Кентервільський привид
Chapter 1
Inafewmomentsnotraceofthebloodstaincouldbeseen.
"IknewPinkertonwoulddoit," heexclaimed,triumphantly,ashelookedroundathisadmiringfamily; butnosoonerhadhesaidthesewordsthanaterribleflashoflightninglitupthesombreroom, afearfulpealofthundermadethemallstarttotheirfeet, andMrs.Umneyfainted.
"Whatamonstrousclimate!" saidtheAmericanMinister,calmly,ashelitalongcheroot. "Iguesstheoldcountryissooverpopulated thattheyhavenotenoughdecentweatherforeverybody. Ihavealwaysbeenofopinion thatemigrationistheonlythingforEngland."
"MydearHiram," criedMrs.Otis, "whatcanwedowithawomanwhofaints?"
"Chargeittoherlikebreakages," answeredtheMinister; "shewon’tfaintafterthat;" andinafewmomentsMrs.Umneycertainlycameto. Therewasnodoubt,however,thatshewasextremelyupset, andshesternlywarnedMr.Otistobewareofsometroublecomingtothehouse.
"Ihaveseenthingswithmyowneyes,sir,"shesaid, "thatwouldmakeanyChristian’shairstandonend, andmanyandmanyanightIhavenotclosedmyeyesinsleepfortheawfulthingsthataredonehere. "Mr.Otis,however,andhiswifewarmlyassuredthehonestsoul thattheywerenotafraidofghosts, and,afterinvokingtheblessingsofProvidenceonhernewmasterandmistress, andmakingarrangementsforanincreaseofsalary, theoldhousekeepertotteredofftoherownroom.
