Щоденник незначної особи

           Hesaid:“Whatdoyoumeanbyscratchingthepaintwithyoursticklikethat,spoilingthevarnish?Yououghttobeashamedofyourself.”

           Isaid:“Pardonme,Mr.Gowinginvited—”

           Heinterruptedandsaid:“Idon’tcareforMr.Gowing,oranyofhisfriends.Thisismydoor,notMr.Gowing’s.TherearepeopleherebesidesMr.Gowing.”

           Theimpertinenceofthismanwasnothing.Iscarcelynoticedit,itwassotrivialincomparisonwiththescandalousconductofGowing.

           AtthismomentCummingsandhiswifearrived.Cummingswasverylameandleaningonastick;butgotupthestepsandaskedwhatthematterwas.

           Themansaid:“Mr.Gowingsaidnothingaboutexpectinganyone.AllhesaidwashehadjustreceivedaninvitationtoCroydon,andheshouldnotbebacktillMondayevening.Hetookhisbagwithhim.”

           Withthatheslammedthedooragain.IwastooindignantwithGowing’sconducttosayanything.Cummingslookedwhitewithrage,andashedescendedthestepsstruckhisstickviolentlyonthegroundandsaid:“Scoundrel!”