Вбивство на поле для гольфу
28. Journey’s End
”
“Yes,but—I’vebeensuchadamnedfool!”
“Sohaveallofus,atonetimeandanother,”observedPoirotphilosophically.
ButJack’sfacehadhardened.
“There’ssomethingelse.I’mmyfather’sson.Wouldanyonemarryme,knowingthat?”
“Youareyourfather’sson,yousay.HastingsherewilltellyouthatIbelieveinheredity—”
“Well,then—”
“Wait.Iknowawoman,awomanofcourageandendurance,capableofgreatlove,ofsupremeself-sacrifice—”
Theboylookedup.Hiseyessoftened.
“Mymother!”
“Yes.Youareyourmother’ssonaswellasyourfather’s.GothentoMademoiselleBella.Tellhereverything.Keepnothingback—andseewhatshewillsay!”
Jacklookedirresolute.
“Gotoherasaboynolonger,butaman—amanbowedbythefateofthePast,andthefateofToday,butlookingforwardtoanewandwonderfullife.Askhertoshareitwithyou.Youmaynotrealizeit,butyourloveforeachotherhasbeentestedinthefireandnotfoundwanting.Youhavebothbeenwillingtolaydownyourlivesforeachother.”
AndwhatofCaptainArthurHastings,humblechroniclerofthesepages?
ThereissometalkofhisjoiningtheRenauldsonaranchacrosstheseas,butfortheendofthisstoryIprefertogobacktoamorninginthegardenoftheVillaGeneviève.
“Ican’tcallyouBella,”Isaid,“sinceitisn’tyourname.AndDulcieseemssounfamiliar.Soit’sgottobeCinderella.CinderellamarriedthePrince,youremember.I’mnotaPrince,but—”
Sheinterruptedme
