"James White - Custom Fitting" - читать интересную книгу автора (White James)

opposable thumbs. The head, carried erect above a very thick neck, was made to seem
disproportionately small. The face was dominated by two large, soft, brown eyes that somehow made
the slits, protuberances, and fleshy petals which comprised the other features visually acceptable.

Apart from a large medallion suspended around its neck, the being wore no clothing. Its skin was a
mottled pinkish-brown color, and the creature twitched continually as if to dislodge invisible flies. It was
obviously male.

"Your Excellency," said Fox smoothly, "may I present Mr. George Hewlitt. He is a tailor, or maker of
clothing, who will produce for you garments suitable for your stay on Earth."

Instinctively Hewlitt put out his hand. He discovered that his client's grip was firm, the digits warm and
bony, and the way the lower thumb curled upward into his palm was indescribable but not unpleasant.
For some odd reason he could no longer think of the being as an "it."

"The initial requirement," Fox said briskly, "is for a garment which will be comfortable and will keep His
Excellency warm during the presentation ceremonies and socializing that will follow. The garment should
be black, edged with gold or silver braid, perhaps, and should carry pseudo-heraldic decorations. No
existing family crests can be used, obviously. He will also require a second garment, less formal, for use
during sightseeing tours out-of-doors."

"A braided and decorated horse blanket, then," said Hewlitt, "and a plain one for walking out. But if you
could tell me the kind of function His Excellency is to attend, I would be in a better position to produce
something suitable."

Fox shook his head. "Security."

"I can, if necessary, work blindfolded and with one arm tied behind my back," Hewlitt said, "but I do not
produce my best work under those conditions. However, if His Excellency would kindly follow me into
the fitting room?"

With a soft, irregular thumping of hooves the client, accompanied by Fox, followed into the fitting room
and stood looking at himself in the angled mirrors. Rarely had Hewlitt seen a customer more ill at ease.
The other's hide was twitching and tightening along his back and flanks before Hewlitt had even laid the
tape on him.

Without being obtrusive about it, Hewlitt studied the twitching hide, looking for insects or other evidence
of parasitic presences. Relieved at not finding any, he thought for a moment, then switched on the wall
heaters, which were never used during the summer months. Within a few minutes the room was
uncomfortably warm and the twitching had stopped.

While Hewlitt went to work with his tape measure and pad, he asked, "I assume that my client's home
planet is warmer than Earth?"

"Yes," said Fox. "Our weather at present would approximate to one of their sunny days in late autumn."

From small of back to root of tail. 63 inches, Hewlitt wrote carefully. He said, "In cool weather they
wear clothing, then?"

"Yes, a form of toga wrapped around their bodies in a loose spiral, withтАФOh, now I see why you