"David Feintuch - Seafort 01 - Midshipmans Hope" - читать интересную книгу автора (Feintuch David)

Across the gleaming corridor Ms. Dagalow's eye betrayed a glint of humor as she pried the canister of
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shaving cream from Sandy Wilsky's reluctant fingers. She passed it to Lieutenant Cousins. Once again, I
wished she were the senior lieutenant; Mr. Cousins seemed to take undue pleasure in the ship's discipline
he dispensed.

Lieutenant Cousins snapped, "Yours, middy? Are you old enough to use it?" From close observation
during the five weeks since I'd joined Hibernia at Earthport Station, I knew that at fourteenSandy had not
yet made the acquaintance of a razor. That meant he had, um, borrowed it. From me, perhaps. At
seventeen, I was known to shave, if rarely.

"No, sir."Sandy had no choice but to answer. "It's Mr.

Holser's." I bit my lip. Lord God, that was all this fiasco needed: trouble with Midshipman Vax Holser.

Vax, almost nineteen, resented me and didn't care if it showed, for he'd missed being first middy by only
a few weeks. He was full-grown, shaved daily, and worked out with weights. His surly manner and
ominous strength encouraged us all to give him a wide berth.

Lieutenant Cousins nodded to Mrs. Donhauser, whose outrage had subsided into wry amusement.
"Madam, my sincere apologies. I assure you these children"--he spat out the word with venom--"will not
trouble you again." His look of suppressed fury did not bode well.

"No harm done," Mrs. Donhauser said peaceably. "They were just playing--"

"Is that what you call it?" Mr. Cousins's grip tightened on the canister. "Officers in a Naval starship,
chasing each other with shaving soap!"

Mrs. Donhauser was unfazed. "I won't tell you your duty, Lieutenant. But I will make it clear that I was
not harmed and have no grievance. Good day." With that she turned on her heel toward the passenger
cabins, presumably to change her tunic.

For a moment Lieutenant Cousins was speechless. Then he rounded on us. "You're the sorriest joeys
I've ever seen! A seventeen-month cruise to Hope Nation, and I have to sail with you!" I took a deep
breath. "I'm sorry, sir. It's my responsibility."

"At least you know that much." Cousins's tone was acid.

"Is this how you run your wardroom, Mr. Seafort?"

"No, sir." I wasn't sure it was the right response. Perhaps my amiable manner encouraged Sandy and
Alexi to step out of line. Certainly they would never have done so under Vax Holser's tutelage.

"I expect stupidity from these young dolts, but it's your job to control them! What if the Captain had
come along?"