouchedontheshoulder,andbeckonedout.

           ShetookLouisawithher;andtheywerereceivedbyMr.Slearyinaverylittleprivateapartment,withcanvassides,agrassfloor,andawoodenceilingallaslant,onwhichtheboxcompanystampedtheirapprobation,asiftheywerecomingthrough.‘Thethilia,’saidMr.Sleary,whohadbrandyandwaterathand,‘itdothmegoodtotheeyou.Youwathalwaythafavouritewithuth,andyou’vedoneuthcrediththinththeoldtimethI’mthure.Youmuthttheeourpeople,mydear,aforewethpeakofbithnith,orthey’llbreaktheirhearth—ethpethiallythewomen.Here’thJothphinehathbeenandgotmarriedtoE.W.B.