"Jay Lake - Into the Gardens of Sweet Night" - читать интересную книгу автора (Lake Jay)

тАЬThank you, my good woman.тАЭ The pug stepped back from the table. тАЬGet our supper, my boy."

Elroy considered arguing that he was not, in any sense, the pug's boy. The smell of the guavas changed
his mind, being far more appetizing than the stale bread crusts he had planned to eat. He took the three
guavas and the liter of plum jack, served with the loan of a translucent tube with white volumetric
markings on the side, and followed the pug away from the fruit stand.
****
They ate in the shadow of the glossy green leaves of a blooming mango tree. Elroy was grateful for the
two guavas the pug had generously given him. They passed the plum jack back and forth swig for swig,
although Elroy drank considerably more than the pug at each pass. The mango tree sat on a bluff above
the highway, giving them an excellent view of several kilometers of the road. In the distance, a land train
puffed dark smoke and light steam into the sky, while the heavy scent of the mango blossoms and the
drone of insects lulled Elroy toward sleep.

тАЬMagnifera indica.тАЭ The pug waved at the tree above them. тАЬIn Vedic tradition this tree symbolizes
abundance and divine sweetness.тАЭ The pug grasped the tube of plum jack in both thumbed paws and
gulped. тАЬAlcohol is dangerous for small dogs,тАЭ the pug continued, panting. тАЬSlows down their breathing,
interferes with the central nervous system."

The conversation worried Elroy. Animals were not beasts, and for the pug to refer to its base canine
ancestry so casually violated a widespread taboo. The great projects of the Viridian Republic had long
since vanished from history, save for Animals, who now labored in many of the occupations of the world.
They carefully fashioned their succeeding generations in their own images, and were equally jealous of
their heritage and the secrets of their kind. Elroy held his tongue, choosing silence over potential insult.

тАЬWell,тАЭ the pug continued after a long pause, тАЬa man who knows when to hold his thoughts.тАЭ It passed
the plum jack to Elroy.

тАЬI am a traveler far from home. It is trouble enough for me to know my own thoughts, let alone mind
those of others."

тАЬA worthy attitude. Would that all were as wisely discreet."

Elroy opted for tact. тАЬDiscretion is the better part of a man."

The pug studied Elroy closely, licking its nose repeatedly as brown canine eyes scanned his face. тАЬAre
you heading home, or setting out?"

It was a question not asked in polite conversation. Elroy recognized the seriousness of the pug's request,
gave consideration to its open-handedness with the guavas and the plum jack.

тАЬReturning, sir pug, from a long course of spiritual study and physical pursuits."

тАЬWere you successful?"

Elroy shifted, uncomfortable but trapped by the pug's hospitality and the opening created by his own
honest answer. One boy in every generation from his town of Pilot Knob boy was set out on the road to
the Little Brothers. Some returned, some did not. Many who did became village hetmen in their time.
Elroy felt no ambition to rule, but he had found balance, strength and a small measure of wisdom among
the Little BrothersтАФqualities he recognized as desirable in a future leader. тАЬYes, I succeeded."