Белая птичка
The Inconsiderate Waiter
B——,andhesaid,’Damnyou!’Well,sir,Ihadbuttouchedhimafterall,andIwassobrokenitsortofstungmetobetreatedsoandIlostmysenses,andIsaid,’Damnyou!’”
Hisshamedheadsankonhischest,andIthinksomeofthereadersshudderedintheirsleep.
“Iwasturnedoutofthedining-roomatonce,andsenthereuntilthecommitteehavedecidedwhattodowithme.Oh,sir,IamwillingtogoonmykneestoMr.B——”
HowcouldIbutdespiseafellowwhowouldbethusabjectforapoundaweek?
“ForifIhavetotellherIhavelostmyplaceshewilljustfallbackanddie.”
“Iforbidyourspeakingtomeofthatwoman,”Icriedwryly,“unlessyoucanspeakpleasantly,”andIlefthimtohisfateandwentofftolookforB——.“Whatisthisstoryaboutyourswearingatoneofthewaiters?”Iaskedhim.
“Youmeanabouthisswearingatme,”saidB——,reddening.
“Iamgladthatwasit,”Isaid,“forIcouldnotbelieveyouguiltyofsuchbadform.Theversionwhichreachedmewasthatyousworeateachother,andthathewastobedismissedandyoureprimanded.”
“Whotoldyouthat?”askedB——,whoisatimidman.
“Iamonthecommittee,”Irepliedlightly,andproceededtotalkofothermatters,butpresentlyB——,whohadbeenreflecting,said:“DoyouknowIfancyIwaswronginthinkingthatthewaitersworeatme,andIshallwithdrawthechargeto-morrow.
