"Jack Vance - Tschai 4 - The Pnume" - читать интересную книгу автора (Vance Jack)

"If they know they don't care," said Anacho. "They have no interest in other
folk. The Pnume: another matter. They would know everything, and they are most
curious regarding the Dirdir. The Dirdir in turn discover the Pnume tunnels and
flood them with gas."
Woudiver called out: "You have forgotten my supper."
"I've forgotten nothing," said Reith.
"Well, then, bring forth my food. Tonight I wish a whiteroot salad, a stew of
lentils, gargan-flesh and slue, a plate of good black cheese, and my usual
wine."
Traz gave a bark of scornful laughter. Reith inquired, "Why should we coddle
your gut when you plot against us? Order your meals from the Gzhindra."
Woudiver's face sagged; he beat his hands upon his knees. "So now they
torture poor Aila Woudiver, who was only constant to his faith! What a miserable
destiny to live and suffer on this terrible planet!"
Reith turned away in disgust. By birth half-Dirdirman, Woudiver vigorously
affirmed the Doctrine of Bifold Genesis, which traced the origin of Dirdir and
Dirdirman to twin cells in a Primeval Egg on the planet Sibol. From such a
viewpoint Reith must seem an irresponsible iconoclast, to be thwarted at all
costs.
On the other hand, Woudiver's crimes could not all be ascribed to doctrinal
ardor. Recalling certain instances of lechery and self-indulgence, Reith's
twinges of pity disappeared.
For five minutes longer Woudiver groaned and complained, and then became
suddenly quiet. For a period he watched Reith and his companions. He spoke and
Reith thought to detect a secret glee. "Your project approaches
completion-thanks to Aila Woudiver, his craft, and his poor store of sequins,
unfeelingly sequestered."
"I agree that the project approaches completion," said Reith.
"When do you propose to depart Tschai?"
"As soon as possible."
"Remarkable!" declared Woudiver with unctuous fervor. Reith thought that his
eyes sparkled with amusement. "But then, you are a remarkable man." Woudiver's
voice took on a sudden resonance, as if he could no longer restrain his inner
mirth. "Still, on occasion it is better to be modest and ordinary! What do you
think of that?"
"I don't know what you're talking about."
"True," said Woudiver. "That is correct."
"Since you feel disposed for conversation," said Reith, "why not tell me
something about the Gzhindra."
"What is there to tell? They are sad creatures, doomed to trudge the surface,
though they stand in fear of the open. Have you ever wondered why Pnume,
Pnumekin, Phung and Gzhindra all wear hats with broad brims?"
"I suppose that it is their habit of dress."
"True. But the deeper reason is: the brims hide the sky."
"What impels these particular Gzhindra out under the sky which oppresses
them?"
"Like all men," said Woudiver, somewhat pompously, "they hope, they yearn."
"In what precise regard?"
"In any absolute or ultimate sense," said Woudiver, "I am of course ignorant;
all men are mysteries. Even you perplex me, Adam Reith! You harry me with