Пробний камінь
IV
“Iratherthinkthey’dattractagooddealofnoticeiftheywerepublished.”
Flamelstilllookeduninterested.“Love-letters,Isuppose?”
“Oh,just—thelettersawomanwouldwritetoamansheknewwell.Theyweretremendousfriends,heandshe.”
“Andshewroteacleverletter?”
“Clever?ItwasMargaretAubyn.”
Agreatsilencefilledtheroom.ItseemedtoGlennardthatthewordshadburstfromhimasbloodgushesfromawound.
“GreatScott!”saidFlamel,sittingup.“AcollectionofMargaretAubyn’sletters?Didyousayyouhadthem?”
“Theywereleftme—bymyfriend.”
“Isee.Washe—well,nomatter.You’retobecongratulated,atanyrate.Whatareyougoingtodowiththem?”
Glennardstoodupwithasenseofwearinessinallhisbones.“Oh,Idon’tknow.Ihaven’tthoughtmuchaboutit.Ijusthappenedtoseethatsomefellowwaswritingherlife—”
“Joslin;yes.Youdidn’tthinkofgivingthemtohim?”
GlennardhadloungedacrosstheroomandstoodstaringupatabronzeBacchuswhodroopedhisgarlandedheadabovethepedimentofanItaliancabinet.“WhatoughtItodo?You’rejustthefellowtoadviseme.”Hefeltthebloodinhischeekashespoke.
Flamelsatwithmeditativeeye.“Whatdoyouwanttodowiththem?”heasked.
“Iwanttopublishthem,”saidGlennard,swingingroundwithsuddenenergy—“IfIcan—”
“Ifyoucan?They’reyours,yousay?”
“They’reminefastenough.
