Загублений світ
It’s Just the very Biggest Thing in the World
BynatureIam,Iadmit,somewhatfiery,andunderprovocationIaminclinedtobeviolent.Ifearyoumayhaveremarkedit."
Inursedmyeyeandwassilent.
"Mywifehasfrequentlyremonstratedwithmeuponthesubject,andyetIfancythatanymanofhonorwouldfeelthesame.To-night,however,Iproposetogiveanextremeexampleofthecontrolofthewillovertheemotions.Iinviteyoutobepresentattheexhibition."Hehandedmeacardfromhisdesk."YouwillperceivethatMr.PercivalWaldron,anaturalistofsomepopularrepute,isannouncedtolectureateight-thirtyattheZoologicalInstitute’sHallupon‘TheRecordoftheAges.’Ihavebeenspeciallyinvitedtobepresentupontheplatform,andtomoveavoteofthankstothelecturer.Whiledoingso,Ishallmakeitmybusiness,withinfinitetactanddelicacy,tothrowoutafewremarkswhichmayarousetheinterestoftheaudienceandcausesomeofthemtodesiretogomoredeeplyintothematter.Nothingcontentious,youunderstand,butonlyanindicationthattherearegreaterdeepsbeyond.Ishallholdmyselfstronglyinleash,andseewhetherbythisself-restraintIattainamorefavorableresult."
"AndImaycome?"Iaskedeagerly.
"Why,surely,"heanswered,cordially.Hehadanenormouslymassivegenialmanner,whichwasalmostasoverpoweringashisviolence.Hissmileofbenevolencewasawonderfulthing,whenhischeekswouldsuddenlybunchintotworedapples,betweenhishalf-closedeyesandhisgreatblackbeard."Byallmeans,come.ItwillbeacomforttometoknowthatIhaveoneallyinthehall,howeverinefficientandignorantofthesubjecthemaybe.
