Зима тревоги нашей
Chapter 6
Oncetheobjectivewasreached,couldtheynotallbere-assumed?Thereisnodoubtthatbusinessisakindofwar.Whynot,then,makeitall-outwarinpursuitofpeace?Mr.Bakerandhisfriendsdidnotshootmyfather,buttheyadvisedhimandwhenhisstructurecollapsedtheyinherited.Andisn’tthatakindofmurder?Haveanyofthegreatfortunesweadmirebeenputtogetherwithoutruthlessness?Ican’tthinkofany.
AndifIshouldputtherulesasideforatime,IknewIwouldwearscarsbutwouldtheybeworsethanthescarsoffailureIwaswearing?Tobealiveatallistohavescars.
Allthiswonderingwastheweathervaneontopofthebuildingofunrestandofdiscontent.Itcouldbedonebecauseithadbeendone.ButifIopenedupthatdoor,couldIevergetitclosedagain?Ididnotknow.IcouldnotknowuntilIhadopenedit....DidMr.Bakerknow?HadMr.Bakereventhoughtofit?...OldCap’nthoughttheBakersburnedtheBelle-Adairfortheinsurance.Couldthatandmyfather’smisfortunebethereasonMr.Bakerwantedtohelpme?Werethesehisscars?
Whatwashappeningcouldbedescribedasagreatshipbeingturnedandbuntedandshovedaboutandpulledaroundbymanysmalltugs.Onceturnedbytideandtugs,itmustsetanewcourseandstartitsenginesturning.Onthebridgewhichistheplanningcenter,thequestionmustbeasked:Allright,IknownowwhereIwanttogo.HowdoIgetthere,andwherearelurkingrocksandwhatwilltheweatherbe?
OnefatalreefIknewwastalk
