Королі та капуста

           Itissupposedtohaveaslightelasticity.The‘stationery’itemsaresometimescarelesslyauditedbytheStateDepartment."

           "We’rewastingourtime,"saidKeogh."Thismanwasborntoholdoffice.Hepenetratestotherootoftheartatonestepofhiseagleeye.Thetruegeniusofgovernmentshowsitshandineverywordofhisspeech."

           "Ididn’ttakethisjobwithanyintentionofworking,"explainedJohnny,lazily."Iwantedtogosomewhereintheworldwheretheydidn’ttalkaboutfarms.Therearenonehere,arethere?"

           "Notthekindyouareacquaintedwith,"answeredtheexconsul."Thereisnosucharthereasagriculture.ThereneverwasaploworareaperwithintheboundariesofAnchuria."

           "Thisisthecountryforme,"murmuredtheconsul,andimmediatelyhefellasleep.

           ThecheerfultintypistpursuedhisintimacywithJohnnyinspiteofopenchargesthathedidsotoobtainapreëmptiononaseatinthatcovetedspot,thereargalleryoftheconsulate.Butwhetherhisdesignswereselfishorpurelyfriendly,Keoghachievedthatdesirableprivilege.Fewwerethenightsonwhichthetwocouldnotbefoundreposingthereintheseabreeze,withtheirheelsontherailing,andthecigarsandbrandyconvenientlynear.

           Oneeveningtheysatthus,mainlysilent,fortheirtalkhaddwindledbeforethestillinginfluenceofanunusualnight.

           Therewasagreat,fullmoon;andtheseawasmother-of-pearl.Almosteverysoundwashushed,fortheairwasbutfaintlystirring;andthetownlaypanting,waitingforthenighttocool.