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

About all she was clever with – a good woman, but deadly dull – ’

David sprang up. His father said: �Sit down, boy, you’ll knock something over – ’

David said: �My mother – ’

Simeon said: �Your mother had the brains of a louse! And it seems to me she’s transmitted those brains to her children.’ He raised himself up suddenly. A red spot appeared on each cheek. His voice came high and shrill. �You’re not worth a penny piece, any of you! I’m sick of you all! You’re not men! You’re weaklings – a set of namby-pamby weaklings.

Pilar’s worth any two of you put together! I’ll swear to heaven I’ve got a better son somewhere in the world than any of you, even if you are born the right side of the blanket[110 - even if you are born the right side of the blanket – (разг.) даже если вы рождены в браке]!’

�Here, Father, hold hard,’ cried Harry.

He had jumped up and stood there, a frown on his usually good-humoured face. Simeon snapped: �The same goes for you! What have you ever done? Whined to me for money from all over the world! I tell you I’m sick of the sight of you all! Get out!’

He leaned back in his chair, panting a little.

Slowly, one by one, his family went out. George was red and indignant. Magdalene looked frightened. David was pale and quivering. Harry blustered out of the room. Alfred went like a man in a dream. Lydia followed him with her head held high. Only Hilda paused in the doorway and came slowly back.

She stood over him, and he started when he opened his eyes and found her standing there. There was something menacing in the solid way she stood there quite immovably.

He said irritably: �What is it?’

Hilda said: �When your letter came I believed what you said – that you wanted your family round you for Christmas, I persuaded David to come.’

Simeon said: �Well, what of it?’

Hilda said slowly: �You did want your family round you – but not for the purpose you said! You wanted them there, didn’t you, in order to set them all by the ears[111 - in order to set them all by the ears – (разг.

) чтобы посеять рознь (рассорить всех со всеми)]? God help you, it’s your idea of fun!’

Simeon chuckled. He said: �I always had rather a specialized sense of humour. I don’t expect anyone else to appreciate the joke. I’m enjoying it!’

She said nothing.