"Pat Murphy - Menagerie" - читать интересную книгу автора (Murphy Pat)

"Yes, of course. I would be delighted."

George did not know what to say, as they walked through the garden together.
Surely she must think him dull, walking in silence at her side. He knew that
William would have been charming her with witticisms, but George could think of
nothing clever to say.

"Tell me of your experiences with the creatures you have gathered for the
Zoological Society," Selina said. "I was interested in your thoughts on how one
should interact with wild animals. I saw you scowling yesterday when Mr. Gordon
explained the techniques used by animal trainers."

George frowned again, remember that conversation of the day before. While Sir
Radford was showing the company around the gardens, Lydia had stepped rather
close to the tiger's cage. William had guided her away, saying that she must not
approach the cage so closely. "I wanted to rub her ears," Lydia had said
petulantly. "She looks so like a giant tabby."

"She may look like a giant house cat, but that is not the case," William had
advised her. "She is a wild creature and will not tolerate such familiarity."

"I saw a circus trainer rubbing a tiger's head," Lydia had said.

"A trainer establishes his dominance over the animal and imposes his superior
will. If you wish to interact with a wild beast, that is what you must do,"
William had explained in a tone that brooked no disagreement. "You must dominate
and triumph over the animal's spirit. You must demonstrate who is master. Though
you approach the beast with friendship, do not expect friendship in return. You
can expect no such rational response."

"You look so disapproving," Selina said, recalling him from the memory. "Didn't
you agree with Mr. Gordon's analysis? He has so much experience with wild
creatures in Africa."

"Mr. Gordon and I have different feelings on the matter of wild animals. He
wishes them to be under his control. I am interested in studying their lives, as
they live under their own control."

"You only wish to watch them?"

"To meet with them on their own terms, not on mine. Sometimes, that means simply
watching them. Sometimes, they allow a closer contact."

George thought of the bull elephant that the Zoological Society had acquired
from a circus. When the beast first came to the Society, it was a foul-tempered
creature. But after some months of observing the elephant's behavior, he came to
understand the beast better. The elephant disliked harsh, loud voices and was
moved to anger by certain aromas -- the scent of a particular type of hair oil,
the smoke of cigars. When the animal's former keeper from the circus had come to
speak with members of the Zoological Society about the animal's temperament, he