Втрачений континент: історія Атлантиди
13. The Burying Alive Of Nais
Infact(ifonemayjudgebymypastrecord),Ishouldnothavebeguntolearnatall.”
“IsupposeyouthinkIshouldbesatisfiedwiththat?Well,Iamnot.Icanbefinelygreedyoversomematters.”
Thebanquetthisnightdidnotextendtoinordinatelength.Phorenicehadgonethroughmuchsincelastsheslept,andthoughshehaddeclaredherselfGoddessinthemeantime,itseemedthatherbodyremainedmortalasheretofore.Theblackringsofwearinesshadgrownunderherwondrouseyes,andshelaybackamongstthecushionsofthedivanwithherlimbsslackenedandlistless.Whenthedancerscameandposturedbeforeus,shethrewthemajewelandbadethembegonebeforetheyhadgivenahalfoftheirperformance,andthepoet,asillyswellingfellowwhocametosingthedeedsoftheday,shewouldnothearatall.
“To-morrow,”shesaidwearily,“butfornowgrantmepeace.MyLordDeucalionhasgivenmemuchfoodforthoughtthisday,andpresentlyIgotomychambertomuseoverthefuturepoliciesofthisStatethroughoutthenight.To-morrowcometomeagain,andifyourpoetryisgoodandshort,Iwillpayyousurprisingly.Butseetoitthatyouarenotlong-winded.Iftherearesuperfluouswords,Iwillpayyouforthosewiththestick.”
Sherosetoherfeetthen,andwhenthebanquetershadmadetheirsalutationtous,Iledherawayfromthebanqueting-hallanddownthepassageswiththeirsecretdoorswhichledtoherprivatechambers.Sheclungonmyarm,andoncewhenwehaltedwhilstagreatstoneblockswungslowlyajartoletuspass,shedroopedherheadagainstmyshoulder.
