Щоденник незначної особи

           Ibowedratherstiffly,butsheaffectednottohaveseenme.Verymuchannoyedintheeveningbythelaundresssendinghomeanoddsock.Sarahsaidshesenttwopairs,andthelaundressdeclaredonlyapairandahalfweresent.IspoketoCarrieaboutit,butsherathertestilyreplied:“Iamtiredofspeakingtoher;youhadbettergoandspeaktoheryourself.Sheisoutside.”Ididso,butthelaundressdeclaredthatonlyanoddsockwassent.

           Gowingpassedintothepassageatthistimeandwasrudeenoughtolistentotheconversation,andinterrupting,said:“Don’twastetheoddsock,oldman;doanactofcharityandgiveittosomepoormanwithonlyoneleg.”Thelaundressgiggledlikeanidiot.Iwasdisgustedandwalkedupstairsforthepurposeofpinningdownmycollar,asthebuttonhadcomeoffthebackofmyshirt.

           WhenIreturnedtotheparlour,Gowingwasretailinghisidioticjokeabouttheoddsock,andCarriewasroaringwithlaughter.IsupposeIamlosingmysenseofhumour.IspokemymindprettyfreelyaboutPadge.Gowingsaidhehadmethimonlyoncebeforethatevening.Hehadbeenintroducedbyafriend,andashe(Padge)had“stood”agooddinner,Gowingwishedtoshowhimsomelittlereturn.Uponmyword,Gowing’scoolnesssurpassesallbelief.LupincameinbeforeIcouldreply,andGowingunfortunatelyinquiredafterDaisyMutlar.Lupinshouted:“Mindyourownbusiness,sir!”andbouncedoutoftheroom,slammingthedoor.TheremainderofthenightwasDaisyMutlar—DaisyMutlar—DaisyMutlar.