Человек в высоком замке

           Theyhadfinishedtheirdrinks,andshewenttorefill.

           "Lotofhotbloodstirredupinpoliticaldiscussion."Paulsaid."Everywhereyougo.Essentialtokeephead."

           "Yes,"Childanagreed."Calmnessandorder.Sothingsreturntocustomarystability."

           "PeriodafterdeathofLeadercriticalintotalitariansociety,"Paulsaid."Lackoftraditionandmiddle-classinstitutionscombine—"Hebrokeoff."Perhapsbetterdroppolitics."Hesmiled."Likeoldstudentdays."

           RobertChildanfelthisfaceflush,andhebentoverhisnewdrinktoconcealhimselffromtheeyesofhishost.Whatadreadfulbeginninghehadmade.Inafoolishandloudmannerhehadarguedpolitics;hehadbeenrudeinhisdisagreeing,andonlytheadroittactofhishosthadsufficedtosavetheevening.HowmuchIhavetolearn,Childanthought.They’resogracefulandpolite.AndI—thewhitebarbarian.Itistrue.

           Foratimehecontentedhimselfwithsippinghisdrinkandkeepingonhisfaceanartificialexpressionofenjoyment.Imustfollowtheirleadsentirely,hetoldhimself.Agreealways.

           Yetinapanichethought,Mywitsscrambledbythedrink.Andfatigueandnervousness.CanIdoit?Iwillneverbeinvitedbackanyhow;itisalreadytoolate.Hefeltdespair.

           Betty,havingreturnedfromthekitchen,hadoncemoreseatedherselfonthecarpet.Howattractive,RobertChildanthoughtagain.Theslenderbody.Theirfiguresaresosuperior;notfat,notbulbous.Nobraorgirdleneeded.Imustconcealmylonging;thatatallcosts.