"Г.К.Честертон. The Club of Queer Trades " - читать интересную книгу автора

green, but--"

"Green!" shouted Keith. "Green! Let it be green or nothing. I
won't have a house of another colour. Green!" and before we could
realize anything the door had banged between us and the street.

Rupert Grant seemed to take a little time to collect himself; but
he spoke before the echoes of the door died away.

"Your client, Lieutenant Keith, appears somewhat excited," he
said. "What is the matter with him? Is he unwell?"

"Oh, I should think not," said Mr Montmorency, in some confusion.
"The negotiations have been somewhat difficult--the house is
rather--"

"Green," said Rupert calmly. "That appears to be a very important
point. It must be rather green. May I ask you, Mr Montmorency,
before I rejoin my companion outside, whether, in your business,
it is usual to ask for houses by their colour? Do clients write
to a house-agent asking for a pink house or a blue house? Or, to
take another instance, for a green house?"

"Only," said Montmorency, trembling, "only to be inconspicuous."

Rupert had his ruthless smile. "Can you tell me any place on earth
in which a green house would be inconspicuous?"

The house-agent was fidgeting nervously in his pocket. Slowly
drawing out a couple of lizards and leaving them to run on the
counter, he said:

"No; I can't."

"You can't suggest an explanation?"

"No," said Mr Montmorency, rising slowly and yet in such a way as
to suggest a sudden situation, "I can't. And may I, as a busy man,
be excused if I ask you, gentlemen, if you have any demand to make
of me in connection with my business. What kind of house would you
desire me to get for you, sir?"

He opened his blank blue eyes on Rupert, who seemed for the second
staggered. Then he recovered himself with perfect common sense and
answered:

"I am sorry, Mr Montmorency. The fascination of your remarks has
unduly delayed us from joining our friend outside. Pray excuse my
apparent impertinence."