"Lord Dunsany - The Glittering Gate (2)" - читать интересную книгу автора (Dunsany Lord)

Bill:
You'll cheer up a bit when I tell you what I've got. I
say, Jim, have you got some beer? Why, so you have.
Why, *you* ought to cheer up, Jim.

Jim:
All the beer you're ever likely to see again. They're
empty.

Bill: {half rising from the rock on which he has seated
himself, and pointing his finger at Jim as he rises;
very cheerfully} Why, you're the chap that said there
was no hope here, and you're hoping to find beer in
every bottle you open.

Jim:
Yes; I *hope* to see a drop of beer in one some day,
but I *know* I won't. Their trick *might* not work
just once.

Bill:
How many have you tried, Jim?

Jim:
Oh, I don't know. I've always been at it, working as
fast as I can, ever since -- ever since -- {Feels his
neck meditatively and up toward his ear} Why, ever
since, Bill.

Bill:
Why don't you stop it?
Jim:
I'm too thirsty, Bill.

Bill:
What do you think *I've* got, Jim?

Jim:
I don't know. Nothing's any use.

Bill: {as yet another bottle is shown to be empty}
Who's that laughing, Jim?

Jim: {astonished at such a question, loudly and
emphatically} Who's that laughing?

Bill: {looks a little disconcerted at having apparently
asked a silly question} Is it a pal?