"Andre Norton - Dread Companion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Norton Andre)

of a wearer who did not have to worry, about using her hands). And not only
were the eyeholes in her veil edged in glitter (those of her neighbor being
bound in plain material), but they were also of a width to bedazzle the
viewer.

The work-worn woman was summoned first and did not reappear; then my
companion of the over-glitter, who did not return either. I guessed there
must be another door for leaving. Finally, the servo robot jerked a
beckoning prong in my direction.

The room I entered was a standard luxury one of a caravansary. But its
present occupant had introduced other elements. She lay in the bed, its
back elevated to give her support, the surface before her strewn with a
variety of objects either dedicated to amusement or to the care of her
person.

I politely threw back my veil to meet her eyes. She was small and very
delicate in appearance. Her hair had been fashionably bleached and retinted
to a very brilliant green, striking against the pallor of her skin. She
represented the height of fashion as I had seen it on telcasts.

Though there were two easirests waiting to comfort occupants, she waved me
to a backless stool-cushion near the bed and stared at me without speaking
for a long moment. She had a fretful look about her mouth, and her hands
were seldom still, rummaging among the things that lay on the bed before
her, though she never looked down at what she picked up, nor, indeed, held
it long.

"You are Kilda c' Rhyn." She did not make a question of that, rather a
statement, such as one would use in naming an object - as if, were I not
Kilda, she would make me so. I wondered if such was meant to unsettle one,
a tone she always applied to prospective employees.

"It is so, Gentlefem." I treated her statement as a question and gave
answer.



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"At least you're young." She continued to stare at me. "The data said you
are well grounded in teaching. You're from the creche - " There was a note
of curiosity now, as if my background gave her a measure of interest. "You
understand this employment is only temporary. We have to go to this awful
frontier world for a year, maybe two, because my husband is stationed
there. Are you a good spacer?"

As to that, how could I tell, never having lifted on any ship. But I do not
think that she was really interested in me, for she swept on.