И проиграли бой

           "Andlousy,"Macadded."Allright,Doc.Thisisthebestset-upI’veseenforalongtime.Iwanttoworkoutsomeideas.Idon’twantthisruckustogetoutofhand."Hegulpedsomeofthecoffee."Sitdownonthatbox.We’vegotfiveacresofprivateproperty.You’llhaveallthehelpyouneed.Canyoulayoutacamp,aperfectcamp,allstraightlines?Digtoilets,takecareofsanitation,garbagedisposal?Trytofigureoutsomewaytotakebaths?AndfilltheairsoGod-damnfullofcarbolicorchlorideoflimethatitsmellshealthy?Makethewholedistrictsmellclean—canyoudothat?"

           "Yes.Icandoit.GivemeenoughhelpandIcan."Thesadeyesgrewsadder."GivemefivegallonsofcrudecarbolicandI’llperfumethecountryformiles."

           "Good.Now,we’removingthementoday.Youlook’emoverasquickasyoucan.Seethere’snocontagioninanyof’em,willyou?Thehealthauthoritiesaregoingtodoplentyofsnooping.Iftheycancatchusoffbase,they’llbounceus.Theyletuslivelikepigsinthejungle,butjusttheminutewestartastrike,theygetawfulconcernedaboutthepublichealth."

           "Allright,allright."

           Maclookedconfused."Ibustedrightintoasong,didn’tI?Well,youknowwhat’sneeded.Let’sgoseeLondonnow."

           ThreemensatonthestepsofLondon’sroom.TheygotupandmovedasideforMac.Inside,Londonwaslyingdown,dozing.Heroseuponhiselbow."Chroust!Isitmorning?"

           "It’sChristmas,"saidMac."Mr.London,thishere’sDocBurton,DirectorofPublicHealth.Hewantssomemen.Howmanyyouwant,Doc?"

           "Well,howmanymenarewegoingtohandle?"