30 лучших рассказов британских писателей / 30 Best British Short Stories

’ He looked round the well-furnished, handsome room and recalled the other signs of wealth that he had noticed. �At all events, you seem fairly comfortable, Wynn.’

�I am alternately envied and pitied,’ replied Carrados, with a placid tolerance of circumstance that seemed characteristic of him. �Still, as you say, I am fairly comfortable.’

�Envied, I can understand. But why are you pitied?’

�Because I am blind,’ was the tranquil reply.

�Blind!’ exclaimed Mr. Carlyle, using his own eyes superlatively.

�Literally… I was riding along a bridle-path through a wood about a dozen years ago with a friend. He was in front. At one point a twig sprang back – you know how easily a thing like that happens. It just flicked my eye – nothing to think twice about.’

�And that blinded you?’

�Yes, ultimately. It’s called amaurosis.’

�I can scarcely believe it. You seem so sure and self-reliant. Your eyes are full of expression – only a little quieter than they used to be.

�You miss the dog and the stick?’ smiled Carrados. �No; it’s a fact.’

�What an awful affliction for you, Max. You were always such an impulsive, reckless sort of fellow – never quiet. You must miss such a fearful lot.’

�Has anyone else recognized you?’ asked Carrados quietly.

�Ah, that was the voice, you said,’ replied Carlyle.

�Yes; but other people heard the voice as well. Only I had no blundering, self-confident eyes to be hoodwinked.’

�That’s a rum way of putting it,’ said Carlyle. �Are your ears never hoodwinked, may I ask?’

�Not now. Nor my fingers. Nor any of my other senses that have to look out for themselves.’

�Well, well,’ murmured Mr. Carlyle, cut short in his sympathetic emotions. �I’m glad you take it so well. Of course, if you find it an advantage to be blind, old man–’ He stopped and reddened.

�Not an advantage, perhaps,’ replied the other thoughtfully. �Still it has compensations that one might not think of. A new world to explore, new experiences, new powers awakening; strange new perceptions; life in the fourth dimension. But why do you beg my pardon, Louis?’

�I am an ex-solicitor, struck off in connexion with the falsifying of a trust account, Mr.