Затерянный мир
For once I was the Hero
Youareinalandwhichofferssuchaninducementtotheambitiousnaturalistasnoneeverhassincetheworldbegan,andyousuggestleavingitbeforewehaveacquiredmorethanthemostsuperficialknowledgeofitorofitscontents.Iexpectedbetterthingsofyou,ProfessorSummerlee."
"Youmustremember,"saidSummerlee,sourly,"thatIhavealargeclassinLondonwhoareatpresentatthemercyofanextremelyinefficientlocumtenens.Thismakesmysituationdifferentfromyours,ProfessorChallenger,since,sofarasIknow,youhaveneverbeenentrustedwithanyresponsibleeducationalwork."
"Quiteso,"saidChallenger."Ihavefeltittobeasacrilegetodivertabrainwhichiscapableofthehighestoriginalresearchtoanylesserobject.ThatiswhyIhavesternlysetmyfaceagainstanyprofferedscholasticappointment."
"Forexample?"askedSummerlee,withasneer;butLordJohnhastenedtochangetheconversation.
"Imustsay,"saidhe,"thatIthinkitwouldbeamightypoorthingtogobacktoLondonbeforeIknowagreatdealmoreofthisplacethanIdoatpresent."
"IcouldneverdaretowalkintothebackofficeofmypaperandfaceoldMcArdle,"saidI.(Youwillexcusethefranknessofthisreport,willyounot,sir?)"He’dneverforgivemeforleavingsuchunexhaustedcopybehindme.Besides,sofarasIcanseeitisnotworthdiscussing,sincewecan’tgetdown,evenifwewanted."
