"Alexander Green - The Seeker Of Adventure" - читать интересную книгу автора (Green Alexander)

donkey's very hoof; and flocks of blue and white pigeons flew through the
air-this bucolic sight indicated so much peaceful joy that Ammon smiled.
Dogger surveyed the yard with a satisfied air and said:
"I very much like animals that are of a congenial nature. Tigers, boa
constrictors, snakes, chameleons, and other anarchists are unpleasant to
me. Now let's look at the cow."
Ammon saw four giant cows in the barn, where small but clear windows
let in plenty of light. Dogger approached one of the cows, which had
crescent-shaped horns and was the colour of yellow soap; the beast exuded
strength, fat, and milk; the huge, pink, black-spotted udder hung almost
to the ground. The cow, as though realising that she was being inspected,
turned her heavy, thick muzzle towards the men and flicked her tail.
Dogger stood with arms akimbo-which made him look like a
peasant-and looked at Ammon, the cow, and again at Ammon; then he
gave the cow a solid slap on the rump with the palm of his hand.
"A beauty! I call her Diana. She's the best specimen in the district."
"Yes, she's impressive," Ammon affirmed.
Dogger took down a red copper bucket that was hanging in a row with
some others and began to roll up his sleeves.
"Watch me do the milking, Ammon. Then try the milk."
Suppressing a smile, Ammon put on an expression of keen attention.
Dogger squatted, placed the bucket beneath the cow, and by skilfully
squeezing the teats caused streams of milk to strike forcefully against the
resonant copper. Very soon the bucket contained a couple of inches of
milk, all frothy from the spray. Dogger's serious face, his motherly
treatment of the cow, and the sight of a man doing the milking so
convulsed Ammon that he could not restrain himself and began to roar
with laughter. Dogger stopped milking, looked at him with amazement,
and finally burst out laughing himself.
"I can tell you're a city-dweller," he said. "You don't find it ridiculous
when morbidly excited people jump about in front of each other and lift
their feet in time to music. But healthy pursuits directly related to nature
make you laugh."
"Excuse me," said Ammon, "I imagined myself in your place and.... And
I'll always be ashamed of myself for this."
"Forget it," Dogger calmly rejoined, "it's just nerves. Try some."
He brought an earthenware mug from the depths of the barn and
poured out some of the thick, almost hot milk for Ammon.
"Ah," said Ammon when he had drunk it, "your cow has nothing to be
ashamed of. I positively envy you. You've discovered life's simple wisdom."
"Yes," Dogger nodded.
"Are you very happy?"
"Yes," Dogger nodded.
"I couldn't be wrong, could I?"
"No."
Dogger unhurriedly took the empty mug from Ammon and unhurriedly
took it back to its former place.
"It's ridiculous," he said when he returned, "it's ridiculous to boast, but
my life is truly filled with joyful peace."
Ammon offered him his hand.