"anthony,_piers_&_farmer,_philip_jose_-_the_caterpillars_question" - читать интересную книгу автора (Farmer Phillip Jose)

pointing to the ladies' room, not certain whether the girl knew her way
around public facilities, and doubtful what he'd do if she didn't. He
had to ask her, rather awkwardly because of the people passing nearby,
and she shook her head no. Was it wisest to treat her as a child or as
a woman? The difference was important the moment they left the
isolation of the car. He decided on the latter, at least in public
places.

They took a corner table, enduring the interminable wait for their
order. He was super-conscious of the glances of others, but Tappy
seemed oblivious to her surroundings. She kept her hands in her lap,
eyes downcast and he saw too clearly the narrow white scar that crossed
one eye and terminated at the mutilated ear. What did his petty
embarrassment mean, compared to her problems?

"Lookit that girl's ear's gone!" exclaimed a younger boy at a
neighboring table, his voice startlingly loud. There was a fierce
shushing that was worse than the remark because it confirmed its
accuracy. Heads turned, first toward the boy, then toward the object of
the boy's curiosity.

A slow tear started down Tappy's left cheek.

Jack stood up so suddenly that his chair crashed backward, and he
stepped around the table and caught her arm and brought her out of that
place. It was as if he had tunnel vision; all he saw was the escape
route, the room and people fuzzing out at the periphery. They made it
to the car, strapped in, and he drove, arrowing down the highway at a
dangerous velocity. He was first numb, then furious-but he wasn't sure
at what.

Gradually he cooled, and knew that the worst of the situation had been
his own reaction. It was too late to undo what damage he might have
done, but he could at least be guided more sensibly henceforth. He
schooled himself not to react like that, no matter what happened next
time.

But first he had something more difficult to do. "Tappy, I'm sorry. I
shouldn't have done that. I just-" He faltered, for she was not
reacting at all. "I'm sorry."

She might as well have been a statue.

At dusk, starving, he drew up to a motel and left Tappy in the seat
while he registered for two rooms. He took her to one of them and sat
her on the bed. He crossed the street and bought a six-pack of fruit
drinks and two submarine sandwiches for their supper. Class fare it was
not, but it was all he could think of at the moment.

He set things up precariously on the bed in her room, and was glad to