"Thomas M. Disch - The M D" - читать интересную книгу автора (Disch Thomas M)

need to write its history.

"When you go home from school today, children, I want you to tell your
parents that you understand that there is no Santa Claus. Tell them
that and then thank them for all the lovely presents they gave you when
they were pretending to be Santa. And tell them they don't have to
pretend anymore. And if you have any little brothers or sisters who
believe in Santa Claus you must tell them too, because it is a sin
against the Fifth Commandment to worship gods that don't exist. Do you
all understand?"

Some children nodded, and there were a few whispery Yes, Sisters. But
Billy Michaels didn't move a muscle.

"Billy," Sister Symphorosa insisted, "do you understand?"

The boy gave no sign that he had heard her.

"Billy," she said in a tone of patient instruction such as one might
use in teaching a parrot speech,

"I am talking to you. I asked you a question."

Reluctantly, the boy's eyes turned toward her. There was fear in his
look, but defiance still smoldered in his contumacious little heart.
She felt an impulse to strike him again, but checked it. An obstinate
spirit demands correction, but she must be more judicious in the
administration :)f corporal punishment" since she had twice already
been called to task by Sister Fidelis, the principal of OLM, for what
the )ounger nun regarded as excessive severity. Sister Fidelis was too
easily cowed by interfering parents. But she was the principal, and
Sister Symphorosa was bound by her vow of obedience. Unless the boy
offered provocation, she must deal with him tenderly.

"And you understand now, don't you, Billy, that there is no Santa
Claus?"

"I saw him," Billy said.

"You saw a picture of him," Sister Symphorosi said.

"No, he was alive. And he looked just like he does in his pictures. He
was fat and he had a red suit and a bag full of presents."

"Then you saw someone dressed up to look like Santa Claus.

Many businesses pay money to bums they find on the streets so they will
pretend to be Santa Claus. But they are only old bums. And that's
what you saw."