"Robert A. Heinlein - Farnham's Freehold" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

dismissed it by being quickly angry with Grace Farnham. What excuse did a
woman have for being an incipient alcoholic, fretful and fat and self-
indulgent, when she had this man?
The thought was chased away by realization that Mrs. Farnham was what
Karen might become. Mother and daughter looked alike, save that Karen had not
gone to pot. Barbara did not like this thought. She liked Karen better than
any other sorority sister she had found when she went back to finish college.
Karen was sweet and generous and gay -- But perhaps Grace Farnham had been so,
once. Did women have to become fretful and useless?
Hubert Farnham looked up from the last trick. "Three spades, game and
rubber. Well bid, partner."
She flushed again. "Well played, you mean. I invited too much."
"Not at all. At worst we would have been down one. If you don't bet, you
can't win. Karen, has Joseph gone to bed?"
"Studying. He's got a quiz."
"I thought we might invite him to cut in. Barbara, Joseph is the best
player in this house-always audacity at the right time. Plus the fact that he
is studying to be an accountant and never forgets a card. Karen, can you find
us something without disturbing Joseph?"
"'Spect ah kin, Boss. Vodka and tonic for you?"
"And munching food."
 "Come on, Barbara. Let's bottle."
Hubert Farnham watched them go, while thinking it was a shame that so
nice a child as Mrs. Wells should have had a sour marriage. A sound game of
bridge and a good disposition -- Gangly and horse faced, perhaps -- But a nice
smile and a mind of her own. If Duke had any gumption --
But Duke didn't have any. He went to where his wife was nodding by the
television receiver, and said, "Grace? Grace darling, ready for bed?" -- then
helped her into her bedroom.
When he came back, he found his son alone. He sat down and said, "Duke,
I'm sorry about that difference of opinion at dinner."
"That? Oh, forget it."
"I would rather have your respect than your tolerance. I know that you
disapprove of my 'panic hole.' But we have never discussed why I built it."
"What is there to discuss? You think the Soviet Union is going to
attack. You think that hole in the ground will save your life. Both ideas are
unhealthy. Sick. Especially unhealthy for Mother. You are driving her to
drink. I don't like it. I liked it still less to have you remind me-me, a
lawyer! -- that I must not interfere between husband and wife." Duke started
to get up. "I'll be going."
"Please, Son! Doesn't the defense get a chance?"
"Uh -- All right, all right!" Duke sat down.
"I respect your opinions. I don't share them but many people do. Perhaps
most people, since most Americans have made no effort to save themselves. But
on the points you made, you are mistaken. I don't expect the USSR to attack --
and I doubt if our shelter is enough to save our lives."
"Then why go around with that plug in your ear scaring Mother out of her
wits?"
"I've never had an automobile accident. But I carry auto insurance. That
shelter is my insurance policy."