"David Weber - Worlds of Honor 4 - Service of the Sword" - читать интересную книгу автора (Weber David)

with it if it was only me. I've done that before, but I don't like what it might make others think
about the Navy."
 "Oh?"
"Yes, Ma'am. If the Queen's brother is given a posting where he's not subjected to as great a
risk of combat, then how long will it be before some other nobles start thinking that's their right,
too?"
Michael paused, not knowing if he'd overstepped himself, but the dean nodded for him to
continue.
"The Navy needs recruits, Ma'am," Michael continued, "from all elements of our society. I
don't like to think what will happen if the word gets around that certain people are too valuable
for dangerous postingsтАФand that by implication other people are considered more disposable."
"Mr. Winton, surely you realize that this has always been the case. Frankly, certain people
are more valuable."
"Yes, Ma'am, but they are valuable because of what they know, because of what they have
learned, because of what they can contribute to the conduct of naval operations. They are not,"
Michael concluded, unable to keep a trace of bitterness from his voice, "considered more
valuable due to an accident of birth."
"I see," Commander Shrake said after an uncomfortably long pause. "I see, and I believe I
understand. What, then, are you requesting, Mr. Winton?"
"A more usual midshipman's posting, Ma'am," Michael said. "If the Navy truly believes I can
be of greatest service in an SD orbiting Gryphon then I will give that posting everything I have."
"But you would prefer, say, a battlecruiser heading out to deal with Silesian pirates."
"I believe that is more usual, Ma'am," Michael said.
"I see," the dean repeated. "Very well. You have made your case. I will consider it and
perhaps present the matter to the Commandant. Is there anything else, Mr. Winton?"
"No, Ma'am. Thank you for hearing me out, Commander."
"Listening is part of being a good commander," Shrake said, sounding rather like she had
returned to the lecture hall. "Then if you are finished, you are dismissed."
***
Grayson and Masada shared certain attitudes towards women, a factor that was not at all
surprising since the Masadans had originally been part of the Grayson colony. Both societies
refused women the vote and the right to own property. Both considered women inferior to men,
seeing as their main role supporting and upholding their homes and husbands. Both societies, to
be blunt, considered women property.
But property can be valued and valuable. The Graysons came to see their women as treasures.
Grayson men might refuse their women numerous rights and privileges, but in return they were
enjoined to love and protect them. The protection might be smothering and binding, but usually it
was not damaging.
The Masadans, after their separation from Grayson, grew to see women in a different light.
Since the Masadan attempt to gain control of Grayson society had been thwarted by a womanтАФ
even as God's plan for Man had been thwarted by EveтАФso women were perceived as the visible,
living embodiments of sin and suffering. Few actions were considered out of line when inflicted
on such creatures. Indeed, a woman might work her way toward redemption by accepting
whatever was done to her.
On Grayson a man did not mistreat a woman because she was precious. On Masada,
theoretically, a man might treat any woman as harshly as he wished. Most were wise enough not
to exercise this right because to do so would be to invite similar treatment of their own property.
Individual owners might abuse their women as much as they deemed right to preserve the
sanctity and order of their households. Most did.
One did not bother to educate property on Masada. On Grayson, higher education and formal