"Timothy Zahn - A Coming of Age" - читать интересную книгу автора (Zahn Timothy)

"No one's allowed to fly in a hall where three or more other people are present," Lisa quoted stiffly,
even as her anger cooled.

"You're telling me?тАФwho still holds the Dayspring point-loss record for that particular offense?"

Lisa sighed and gave up. "Rena and Ajie are supposed to know better, though."

"So they're extra lively today." Sheelah shrugged. "It's not worth ruining their day over." She peered
closely at Lisa. "What's eating you this morning, anyway?"

"NothingтАФjust a little grouchy, I guess," Lisa said, reluctant to talk about her feelings even to
Sheelah. "Come on, let's get downstairs."

Within a few minutes they had walked down the five flights of stairs to the spacious dining room
that sat between the two living-area wings. Going through the serving line, they arrived at their table
to find most of the others already present and attacking their trays with the exuberance and noise
eight-year-olds always seemed to be able to generate. Lisa wrinkled her nose slightly. Overseeing
the table was enough of a chore even at the best of timesтАФthe Eights had nearly half the teekay
strength they would ever possess but were a long way from the maturity and self-discipline that
would keep it under control, and Lisa was forever having to ground floating salt shakers and block
the completion of spur-of-tne-moment pranks. Today, feeling as she did, even having to look down
the table at their youthful faces was going to be painful.

For a few moments, though, the ordeal was going to be postponed. Sitting on the table at her place
was a yellow triangle, signifying that she was to check in with the Girls Senior. Leaving her tray, she
picked up the yellow paper and headed to the Senior's table.

"Ah, yesтАФLisa." Gavra Norward held up a finger and finished her mouthful of food. "We've got a
small problem with work assignments this morning," she said when her mouth was clear. "You're
going to have to substitute for Kaarin Smale at the power stationтАФshe's down with the flu, and no
one else I'd trust with a flock of Sevens is available."

In spite of her depression Lisa felt a warm glow at the compliment. Keeping Sevens entertained
while they turned a huge flywheel was indeed a difficult job. "What about my team? You're not
going to send them to the construction site alone, are you?"

Gavra shook her head. "I've already talked with the foreman there, and he said they could do without
you todayтАФif necessary he'll give the riveters a three-day weekend. Anyway, they have no
choiceтАФpower station's always got priority. Let me see...." She picked up the small notebook lying
by her plate and leafed through it. "Okay, you'll pick up your crewтАФsix boys and eight girlsтАФat the
front door in forty minutes and take them to the west power station. I guess we'll give your usual
group the day off."

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A Coming of Age



Lisa shrugged. "They could come to the power station with me," she suggested. "We could put twice