Людина-невидимка

           "Wouldyoumind,sir,thismana-comingtolookattheclock,sir?"shesaid,recoveringfromthemomentaryshock. 

           "Lookattheclock?"hesaid,staringroundinadrowsymanner,andspeakingoverhishand,andthen,gettingmorefullyawake,"certainly." 

           Mrs.Hallwentawaytogetalamp,andheroseandstretchedhimself. Thencamethelight,andMr.TeddyHenfrey,entering,wasconfrontedbythisbandagedperson. Hewas,hesays,"takenaback." 

           "Goodafternoon,"saidthestranger,regardinghim—asMr.Henfreysays,withavividsenseofthedarkspectacles—"likealobster." 

           "Ihope,"saidMr.Henfrey,"thatit'snointrusion." 

           "Nonewhatever,"saidthestranger. "Though,Iunderstand,"hesaidturningtoMrs.Hall,"thatthisroomisreallytobemineformyownprivateuse." 

           "Ithought,sir,"saidMrs.Hall,"you'dprefertheclock—" 

           "Certainly,"saidthestranger,"certainly—but,asarule,Iliketobealoneandundisturbed. 

           "ButI'mreallygladtohavetheclockseento,"hesaid,seeingacertainhesitationinMr.Henfrey'smanner."Veryglad."Mr.Henfreyhadintendedtoapologiseandwithdraw,butthisanticipationreassuredhim. Thestrangerturnedroundwithhisbacktothefireplaceandputhishandsbehindhisback. "Andpresently,"hesaid,"whentheclock-mendingisover,IthinkIshouldliketohavesometea. Butnottilltheclock-mendingisover."