Белая птичка
The Little Nursery Governess
Thisiswhatshedoes:setssailforPallMall,wearingallherprettythings,includingthebluefeathers,andwithsuchasparkleofexpectationonherfacethatIstirmycoffeequitefiercely.Onordinarydayssheatleasttriestolookdemure,butonaThursdayshehashadtheassurancetousetheglassdooroftheclubasamirrorinwhichtoseehowshelikesherengagingtrifleofafigureto-day.
Inthemeantimealong-leggedoafiswaitingforheroutsidethepost-office,wheretheymeeteveryThursday,afellowwhoalwayswearsthesamesuitofclothes,buthasafacethatmustevermakehimfreeofthecompanyofgentlemen.Heisoneofyourlean,cleanEnglishmen,whostripsowell,andIfearmeheishandsome;Isayfear,foryourhandsomemenhavealwaysannoyedme,andhadIlivedintheduellingdaysIswearIwouldhavecalledeveryoneofthemout.Heseemstobequiteunawarethatheisaprettyfellow,butLord,howobviouslyMaryknowsit.Iconcludethathebelongstotheartisticclasses,heissoeasilyelatedanddepressed;andbecausehecarrieshisleftthumbcuriously,asifitwerefeelingfortheholeofapalette,Ihaveenteredhisnameamongthepainters.Ifindpleasureindecidingthattheyareshockingbadpictures,forobviouslynoonebuysthem.IfeelsureMarysaystheyaresplendid,sheisthatsortofwoman.Hencetherapturewithwhichhegreetsher.Herfirsteffectuponhimistomakehimshoutwithlaughter.
