Щоденник незначної особи

           Ibeggedofhimnottoputonhisfast-colouredclothesandties,buttodressinsomethingblackorquiet-looking.

           Carriewasallofatremblewhenshereadtheletter,andallshecouldkeeponsayingwas:“Oh,Idohopeitwillbeallright.”Formyself,Icouldscarcelyeatanybreakfast.Lupincamedowndressedquietly,andlookingaperfectgentleman,exceptthathisfacewasratheryellow.Carrie,bywayofencouragementsaid:“Youdolooknice,Lupin.”Lupinreplied:“Yes,it’sagoodmake-up,isn’tit?Aregular-downright-respectable-funereal-first-class-City-firm-junior-clerk.”Helaughedratherironically.

           InthehallIheardagreatnoise,andalsoLupinshoutingtoSarahtofetchdownhisoldhat.Iwentintothepassage,andfoundLupininafury,kickingandsmashinganewtallhat.Isaid:“Lupin,myboy,whatareyoudoing?Howwickedofyou!Somepoorfellowwouldbegladtohaveit.”Lupinreplied:“Iwouldnotinsultanypoorfellowbygivingittohim.”

           Whenhehadgoneoutside,Ipickedupthebatteredhat,andsawinside“Posh’sPatent.”PoorLupin!Icanforgivehim.Itseemedhoursbeforewereachedtheoffice.Mr.PerkuppsentforLupin,whowaswithhimnearlyanhour.Hereturned,asIthought,crestfalleninappearance.Isaid:“Well,Lupin,howaboutMr.Perkupp?”Lupincommencedhissong:“What’sthematterwithPerkupp?He’sallright!”Ifeltinstinctivelymyboywasengaged.IwenttoMr.Perkupp,butIcouldnotspeak.Hesaid:“Well,Mr.