Щоденник незначної особи

           ”

           HebegandoingtheIrvingbusinessallthroughsupper.Hesanksolowdowninhischairthathischinwasalmostonalevelwiththetable,andtwicehekickedCarrieunderthetable,upsethiswine,andflashedaknifeuncomfortablynearGowing’sface.Aftersupperhekeptstretchingouthislegsonthefender,indulginginscrapsofquotationsfromplayswhichwereGreektome,andmorethanonceknockedoverthefire-irons,makingahideousrow—poorCarriealreadyhavingabadheadache.

           Whenhewent,hesaid,tooursurprise:“IwillcometomorrowandbringmyIrvingmake-up.”GowingandCummingssaidtheywouldliketoseeitandwouldcometoo.Icouldnothelpthinkingtheymightaswellgiveapartyatmyhousewhiletheyareaboutit.However,asCarriesensiblysaid:“Doanything,dear,tomakeLupinforgettheDaisyMutlarbusiness.”

           November23.—Intheevening,Cummingscameearly.Gowingcamealittlelaterandbrought,withoutaskingpermission,afatand,Ithink,veryvulgar-lookingmannamedPadge,whoappearedtobeallmoustache.Gowingneverattemptedanyapologytoeitherofus,butsaidPadgewantedtoseetheIrvingbusiness,towhichPadgesaid:“That’sright,”andthatisaboutallhedidsayduringtheentireevening.Lupincameinandseemedinmuchbetterspirits.Hehadpreparedabitofasurprise.Mr.Burwin–Fosseltonhadcomeinwithhim,buthadgoneupstairstogetready.Inhalf-an-hourLupinretiredfromtheparlour,andreturninginafewminutes,announced“Mr.HenryIrving.