Человек в высоком замке

           Asamatteroffact,hewasnotcertainwhatMr.Tagomiwastalkingabout.Imustbetired,Mr.Baynesthought.Therehasbeen,sinceIgotherethisevening,asortof…gnomishqualityabouteverything.Asmaller-than-lifequality,withadashofthedroll.Whatisthisfive-thousand-year-oldbook?TheMickeyMousewatch,Mr.Tagomihimself,thefragilecupinMr.Tagomi’shand…and,onthewallfacingMr.Baynes,anenormousbuffalohead,uglyandmenacing.

           "Whatisthathead?"heaskedsuddenly.

           "That,"Mr.Tagomisaid,"isnothinglessthancreaturewhichsustainedtheaboriginalinbygonedays."

           "Isee."

           "ShallIdemonstrateartofbuffaloslaying?"Mr.Tagomiputhiscupdownonthetableandrosetohisfeet.Hereinhisownhomeintheeveningheworeasilkrobe,slippers,andwhitecravat."HereamIaboardironhorse."Hesquattedintheair."Acrosslap,trustyWinchesterrifle1866issuefrommycollection."HeglancedinquiringlyatMr.Baynes."Youaretravel-stained,sir."

           "Afraidso,"Baynessaid."Itisallalittleoverwhelmingforme.Alotofbusinessworries."Andotherworries,hethought.Hisheadached.HewonderedifthefineI.G.FarbenanalgesicswereavailablehereonthePacificCoast;hehadbecomeaccustomedtothemforhissinusheadaches.

           "Wemustallhavefaithinsomething,"Mr.Tagomisaid."Wecannotknowtheanswers.Wecannotseeahead,onourown."

           Mr.Baynesnodded.

           "Mywifemayhavesomethingforyourhead,"Mr.