Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 14
“Youpersist,inarudeandboorishmanner,ininterruptingmyconversationwiththeotherguestsinthishostelry.”
AndWardenAthertoncame.Thedoorwasunlocked,andheblusteredintomycell.Butoh,Iwassosafe!Hehaddonehisworst.Iwasbeyondhispower.
“I’llshutoffyourgrub,”hethreatened.
“Asyouplease,”Ianswered.“I’musedtoit.Ihaven’teatenfortendays,and,doyouknow,tryingtobegintoeatagainisaconfoundednuisance.
“Oh,ho,you’rethreateningme,areyou?Ahungerstrike,eh?”
“Pardonme,”Isaid,myvoicesulkywithpoliteness.“Thepropositionwasyours,notmine.Dotryandbelogicalonoccasion.ItrustyouwillbelievemewhenItellyouthatyourillogicisfarmorepainfulformetoendurethanallyourtortures.”
“Areyougoingtostopyourknuckle-talking?”hedemanded.
“No;forgivemeforvexingyou—forIfeelsostrongacompulsiontotalkwithmyknucklesthat—”
“FortwocentsI’llputyoubackinthejacket,”hebrokein.
“Do,please.Idoteonthejacket.Iamthejacketbaby.Igetfatinthejacket.Lookatthatarm.
