Короли и капуста
The Phonograph and the Graft
You’llhavetobechristened,andifyou’llcomewithmeI’llbreakabottleofwineacrossyourbows,accordingtoHoyle.’
"Well,fortwodaysHomerP.Mellingerdidthehonors.ThatmancuticeinAnchuria.HewasIt.HewastheRoyalKafoozlum.IfmeandHenrywasbabesinthewood,hewasaRobinRedbreastfromthetopmostbough.HimandmeandHenryHorsecollarlockedarms,andtotedthatphonographaround,andhadwassailanddiversions.Everywherewefounddoorsopenwewentinsideandsetthemachinegoing,andMellingercalleduponthepeopletoobservetheartfulmusicandhistwolifelongfriends,theSeñorsAmericanos.Theoperachoruswasagitatedwithesteem,andfollowedusfromhousetohouse.Therewasadifferentkindofdrinktobehadwitheverytune.Thenativeshadacquirementsofapleasantthinginthewayofadrinkthatgumsitselftotherecollection.Theychopofftheendofagreencocoanut,andpourinonthejuiceofitFrenchbrandyandotheradjuvants.Wehadthemandotherthings.
"MineandHenry’smoneywascounterfeit.EverythingwasonHomerP.Mellinger.ThatmancouldfindrollsofbillsconcealedinplacesonhispersonwhereHermanntheWizardcouldn’thaveconjuredoutarabbitoranomelette.Hecouldhavefoundeduniversities,andmadeorchidcollections,andthenhadenoughlefttopurchasethecoloredvoteofhiscountry.Henryandmewonderedwhathisgraftwas.Oneeveninghetoldus.
"‘Boys,’saidhe,‘I’vedeceivedyou.
