Белая птичка
The Inconsiderate Waiter
WilliamwastakingherintoSurreytostaywithanoldnurseofmine,andIrenewaswithus,wearingthemostoutrageousbonnet.
IformedameanopinionofMrs.Hicking’sintelligencefromherprideinthebaby,whichwasaveryordinaryone.Shecreatedaregrettablescenewhenitwasbroughttoher,because“shehadbeenfeareditwouldnotknowheragain.”IcouldhavetoldherthattheyknownooneforyearshadInotbeeninterrorofIrene,whodandledthechildonherkneesandtalkedtoitalltheway.IhaveneverknownabolderlittlehussythanthisIrene.Sheaskedtheinfantimproperquestions,suchas“Ooknowwhogavemethisbonnet?”andansweredthemherself.“Itwastheprettygentlemanthere,”andseveraltimesIhadtoaffectsleep,becausesheannounced,“Kiddywantstokisstheprettygentleman.”
Irksomeasallthisnecessarilywastoamanoftaste,Isufferedstillmoreacutelywhenwereachedourdestination,wheredisagreeablecircumstancescompelledmetodrinkteawithawaiter’sfamily.WilliamknewthatIregardedthanksfrompersonsofhisclassasanoutrage,yethelookedthemthoughhedarednotspeakthem.HardlyhadhesatdownatthetablebymyordersthanherememberedthatIwasamemberoftheclubandjumpedup.Nothingisinworseformthanwhispering,yetagainandagainhewhisperedtohispoor,foolishwife,“Howareyounow?Youdon’tfeelfaint?”andwhenshesaidshefeltlikeanotherwomanalready,hisfacechargedmewiththechange.Icouldnotbutconcludefromthewaysheletthebabypoundherthatshewasstrongerthanshepretended.
