"Karl Glogaver - 02 - Breakfast In The Ruins" - читать интересную книгу автора (Moorcock Michael)

dead yet, Frau Spiegelberg?"
His mother had been listening to him in cold horror, her mouth open. Frau
Spiegelberg raised her eyebrows. The other ladies glanced at each other. Miss
Henshaw took his hand and began to pull him away, apologizing to his mother.

Karl bowed again. "I am honored to have met you, Frau Spiegelberg," he said in
his father's voice. "I am afraid I have embarrassed you and so I will take my
leave now." Miss Henshaw's tugging became more insistent. "I hope we shall meet
again before you return to Berlin, Frau Spiegelberg..."
"It is time I left," icily said Frau Spiegelberg to his mother.

His mother came out for a moment and hissed:
"You disgusting child. You will be punished for this. Your father shall do
it."
"But, Mother...".

"In the meantime, Miss Henshaw," said Frau Glogauer in a terrible murmur, "you
have my permission to beat the boy."
Karl shuddered as he caught a glint of hidden malice in Miss Henshaw's pale,
grey eyes.

"Very well, madam," said Miss Henshaw. As she led him away he heard her sigh a
deep sigh of pleasure.

Already, he was plotting his own revenge.

- You'll like it better when you get used to it. It's a question of your frame
of mind. Karl sighs. - Maybe.

- It's a matter of time, that's all.

- I believe you.

- You've got to let yourself go.

They sip the dry, chilled champagne the black man has ordered. Outside, people
are going into the theatres.

- After all, says the black man - we are many people. There are a lot of
different sides to one's personality. You mustn't feel that you've lost
something. You have gained something. Another aspect is flowering.

- I feel terrible.

- It won't last. Your moment will come. Karl smiles. The black man's
English is not always perfect.

- There, you see, you are feeling more relaxed already. The black man
reaches out and touches his arm. - How smooth your flesh is. What are you
thinking?