Отравленный пояс

           Butyouareshivering,mypoordearfriends.Ihavebeenwarmunderacoverletallnight,andyoucoldinyourchairs.ButI’llsoonsetyouright."

           Thebravelittlecreaturehurriedaway,andpresentlyweheardthesizzlingofakettle.Shewasbacksoonwithfivesteamingcupsofcocoauponatray.

           "Drinkthese,"saidshe."Youwillfeelsomuchbetter."

           Andwedid.Summerleeaskedifhemightlighthispipe,andweallhadcigarettes.Itsteadiedournerves,Ithink,butitwasamistake,foritmadeadreadfulatmosphereinthatstuffyroom.Challengerhadtoopentheventilator.

           "Howlong,Challenger?"askedLordJohn.

           "Possiblythreehours,"heansweredwithashrug.

           "Iusedtobefrightened,"saidhiswife."ButthenearerIgettoit,theeasieritseems.Don’tyouthinkweoughttopray,George?"

           "Youwillpray,dear,ifyouwish,"thebigmananswered,verygently."Weallhaveourownwaysofpraying.Mineisacompleteacquiescenceinwhateverfatemaysendme—acheerfulacquiescence.Thehighestreligionandthehighestscienceseemtouniteonthat."

           "Icannottruthfullydescribemymentalattitudeasacquiescenceandfarlesscheerfulacquiescence,"grumbledSummerleeoverhispipe."IsubmitbecauseIhaveto.IconfessthatIshouldhavelikedanotheryearoflifetofinishmyclassificationofthechalkfossils."

           "Yourunfinishedworkisasmallthing,"saidChallengerpompously,"whenweighedagainstthefactthatmyownmagnumopus,’TheLadderofLife,’isstillinthefirststages.