دانلود رمان انگلیسی “حبس”

Sarah and Mrs Beckett spoke in whispers. The entrance hall was dotted with rival pairs of mothers and daughters and it wouldn’t do to be overheard. At the back of the hall was a graceful staircase of white marble. Every ten minutes or so a woman in a maroon knitted suit came back with a girl whod been interviewed and swapped her for the next on the list. Mrs Beckett, afraid of being accidentally forgotten, insisted on edging closer to the staircase each time there was a gap. After half an hour she and Sarah were actually on the best seat of all, a wooden bench nearest the bottom step. Sarah felt the pressure of her mother’s bony elbow in her ribs. “Your shoe.’ “What’s the matter with my shoe?” ‘Ssssh. Wipe it. Here.’ A handkerchief was passed tensely across and Sarah obedi- ently rubbed away at the toe of her tan lace-up. Mrs Beckett smiled blindly out into the hall. “Hurry up.’ Afterwards Sarah sat up, flushed. The drama had been followed with intense interest, though everyone pretended not to have noticed. Nerves hummed in the dusty air. ‘Who do you think that is?’ she asked, her voice unex- pectedly loud and high. ‘Tl have a look.’