Отруєний пояс
Chapter I. The Blurring Of Lines
I’veseen’imrightoff’isonion,andnoerror.Well,lookwhat’edidthismorning."
"Whatdidhedo?"
Austinbentovertome.
"’Ebitthe’ousekeeper,"saidheinahoarsewhisper.
"Bither?"
"Yes,sir.Bit’erontheleg.Isaw’erwithmyowneyesstartin’amarathonfromthe’all-door."
"Goodgracious!"
"Soyou’dsay,sir,ifyoucouldseesomeofthegoingson.’Edon’tmakefriendswiththeneighbors.There’ssomeofthemthinksthatwhen’ewasupamongthosemonstersyouwroteabout,itwasjust’’Ome,Sweet’Ome’forthemaster,and’ewasneverinfittercompany.That’swhattheysay.ButI’veserved’imtenyears,andI’mfondof’im,and,mindyou,’e’sagreatman,whenall’ssaidan’done,andit’sanhonortoserve’im.But’edoestryonecruelattimes.Nowlookatthat,sir.Thatain’twhatyoumightcallold-fashioned’ospitality,isitnow?Justyoureaditforyourself."
Thecaronitslowestspeedhadgrounditswayupasteep,curvingascent.Atthecorneranotice-boardpeeredoverawell-clippedhedge.AsAustinsaid,itwasnotdifficulttoread,forthewordswerefewandarresting:—
WARNING.
Visitors,Pressmen,andMendicantsarenotencouraged.
G.E.CHALLENGER.
"No,it’snotwhatyoumightcall’earty,"saidAustin,shakinghisheadandglancingupatthedeplorableplacard."Itwouldn’tlookwellinaChristmascard.Ibegyourpardon,sir,forIhaven’tspokeasmuchasthisformanyalongyear,butto-daymyfeelingsseemto’avegotthebetterofme
