"Walter Jon Williams - Wall, Stone, Craft" - читать интересную книгу автора (Williams Walter John)

УLetТs have some mangled flesh tonight, George,Ф said Somerset gaily.

УDo letТs,Ф added Smith.

GeorgeТs hand remained on MaryТs forehead. His voice was very soft. УIf eating flesh offend thee,Ф he said, УI will eat but only greens.Ф

Mary could feel her hackles rise. УOrder what you please,Ф she said. УI donТt care one way or another.Ф

УBrava, Miss Godwin!Ф said Smith thankfully. УLet it be mangled flesh for us all, and to perdition with all those little Low Country cabbages!Ф

УI donТt like them, either,Ф said Claire.

George removed his hand from MaryТs forehead and tried to signal the innkeeper, who was still struggling to corral the dogs. George failed, frowned, and lowered his hand.

УIТm cheered to know youТre familiar with the works of Newton,Ф Bysshe said.

УI wouldnТt say familiar,Ф said George. He was still trying to signal the innkeeper. УI havenТt read his books. But I know he wants me not to eat meat, and thatТs all I need to know.Ф

Bysshe folded his big hands on the table. УOh, thereТs much more than that. Abstaining from meat implies an entire new moral order, in which mankind is placed on an equal level with the animals.Ф

УGeorge in particular should appreciate that,Ф said Harry Smith, and made a face at the monkey.

УI think I prefer being ranked above the animals,Ф George said. УAnd above most people, too.Ф He looked up at Bysshe. УShall we avoid talk of food matters before we eat? My stomachТs rumbling louder than a battery of NapoleonТs daughters.Ф He looked down at the monkey and assumed a high-pitched Scots dowagerТs voice. УAnС sae is Jerome BonaparteТs, annit nae, Jerome?Ф

George finally succeeded in attracting the innkeeperТs attention and the company ordered food and wine. Bread, cheese, and pickles were brought to tide them over in the meantime. Jerome Bonaparte was permitted off his masterТs lap to roam free along the table and eat what he wished.

George watched as Bysshe carved a piece of cheese for himself. УIn addition to Newton, you would also be a follower of William Godwin?Ф

Bysshe gave Mary a glance, then nodded. УAy. Godwin also.Ф

УI thought I recognized that Сphilosophical anarchismТ of yours. Godwin was the rage when I was at Harrow. But not so much thought of now, eh? Excepting of course his lovely namesake.Ф Turning his gaze to Mary.

Mary gave him a cold look. УTruth is ever in fashion, my lord,Ф she said.

УDid you say ever or never!Ф Playfully. Mary said nothing, and George gave a shrug. УTruthful Master Godwin, then. And who else?Ф

УOvid,Ф Mary said. The officers looked a little serious at this. She smiled. УCome nowЧheТs not as scandalous as heТs been made out. Merely playful.Ф

This did not reassure her audience. Bysshe offered Mary a private smile. УWeТve also been reading Mary Wollstonecraft.Ф

УAh!Ф George cried. УHeaven save us from intellectual women!Ф

УMary Wollstonecraft,Ф said Somerset thoughtfully. УShe was a harlot in France, was she not?Ф

УI prefer to think of my mother,Ф said Mary carefully, Уas a political thinker and authoress.Ф

There was sudden silence as Somerset turned white with mortification. Then George threw back his head and laughed.