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

) Блудный сын], eh? You’re right. The fatted calf! We must kill the fatted calf, Alfred. We must give him a grand welcome.’

Alfred said: �He treated you – all of us – disgracefully. He – ’

�No need to recite his crimes! It’s a long list. But Christmas, you’ll remember, is the season of forgiveness! We’ll welcome the prodigal home.’

Alfred rose. He murmured: �This has been – rather a shock. I never dreamt that Harry would ever come inside these walls again.’

Simeon leaned forward.

�You never liked Harry, did you?’ he said softly.

�After the way he behaved to you – ’

Simeon cackled. He said: �Ah, but bygones must be bygones[68 - bygones must be bygones – искаж. посл. Let bygones be bygones, Кто старое помянет, тому глаз вон]. That’s the spirit for Christmas, isn’t it, Lydia?’

Lydia, too, had gone pale. She said dryly: �I see that you have thought a good deal about Christmas this year.’

�I want my family round me.

Peace and goodwill. I’m an old man. Are you going, my dear?’

Alfred had hurried out. Lydia paused a moment before following him.

Simeon nodded his head after the retreating figure. �It’s upset him. He and Harry never got on[69 - never got on – (разг.) никогда не ладили]. Harry used to jeer at Alfred. Called him old Slow and Sure.’

Lydia’s lips parted. She was about to speak, then, as she saw the old man’s eager expression, she checked herself.

Her self-control, she saw, disappointed him. The perception of that fact enabled her to say: �The hare and the tortoise.[70 - The hare and the tortoise. – см. «Сказки дядюшки Римуса» (сборник рассказов негритянского юга Америки)] Ah, well, the tortoise wins the race.’

�Not always,’ said Simeon. �Not always, my dear Lydia.’

She said, still smiling: �Excuse me, I must go after Alfred.

Sudden excitements always upset him.’

Simeon cackled. �Yes, Alfred doesn’t like changes. He always was a regular sobersides.’

Lydia said: �Alfred is very devoted to you .’

�That seems odd to you, doesn’t it?’

�Sometimes,’ said Lydia, �it does.’

She left the room. Simeon looked after her.

He chuckled softly and rubbed his palms together. �Lots of fun,’ he said. �Lots of fun still. I’m going to enjoy this Christmas.