"Mike Resnick - Bully!" - читать интересную книгу автора (Resnick Mike)

тАЬYou have nothing in common,тАЭ protested Kermit. тАЬYouhelped our Indians. Boyes
became king through deceit and treachery.тАЭ

тАЬHe walked into a savage kingdom that had never permitted a white man to enter it
before, and within two years he became the king of the entire Kikuyu nation. That's
just the kind of man I need for the work at hand.тАЭ

тАЬBut FatherтАФтАЭ

тАЬThis is a harsh, savage land, Kermit, and I'm embarking on an enterprise that is
neither for the timid nor the weak,тАЭ said Roosevelt with finality. тАЬHe's the man I
want.тАЭ

тАЬYou're certain that you won't reconsider?тАЭ

Roosevelt shook his head. тАЬThe subject is closed.тАЭ

Kermit stared at his father for a long moment, then sighed in defeat.

тАЬWhat shall I tell Mother?тАЭ

тАЬEdith will understand,тАЭ said Roosevelt. тАЬShe has always understood. Tell her I'll
send for her as soon as I've got a proper place to house us all.тАЭ Suddenly he grinned
again. тАЬMaybe we should send for your sister Alice immediately. If there's any native
opposition, she can terrify them into submission, just the way she used to do with my
Cabinet.тАЭ

тАЬI'm being serious, Father.тАЭ

тАЬSo am I, Kermit. America's never had an empire, and doesn't want oneтАФbut I made
us a world power, and if I can increase our influence on a continent where we've yet
to gain a foothold, then it's my duty to do so.тАЭ

тАЬAnd it'll be such fun,тАЭ suggested Kermit knowingly.

Roosevelt flashed his son another grin. тАЬIt will be absolutely bully!тАЭ

Kermit stared at his father for a moment. тАЬIf I can't talk you out of this enterprise, I
wish you'd let me stay here with you.тАЭ

Roosevelt shook his head. тАЬSomeone has to make sure all the trophies we've taken
get to the American Museum on schedule. Besides, if we both stay here, the press will
be sure I died during the safari. You've got to go back and tell them about the work
I'm doing here.тАЭ Suddenly he frowned. тАЬOh, and you'll have to see my editor at
Scribner's and tell him that I'll be a little late on the safari manuscript. I'll start
working on it as soon as we set up a permanent camp.тАЭ He paused again. тАЬOh, yes.
Before you woke up this morning, I gave a number of letters to Mr. Cunninghame,
who will accompany you for the remainder of the journey. I want you to mail them
when you get back to the States. The sooner we get some engineers and heavy
equipment over here, the better.тАЭ