"Asimov, Isaac - Magical Wishes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Asimov Isaac)

said Herbert as he rose from the table. "I'm afraid it'll turn
you into a mean, avaricious man, and we will have to disown
you."

His mother laughed, and following him to the door, watched
him down the road; and returning to the breakfast table, was
very happy at the expense of her husband's credulity. All of
which did not prevent her from scurrying to the door at the
postman's knock, nor prevent her from referring somewhat
shortly to retired sergeant-majors of bibulous habits when she
found that the post brought a tailor's bill.

"Herbert will have some more of his funny remarks, I
expect, when he comes home," she said, as they sat at dinner.

"I dare say," said Mr. White, pouring himself out some
beer; "but for all that, the thing moved in my hand; that I'll
swear to."

18

IV. W. Jacobs

"You thought it did," said the old lady soothingly.
"I say it did," replied the other. "There was no thought
about it; I had juslЧ What's the matter?"

His wife made no reply. She was watching the mysterious
movements of a man outside, who, peering in an undecided
fashion at the house, appeared to be trying to make up his
mind to enter. In mental connection with the two hundred
pounds, she noticed that the stranger was well dressed, and
wore a silk hat of glossy newness. Three times he paused at
the gate, and then walked on again. The fourth time he stood
with his hand upon it, and then with a sudden resolution flung
it open and walked ttp the path. Mrs. White at the same
moment placed her hands behind her, and hurriedly unfasten-
ing die strings on her apron, put that useful article of apparel
beneath the cushion of her chair.

She brought the stranger, who seemed ill at ease, into the
room. He gazed at her furtively, and listened in a preoccupied
fashion as the old lady apologized for the appearance of the
room, and her husband's coat, a garment he usually reserved
for the garden. She then waited as patiently as her sex would
permit, for him to broach his business, but he was at first
strangely silent.

'*!Чwas asked to call," he said at last, and stooped and
picked a piece of cotton from his trousers. "I come from