"Courtney 17-18th Century 02 - Monsoon" - читать интересную книгу автора (Smith Wilbur)

Smoke was rising from the forge in the smithy, and washing flapped inthe easterly breeze behind the Widow Evans's cottage, but there was nosign of human life. At this time of day most of the men would be outin his father's fields, for the harvest was in full swing, while thosewomen who were not toiling beside them would be at work in the bighouse.

Tom grinned with satisfaction and anticipation.

"No one's spotted us." No one to carry reports back to their father.

"It's not fair." Dorian was not so easily distracted from hisargument. His coppery gold curls spilled down on to his forehead,giving him the look of an angry cherub.

"You never let me do anything."

"Who let you fly his hawk last week? I did." Tom rounded on him.

"Who let you fire his musket yesterday? I did. Who let you steer thecutter?"

"Yes, but,

"But me no buts." Tom glowered at him.

"Who's the captain of this crew, anyway?"

"You are, Tom." Dorian dropped his green eyes under the force of hiselder brother's stare.

"But, still-"

"You can go with Tom in my place, if you want." Guy spoke softly forthe first time.

"I'll play the cat." Tom turned to his younger twin, while Dorianexclaimed, "Can I, Guy? Will you really?" It was only when he smiledthat his full beauty burst out, like sunlight through parting clouds.

"No, he won' tV Tom cut in.

"Dorry's only a baby. He can't come.

He'll stay on the roof to keep the cat."

"I'm not a baby," Dorian protested furiously.

"I'm nearly eleven."

"If you're not a baby, show us your ball hairs," Tom challenged him.Since he had sprouted his own, these had become Tom's yardstick ofseniority.

Dorian ignored him: he had not even a pale ginger fluff to match theimpressive growth of his elder brother.

He went on to another tack.

"I'll just watch, that's all."

"Yes, you'll watch from the roof." Tom killed the argument dead in itstracks.

"Come on! We'll be late." He struck out up the steep ravine.