Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 14
”
“Cutthatout,Standing!”Smithbellowedatmefromthecorridoronwhichallthecellsopened.
Smithwasapeculiarlysaturnineindividual,byfarthemostcruelandvindictiveofourguards.Weusedtocanvasswhetherhiswifebulliedhimorwhetherhehadchronicindigestion.
Icontinuedrappingwithmyknuckles,andhecametothewickettoglareinatme.
“Itoldyoutooutthatout,”hesnarled.
“Sorry,”Isaidsuavely.“ButIhaveasortofpremonitionthatIshallgorightonrapping.And—er—excusemeforaskingapersonalquestion—whatareyougoingtodoaboutit?”
“I’ll—”hebeganexplosively,proving,byhisinabilitytoconcludetheremark,thathethoughtinhenids.
“Yes?”Iencouraged.“Justwhat,pray?”
“I’llhavetheWardenhere,”hesaidlamely.
“Do,please.Amostcharminggentleman,tobesure.Ashiningexampleoftherefininginfluencesthatarecreepingintoourprisons.Bringhimtomeatonce.Iwishtoreportyoutohim.”
“Me?”
“Yes,justpreciselyyou,”Icontinued.
