"Appleton, Victor - Tom Swift Jr 05 - And His Atomic Earth Blaster" - читать интересную книгу автора (Appleton Victor)

avoid involving his father and Swift Enterprises.
Greenup's face was red with anger.
"So you're the young man who's responsible for this messl" he snapped at
Tom.
"It was strictly an accident, Mr. Greenup," explained Tom respectfully. "I'm
sorry if we caused any inconvenience, but it-"
"Inconvenience!" Greenup roared. "Do you realize that was the principal
transmission line you burst? We had to stop the pumps and shut off water to the
whole community! Suppose a bad fire broke out. What would the fire department
do for water? And what about the Shopton Hospital-suppose they need water
there!"
Sensing trouble, the spectators crowded closer.
"I understand all that, sir," Tom said. "I realize that an accident of this kind
could lead to a mighty serious situation. But our men will soon have the
THE MYSTERIOUS STRANGERS 7
main repaired, and I can promise you that Swift Enterprises will pay for any
damage."
"Never mind all that!" Greenup retorted irritably. "How did it happen in the
first place?"
"It was my new earth-digging machine," explained Tom. "We accidentally
plowed into the water main."
"So that's itl More of your crazy contraptions!" stormed Greenup. "In my
opinion, you're a public menace and your father should be haled into court for not
keeping you under better control!"
Bud Barclay shouldered his way forward. Tom saw that his friend was about
to blaze back angrily, and put a firm hand on Bud's muscular arm.
"Please keep my father out of this, Mr. Greenup," Tom replied evenly. "If you
think my inventions haven't benefited anyone, that's your privilege."
"Well, don't think it's your privilege to go around smashing up public
property!" snapped Greenup.
Hearing Greenup's angry voice, Hank Sterling left the repair crew and
stepped over.
"We'll have your pipe fixed in half an hour," he said.
Greenup snorted. "It's bad enough even when we don't have to cope with
trouble like this! The water supply was dangerously low before this happened.
We need at least fifty percent more capacity, especially during these dry summer
months."
8 TOM SWIFT AND HIS ATOMIC BLASTER
Tom recalled that a town order recently had been issued banning the
sprinkling of lawns during the peak hours of the day.
"That's no reason to get sore at us!" Bud declared.
But Greenup had not run out of verbal ammunition. "If it weren't for Swift
Enterprises and the Swift Construction Company," he said, scowling, "there
wouldn't be a water shortage!"
"How do you figure that?" Tom challenged.
"In the past few months, the construction plant has boosted water
consumption between eighty and one hundred thousand gallons a day. By
adding new workers to the payroll, you've drawn hundreds of new families into
Shopton."
Bud grinned. "The Chamber of Commerce likes it!"