Королі та капуста
Ships
Iwonderhowhemanagestorunhisbusinesshere,andneverbe‘roundtolookafterit."
"I’mlookingafterthebusinessjustnow,"admittedtheprotem.consul.
"Areyou—then,say!—where’sthefactory?"
"Whatfactory?"askedKeogh,withamildlypoliteinterest.
"Why,thefactorywheretheyusethemcockleburrs.Lordknowswhattheyuse’emfor,anyway!I’vegotthebasementsofboththemshipsoutthereloadedwith’em.I’llgiveyouabargaininthislot.I’vehadeveryman,womanandchildaroundDalesburgthatwasn’tbusypickin’’emforamonth.Ihiredtheseshipstobring’emover.EverybodythoughtIwascrazy.Now,youcanhavethislotforfifteencentsapound,deliveredonland.AndifyouwantmoreIguessoldAlabam’cancomeuptothedemand.Johnnytoldmewhenhelefthomethatifhestruckanythingdownherethattherewasanymoneyinhe’dletmeinonit.ShallIdrivetheshipsinandhitch?"
Alookofsupreme,almostincredulous,delightdawnedinKeogh’sruddycountenance.Hedroppedhispencil.Hiseyesturneduponthesunburnedyoungmanwithjoyinthemmingledwithfearlesthisecstasyshouldproveadream.
"ForGod’ssake,tellme,"saidKeogh,earnestly,"areyouDinkPawson?"
"MynameisPinkneyDawson,"saidthecornererofthecockleburrmarket.
BillyKeoghslidrapturouslyandgentlyfromhischairtohisfavouritestripofmattingonthefloor.
TherewerenotmanysoundsinCoralioonthatsultryafternoon
