Короли и капуста
The Lotus and the Bottle
Sometimorousseñoritasscurryingpastwithfire-fliestangledinthejettybraidsoftheirhairglancedathimwithshy,flatteringeyes.Theairwaslanguorouswiththescentofjasminandorange-blossoms.
TheconsulstayedhisstepsatthehouseofBernardBrannigan.Paulawasswinginginahammockonthegallery.Sherosefromitlikeabirdfromitsnest.ThecolourcametohercheekatthesoundofGeddie’svoice.
Hewascharmedatthesightofhercostume—aflouncedmuslindress,withalittlejacketofwhiteflannel,allmadewithneatnessandstyle.Hesuggestedastroll,andtheywalkedouttotheoldIndianwellonthehillroad.Theysatonthecurb,andthereGeddiemadetheexpectedbutlong-deferredspeech.Certainthoughhehadbeenthatshewouldnotsayhimnay,hewasthrilledwithjoyatthecompletenessandsweetnessofhersurrender.Herewassurelyaheartmadeforloveandsteadfastness.Herewasnocapriceorquestioningsorcaptiousstandardsofconvention.
WhenGeddiekissedPaulaatherdoorthatnighthewashappierthanhehadeverbeenbefore."Hereinthishollowlotusland,evertoliveandliereclined"seemedtohim,asithasseemedtomanymariners,thebestaswellastheeasiest.Hisfuturewouldbeanidealone.HehadattainedaParadisewithoutaserpent.HisEvewouldbeindeedapartofhim,unbeguiled,andthereforemorebeguiling.Hehadmadehisdecisionto-night,andhisheartwasfullofserene,assuredcontent.
Geddiewentbacktohishousewhistlingthatfinestandsaddestlovesong,"LaGolondrina."
