Портрет художника в юності
Chapter 1
AndtherewerenicesentencesinDoctorCornwell’sSpellingBook.Theywerelikepoetrybuttheywereonlysentencestolearnthespellingfrom.
WolseydiedinLeicesterAbbey
Wheretheabbotsburiedhim.
Cankerisadiseaseofplants,
Canceroneofanimals.
Itwouldbenicetolieonthehearthrugbeforethefire,leaninghisheaduponhishands,andthinkonthosesentences.Heshiveredasifhehadcoldslimywaternexthisskin.ThatwasmeanofWellstoshoulderhimintothesquareditchbecausehewouldnotswophislittlesnuffboxforWells’sseasonedhackingchestnut,theconquerorofforty.Howcoldandslimythewaterhadbeen!Afellowhadonceseenabigratjumpintothescum.MotherwassittingatthefirewithDantewaitingforBrigidtobringinthetea.Shehadherfeetonthefenderandherjewellyslippersweresohotandtheyhadsuchalovelywarmsmell!Danteknewalotofthings.ShehadtaughthimwheretheMozambiqueChannelwasandwhatwasthelongestriverinAmericaandwhatwasthenameofthehighestmountaininthemoon.FatherArnallknewmorethanDantebecausehewasapriestbutbothhisfatheranduncleCharlessaidthatDantewasacleverwomanandawell-readwoman.AndwhenDantemadethatnoiseafterdinnerandthenputupherhandtohermouth:thatwasheartburn.
