Тридцять дев’ять ступенів
Chapter 7
Henoddedtome,andIthoughtIhadneverseenashrewderorbetter-temperedface.Heleanedhisdelicateten-footsplit-canerodagainstthebridge,andlookedwithmeatthewater.
“Clear,isn’tit?”hesaidpleasantly.“IbackourKennetanydayagainsttheTest.Lookatthatbigfellow.Fourpoundsifhe’sanounce.Buttheeveningriseisoverandyoucan’ttempt’em.”
“Idon’tseehim,”saidI.
“Look!There!Ayardfromthereedsjustabovethatstickle.”
“I’vegothimnow.Youmightswearhewasablackstone.”
“So,”hesaid,andwhistledanotherbarof“AnnieLaurie”.
“Twisdon’sthename,isn’tit?”hesaidoverhisshoulder,hiseyesstillfixedonthestream.
“No,”Isaid.“Imeantosay,Yes.”Ihadforgottenallaboutmyalias.
“It’sawiseconspiratorthatknowshisownname,”heobserved,grinningbroadlyatamoor-henthatemergedfromthebridge’sshadow.
Istoodupandlookedathim,atthesquare,cleftjawandbroad,linedbrowandthefirmfoldsofcheek,andbegantothinkthathereatlastwasanallyworthhaving.Hiswhimsicalblueeyesseemedtogoverydeep.
Suddenlyhefrowned.“Icallitdisgraceful,”hesaid,raisinghisvoice.“Disgracefulthatanable-bodiedmanlikeyoushoulddaretobeg.Youcangetamealfrommykitchen,butyou’llgetnomoneyfromme.”
Adog-cartwaspassing,drivenbyayoungmanwhoraisedhiswhiptosalutethefisherman.Whenhehadgone,hepickeduphisrod.
“That’smyhouse,”hesaid,pointingtoawhitegateahundredyardson.
