Человек в высоком замке

           IcouldmaketheefforttodazzlehimintoabettercomprehensionwithauthenticworksofChinesescrollartorceramicsofourTokugawaPeriod…butitisnotourjobtoconvert."

           "Isee,"Mr.Ramseysaid;hisCaucasianfacetwistedwithpainfulconcentration.

           "ThereforewewillcatertohisprejudiceandgraftapricelessAmericanartifacttohiminstead."

           "Yes."

           "You,sir,areofAmericanancestry.Althoughyouhavegonetothetroubleofdarkeningyourskincolor."HescrutinizedMr.Ramsey.

           "Atanachievedbyasunlamp,"Mr.Ramseymurmured."FormerelyacquiringvitaminD."Buthisexpressionofhumiliationgavehimaway."IassureyouthatIretainauthenticrootswith—"Mr.Ramseystumbledoverthewords."Ihavenotcutoffalltieswith—nativeethnicpatterns."

           Mr.TagomisaidtoMissEphreikian:"Resume,please."Oncemorethetaperecorderwhirred."InconsultingtheoracleandobtainingHexagramTaKuo,Twenty-eight,IfurtherreceivedtheunfavorablelineNineinthefifthplace.Itreads:

           Awitheredpoplarputsforthflowers.

           Anolderwomantakesahusband.

           Noblame.Nopraise.

           "ThisclearlyindicatesthatMr.Childanwillhavenothingofworthtoofferusattwo."Mr.Tagomipaused."Letusbecandid.IcannotrelyonmyownjudgmentregardingAmericanartobjects.Thatiswhya—"Helingeredoverhischoiceofterms."Whyyou,Mr.Ramsey,whoareshallIsaynativeborn,arerequired.Obviouslywemustdothebestwecan."

           Mr.Ramseyhadnoanswer.