Человек-невидимка
The Strange Man’s Arrival
Hedidnotremovetheserviette,butremainedholdingit,asshesawnow,withabrownglovedhand,andregardingherwithhisinscrutableblueglasses. "Leavethehat,"hesaid,speakingverydistinctlythroughthewhitecloth.
Hernervesbegantorecoverfromtheshocktheyhadreceived.Sheplacedthehatonthechairagainbythefire. "Ididn'tknow,sir,"shebegan,"that—"andshestoppedembarrassed.
"Thankyou,"hesaiddrily,glancingfromhertothedoorandthenatheragain.
"I'llhavethemnicelydried,sir,atonce,"shesaid,andcarriedhisclothesoutoftheroom. Sheglancedathiswhite-swathedheadandbluegogglesagainasshewasgoingoutofthedoor;buthisnapkinwasstillinfrontofhisface. Sheshiveredalittleassheclosedthedoorbehindher,andherfacewaseloquentofhersurpriseandperplexity. "Inever,"shewhispered."There!" Shewentquitesoftlytothekitchen,andwastoopreoccupiedtoaskMilliewhatshewasmessingaboutwithnow,whenshegotthere.
Thevisitorsatandlistenedtoherretreatingfeet. Heglancedinquiringlyatthewindowbeforeheremovedhisserviette,andresumedhismeal. Hetookamouthful,glancedsuspiciouslyatthewindow,tookanothermouthful,thenroseand,takingtheservietteinhishand,walkedacrosstheroomandpulledtheblinddowntothetopofthewhitemuslinthatobscuredthelowerpanes. Thislefttheroominatwilight. Thisdone,hereturnedwithaneasierairtothetableandhismeal.
"Thepoorsoul'shadanaccidentoranop'rationorsomethin',"saidMrs.Hall. "Whataturnthembandagesdidgiveme,tobesure!"
