Короли и капуста

           Yougohome,Billy,andleavemealone.I’vegottoworkatitallbymyself.TakethatbottleofThree-staralongwithyou—no,sir;notanotherounceofboozefortheUnitedStatesconsul.I’llsithereto-nightandpulloutthethinkstop.Ifthere’sasoftplaceonthispropositionanywhereI’lllandonit.Ifthereisn’tthere’llbeanotherwrecktothecreditofthegorgeoustropics."

           Keoghleft,feelingthathecouldbeofnouse.Johnnylaidahandfulofcigarsonatableandstretchedhimselfinasteamerchair.Whenthesuddendaylightbroke,silveringtheharbourripples,hewasstillsittingthere.Thenhegotup,whistlingalittletune,andtookhisbath.

           Atnineo’clockhewalkeddowntothedingylittlecableofficeandhungforhalfanhouroverablank.Theresultofhisapplicationwasthefollowingmessage,whichhesignedandhadtransmittedatacostof$33:

           TOPINKNEYDAWSON,

           Dalesburg,Ala.

           Draftfor$100comestoyounextmail.Shipmeimmediately500poundsstiff,drycockleburrs.Newusehereinarts.Marketpricetwentycentspound.Furtherorderslikely.Rush.