Щоденник незначної особи
Chapter 9
Lupinhadwhitenedhisfacelikeaclown,andFrankhadtiedroundhiswaistalargehearthrug.Hewassupposedtobethedonkey,andhelookedit.Theyindulgedinaverynoisypantomime,andwewereallshriekingwithlaughter.
Iturnedroundsuddenly,andthenIsawMr.Perkuppstandinghalf-wayinthedoor,hehavingarrivedwithoutourknowingit.IbeckonedtoCarrie,andwewentuptohimatonce.Hewouldnotcomerightintotheroom.Iapologisedforthefoolery,butMr.Perkuppsaid:“Oh,itseemsamusing.”Icouldseehewasnotabitamused.
CarrieandItookhimdownstairs,butthetablewasawreck.Therewasnotaglassofchampagneleft—notevenasandwich.Mr.Perkuppsaidherequirednothing,butwouldlikeaglassofseltzerorsodawater.Thelastsyphonwasempty.Carriesaid:“Wehaveplentyofportwineleft.”Mr.Perkuppsaid,withasmile:“No,thankyou.Ireallyrequirenothing,butIammostpleasedtoseeyouandyourhusbandinyourownhome.Good-night,Mrs.Pooter—youwillexcusemyveryshortstay,Iknow.”Iwentwithhimtohiscarriage,andhesaid:“Don’ttroubletocometotheofficetilltwelvetomorrow.”
IfeltdespondentasIwentbacktothehouse,andItoldCarrieIthoughtthepartywasafailure.Carriesaiditwasagreatsuccess,andIwasonlytired,andinsistedonmyhavingsomeportmyself.Idranktwoglasses,andfeltmuchbetter,andwewentintothedrawing-room,wheretheyhadcommenceddancing.CarrieandIhadalittledance,whichIsaidremindedmeofolddays