Крижаний сфінкс

Chapter I. The Kerguelen Islands.

           Youhavegivenmenowandagainadishofpetrel,seasonedbyyourownhand,andveryacceptablewhenonehasafinehealthyappetite.IhavefoundafriendlywelcomeattheGreenCormorant,andIamverymuchobligedtoyou.But,ifIamrightinmyreckoning,itistwomonthssincetheChiliantwo-masterPenãssetmedownatChristmasHarbourinmid-winter.

           “Andyouwanttogetbacktoyourowncountry,whichismine,Mr.Jeorling;toreturntoConnecticut,toProvidence,ourcapital.”

           “Doubtless,Mr.Atkins,forIhavebeenaglobe-trotterforcloseuponthreeyears.Onemustcometoastopandtakerootatsometime.”

           “Yes,andwhenonehastakenroot,oneputsoutbranches.”

           “Justso,Mr.Atkins.However,asIhavenorelationsliving,itislikelythatIshallbethelastofmyline.Iamnotlikelytotakeafancyformarryingatforty.”

           “Well,well,thatisamatteroftaste.FifteenyearsagoIsettleddowncomfortablyatChristmasHarbourwithmyBetsy;shehaspresentedmewithtenchildren,whointheirturnwillpresentmewithgrandchildren.”

           “Youwillnotreturntotheoldcountry?”

           “WhatshouldIdothere,Mr.Jeorling,andwhatcouldIeverhavedonethere?Therewasnothingbeforemebutpoverty.Here,onthecontrary,intheseIslandsofDesolation,whereIhavenoreasontofeeldesolate,easeandcompetencehavecometomeandmine!”

           “Nodoubt,andIcongratulateyou,Mr.Atkins,foryouareahappyman.

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