Щоденник незначної особи

           Intheevening,aftertea,Gowingdroppedin,andwehadasmoketogetherinthebreakfast-parlour.Carriejoineduslater,butdidnotstaylong,sayingthesmokewastoomuchforher.Itwasalsorathertoomuchforme,forGowinghadgivenmewhathecalledagreencigar,onethathisfriendShoemachhadjustbroughtoverfromAmerica.Thecigardidn’tlookgreen,butIfancyImusthavedoneso;forwhenIhadsmokedalittlemorethanhalfIwasobligedtoretireonthepretextoftellingSarahtobringintheglasses.

           Itookawalkroundthegardenthreeorfourtimes,feelingtheneedoffreshair.OnreturningGowingnoticedIwasnotsmoking:offeredmeanothercigar,whichIpolitelydeclined.Gowingbeganhisusualsniffing,so,anticipatinghim,Isaid:“You’renotgoingtocomplainofthesmellofpaintagain?”Hesaid:“No,notthistime;butI’lltellyouwhat,Idistinctlysmelldryrot.”Idon’toftenmakejokes,butIreplied:“You’retalkingalotofdryrotyourself.”Icouldnothelproaringatthis,andCarriesaidhersidesquiteachedwithlaughter.IneverwassoimmenselytickledbyanythingIhaveeversaidbefore.Iactuallywokeuptwiceduringthenight,andlaughedtillthebedshook.

           April13.—Anextraordinarycoincidence:Carriehadcalledinawomantomakesomechintzcoversforourdrawing-roomchairsandsofatopreventthesunfadingthegreenrepofthefurniture.Isawthewoman,andrecognisedherasawomanwhousedtoworkyearsagoformyoldauntatClapham.Itonlyshowshowsmalltheworldis.