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

'Maw and Meggins.' "

The old lady started. "Is anything the matter?" she asked
breathlessly. "Has anything happened to Herbert? What is it?
What is it?"

Her husband interposed. "There, there, mother," he said
hastily. "Sit down, and don't jump to conclusions. You've
not brought bad news, I'm sure, sir," and he eyed the other
wistfully.

"I'm sorryЧ" began the visitor.

"Is he hurt?" demanded the mother wildly.

The visitor bowed in assent. "Badly hurt," he said quietly,
"but he is not in any pain."

"Oh, thank God'" said the old woman, clasping her hands.
"Thank God for that! ThankЧ"

She broke off suddenly as me sinister meaning of the
assurance dawned upon her, and she saw the awful confinna-

THE MONKEY'S PAW 19

lion of her fears in die other's averted face. She caught her
breath, and turning to her slower-witied husband, laid her
trembling old hand upon his. There was a long silence.

"He was caught in the machinery," said the visitor at
length in a low vorce.

"Caught in the machinery," repeated Mr. While, in a
dazed fashion, "yes."

He sat staring blankly out at the window, and taking his
wife's hand between his own, pressed it as he had been wont
to do in their old courting days nearly forty years before.

"He was the only one left to us," he said. turning gently
to the visitor. "It is hard."

The other coughed, and rising, walked slowly to the window.

"The firm wished me to convey their sincere sympathy
with you in your great loss." he said, without looking round.
"I beg that you will understand I am only their servant and
merely obeying orders."