"Jules Verne - In the Year 2889" - читать интересную книгу автора (Verne Jules)

"Ah, Sir John, what can I do for you?" asks Mr. Smith as he turns to the
representative of the people of Great Britain, who till now has remained
silent.

"A great deal," comes the reply. "If the Earth Chronicle would but open a
campaign on our behalf--"
"And for what object?"
"Simply for the annulment of the Act of Congress annexing to the United
States
the British islands."
By a just turnabout, Great Britain has become a colony of the United States,
but
the English are not yet reconciled to their status. At regular intervals they
are ever addressing to the American government vain complaints.
"A campaign against the annexation that has been an accomplished fact for 150
years!" exclaims Mr. Smith. "How can you believe I would do anything so
unpatriotic?"
"We at home think your people must now be sated. The Monroe Doctrine is fully
applied; the whole of America belongs to the Americans. What more do you
want?
Besides, we will pay for what we ask."
"Indeed!" answers Mr. Smith, without manifesting the slightest irritation.
"Well, you English will ever be the same. No, no, Sir John, don't count on me
for help. Give up our fairest province, Britain? Why not ask France
generously
to renounce possession of Africa, that magnificent colony the complete
conquest
of which cost her the labor of 800 years? You will be well received!"
"You decline! All is over then!" the British agent murmurs sadly. "The United
Kingdom falls to the share of the Americans; the Indies to that of--"
"The Russians," Mr. Smith completes the sentence.
"Australia--"
"Has an independent government."
"Then nothing at all remains for us!" sighs Sir John, downcast.
"Nothing?" asks Mr. Smith, laughing. "Well, now, there's Gibraltar!"
With this sally the audience ends. The clock is striking 12, the hour of
breakfast. Mr. Smith returns to his chamber. Where the bed stood in the
morning
a table all spread comes up through the floor. For Mr. Smith, being above all
a
practical man, has reduced the problem of existence to its simplest terms.
For
him, instead of the endless suites of apartments of yesteryear, one room
fitted
with ingenious mechanical contrivances is enough. Here he sleeps, takes his
meals--in short, lives.
He seats himself. In the mirror of the phonotelephote is visible the same
chamber at Paris which appeared in it this morning. A table furnished forth
is
likewise in readiness here, for notwithstanding the difference in hours, Mr.