Проклятие мумии, или Камень Семи Звезд

           Hercheekswereflamingred,andhereyeswerefullofindignanttears.Herfathersawherdistress;and,sympathisingwithit,begantocomforther.Iwasmovingoff;buthesignedtometostay.Itookitthataftertheusualmannerofmenhewantedhelponsuchanoccasion,andman-likewishedtothrowonsomeoneelsethetaskofdealingwithawomaninindignantdistress.However,hebegantoappealfirsttoherreason:

           "Notawoman,dear;amummy!Shehasbeendeadnearlyfivethousandyears!"

           "Whatdoesthatmatter?Sexisnotamatterofyears!Awomanisawoman,ifshehadbeendeadfivethousandcenturies!Andyouexpecthertoariseoutofthatlongsleep!Itcouldnotberealdeath,ifsheistoriseoutofit!YouhaveledmetobelievethatshewillcomealivewhentheCofferisopened!"

           "Idid,mydear;andIbelieveit!Butifitisn’tdeaththathasbeenthematterwithheralltheseyears,itissomethinguncommonlylikeit.Thenagain,justthink;itwasmenwhoembalmedher.Theydidn’thavewomen’srightsorladydoctorsinancientEgypt,mydear!Andbesides,"hewentonmorefreely,seeingthatshewasacceptinghisargument,ifnotyieldingtoit,"wemenareaccustomedtosuchthings.CorbeckandIhaveunrolledahundredmummies;andtherewereasmanywomenasmenamongstthem.DoctorWinchesterinhisworkhashadtodealwithwomenaswellofmen,tillcustomhasmadehimthinknothingofsex.EvenRosshasinhisworkasabarrister..."Hestoppedsuddenly.