"E. C. Tubb - Dumarest 23 - World of Promise" - читать интересную книгу автора (Tubb E. C)

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World of Promise by
E.C. Tubb

Chapter One

Against the tawdry velvet the dolls were things of
enchantment: bright shapes of tinsel and glitter with hair of
various hues formed into elaborate coiffures, eyes like gems,
limbs and bodies traced with glowing colors, sparkling with
sequins, stuffed with aromatic herbs.

"Mummy!" The voice was thin, high, crackling with childish
longing. "Look, Mummyl Please may I have one?"

"No, child."

"Please, Mummy! Please!"

"No, Lavinia! Don't ask again!"

Dumarest turned, seeing the small figure at his side, the mane
of hair which formed an ebon waterfall over the narrow
shouldersтАФa frame for the rounded, piquant face, the widely
spaced eyes now filled with a hopeless yearning. One which
matched that of the woman who blinked as she forced herself to
be harsh.

She said, as if conscious of his presence, "You know we can't
afford to buy such things, child. Later, when we get back home,
I'll make you one. I promise."
 A promise she would keep at the cost of lost sleep and small
comforts, but it wouldn't be the same. She lacked the skill to
produce such false beauty and nothing could ever replace the
magic of this special moment. Behind her a man, thick-set,
dressed in rough and patched clothing, coughed and fumbled in
a pocket.

"Maybe we could manage, Fiona, ifтАФ"

"No, Roy!" The need to refuse accentuated her sharpness.
"Bran needs all we can give him." She looked at the robed figure
standing at the man's side. "He must be given his chance."