Приключения Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
"‘Andmyduties,sir? Ishouldbegladtoknowwhattheywouldbe.’
"‘Onechild—onedearlittleromperjustsixyearsold. Oh,ifyoucouldseehimkillingcockroacheswithaslipper! Smack!smack!smack!Threegonebeforeyoucouldwink!’ Heleanedbackinhischairandlaughedhiseyesintohisheadagain.
"Iwasalittlestartledatthenatureofthechild’samusement,butthefather’slaughtermademethinkthatperhapshewasjoking.
"‘Mysoleduties,then,’Iasked,‘aretotakechargeofasinglechild?’
"‘No,no,notthesole,notthesole,mydearyounglady,’hecried. ‘Yourdutywouldbe,asIamsureyourgoodsensewouldsuggest,toobeyanylittlecommandsmywifemightgive,providedalwaysthattheyweresuchcommandsasaladymightwithproprietyobey. Youseenodifficulty,heh?’
"‘Ishouldbehappytomakemyselfuseful.’
"‘Quiteso. Indressnow,forexample. Wearefaddypeople,youknow—faddybutkind-hearted. Ifyouwereaskedtowearanydresswhichwemightgiveyou,youwouldnotobjecttoourlittlewhim.Heh?’
"‘No,’saidI,considerablyastonishedathiswords.
"‘Ortosithere,orsitthere,thatwouldnotbeoffensivetoyou?’
"‘Oh,no.’
"‘Ortocutyourhairquiteshortbeforeyoucometous?’
"Icouldhardlybelievemyears. Asyoumayobserve,Mr.Holmes,myhairissomewhatluxuriant,andofaratherpeculiartintofchestnut. Ithasbeenconsideredartistic. Icouldnotdreamofsacrificingitinthisoffhandfashion.
