Короли и капуста

           Thewheelsofpoliticsrevolved;andJohnnywasappointedconsultoCoralio.JustbeforeleavinghedroppedinatHemstetter’stosaygood-bye.Therewasaqueer,pinkishlookaboutRosine’seyes;andhadthetwobeenalone,theUnitedStatesmighthavehadtocastaboutforanotherconsul.ButPinkDawsonwasthere,ofcourse,talkingabouthis400-acreorchard,andthethree-milealfalfatract,andthe200-acrepasture.SoJohnnyshookhandswithRosineascoollyasifhewereonlygoingtorunuptoMontgomeryforacoupleofdays.Theyhadtheroyalmannerwhentheychose,thoseAtwoods.

           "Ifyouhappentostrikeanythinginthewayofagoodinvestmentdownthere,Johnny,"saidPinkDawson,"justletmeknow,willyou?IreckonIcouldlaymyhandsonafewextrathousands‘mostanytimeforaprofitabledeal."

           "Certainly,Pink,"saidJohnny,pleasantly."IfIstrikeanythingofthesortI’llletyouinwithpleasure."

           SoJohnnywentdowntoMobileandtookafruitsteamerforthecoastofAnchuria.

           WhenthenewconsularrivedinCoraliothestrangenessofthescenesdivertedhimmuch.Hewasonlytwenty-two;andthegriefofyouthisnotwornlikeagarmentasitisbyoldermen.Ithasitsseasonswhenitreigns;andthenitisunseatedforatimebytheassertionofthekeensenses.

           BillyKeoghandJohnnyseemedtoconceiveamutualfriendshipatonce.KeoghtookthenewconsulabouttownandpresentedhimtothehandfulofAmericansandthesmallernumberofFrenchandGermanswhomadeupthe"foreign"contingent.