Лавка древностей

Chapter 18

           

           Atlengththeyarrived,drenchedwiththerainandpresentingamostmiserableappearance,notwithstandingthatShorthadshelteredthechildaswellashecouldundertheskirtsofhisowncoat,andtheywerenearlybreathlessfromthehastetheyhadmade.Buttheirstepswerenosoonerheardupontheroadthanthelandlord,whohadbeenattheouterdooranxiouslywatchingfortheircoming,rushedintothekitchenandtookthecoveroff.Theeffectwaselectrical.Theyallcameinwithsmilingfacesthoughthewetwasdrippingfromtheirclothesuponthefloor,andShort’sfirstremarkwas,‘Whatadelicioussmell!’

           Itisnotverydifficulttoforgetrainandmudbythesideofacheerfulfire,andinabrightroom.Theywerefurnishedwithslippersandsuchdrygarmentsasthehouseortheirownbundlesafforded,andensconcingthemselves,asMrCodlinhadalreadydone,inthewarmchimney-corner,soonforgottheirlatetroublesoronlyrememberedthemasenhancingthedelightsofthepresenttime.Overpoweredbythewarmthandcomfortandthefatiguetheyhadundergone,Nellyandtheoldmanhadnotlongtakentheirseatshere,whentheyfellasleep.

           ‘Whoarethey?’whisperedthelandlord.

           Shortshookhishead,andwishedheknewhimself.

           ’Don’tyouknow?’askedthehost,turningtoMrCodlin.

           ‘NotI,’hereplied.‘They’renogood,Isuppose.’

           ‘They’renoharm,’saidShort.‘Dependuponthat.

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