Людина-невидимка

           "No,"hesaidwithoutturning. 

           Shewasnotsureshehadheardhim,andwasabouttorepeatherquestion. 

           Heturnedhisheadandlookedatheroverhisshoulder. "Iprefertokeepthemon,"hesaidwithemphasis, andshenoticedthatheworebigbluespectacleswithsidelights,andhadabushside-whiskeroverhiscoat-collarthatcompletelyhidhischeeksandface. 

           "Verywell,sir,"shesaid."Asyoulike.Inabittheroomwillbewarmer." 

           Hemadenoanswer,andhadturnedhisfaceawayfromheragain,andMrs.Hall,feelingthatherconversationaladvanceswereill-timed,laidtherestofthetablethingsinaquickstaccatoandwhiskedoutoftheroom. Whenshereturnedhewasstillstandingthere,likeamanofstone,hisbackhunched,hiscollarturnedup,hisdrippinghat-brimturneddown,hidinghisfaceandearscompletely. Sheputdowntheeggsandbaconwithconsiderableemphasis,andcalledratherthansaidtohim, "Yourlunchisserved,sir." 

           "Thankyou,"hesaidatthesametime,anddidnotstiruntilshewasclosingthedoor. Thenheswungroundandapproachedthetablewithacertaineagerquickness. 

           Asshewentbehindthebartothekitchensheheardasoundrepeatedatregularintervals.Chirk,chirk,chirk,itwent,thesoundofaspoonbeingrapidlywhiskedroundabasin."Thatgirl!"shesaid."There!Icleanforgotit.It'sherbeingsolong!"Andwhilesheherselffinishedmixingthemustard,shegaveMillieafewverbalstabsforherexcessiveslowness. Shehadcookedthehamandeggs,laidthetable,anddoneeverything,whileMillie(helpindeed!)hadonlysucceededindelayingthemustard.