Загублений світ
Question!
WhengoutyProfessorWadleylimpeddowntohisseatthereweregeneralaffectionateinquiriesfromallpartsofthehallastotheexactstateofhispoortoe,whichcausedhimobviousembarrassment.Thegreatestdemonstrationofall,however,wasattheentranceofmynewacquaintance,ProfessorChallenger,whenhepasseddowntotakehisplaceattheextremeendofthefrontrowoftheplatform.SuchayellofwelcomebrokeforthwhenhisblackbeardfirstprotrudedroundthecornerthatIbegantosuspectTarpHenrywasrightinhissurmise,andthatthisassemblagewastherenotmerelyforthesakeofthelecture,butbecauseithadgotrumoredabroadthatthefamousProfessorwouldtakepartintheproceedings.
Therewassomesympatheticlaughteronhisentranceamongthefrontbenchesofwell-dressedspectators,asthoughthedemonstrationofthestudentsinthisinstancewasnotunwelcometothem.Thatgreetingwas,indeed,afrightfuloutburstofsound,theuproarofthecarnivoracagewhenthestepofthebucket-bearingkeeperisheardinthedistance.Therewasanoffensivetoneinit,perhaps,andyetinthemainitstruckmeasmereriotousoutcry,thenoisyreceptionofonewhoamusedandinterestedthem,ratherthanofonetheydislikedordespised.Challengersmiledwithwearyandtolerantcontempt,asakindlymanwouldmeettheyappingofalitterofpuppies.Hesatslowlydown,blewouthischest,passedhishandcaressinglydownhisbeard,andlookedwithdroopingeyelidsandsuperciliouseyesatthecrowdedhallbeforehim.TheuproarofhisadventhadnotyetdiedawaywhenProfessorRonaldMurray,thechairman,andMr.Waldron,thelecturer,threadedtheirwaytothefront,andtheproceedingsbegan.
ProfessorMurraywill,Iamsure,excusemeifIsaythathehasthecommonfaultofmostEnglishmenofbeinginaudible.
