The Cricket on the Hearth / Сверчок за очагом. Книга для чтения на английском языке

What’s that!’

It was a loud cry from the Carrier’s wife: a loud, sharp, sudden cry, that made the room ring, like a glass vessel. She had risen from her seat, and stood like one transfixed by terror and surprise. The Stranger had advanced towards the fire to warm himself, and stood within a short stride of her chair. But quite still.

�Dot!’ cried the Carrier. �Mary! Darling! What’s the matter?’

They were all about her in a moment. Caleb, who had been dozing on the cake-box, in the first imperfect recovery of his suspended presence of mind, seized Miss Slowboy by the hair of her head, but immediately apologised.

�Mary!’ exclaimed the Carrier, supporting her in his arms. �Are you ill! What is it? Tell me, dear!’

She only answered by beating her hands together, and falling into a wild fit of laughter. Then, sinking from his grasp upon the ground, she covered her face with her apron, and wept bitterly. And then she laughed again, and then she cried again, and then she said how cold it was, and suffered him to lead her to the fire, where she sat down as before.

The old man standing, as before, quite still.

�I’m better, John,’ she said. �I’m quite well now – I —’

�John!’ But John was on the other side of her. Why turn her face towards the strange old gentleman, as if addressing him! Was her brain wandering?

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notes

Примечания

1

lost her temper – (разг.) разозлилась

2

did chime in – (разг.) подал голос; вступил в разговор

3

were still keeping it up – (разг.