Готель з привидами
Chapter XIX
Hefoundaquietcornerinwhichtheycouldtaketheirplaceswithoutattractingnotice.’Whatwillyouhave?’heinquiredresignedly.Shegaveherownorderstothewaiter,withouttroublinghimtospeakforher.
’Maraschino.Andapotoftea.’
Thewaiterstared;Francisstared.Theteawasanovelty(inconnectionwithmaraschino)tobothofthem.Carelesswhethershesurprisedthemornot,sheinstructedthewaiter,whenherdirectionshadbeencompliedwith,topouralargewine-glass-fulloftheliqueurintoatumbler,andtofillitupfromtheteapot.’Ican’tdoitformyself,’sheremarked,’myhandtremblesso.’Shedrankthestrangemixtureeagerly,hotasitwas.’Maraschinopunch—willyoutastesomeofit?’shesaid.’Iinheritthediscoveryofthisdrink.WhenyourEnglishQueenCarolinewasontheContinent,mymotherwasattachedtoherCourt.ThatmuchinjuredRoyalPersoninvented,inherhappierhours,maraschinopunch.Fondlyattachedtohergraciousmistress,mymothersharedhertastes.AndI,inmyturn,learntfrommymother.Now,Mr.Westwick,supposeItellyouwhatmybusinessis.Youaremanagerofatheatre.Doyouwantanewplay?’
’Ialwayswantanewplay—providedit’sagoodone.’
’Andyoupay,ifit’sagoodone?’
’Ipayliberally—inmyowninterests.’
’IfIwritetheplay,willyoureadit?’
Francishesitated.’Whathasputwritingaplayintoyourhead?’heasked.
’Mereaccident,’sheanswered.’IhadonceoccasiontotellmylatebrotherofavisitwhichIpaidtoMissLockwood,whenIwaslastinEngland.
