Читать книгу The Perfect World. A romance of strange people and strange places онлайн

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“Queens? That was my College”

“Indeed” cried the two boys together.

“Yes, I’ve not been there for over forty-five years. I expect the dear old place has changed a great deal?”

“Yes. We had rooms opposite each other on the same staircase in the New Buildings” said Desmond.

“That was since my time” said Mr. Winthrop rather sadly “I’ve never even seen the New Buildings. I was in the Walnut-Tree Court” Then he stopped, and gazed into the fire, his eyes sparkling and a colour coming into his old, worn cheeks, as he thought of the days of his youth. Reminiscences came quickly. “Do you remember this?” “I remember when so-and-so happened” So the conversation went on until they were rudely interrupted by a sharp knock on the door, startling in its unexpectedness. All three rose hurriedly.

“Come in” cried the vicar and Mrs. Skeet appeared breathing heavily, with a look of horror in her eyes.

“Whatever is the matter?” asked Mr. Winthrop in dismay, startled out of his usual placidity by her frightened mien.