Любовник леди Чаттерлей
Chapter 17
Theirritation,andthelackofanysympathyinanydirection,ofClifford’sletter,hadabadeffectonConnie.ButsheunderstooditbetterwhenshereceivedthefollowingfromMellors:
Thecatisoutofthebag,alongwithvariousotherpussies.YouhaveheardthatmywifeBerthacamebacktomyunlovingarms,andtookupherabodeinthecottage:where,tospeakdisrespectfully,shesmelledarat,intheshapeofalittlebottleofCoty.Otherevidenceshedidnotfind,atleastforsomedays,whenshebegantohowlabouttheburntphotograph.Shenoticedtheglassandtheback-boardinthesquarebedroom.Unfortunately,ontheback-boardsomebodyhadscribbledlittlesketches,andtheinitials,severaltimesrepeated:C.S.R.This,however,affordednoclueuntilshebrokeintothehut,andfoundoneofyourbooks,anautobiographyoftheactressJudith,withyourname,ConstanceStewartReid,onthefrontpage.Afterthis,forsomedaysshewentroundloudlysayingthatmyparamourwasnolessapersonthanLadyChatterleyherself.Thenewscameatlasttotherector,MrBurroughs,andtoSirClifford.Theythenproceededtotakelegalstepsagainstmyliegelady,whoforherpartdisappeared,havingalwayshadamortalfearofthepolice.
SirCliffordaskedtoseeme,soIwenttohim.Hetalkedaroundthingsandseemedannoyedwithme.ThenheaskedifIknewthatevenherladyship’snamehadbeenmentioned.IsaidIneverlistenedtoscandal,andwassurprisedtohearthisbitfromSirCliffordhimself.