Біла пташка
The Inconsiderate Waiter
AsIhadthewindow-seat,however,Icouldnotbutseethatthelittlegirlwaslate,andthoughthismatterednothingtomeandIhadfinishedmydinner,Ilingeredtillshecame.Shenotonlynoddedthreetimesbutwavedherhat,andIarose,havingnowfinishedmydinner.
Williamcamestealthilytowardme.“Hertemperaturehasgonedown,sir,”hesaid,rubbinghishandstogether.
“Towhomareyoureferring?”Iaskedcoldly,andretiredtothebilliard-room,whereIplayedacapitalgame.
ItookpainstoshowWilliamthatIhadforgottenhismaunderings,butIobservedthegirlnightly,andonce,insteadofnodding,sheshookherhead,andthateveningIcouldnotgetintoapocket.NexteveningtherewasnoWilliaminthedining-room,andIthoughtIknewwhathadhappened.But,chancingtoenterthelibraryrathermiserably,Iwassurprisedtoseehimonaladderdustingbooks.Wehadtheroompracticallytoourselves,forthoughseveralmemberssatonchairsholdingbooksintheirhandstheywereallasleep,andWilliamdescendedtheladdertotellmehisblastingtale.Hehadswornatamember!
“IhardlyknewwhatIwasdoingallday,sir,forIhadlefthersoweaklythat—”
Istampedmyfoot.
“Ibegyourpardonforspeakingofher,”hehadthegracetosay.“ButIrenehadpromisedtocomeeverytwohours;andwhenshecameaboutfouro’clockandIsawshewascrying,itsortofblindedme,sir,andIstumbledagainstamember,Mr.
