"Лорд Дансени. The Glittering Gate (Блистающие врата) (англ.)" - читать интересную книгу автора

:
I'm too thirsty, Bill.
:
What do you think *I've* got, Jim?
:
I don't know. Nothing's any use.
: {as yet another bottle is shown to be empty}
Who's that laughing, Jim?
: {astonished at such a question, loudly and
emphatically} Who's that laughing?
: {looks a little disconcerted at having apparently
asked a silly question} Is it a pal?
:
A pal! -- {laughs} {The laugh off joins in loudly and
for long}
:
Well, I don't know. But, Jim, what do you think I've
got?
:
It isn't any use to you whatever it is. Not even if
it's a ten-pound note.
:
It's better than a ten-pound note, Jim. Jim, try and
remember, Jim. Don't you remember the way we used to
go for these iron safes? Do you remember anything,
Jim?
:
Yes, I am beginning to remember now. There used to be
sunsets. And then there were great yellow lights. And
one went in behind them through a swinging door.
:
Yes, yes, Jim. That was the Blue Bear down at
Wimbledon.
:
Yes, and the room was all full of golden light. And
there was beer with light in it, and some would be
spilt on the counter and there was light in that too.
And there was a girl standing there with yellow hair.
She'd be the other side of that door now, with
lamplight in her hair among the angels, and the old
smile on her lips if one of them chaffed her, and her
pretty teeth a-shining. She would be very near the
throne; there was never any harm in Jane.
:
No, there was never any 'arm in Jane, Jim.
:
Oh, I don't want to see the angels, Bill. But if I
could see Jane again {points in direction of laugh} he
might laugh as much as he cared to whenever I wanted to
cry. You can't cry here, you know, Bill.