Человек-невидимка
Mr. Cuss Interviews the Stranger
Theydrewasideashepasseddownthevillage,andwhenhehadgoneby,younghumouristswouldupwithcoat-collarsanddownwithhat-brims,andgopacingnervouslyafterhiminimitationofhisoccultbearing. Therewasasongpopularatthattimecalled"TheBogeyMan". MissStatchellsangitattheschoolroomconcert(inaidofthechurchlamps),andthereafterwheneveroneortwoofthevillagersweregatheredtogetherandthestrangerappeared,abarorsoofthistune,moreorlesssharporflat,waswhistledinthemidstofthem. Alsobelatedlittlechildrenwouldcall"BogeyMan!"afterhim,andmakeofftremulouslyelated.
Cuss,thegeneralpractitioner,wasdevouredbycuriosity. Thebandagesexcitedhisprofessionalinterest,thereportofthethousandandonebottlesarousedhisjealousregard. AllthroughAprilandMayhecovetedanopportunityoftalkingtothestranger,andatlast,towardsWhitsuntide,hecouldstanditnolonger,buthituponthesubscription-listforavillagenurseasanexcuse. HewassurprisedtofindthatMr.Halldidnotknowhisguest'sname. "Hegiveaname,"saidMrs.Hall—anassertionwhichwasquiteunfounded—"butIdidn'trightlyhearit." Shethoughtitseemedsosillynottoknowtheman'sname.
Cussrappedattheparlourdoorandentered.Therewasafairlyaudibleimprecationfromwithin. "Pardonmyintrusion,"saidCuss,andthenthedoorclosedandcutMrs.Hallofffromtherestoftheconversation.
Shecouldhearthemurmurofvoicesforthenexttenminutes,thenacryofsurprise,astirringoffeet,achairflungaside,abarkoflaughter,quickstepstothedoor,andCussappeared,hisfacewhite,hiseyesstaringoverhisshoulder. Heleftthedooropenbehindhim,andwithoutlookingatherstrodeacrossthehallandwentdownthesteps,andsheheardhisfeethurryingalongtheroad.
