Повернення на батьківщину

VIII. A New Force Disturbs the Current

           

           Wildevewasanervousandexcitableman,andthegamewasbeginningtotelluponhistemper.Hewrithed,fumed,shiftedhisseat,andthebeatingofhisheartwasalmostaudible.Vennsatwithlipsimpassivelyclosedandeyesreducedtoapairofunimportanttwinkles;hescarcelyappearedtobreathe.HemighthavebeenanArab,oranautomaton;hewouldhavebeenlikearedsandstonestatuebutforthemotionofhisarmwiththedice-box.

           Thegamefluctuated,nowinfavourofone,nowinfavouroftheother,withoutanygreatadvantageonthesideofeither.Nearlytwentyminuteswerepassedthus.Thelightofthecandlehadbythistimeattractedheath-flies,moths,andotherwingedcreaturesofnight,whichfloatedroundthelantern,flewintotheflame,orbeataboutthefacesofthetwoplayers.

           Butneitherofthemenpaidmuchattentiontothesethings,theireyesbeingconcentrateduponthelittleflatstone,whichtothemwasanarenavastandimportantasabattlefield.Bythistimeachangehadcomeoverthegame;thereddlemanwoncontinually.Atlengthsixtyguineas—Thomasin’sfifty,andtenofClym’s—hadpassedintohishands.Wildevewasreckless,frantic,exasperated.

           “’Wonbackhiscoat,’”saidVennslily.

           Anotherthrow,andthemoneywentthesameway.

           “’Wonbackhishat,’”continuedVenn.

           “Oh,oh!”saidWildeve.

           “’Wonbackhiswatch,wonbackhismoney,andwentoutofthedoorarichman,’”addedVennsentencebysentence,asstakeafterstakepassedovertohim.

           “Fivemore!”shoutedWildeve,dashingdownthemoney.“Andthreecastsbehanged—oneshalldecide.

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