Межзвёздный скиталец
Chapter 20
Andwhilethepoorassesoflabourersreadandbelieved,whiletheSenateCommitteedinedandwinedwiththeWardenattheexpenseofthestateandthetaxpayer,EdMorrell,JakeOppenheimer,andIwerelyinginourjackets,lacedjustatriflemoretightlyandmorevindictivelythanwehadeverbeenlacedbefore.
“Itistolaugh,”EdMorrelltappedtome,withtheedgeofthesoleofhisshoe.
“Ishouldworry,”tappedJake.
Andasforme,Itoocappedmybitterscornandlaughter,rememberedtheprisonhousesofoldBabylon,smiledtomyselfahugecosmicsmile,anddriftedoffandawayintothelargenessofthelittledeaththatmademeheirofalltheagesandtheriderfull-panopliedandastrideoftime.
Yea,dearbrotheroftheoutsideworld,whilethewhitewashwasrunningoffthepress,whiletheaugustsenatorswerewininganddining,wethreeofthelivingdead,buriedaliveinsolidarity,weresweatingourpaininthecanvastorture.
Andafterthedinner,warmwithwine,WardenAthertonhimselfcametoseehowfareditwithus.Me,asusual,theyfoundincoma.DoctorJacksonforthefirsttimemusthavebeenalarmed.Iwasbroughtbackacrossthedarktoconsciousnesswiththebiteofammoniainmynostrils.Ismiledintothefacesbentoverme.
