"Raymond Jones - The King of Eolim" - читать интересную книгу автора (Jones Raymond)

ambled off to his room when the 'tparty started. They wouldn't
think anything of his coming out in his robe. He glanced once
more in the mirror and decided the robe added to the effect of
the crown.

Little groups of people were congregated in the hall near his
door. A large man was loudly explaining an obscure principle of
art to a half dozen listeners grouped around him. His arms
pumped up and down to enforce his words. Then he stopped
suddenly, arms in mid-air, as Freeman Bradwell moved abreast
of the group.

The boy saluted, the lights on his crown twinkling madly. He
grinned. The big man who had been talk-ing so explosively
twisted his face into a weak grin in response.

"I'm Free," said the boy. "I'm King of Eolim. They crowned me
King in school today."

The big man rubbed his hands together as if in placation. "I'm
sure that's very nice," he said. "I mean, it's wonderful. Sure, it's
just great!"

Free was conscious of the hush that swept behind him. They
were surprised to see him, and that's the way he wanted it. He
was tired of being sent awayтАФeven though it terrified him to be
in the midst of so many people. His father had often told him the
only way to get over that was to move out among them. Well,
that's what he was doing tonight.
 He approached the top of the stairs, hearing the whispers
behind him. He heard a woman say to another, "It's him" And he
wondered why she had to say it that way.

The knots and groups of people closed in on one another
behind him as he made his way down the stairs. This was where
the music rooms were, and he heard the sounds as people
entertained one another.

He came to the piano room. Inside, a crowd of twenty-five or
thirty people clustered about the instrument, at which a young
man was playing something jolly and humorous. Free edged his
way through the crowd until he stood by the keyboard. His
lighted crown flickered defiantly. The laughter died away as the
party goers became aware of his presence. The hands of the
player stopped above the keyboard.

"Hello," the man said. He hadn't stopped smiling.

"I'm Free. I'm King of Eolim."