"Laumer, Keith - Retief of the COTUC" - читать интересную книгу автора (Laumer Keith)

"Under the circumstances, I'll stick to small
beer," Retief said.

"Ale for me," Uncle Binkster said. " "Tis
vice, perchance, to tipple ere lunchtime, but
with Tsuggs roaming the Quarter battering
down walls, one'd best tipple while opportu-
nity presents itself."

"A sound principle," Retief agreed. "Who
are these Tsuggs, Uncle Binkster?"

"Lawless rogues, down from the high crags
for easy pickings," the elderly baker replied
with a sigh. "After you Terrans sent the Groaci
packing, we thought all our troubles were over.
Alas, I fear me 'tis not the case. So soon as the
ruffians got the word the Five-eyes were pull-
ing out, they came swarming down out of the
hills like zing-bugs after a jam-wagonЧ'tis
plain they mean to elect their ruffianly chief,
Hoobrik the Uncouth. Bands of them roam
the city, and the countryside as well, terroriz-
ing the votersЧ" He broke off as the landlord
placed a foaming three-inch tankard before
Retief.

"Away with that thimble, Squirmkin!" he
exclaimed. "Our guest requires a heartier
bumper than that!"

" 'Tis an Emperor-sized mug," the landlord
said, "but I allow his dimensions dwarf it.
Mayhap I can knock the top out of a hogs-
head ..." He hurried away.

"Pray, don't mistake me, milord," Uncle
Binkster resumed. "Like any patriot, I rejoiced
to see the Sticky-fingers go, leaving the con-
duct of Oberonian affairs to Oberonians. But

16 Keith Laumer

who'd have guessed we normal-sized chaps
would at once be subjected to depredations
by our own oversized kith and kin exceeding
anything the invaders ever practiced!"

"A student of history might have predicted
it," Relief pointed out, "But I agree: Being