Отель с привидениями
Chapter XXVI
MyLordordershisCouriertofollowhim,andmakethelemonadeinthebedroom.TheCountessremarksthattheCourierseemshardlycapableofobeyinghisorders.Hearingthis,themanadmitsthatheisill.He,too,issufferingfromacold;hehasbeenkeptwaitinginadraughtattheshopwhereheboughtthelemons;hefeelsalternatelyhotandcold,andhebegspermissiontoliedownforalittlewhileonhisbed.
’Feelingherhumanityappealedto,theCountessvolunteerstomakethelemonadeherself.MyLordtakestheCourierbythearm,leadshimaside,andwhispersthesewordstohim:"Watchher,andseethatsheputsnothingintothelemonade;thenbringittomewithyourownhands;and,then,gotobed,ifyoulike."
’Withoutawordmoretohiswife,ortotheBaron,myLordleavestheroom.
’TheCountessmakesthelemonade,andtheCouriertakesittohismaster.
’Returning,onthewaytohisownroom,heissoweak,andfeels,hesays,sogiddy,thatheisobligedtosupporthimselfbythebacksofthechairsashepassesthem.TheBaron,alwaysconsideratetopersonsoflowdegree,offershisarm."Iamafraid,mypoorfellow,"hesays,"thatyouarereallyill."TheCouriermakesthisextraordinaryanswer:"It’salloverwithme,Sir:Ihavecaughtmydeath."
’TheCountessisnaturallystartled."Youarenotanoldman,"shesays,tryingtorousetheCourier’sspirits."Atyourage,catchingcolddoesn’tsurelymeancatchingyourdeath?"TheCourierfixeshiseyesdespairinglyontheCountess.
"Mylungsareweak,myLady,"hesays;"Ihavealreadyhadtwoattacksofbronchitis.