Біла пташка
The Runaway Perambulator
Heagainhelduphisfoot,whichhadagoutyappearanceowingtoitsbeingcontainedinadumpylittleworstedsock,andIthoughtheproposedtorepeathisfirstperformance,butinthisIdidhimaninjustice,for,unlikePorthos,hewasonewhoscornedtodothesamefeattwice;perhaps,liketheconjurors,heknewthattheaudienceweremoreonthealertthesecondtime.
Idiscoveredthathewantedmetotakeoffhissock!
RememberingIrene’sdreadwarningsonthissubjectImustsaythatIfeltuneasy.Hadheheardher,andwashedaringme?Andwhatdirethingcouldhappenifthesockwasremoved?Isoughttoreasonwithhim,buthesignedtometolooksharp,andIremovedthesock.ThepartofhimthusrevealedgaveDavidconsiderablepleasure,butInoticed,asacuriousthing,thatheseemedtohavenointerestintheotherfoot.
However,itwasnottheremerelytobelookedat,foraftergivingmeaglancewhichsaid“Nowobserve!”heraisedhisbarefootandranhismouthalongthetoes,likeoneplayingonabarbaricinstrument.Hethentossedhisfootaside,smiledhislongtriumphantsmileandintimatedthatitwasnowmyturntodosomething.IthoughtthebestthingIcoulddowouldbetoputhissockonhimagain,butassoonasItriedtodosoIdiscoveredwhyIrenehadwarnedmesoportentouslyagainsttakingitoff.Ishouldsaythatshehadtroubleinsockinghimeverymorning.
NeverthelessImanagedtoslipitonwhilehewasdebatingwhattodowithmywatch.
