Портрет Доріана Грея
Chapter 4
Hismotherwaswaitingforhimbelow. Shegrumbledathisunpunctuality,asheentered. Hemadenoanswer,butsatdowntohismeagremeal. Thefliesbuzzedroundthetable,andcrawledoverthestainedcloth. Throughtherumbleofomnibuses,andtheclatterofstreet-cabs,hecouldhearthedroningvoicedevouringeachminutethatwaslefttohim.
Aftersometime,hethrustawayhisplate,andputhisheadinhishands. Hefeltthathehadarighttoknow. Itshouldhavebeentoldtohimbefore,ifitwasashesuspected. Leadenwithfear,hismotherwatchedhim. Wordsdroppedmechanicallyfromherlips.Atatteredlacehandkerchieftwitchedinherfingers. Whentheclockstrucksix,hegotup,andwenttothedoor.Thenheturnedback,andlookedather. Theireyesmet.Inhershesawawildappealformercy.Itenragedhim.
"Mother,Ihavesomethingtoaskyou,"hesaid.Hereyeswanderedvaguelyabouttheroom.Shemadenoanswer. "Tellmethetruth.Ihavearighttoknow.Wereyoumarriedtomyfather?"
Sheheavedadeepsigh.Itwasasighofrelief. Theterriblemoment,themomentthatnightandday,forweeksandmonths,shehaddreaded,hadcomeatlast,andyetshefeltnoterror. Indeedinsomemeasureitwasadisappointmenttoher.Thevulgardirectnessofthequestioncalledforadirectanswer. Thesituationhadnotbeengraduallyledupto.Itwascrude. Itremindedherofabadrehearsal.
"No,"sheanswered,wonderingattheharshsimplicityoflife.
"Myfatherwasascoundrelthen?"criedthelad,clenchinghisfists.