Пригоди Шерлока Холмса
The Adventure of the Copper Beeches
Westawaywasthenameofthefounderofthebusiness,butitisreallymanagedbyMissStoper. Shesitsinherownlittleoffice,andtheladieswhoareseekingemploymentwaitinananteroom,andarethenshowninonebyone,whensheconsultsherledgersandseeswhethershehasanythingwhichwouldsuitthem.
"Well,whenIcalledlastweekIwasshownintothelittleofficeasusual,butIfoundthatMissStoperwasnotalone. Aprodigiouslystoutmanwithaverysmilingfaceandagreatheavychinwhichrolleddowninfolduponfoldoverhisthroatsatatherelbowwithapairofglassesonhisnose,lookingveryearnestlyattheladieswhoentered. AsIcameinhegavequiteajumpinhischairandturnedquicklytoMissStoper.
"‘Thatwilldo,’saidhe;‘Icouldnotaskforanythingbetter.Capital!capital!’ Heseemedquiteenthusiasticandrubbedhishandstogetherinthemostgenialfashion. Hewassuchacomfortable-lookingmanthatitwasquiteapleasuretolookathim.
"‘Youarelookingforasituation,miss?’heasked.
"‘Yes,sir.’
"‘Asgoverness?’
"‘Yes,sir.’
"‘Andwhatsalarydoyouask?’
"‘Ihad4poundsamonthinmylastplacewithColonelSpenceMunro.’
"‘Oh,tut,tut!sweating—ranksweating!’hecried,throwinghisfathandsoutintotheairlikeamanwhoisinaboilingpassion. ‘Howcouldanyoneoffersopitifulasumtoaladywithsuchattractionsandaccomplishments?’
