Мхи старой усадьбы

           Thecarverstoodbesidehiscreationmendingthebeautifulfan,whichbysomeaccidentwasbrokeninherhand.Buttherewasnolongeranymotioninthelifelikeimage,noranyrealwomanintheworkshop,noreventhewitchcraftofasunnyshadow,thatmighthavedeludedpeople’seyesasitflittedalongthestreet.CaptainHunnewell,too,hadvanished.Hishoarsesea-breezytones,however,wereaudibleontheothersideofadoorthatopeneduponthewater.

           "Sitdowninthesternsheets,mylady,"saidthegallantcaptain."Come,bearahand,youlubbers,andsetusonboardintheturningofaminute-glass."

           Andthenwasheardthestrokeofoars.

           "Drowne,"saidCopleywithasmileofintelligence,"youhavebeenatrulyfortunateman.Whatpainterorstatuaryeverhadsuchasubject!Nowonderthatsheinspiredageniusintoyou,andfirstcreatedtheartistwhoafterwardscreatedherimage."

           Drownelookedathimwithavisagethatborethetracesoftears,butfromwhichthelightofimaginationandsensibility,sorecentlyilluminatingit,haddeparted.Hewasagainthemechanicalcarverthathehadbeenknowntobeallhislifetime.

           "Ihardlyunderstandwhatyoumean,Mr.Copley,"saidhe,puttinghishandtohisbrow."Thisimage!Canithavebeenmywork?Well,Ihavewroughtitinakindofdream;andnowthatIambroadawakeImustsetaboutfinishingyonderfigureofAdmiralVernon."

           Andforthwithheemployedhimselfonthestolidcountenanceofoneofhiswoodenprogeny,andcompleteditinhisownmechanicalstyle,fromwhichhewasneverknownafterwardstodeviate.