Человек-невидимка

           Heisabachelorman—histasteswereeverbachelor,andtherearenowomenfolkinthehouse. Outwardlyhebuttons—itisexpectedofhim—butinhismorevitalprivacies,inthematterofbracesforexample,hestillturnstostring. Heconductshishousewithoutenterprise,butwitheminentdecorum. Hismovementsareslow,andheisagreatthinker. Buthehasareputationforwisdomandforarespectableparsimonyinthevillage,andhisknowledgeoftheroadsoftheSouthofEnglandwouldbeatCobbett. 

           AndonSundaymornings,everySundaymorning,alltheyearround,whileheisclosedtotheouterworld,andeverynightafterten,hegoesintohisbarparlour,bearingaglassofginfaintlytingedwithwater,andhavingplacedthisdown,helocksthedoorandexaminestheblinds,andevenlooksunderthetable. Andthen,beingsatisfiedofhissolitude,heunlocksthecupboardandaboxinthecupboardandadrawerinthatbox,andproducesthreevolumesboundinbrownleather,andplacesthemsolemnlyinthemiddleofthetable. Thecoversareweather-wornandtingedwithanalgalgreen—foroncetheysojournedinaditchandsomeofthepageshavebeenwashedblankbydirtywater. Thelandlordsitsdowninanarmchair,fillsalongclaypipeslowly—gloatingoverthebooksthewhile. Thenhepullsonetowardshimandopensit,andbeginstostudyit—turningovertheleavesbackwardsandforwards. 

           Hisbrowsareknitandhislipsmovepainfully. "Hex,littletwoupintheair,crossandafiddle-de-dee.Lord!whataonehewasforintellect!" 

           Presentlyherelaxesandleansback,andblinksthroughhissmokeacrosstheroomatthingsinvisibletoothereyes. "Fullofsecrets,"hesays."Wonderfulsecrets!" 

           "OnceIgetthehaulofthem—Lord!" 

           "Iwouldn'tdowhathedid;I'djust—well!"Hepullsathispipe.