Человек в высоком замке

           Hefeltnowabitofresentment.WashesupposedtodenythegreatmastersofEuropeanmusic,thetimelessclassicsinfavorofNewOrleansjazzfromthehonky-tonksandbistrosoftheNegroquarter?

           "PerhapsifIplayselectionbyNewOrleansRhythmKings,"Paulbegan,startingfromtheroom,butBettygavehimawarninglook.Hehesitated,shrugged.

           "Dinneralmostready,"shesaid.

           Returning,Pauloncemoreseatedhimself.Alittlesulkily,Robertthought,hemurmured,"JazzfromNewOrleansmostauthenticAmericanfolkmusicthereis.Originatedonthiscontinent.AllelsecamefromEurope,suchascornyEnglish-styleluteballads."

           "Thisisperpetualargumentbetweenus,"Bettysaid,smilingatRobert."Idonotsharehisloveoforiginaljazz."

           StillholdingthecopyofTheGrasshopperLiesHeavy,Robertsaid,"Whatsortofalternatepresentdoesthisbookdescribe?"

           Betty,afteramoment,said,"OneinwhichGermanyandJapanlostthewar."

           Theywereallsilent.

           "Timetoeat,"Bettysaid,slidingtoherfeet."Pleasecome,twohungrygentlemanbusinessmen."ShecajoledRobertandPaultothediningtable,alreadysetwithwhitetablecloth,silver,china,hugeroughnapkinsinwhatRobertrecognizedasEarlyAmericanbonenapkinrings.Thesilver,too,wassterlingsilverAmerican.ThecupsandsaucerswereRoyalAlbert,deepblueandyellow.Veryexceptional;hecouldnothelpglancingatthemwithprofessionaladmiration.

           TheplateswerenotAmerican.TheyappearedtobeJapanese;hecouldnottell,itbeingbeyondhisfield.