Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Blue Carbuncle
Butthecreatureflappedandstruggled,andoutcamemysistertoknowwhatwasthematter. AsIturnedtospeaktoherthebrutebrokelooseandflutteredoffamongtheothers.
"‘Whateverwereyoudoingwiththatbird,Jem?’saysshe.
"‘Well,’saidI,‘yousaidyou’dgivemeoneforChristmas,andIwasfeelingwhichwasthefattest.’
"‘Oh,’saysshe,‘we’vesetyoursasideforyou—Jem’sbird,wecallit.It’sthebigwhiteoneoveryonder. There’stwenty-sixofthem,whichmakesoneforyou,andoneforus,andtwodozenforthemarket.’
"‘Thankyou,Maggie,’saysl;‘butifitisallthesametoyou,I’dratherhavethatoneIwashandlingjustnow.’
"‘Theotherisagoodthreepoundheavier,’saidshe,‘andwefatteneditexpresslyforyou.’
"‘Nevermind.I’llhavetheother,andI’lltakeitnow,’saidI.
"‘Oh,justasyoulike,’saidshe,alittlehuffed.‘Whichisityouwant,then?’
"‘Thatwhiteonewiththebarredtail,rightinthemiddleoftheflock.’
"‘Oh,verywell.Killitandtakeitwithyou.’
"Well,Ididwhatshesaid,Mr.Holmes,andIcarriedthebirdallthewaytoKilburn. ItoldmypalwhatIhaddone,forhewasamanthatitwaseasytotellathinglikethatto. Helaugheduntilhechoked,andwegotaknifeandopenedthegoose.
