Королі та капуста
The Lotus and the Bottle
ForthemomenthehadforgottenthatCoraliowasaninsignificanttowninaninsignificantrepubliclyingalongtheby-waysofasecond-ratesea.HethoughtofGregg,thequarantinedoctor,whosubscribedfortheLondonLancet,expectingtofinditquotinghisreportstothehomeBoardofHealthconcerningtheyellowfevergerm.TheconsulknewthatnotoneinfiftyofhisacquaintancesintheStateshadeverheardofCoralio.Heknewthattwomen,atanyrate,wouldhavetoreadhisreport—someunderlingintheStateDepartmentandacompositorinthePublicPrintingOffice.PerhapsthetypestickerwouldnotetheincreaseofcommerceinCoralio,andspeakofit,overthecheeseandbeer,toafriend.
Hehadjustwritten:"MostunaccountableisthesupinenessofthelargeexportersintheUnitedStatesinpermittingtheFrenchandGermanhousestopracticallycontrolthetradeinterestsofthisrichandproductivecountry"—whenheheardthehoarsenotesofasteamer’ssiren.
GeddielaiddownhispenandgatheredhisPanamahatandumbrella.BythesoundheknewittobetheValhalla,oneofthelineoffruitvesselsplyingfortheVesuviusCompany.Downtoniñosoffiveyears,everyoneinCoraliocouldnameyoueachincomingsteamerbythenoteofhersiren.
Theconsulsaunteredbyaroundabout,shadedwaytothebeach.
