The Wonderful Wizard of Oz / Волшебник из страны Оз. Книга для чтения на английском языке

A vague feeling of apprehension came over Simeon Lee. He said sharply: �What are you thinking about?’

Hilda Lee said slowly: �I’m afraid…’

Simeon said: �You’re afraid – of me?’

Hilda said: �Not of you. I’m afraid – for you!’

Like a judge who has delivered sentence[112 - a judge who has delivered sentence – (разг.) судья, вынесший приговор], she turned away. She marched, slowly and heavily, out of the room…

Simeon sat staring at the door. Then he got to his feet and made his way over to the safe.

III

The doorbell rang about a quarter to eight.

Tressilian went to answer it. He returned to his pantry to find Horbury there, picking up the coffee-cups off the tray and looking at the mark on them.

�Who was it?’ said Horbury.

�Superintendent of Police – Mr Sugden – mind what you’re doing![113 - mind what you’re doing – (разг.) осторожнее!]’

Horbury had dropped one of the cups with a crash.

�Look at that now,’ lamented Tressilian. �Eleven years I’ve had the washing up of those and never one broken, and now you come along touching things you’ve no business to touch, and look what happens!’

�I’m sorry, Mr Tressilian. I am indeed,’ the other apologized. His face was covered with perspiration. �I don’t know how it happened. Did you say a Superintendent of Police had called?’

�Yes – Mr Sugden.

The valet passed a tongue over pale lips.

�What – what did he want?’

�Collecting for the Police Orphanage.’

�Oh!’ The valet straightened his shoulders. In a more natural voice he said: �Did he get anything?’

�I took up the book to old Mr Lee, and he told me to fetch the superintendent up and to put the sherry on the table.’

�Nothing but begging, this time of year,’ said Horbury. �The old devil’s generous, I will say that for him, in spite of his other failings.

Tressilian said with dignity: �Mr Lee has always been an open-handed gentleman[114 - has always been an open-handed gentleman – (разг.) всегда был щедрым хозяином].’

Horbury nodded. �It’s the best thing about him! Well, I’ll be off now.’

�Going to the pictures?’

�I expect so. Ta-ta, Mr Tressilian.’ He went through the door that led to the servants’ hall.