"Kenneth Robeson - Doc Savage 155 - Measures For a Coffin" - читать интересную книгу автора (Robeson Kenneth)

Chapter II
DOCTOR JOSEPH BENSON, at about six-thirty o'clock that evening, found himself possessed of a set
of nerves that wanted to scream. He had changed from the grimy clothing in which he had left the
accident scene, his intention being to have a private snack of milk and sandwiches from his refrigerator,
then go to bed. But it was obvious he was too much on edge to sleep. He went to the telephone and
dialed Miss Clayton's number.

Benson's apartment, startlingly expensiveтАФhe had always liked a better apartment than he could
affordтАФwas high in the tower of one of those sand-colored monoliths on Central Park West, and it was
richly done throughout. What it cost Benson would have maintained five ordinary families for a year, but
he never thought of getting less pretentious quarters. He was eaten by envy, on the other hand, when he
saw a better place.




тАЬMiss Clayton, please,тАЭ he said into the telephone.

His nerves quieted and he smiled slightly in anticipation of talking to Miss Clayton. He was, in his sparse,
withdrawn, cautious way, in love with Miss Clayton. On the other hand, Miss Clayton was not the least
bit in love with him, and he knew this. It hurt his pride. It was a problem to which he had given
considerable thought, and the thing he thought most about, the part of the situation that most fully puzzled
him, was how in the devil Miss Clayton could help being madly in love with him. Doctor Benson was a
bit of an egoist.

тАЬMiss Clayton? How are you?тАЭ In spite of himself, Doctor Benson always found that he was reserved
with Miss Clayton, although Miss Clayton didn't, when one was looking at her, seem like a person with
whom one would be reserved.

тАЬHello, Joe,тАЭ said Miss Clayton.

тАЬAre you doing anything this evening?тАЭ Doctor Benson asked.

He had not planned to be so blunt, but it came out. My nerves, he thought, have really gone to hell.

He thought that Miss Clayton hesitated, but finally she said, тАЬNothing in particular, Joe. Why? Got
plans?тАЭ

He said, тАЬI wondered if you'd be nice enough to have dinner with me?тАЭ

тАЬIt's rather short notice.тАЭ

тАЬWell, you don't have to dress up. This won't be anything fancy. I just thought of the idea myself.тАЭ

Miss Clayton laughed. тАЬNothing fancier than the Colony, I imagine. All right, call for me.тАЭ

тАЬWhen shall I call?тАЭ

тАЬRight now, if you wish,тАЭ Miss Clayton said. He knew she was laughing at him. тАЬI'm really not going to
fancy-Dan it. That's what you said, isn't it?тАЭ