Тяжкі часи

Gunpowder

           Harthouse,’saidTom,softeninginhisadmirationofhispatron,butshakinghisheadsullenlytoo,‘youcan’ttellherthatIeverpraisedherforbeingmercenary.Imayhavepraisedherforbeingthecontrary,andIshoulddoitagain,ifIhadasgoodreason.However,nevermindthisnow;it’snotveryinterestingtoyou,andIamsickofthesubject.’

           Theywalkedontothehouse,whereLouisaquittedhervisitor’sarmandwentin.Hestoodlookingafterher,assheascendedthesteps,andpassedintotheshadowofthedoor;thenputhishanduponherbrother’sshoulderagain,andinvitedhimwithaconfidentialnodtoawalkinthegarden.

           ‘Tom,myfinefellow,Iwanttohaveawordwithyou.’

           Theyhadstoppedamongadisorderofroses—itwaspartofMr.Bounderby’shumilitytokeepNickits’srosesonareducedscale—andTomsatdownonaterrace-parapet,pluckingbudsandpickingthemtopieces;whilehispowerfulFamiliarstoodoverhim,withafootupontheparapet,andhisfigureeasilyrestingonthearmsupportedbythatknee.Theywerejustvisiblefromherwindow.Perhapsshesawthem.

           ‘Tom,what’sthematter?’

           ‘Oh!Mr.Harthouse,’saidTomwithagroan,‘Iamhardup,andbotheredoutofmylife.’

           ‘Mygoodfellow,soamI.’

           ‘You!’returnedTom.‘Youarethepictureofindependence.Mr.Harthouse,Iaminahorriblemess.YouhavenoideawhatastateIhavegotmyselfinto—whatastatemysistermighthavegotmeoutof,ifshewouldonlyhavedoneit.

Налаштування
Фон сторінки
Розмір шрифту
Міжрядковий інтервал
Фразові дієслова
Показати / Приховати меню
Шрифт
Roboto Lora
Уведомления
Сторінка 235 з 402