Лавка древностей

Chapter 56

           Hequiteeludesthemostvigorouscomprehension,youknow.Neverwassuchafeller!’

           ‘Whathashebeendoingnow?’saidDick.

           ‘ByJove,Sir,’returnedMrChuckster,takingoutanoblongsnuff-box,thelidwhereofwasornamentedwithafox’sheadcuriouslycarvedinbrass,‘thatmanisanunfathomable.Sir,thatmanhasmadefriendswithourarticledclerk.There’snoharminhim,butheissoamazinglyslowandsoft.Now,ifhewantedafriend,whycouldn’thehaveonethatknewathingortwo,andcoulddohimsomegoodbyhismannersandconversation.Ihavemyfaults,sir,’saidMrChuckster

           ‘No,no,’interposedMrSwiveller.

           ‘OhyesIhave,Ihavemyfaults,nomanknowshisfaultsbetterthanIknowmine.But,’saidMrChuckster,‘I’mnotmeek.Myworstenemieseverymanhashisenemies,Sir,andIhavemineneveraccusedmeofbeingmeek.AndItellyouwhat,Sir,ifIhadn’tmoreofthesequalitiesthatcommonlyendearmantoman,thanourarticledclerkhas,I’dstealaCheshirecheese,tieitroundmyneck,anddrownmyself.I’ddiedegraded,asIhadlived.Iwoulduponmyhonour.’

           MrChucksterpaused,rappedthefox’sheadexactlyonthenosewiththeknuckleofthefore-finger,tookapinchofsnuff,andlookedsteadilyatMrSwiveller,asmuchastosaythatifhethoughthewasgoingtosneeze,hewouldfindhimselfmistaken.

           ‘Notcontented,Sir,’saidMrChuckster,‘withmakingfriendswithAbel,hehascultivatedtheacquaintanceofhisfatherandmother.Sincehecamehomefromthatwild-goosechase,hehasbeenthereactuallybeenthere.

Настройки
Фон страницы
Размер шрифта
Межстрочный интервал
Фразовые глаголы
Показать / Скрыть меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Страница 625 из 836