Таинственная история Билли Миллигана

           OnenightashewatchedMarkonhisknees,scrubbingthefloorsinaroomfromwhichsomeonehadbeentakenaway,Arthurshookhishead."That’sallyou’llspendyourlifedoing—manuallabor.Bloodyslaveworkthatcouldbedonebyazombie."

           Marklookedathisrag,thenatArthur,andshrugged."Tocontrolone’sowndestinytakesamastermind.Toexecutetheplanstakesafool."

           Arthurraisedhiseyebrows.HehadnotgiyenMarkcreditforsuchinsight.Butitmadeitalltheworse,toseeamindwithasparkofintelligencewastedonmindlesswork.

           Arthurshookhisheadandstrolledofftoseehispatients.HeknewMr.Torvaldwasdying.Hewentintotheoldman’sroomandsatbesidehisbed,ashehaddoneeverynightforthepastweek.Mr.Torvaldtalkedofhisyouthintheoldcountry,ofcomingtoAmericaandsettlingonthelandinOhio.Blinkinghisrheumy,heavy-liddedeyes,hesaidwearily,"Iamanoldman.Italktoomuch."

           "Notatall,sir,"Arthursaid."Ihavealwaysbelievedthatolderpeople,whoarewiserandhavehadmuchexperience,shouldbelistenedto.Yourknowledge,whichcannotbewrittendowninbooks,shouldbepassedontotheyoung."

           Mr.Torvaldsmiled."You’reagoodboy."

           "Areyouinmuchpain?"

           "Idon’tbelieveincomplaining.I’velivedagoodlife.I’mreadytodienow."

           Arthurputhishandonthewitheredarm.