"Carolyn Ives Gilman - Okanoggan Falls" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gilman Carolyn Ives)

I'll-tell-you-later look at Tom. тАЬCaptain Groton, these are our sons, Ben and Nick.тАЭ The boys stood up
and nodded awkwardly, obviously coached not to shake hands.

"They are both yours?тАЭ the Wattesoon asked.

"Yes,тАЭ Tom said. тАЬDo you have any kids, captain?"

"Yes. A daughter."

"How old is she?тАЭ Susan said, pouring some more wine for him in a mug.

Captain Groton paused so long she wondered if she had said something offensive, but finally he shook his
head. тАЬI cannot figure it out. The time dilation makes it too difficult. It would mean little to you anyway;
our years are so different."

"So she's back home on your planet?"

"Yes."

"Your wife, too?"

"She is dead."

"I'm so sorry. It must have been hard for you to leave your daughter behind."
"It was necessary. I was posted here. I followed my duty.тАЭ It had occurred to Susan that perhaps
cow-excretion pie was not the thing to offer her guest, so she began rummaging in the cupboard, and
soon assembled a buffet of dry foods: roast soybeans, crackers, apple chips, pine nuts, and a sweet
potato for moisture. As Tom tried valiantly to engage the captain in a conversation about fishing, she
started assembling the pizza for her family. The dog was barking at the back door, so she asked Ben to
feed him. Nick started playing with his Gameboy. There was a pleasantly normal confusion all around.

"What sorts of food do you eat at home?тАЭ Susan asked her guest when she had a chance.

Groton shrugged. тАЬWe are less preoccupied with food than you are. Anything will do. We are
omnivores."

Ben muttered, тАЬBetter watch out for our dogs."

"Ben!тАЭ Susan rebuked him.

Captain Groton turned marbly eyes on him. тАЬWe have no interest in your food animals."

The whole family stared in horror. тАЬOur dogs aren't food!тАЭ Ben blurted.

"Then why do you keep them?тАЭ the captain asked reasonably.

Tom said, тАЬFor companionship."

Ben said, тАЬFor fun."