Ледяной сфинкс
Chapter I. The Kerguelen Islands.
Youhavegivenmenowandagainadishofpetrel,seasonedbyyourownhand,andveryacceptablewhenonehasafinehealthyappetite.IhavefoundafriendlywelcomeattheGreenCormorant,andIamverymuchobligedtoyou.But,ifIamrightinmyreckoning,itistwomonthssincetheChiliantwo-masterPenãssetmedownatChristmasHarbourinmid-winter.
“Andyouwanttogetbacktoyourowncountry,whichismine,Mr.Jeorling;toreturntoConnecticut,toProvidence,ourcapital.”
“Doubtless,Mr.Atkins,forIhavebeenaglobe-trotterforcloseuponthreeyears.Onemustcometoastopandtakerootatsometime.”
“Yes,andwhenonehastakenroot,oneputsoutbranches.”
“Justso,Mr.Atkins.However,asIhavenorelationsliving,itislikelythatIshallbethelastofmyline.Iamnotlikelytotakeafancyformarryingatforty.”
“Well,well,thatisamatteroftaste.FifteenyearsagoIsettleddowncomfortablyatChristmasHarbourwithmyBetsy;shehaspresentedmewithtenchildren,whointheirturnwillpresentmewithgrandchildren.”
“Youwillnotreturntotheoldcountry?”
“WhatshouldIdothere,Mr.Jeorling,andwhatcouldIeverhavedonethere?Therewasnothingbeforemebutpoverty.Here,onthecontrary,intheseIslandsofDesolation,whereIhavenoreasontofeeldesolate,easeandcompetencehavecometomeandmine!”
“Nodoubt,andIcongratulateyou,Mr.Atkins,foryouareahappyman.
