"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 12 - Eloise" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

swallow his pride in order to remain where he wished to be.
Dumarest waited until they were alone and then drew coins from
his pocket.

"There is a ship on the field, the Tophier. Find it. Tell the
captain that I sent you. He will give you a place on his vessel."
 "You're kicking me out?"

"I'm not taking you with me. This ship isn't fit for a man, let
alone a boy. Here." Dumarest gave him the money. "Buy yourself
some food and decent clothing. Buy a knife and learn how to use
it. Learn to walk tall."

"But the captain?"

"To hell with him," said Dumarest evenly. "He's using you, you
must know that. I'm offering you a chance to find a decent life.
Take it or notтАФthat's up to you. But you don't ride on this
vessel."

Nor, if he had the sense, on any other like it; but only time
could give him that. Time and the luck which would enable him
to survive. At least he had been given his chance.

He turned as the boy scuttled away and heard the thrum of
strings. Arbush, silent, had come close and must have heard. But
his face, creased with the lines of cynicism, held none of the
mockery Dumarest had expected to see.

"An unusual gesture," he said above the soft blurring of the
strings; a muted succession of rippling chords which could be
used to accompany a song or a conversation. "I do not think our
captain will be pleased, yet I think the boy will live to thank you."

"I didn't do it for thanks."

"No, but for what? A wish, perhaps, that someone had treated
you the same? Or as a recompense for a good deed received in
the past?" The strings murmured louder. "Or were you simply
trying to save him from destruction?"

Dumarest said, flatly, "I'm riding on this ship. It's my neck as
well as yours. Or would you prefer to leave?"

"To what? A corner in some filthy tavern? My songs bartered
for bread? I have known that, and know, too, that here I am
better off. A bed, food, company of a kind. And more. Perhaps
the thing for which you are looking. The thing all men seek.
Happiness? Who can tell?"