Призрак Оперы
I Is It A Ghost?
"Hehadhisdeath’sheadandhisdress-coat,justaswhenheappearedtoJosephBuquet!"
"AndGabrielsawhimtoo!"saidJammes."Onlyyesterday!Yesterdayafternoon—inbroadday-light——"
"Gabriel,thechorus-master?"
"Why,yes,didn’tyouknow?"
"Andhewaswearinghisdress-clothes,inbroaddaylight?"
"Who?Gabriel?"
"Why,no,theghost!"
"Certainly!Gabrieltoldmesohimself.That’swhatheknewhimby.Gabrielwasinthestage-manager’soffice.SuddenlythedooropenedandthePersianentered.YouknowthePersianhastheevileye——"
"Oh,yes!"answeredthelittleballet-girlsinchorus,wardingoffill-luckbypointingtheirforefingerandlittlefingerattheabsentPersian,whiletheirsecondandthirdfingerswerebentonthepalmandhelddownbythethumb.
"AndyouknowhowsuperstitiousGabrielis,"continuedJammes."However,heisalwayspolite.WhenhemeetsthePersian,hejustputshishandinhispocketandtoucheshiskeys.Well,themomentthePersianappearedinthedoorway,Gabrielgaveonejumpfromhischairtothelockofthecupboard,soastotouchiron!Indoingso,hetoreawholeskirtofhisovercoatonanail.Hurryingtogetoutoftheroom,hebangedhisforeheadagainstahat-pegandgavehimselfahugebump;then,suddenlysteppingback,heskinnedhisarmonthescreen,nearthepiano;hetriedtoleanonthepiano,butthelidfellonhishandsandcrushedhisfingers;herushedoutoftheofficelikeamadman,slippedonthestaircaseandcamedownthewholeofthefirstflightonhisback.Iwasjustpassingwithmother.Wepickedhimup.
