Потерянный континент: история Атлантиды
3. A Rival Navy
Andthenwhenwegettotheactuality,whatwasit?Why,acountryfarmereverydaysitsdowntomoredelicatefare.Youtoldmehowitwasprepared.Well,yoursavagefromEuropemaybelusty,andperchanceisfaithful,butheisadevil-possessedcook.Gods!Ihavelivedbetteronacampaign.
“Iknowthisisacolonyhere,withoutanyofthehomerefinements;butifinthedaystocome,thedeeroftheforest,thefishofthestream,andtheotherresourcesoftheplacearenotputtobetterusethanheretofore,Ishallseeitmydutyasrulertofrysomeofthekitchenstaffaliveingreasesoastoencouragebettercookery.Gods!Deucalion,haveyouforgottenwhatitistohaveapalate?Andhaveyounoesteemforyourowndignity?Man,lookatyourclothes.Youaregarbedlikeaherdsman,andyouhavenotagaudorajeweltobrightenyou.”
“Ieat,”Isaidcoldly,“whenmyhungerbidsme,andIcarrythisonerobeuponmypersontillitiswornoutandneedsreplacement.Thegrossnessofexcessivebanqueting,andtheeffeminacyofmanyclothesareattainmentsthatnevermetmyfancy.ButIthinkwehavetalkedhereoverlong,andthereseemslittlechanceofourfindingagreement.Youhavechanged,Tatho,withtheyears,andperhapsIhavechangedalso.Thesealterationscreepimperceptiblyintoone’sbeingastimeadvances.Letuspartnow,and,forgettingthesepresentdifferences,rememberonlyourfriendshipoftwentyyearsagone.Thatforme,atanyrate,hasalwayshadapleasantsavourwhencalledupintothememory.”
Tathobowedhishead.“Sobeit,”hesaid.
