Девять рассказов

           Atthatmoment,awhite-coateddecksteward,whowasmakinghisroundswithinthearea,stoppedinfrontofTeddyandNicholsonandaskedthemiftheywouldcaretohavemorningbroth.Nicholsondidn’trespondtothequestionatall.Teddysaid,"No,thankyou,"andthedeckstewardpassedthemby.

           "Ifyou’drathernotdiscussthis,youdon’thaveto,"Nicholsonsaidabruptly,andratherbrusquely.Heflickedhiscigaretteash."Butisittrue,orisn’tit,thatyouinformedthewholeLeidekkerexaminingbunch—Walton,Peet,Larsen,Samuels,andthatbunch—whenandwhereandhowtheywouldeventuallydie?Isthattrue,orisn’tit?Youdon’thavetodiscussitifyoudon’twantto,butthewaytherumoraroundBoston—"

           "No,itisnottrue,"Teddysaidwithemphasis."Itoldthemplaces,andtimes,whentheyshouldbevery,verycareful.AndItoldthemcertainthingsitmightbeagoodideaforthemtodo...ButIdidn’tsayanythinglikethat.Ididn’tsayanythingwasinevitable,thatway."Hetookouthishandkerchiefagainandusedit.Nicholsonwaited,watchinghim."AndIdidn’ttellProfessorPeetanythinglikethatatall.Firstly,hewasn’toneoftheoneswhowerekiddingaroundandaskingmeabunchofquestions.ImeanallItoldProfessorPeetwasthatheshouldn’tbeateacheranymoreafterJanuary—that’sallItoldhim."Teddy,sittingback,wassilentamoment."Allthoseotherprofessors,theypracticallyforcedmetotellthemallthatstuff.