Короли и капуста
The Lotus and the Bottle
DuringthetwelvemonthsofhislifeinCoralionowordhadpassedbetweenthem,thoughhehadsometimesheardofherthroughthedilatorycorrespondencewiththefewfriendstowhomhestillwrote.StillhecouldnotrepressalittlethrillofsatisfactionatknowingthatshehadnotyetmarriedTolliveroranyoneelse.ButevidentlyTolliverhadnotyetabandonedhope.
Well,itmadenodifferencetohimnow.Hehadeatenofthelotus.Hewashappyandcontentinthislandofperpetualafternoon.ThoseolddaysoflifeintheStatesseemedlikeanirritatingdream.HehopedIdawouldbeashappyashewas.TheclimateasbalmyasthatofdistantAvalon;thefetterless,idyllicroundofenchanteddays;thelifeamongthisindolent,romanticpeople—alifefullofmusic,flowers,andlowlaughter;theinfluenceoftheimminentseaandmountains,andthemanyshapesofloveandmagicandbeautythatbloomedinthewhitetropicnights—withallhewasmorethancontent.Also,therewasPaulaBrannigan.
GeddieintendedtomarryPaula—if,ofcourse,shewouldconsent;buthefeltrathersurethatshewoulddothat.Somehow,hekeptpostponinghisproposal.Severaltimeshehadbeenquiteneartoit;butamysterioussomethingalwaysheldhimback.Perhapsitwasonlytheunconscious,instinctiveconvictionthattheactwouldseverthelasttiethatboundhimtohisoldworld.
HecouldbeveryhappywithPaula.Fewofthenativegirlscouldbecomparedwithher.
