"Альфред Бестер. The Flowered Thundermug (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

"When we contemplate beauty we should see only the Ding
an sich, the thing in itself. Surely you're aware of that,
Miss Webb."

"I suspect you're rather detached."

"Me? Detached? Not at all. When I contemplate you, I also
see only the beauty in itself. And while you're a work of art,
you're hardly a museum piece."

"So you're also an expert in flattery."

"You could make any man an expert, Miss Webb."

"And now that you've broken into my father's safe, what
next?"

"I intend to spend many hours admiring this work of art."

"Make yourself at home."

"I couldn't think of intruding. I'll take it along with
me."

"So you're going to steal it."

"I beg you to forgive me."

"You're doing a very cruel thing, you know."

"I'm ashamed of myself."

"Do you know what that mug means to my father?"

"Certainly. A two-million-dollar investment."

"You think he trades in beauty, like brokers on the stock
exchange?"

"Of course. All wealthy collectors do. They buy to own to
sell at a profit."

"My father isn't wealthy."

"Oh come now, Miss Webb. Two million dollars?"

"He borrowed the money."

"Nonsense."