"Aaron Wolfe - Invasion" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wolfe Aaron)

Chapter Two
By the time we reached the sun porch at the rear of the house, the wind
had the fury of a bomb blast. It followed us through the door, driving a
cloud of snow onto the porch.

We did the traditional things people do when they come in from a cold
day: we stamped our feet, slapped our arms against our sides, whooshed!
out our breath, and commented on the clouds of steam. By the time we
had stripped off our coats, gloves, and boots, Connie really did have cocoa
ready for us in the kitchen.

"Great!" Toby said, climbing onto his chair and poking at the
half-dissolved marshmallows with his spoon.

"Don't you know any other expletive besides 'Great'?" I asked.

"Expliv-what?" he asked.

"What you say when you're excited. When something really strikes you
as good and wonderful, don't you have anything to say except greatl"

He frowned into his chocolate, thinking about it for a second or two.
Then: "Fabulous!"

"Well, it offers variety," I said.

Fifteen minutes later, fatigued by his long after-noon of stalking the
native fauna, Toby nearly fell asleep in his mug of cocoa.

"I'll have to take the scout to bed for a nap," Connie said. She was
smiling at him, and she was very pretty.

"I'll do it," I said.

"Sure?"

"Sure," I said. "I'd appreciate having something a bit stronger than hot
chocolate once I get him tucked in. Do you think that could be arranged?"

"Possibly."

"Vodka martinis?"

"Just the right medicine for a cold day."

"Especially in large doses."

"I'll mix a pitcherful. I need some medicine myself."