《福尔摩斯探案集·歪唇男人》第2节
We heard the door open, a few hurried words, and then quick steps upon the linoleum. Our own door flew open, and a lady, clad in some dark-coloured stuff, with a black veil, entered the room. “You will excuse my calling so late,” she began, and then, suddenly losing her self-control, she ran forward, threw her arms about my wife’s neck, and sobbed upon her shoulder. “Oh, I’m in such trouble!” she cried; “I do so want a little help.” “Why,” said my wife, pulling up her veil, “it is Kate Whitney. How you startled me, Kate! I had not an idea who you were when you came in.” “I didn’t know what to do, so I came straight to you.” That was always the way. Folk who were in grief came to my wife like birds to a lighthouse. “It was very sweet of you to come. Now, you must have some wine and water, and sit here comfortably and tell us all about it. Or should you rather that I sent James off to bed?” “Oh, no, no! I want the doctor’s advice and help, too. It’s about Isa. He has not been home for two days. I am so frightened about him!”
注释摘要
敲门声、急促的低语、漆布地板上快步而来的声响——华生用一连串听觉细节，把深夜的不速之客推到了读者面前。门开处，一个穿深色衣料、蒙黑色面纱的女人闯进来，剧情来得极快：她刚说了一句客套话，就忽然崩溃，扑到华生太太肩上抽泣起来。华生太太揭开面纱，认出来者是凯特·惠特尼，她的老同学。凯特说，她不知道该怎么办，就直接来了这里。叙述者补了一句值得注意的旁白——悲伤的人…