Отруєний пояс
Chapter I. The Blurring Of Lines
’Ecansackmetill’e’sblueintheface,butIain’tgoing,andthat’sflat.I’m’ismanand’e’smymaster,andsoitwillbe,Iexpect,totheendofthechapter."
Wehadpassedbetweenthewhitepostsofagateandupacurvingdrive,linedwithrhododendronbushes.Beyondstoodalowbrickhouse,pickedoutwithwhitewoodwork,verycomfortableandpretty.Mrs.Challenger,asmall,dainty,smilingfigure,stoodintheopendoorwaytowelcomeus.
"Well,mydear,"saidChallenger,bustlingoutofthecar,"hereareourvisitors.Itissomethingnewforustohavevisitors,isitnot?Nolovelostbetweenusandourneighbors,isthere?Iftheycouldgetratpoisonintoourbaker’scart,Iexpectitwouldbethere."
"It’sdreadful—dreadful!"criedthelady,betweenlaughterandtears."Georgeisalwaysquarrelingwitheveryone.Wehaven’tafriendonthecountryside."
"Itenablesmetoconcentratemyattentionuponmyincomparablewife,"saidChallenger,passinghisshort,thickarmroundherwaist.Pictureagorillaandagazelle,andyouhavethepairofthem."Come,come,thesegentlemenaretiredfromthejourney,andluncheonshouldbeready.HasSarahreturned?"
Theladyshookherheadruefully,andtheProfessorlaughedloudlyandstrokedhisbeardinhismasterfulfashion.
"Austin,"hecried,"whenyouhaveputupthecaryouwillkindlyhelpyourmistresstolaythelunch.Now,gentlemen,willyoupleasestepintomystudy,forthereareoneortwoveryurgentthingswhichIamanxioustosaytoyou."
