"Gene Wolfe - The Waif" - читать интересную книгу автора (Wolfe Gene)He paused. "That was a rhetorical question. Do you know what rhetorical question is?"
About half the class nodded. "It's a question we ask because it cannot be answered, or because the answer is so obvious that no one needs to say it. In this case, the answer is that we can't. You may say that our shame, embarrassment, and humiliation ought not to prevent us from doing what we should. If you won't say it, I will. I do. But the fact is that we are so prevented. It's why so many of you have only one pair of shoes, and less than enough to eat. That's why you have to go to school in an old truck. Burning our neighbors is horrible, very horrible indeed. But having neighbors who would side with the Flying People is intolerable -- which means that we do not tolerate it." Dionne approached Bin at recess; and Bin, who was terrified of he tried to back away. She smiled. "I just wanted to say I never knew what a good little kid you are. They pick on you sometimes, don't they?" He shrugged. "They make fun. Gam 'n toe's poor." "Yeah. Let me tell you a secret." She bent, her mouth at his ear. " all are." Bin had not yet recovered his emotional balance when Fil took him aside. "Look, Bin, somebody's gotta tell you this, so I guess it's me. What you said in class? You know what I mean?" He nodded. happen to you. It don't take much. You keep your mouth shut from now on. Or you say he got what he had comin'. You say, show me another one and I'll bring the wood. Understand?" "It was dumb," Bin said. "I know that." "It was dumb, and if you keep on like that I won't know you anymore understand? You're going to be too risky to know, so you shut up." Bin joined the kickball game, and scored. Fil slapped his back, but none of the others said anything. As soon as the game had resumed, a big hand grasped his shoulder. "Come in," the schoolmaster said. "I must speak with you." Docilely, Bin followed him back into the school. "Sit down. You can pull up that stool. We're not going to stand on formality until your classmates return." The schoolmaster's smile was touched with bitterness. Bin did as he was told. "I guess I know what this is about, Niman Pryderi. I'm sorry." "I doubt that you do, Bin -- though I've no doubt that you're sorry. Do you know why I'm called Niman, Bin? Or why Niman Joel was, or any other man?" Bin shook his head. |
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