"Jack Vance - The Last Castle" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

return to a diet of mud?"
"No," said Claghom. "The organs of the adult are atro-
phied. If a cub were started on the diet, he'd probably
survive."
"Just as I assumed." Hagedorn scowled portentously down
at his clasped hands to conceal his total lack of any construc-
tive proposal.
A gentleman in the dark blue of the Beaudrys appeared in

*This is only an approximate translation and fails to capture the pun-
gency of the language. Several words have no contemporary equivalents.
'Skirkling', as in 'to send skirkling', denotes a frantic pell-mell flight in
all directions accompanied by a vibration or twinkling or a jerking motion.
To 'volith' is to toy idly with a matter, the implication being that the
person involved is of such Jovian potency that all difficulties dwindle
to contemptible triviality. 'Raudelbogs' are the semi-intelligent beings of
Etamin Four, who were brought to Earth, trained first as gardeners, then
construction laborers, then sent home in disgrace because of certain
repulsive habits they refused to forgo.
The statement of 0. Z. Garr, therefore, becomes something like this:
"Were power-wagons at hand. I'd volith riding forth with a whip to send
the raudelbogs skirkling home."
the doorway: he poised himself, he4d high his right arm,
bowed.
Hagedom rose to his feet. "Come forward, B. F. Robarth;
what is your news?" For this was the significance of the
newcomer's genuflection.
"The news is a message broadcast from Halcyon. The Meks
have attacked; they have fired the structure and are slaughter-
ing all. The radio went dead one minute ago."
All swung around, some jumped to their feet. "Slaughter?"
Croaked Claghom.
"I am certain that by now Halcyon is no more."
Claghom sat staring with eyes unfocused. The others dis-
cussed the dire news in voices heavy with horror.
Hagedom once more brought the council back to order.
"This is clearly an extreme situation; the gravest, perhaps, of
our entire history. I am frank to state that I can suggest no
decisive counteract."
Overwhele inquired, "What of the other castles? Are they
secure?"
Hagedom turned to B. F. Robarth: "Will you be good
enough to make general radio contact with all other castles,
and inquire as to their condition?"
Xanten said, "Others are as vulnerable as Halcyon: Sea
Island and Delora, in particular, and Maraval as well."
Claghom emerged from his reverie. "The gentlemen and
ladies of these places, in my opinion, should consider taking
refuge at Janeil or here until the uprising is quelled."
Others around the table looked at him in surprise and