Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
10. A Wooing
But,anyway,ityieldsapoorenoughlivelihoodnowadays.Therehavebeennoofferingsatthistemplethisfivemonthspast,andifIhadnotafewjarsofcornputby,Imighthavestarvedforanythingthepiousofthiscitycared.AndIdonotthinkthattheaffairofthatsacrificeislikelytoputnewenthusiasmintoourcoldvotaries.”
“Whendidithappen?”
“Twentyhoursago.To-dayPhoreniceconductsthesacrificeherself.Thathascausedthestiryouspokeabout.Thecityisinthethroesofgettingreadyoneofherpageants.”
“ThenImustaskyoutoopenthetempledoorsandgivemepassage.Imustgoandseethisthingformyself.”
“ItisnotformetoofferadvicetooneoftheSeven,”saidRodoubtfully.
“Itisnot.”
“ButtheysaythattheEmpressisnotoverpleasedatyourabsence,”hemumbled.“Ishouldnotlikeharmtocomeinyourway,Deucalion,”hesaidaloud.
“ThefutureisinthehandsofthemostHighGods,Ro,andIatleastbelievethatTheywilldealoutourfatestoeachofusasTheyinTheirinfinitewisdomseebest,thoughyouseemtohavelostyourfaith.AndnowImustbeyourdebtorforapassageoutthroughthedoors.Plagues!man,itisnouseyourholdingoutyourhandtome.Idonotownacoininalltheworld.”
Hemumbledsomethingabout“forceofhabit”asheledthewaydowntowardsthedoor,andIrespondedtartlyenoughabouttheunpleasantnessofhisbeggingcustoms.“Ifitwerenotforyoursortandyourcustoms,thePriests’Clanwouldnotbefacingthiscrisisto-day.
