Короли и капуста
Cupid’s Exile number two
OffshorelaythefruitsteamerAndador,oftheVesuviusline,full-ladenandscheduledtosailatsixinthemorning.Therewerenoloiterersonthebeach.Sobrightwasthemoonlightthatthetwomencouldseethesmallpebblesshiningonthebeachwherethegentlesurfwettedthem.
Thendownthecoast,tackingclosetoshore,slowlyswamalittlesloop,white-wingedlikesomesnowyseafowl.Itscourselaywithintwentypointsofthewind’seye;soitveeredinandoutagaininlong,slowstrokeslikethemovementsofagracefulskater.
Againthetacticsofitscrewbroughtitcloseinshore,thistimenearlyoppositetheconsulate;andthenthereblewfromthesloopclearandsurprisingnotesasiffromahornofelfland.Afairybugleitmighthavebeen,sweetandsilveryandunexpected,playingwithspiritthefamiliarairof"Home,SweetHome."
Itwasascenesetforthelandofthelotus.Theauthorityoftheseaandthetropics,themysterythatattendsunknownsails,andtheprestigeofdriftingmusiconmoonlitwatersgaveitananodynouscharm.JohnnyAtwoodfeltit,andthoughtofDalesburg;butassoonasKeogh’smindhadarrivedatatheoryconcerningtheperipateticsolohesprangtotherailing,andhisear-rendingyawpfracturedthesilenceofCoraliolikeacannonshot.
"Mel-lin-gera-hoy!"
Thesloopwasnowonitsoutwardtack;butfromitcameaclear,answeringhail:
"Good-bye,Billy...goinghome—bye!"
TheAndadorwasthesloop’sdestination.
