oman。〃
〃And your son is also extraordinary？〃
Jack smiled； a big wide PR smile。 〃We like to think so； I suppose。 He's quite
self…reliant for a five…year…old。〃
No returning smile from Ullman。 He slipped Jack's application back into the
file。 The file went into a drawer。 The desk top was now pletely bare except
for a blotter； a telephone； a Tensor lamp； and an in/out basket。 Both sides of
the in/out were empty； too。
Ullman stood up and went to the file cabinet in the corner。 〃Step around the
desk； if you will； Mr。 Torrance。 We'll look at the floor plans。〃
He brought back five large sheets and set them down on the glossy walnut plain
of the desk。 Jack stood by his shoulder； very much aware of the scent of
Ullman's cologne。 All my men wear English Leather or they wear nothing at all
came into his mind for no reason at all； and he had to clamp his tongue between
his teeth to keep in a bray of laughter。 Beyond the wall； faintly； came the
sounds of the Overlook Hotel's kitchen； gearing down from lunch。
〃Top floor；〃 Ullman said briskly。 〃The attic。 Absolutely nothing up there now
but bric…a…brac。 The Overlook has changed hands several times since World War II
and it seems that each successive manager has put everything they don't want up
in the attic。 I want rattraps and poison bait sowed around in it。 Some of the
third…floor chambermaids say they have heard rustling noises。 I don't believe
it； not for a moment； but there mustn't even be that one…in…a…hundred chance
that a single rat inhabits the Overlook Hotel。〃
Jack； who suspected that every hotel in the world had a rat or two； held his
tongue。
〃Of course