"Robert F. Young - Report on the Sexual Behaviour on Arcturus X" - читать интересную книгу автора (Young Robert F)

Headquarters would have forbidden us to carry small arms if there was any danger, do you?"
"Shut up!" Alison Bennett said.
That made him mad. Risque repartee was one thing, but a contemptuous rejection of his attempt to
console her was another. He opened his mouth with the intention of telling her just what he thought of her;
then he noticed how badly her hands were trembling and how wide and staring her eyes were, and he
changed his mind. He only hoped she wouldn't lose her nerve completely and run away.
She did not. She stood tautly beside him while the foremost Notantanawite approached to within
several feet of them and brandished his spear. According to the Advance Report, this seemingly hostile
action was merely Notantanawite S.O.P. for getting acquainted, and Hubert, who invariably believed
everything he read, responded to the moment. Pointing to his chest, he addressed the native in galactic
beche-de-mer: "Name belong this fellaтАФHubert." He pointed to Alison. "Name belong maryтАФAlison."
Then he pointed at the native. "Name belong you?"
The spear was lowered till the point touched the ground. "Name belong this fellaтАФTeetantotum," the
Notantanawite said. "This fella big chief. . . . You bring big fella chief presents?"
Hubert nodded. "Bring big fella chief many presents from big fella chief in sky. Come visit village
belong you, You savvy?"
"Me savvy. You bring presents, come along us."
"I'll get them," Alison said. She turned and climbed back into the ship. Teetantotum's eyes followed
her closely, or so it seemed to Hubert; but it was difficult to tell for certain because he could only see one
eye at a time.
"Mary belong you?" Teetantotum asked presently.
"No belong me. Belong expedition."
Teetantotum looked puzzled for a moment. He regarded Hubert earnestly, first with one eye, then
with the other. Suddenly a grinтАФor was it a leer?тАФcurved his thin, yet sensuous lips. He said something
in Notantanawite over his shoulder, accompanied the remark with a shrill laugh. Instantly, grins leaped to
the lips of the other natives and shrill laughter resounded throughout the clearing.
Hubert was both mystified and disconcerted. He was even more mystified and disconcerted when
Alison returned with the suitcase containing the trinkets, for Teetantotum proceeded to give her the same
searching look he had given Hubert, and again said something over his shoulder to his compatriots. Once
more the clearing served as a sounding board for a chorus of shrill laughter.
Apparently Alison had recovered from her fright. "Looks like the joke's on us," she said with her
usual flippancy.
"I'd give a credit to know what it is," Hubert said.
"Two to one, it's a dirty one. I can tell by the way they're laughing. . . . Come on, they want us to go
with them."

Teetantotum had raised his spear above his head and was beckoning to them with his free hand.
Hubert relieved Alison of the suitcase, and both of them stepped forward. Immediately the
Notantanawites grouped around them, three in front, three in the rear, and three on each side.
Teetantotum took the lead, and the march to the village began.
"They act as though they're afraid we'll run away," Hubert said nervously.
"Nonsense!" Alison said. "They are only protecting us."
"Protecting us from what? There aren't any dangerous animals on Arcturus X. On page one eleven of
the Advance Report, it saysтАФ"
"The Advance Report, the Advance Report!" Alison's hazel eyes were flashing. "Is that the only
thing you've ever read? Why, there was an impurgated edition of Kinsey in the ship's library and I'll bet
you never even looked lit it!"
"And what do the depraved mating habits of a bunch of materialistic ancients have to do with our
present culture study?" Hubert asked stiffly.
 "Don't you ever read for pleasure?"