"Geoff Ryman - Was" - читать интересную книгу автора (Ryman Geoff)

jumped back as if from a hot skillet.

Dorothy knew that Aunty Em had just remembered the Dip. She thought
Dorothy carried disease. She didn't want to touch her.

And Dorothy, who wanted everything to be pretty, soft, full of lace, stood
outside on the veranda and looked at the street and a rough, gray,
unpainted wagon. Toto wriggled free and dropped to the floor of the porch.
Etta pulled Dorothy to her and hugged her.

"Isn't she a little heroine, though?" said Aunty Em. "All the way from St.
Louis by herself."

"I'd say it was an epic journey," said Etta, giving Dorothy a little shake, and
spoke to her alone. "And it's not over yet. You've still got to get to
Zeandale."

"Oh, you know Henry and I regard ourselves as Manhattanites!" Aunty Em
corrected her with a chuckle.

Uncle Henry came backward through the door, pulling the trunk. Toto began
to bark again and harassed Henry's heels.
"Gone'n brought her dog," muttered Henry.
"I can see that, Henry," said Aunty Em, voice low, her eyes avoiding Etta.
Her hair was raked back tightly into a bun, and her hands pulled at it. There
was a row of curls across her forehead.

"Zeandale's nice too," murmured Etta. Toto whimpered, circling Dorothy's
heels. Everything was confusion.

"Can ... can we give you a lift up the hill, Etta?"

"Very kind of you, Mrs. Gulch, but I have my uncle's pony and trap."

"You mustn't overtax your strength, dear."

"I won't," promised Etta.

"Well, then," sighed Aunty Em, as if everything had been de-lightful. Her
smile returned as gray as a cloudy day. "We must be on our way. Do remind
me to your dear Aunt Ellen. And may I drop into Goodnow House next time
I'm in town? I would so love to see you all."

"Of course," said Etta.

"And thank you so much. Say thank you, Dorothy."

"Thank you, Etta."

"Thank you, Miss Parkerson," Aunty Em corrected her.