Короли и капуста

           No;thereisnofailureinmybusiness.Thelittleshopisdoingverywell."

           WhenthecaptainhaddepartedDickycalledthesergeantofthejailsquadandasked:

           "AmIpresobythemilitaryorbythecivilauthority?"

           "Surelythereisnomartiallawineffectnow,señor."

           "Bueno.Nowgoorsendtothealcalde,theJuesdelaPazandtheJefedelosPolicios.TellthemIampreparedatoncetosatisfythedemandsofjustice."Afoldedbillofthe"longgreen"slidintothesergeant’shand.

           ThenDicky’ssmilecamebackagain,forheknewthatthehoursofhiscaptivitywerenumbered;andhehummed,intimewiththesentry’stread:

           "They’rehangingmenandwomennow,

           Forlackingofthegreen."

           So,thatnightDickysatbythewindowoftheroomoverhisshopandhislittlesaintsatcloseby,workingatsomethingsilkenanddainty.Dickywasthoughtfulandgrave.Hisredhairwasinanunusualstateofdisorder.Pasa’sfingersoftenachedtosmoothandarrangeit,butDickywouldneverallowit.Hewasporing,to-night,overagreatlitterofmapsandbooksandpapersonhistableuntilthatperpendicularlinecamebetweenhisbrowsthatalwaysdistressedPasa.Presentlyshewentandbroughthishat,andstoodwithituntilhelookedup,inquiringly.

           "Itissadforyouhere,"sheexplained."Gooutanddrinkvinoblanco.Comebackwhenyougetthatsmileyouusedtowear.ThatiswhatIwishtosee."

           Dickylaughedandthrewdownhispapers."Thevinoblancostageispast.Ithasserveditsturn