"Asimov, Isaac - Magical Wishes" - читать интересную книгу автора (Asimov Isaac)

"If you've had your three wishes, it's no good to you now
then, Morris," said the old man at last. "What do you keep it
for?"

The soldier shook his head. "Fancy, I suppose." he said
slowly. "1 did have some idea of selling it, but 1 don't think I
will. It has caused enough mischief already. Besides, people
won't buy. They think it's a fairy tale, some of them; and
those who do think anything of it want to try it first and pay
m6 afterward."

THE MONKEY'S PAW 15

^ "If you could have another three wishes." said the old
man, eyeing him keenly, "would you have them?"

"I don't know," said me other. "I don't know."
^ He look the paw. and dangling it between his forefinger
^ and thumb, suddenly threw it upon the fire. White, with a
F slight cry, stooped down and snatched it off.

"Better let it bum," said the soldier solemnly.
"If you don't want it, Morris," said the other, "give it to
me."

"I won't," said his friend doggedly. "I threw it on the
^ fire. If you keep it, don't blame me for what happens- Pitch it
^ on the fire again tike a sensible man."
?? The other shook his head and examined his new possession
closely. "How do you do it?" he inquired.

"Hold it up in your right hand and wish aloud," said the
sergeant-major, "but I warn you of the consequences."
^ "Sounds tike the Arabian Nights," said Mrs. White, as
f she rose and began to set the supper. "Don't you think you
"^. might wish for four pairs of hands for me?"
;' Her husband drew the talisman from his pocket, and men
all three burst into laughter as the sergeant-major, with a took
of alarm on his face, caught him by the arm.
? "If you must wish,*' he said gruffly, "wish for something
sensible."

Mr. White dropped it back in his pocket, and placing
chairs, motioned his friend to the table. In the business of
supper the talisman was partly forgotten, and afterward the
', three sat listening in an enthralled fashion to a second install-
q ment of the soldier's adventures in India.
-s "If die tale about me monkey's paw is not more truthful
I, than those he has been telling us," said Herbert, as the door