Человек в высоком замке

           Andoncivilianpopulations,bythosemassfire-bombingraidsthatChurchillthoughtweregoingtosavethewaratthelastmoment.ThoseterrorattacksonHamburgandEssenand—"

           "Let’snottalkaboutit,"Julianasaid.Inthekitchen,shestartedcookingbacon;sheturnedonthesmallwhiteplasticEmersonradiowhichFrankhadgivenheronherbirthday."I’llfixyousomethingtoeat."Shedialed,tryingtofindsomelight,pleasantmusic.

           "Lookatthis,"Joesaid.Inthelivingroom,hesatonthebed,hissmallsuitcasebesidehim;hehadopeneditandbroughtoutaragged,bentbookwhichshowedsignsofmuchhandling.HegrinnedatJuliana."Comehere.Youknowwhatsomebodysays?Thisman—"Heindicatedthebook."Thisisveryfunny.Sitdown."Hetookholdofherarm,drewherdownbesidehim."Iwanttoreadtoyou.Supposetheyhadwon.Whatwoulditbelike?Wedon’thavetoworry;thismanhasdoneallthethinkingforus."Openingthebook,Joebeganturningpagesslowly."TheBritishEmpirewouldcontrolallEurope.AlltheMediterranean.NoItalyatall.NoGermany,either.Bobbiesandthosefunnylittlesoldiersintallfurhats,andthekingasfarastheVolga."

           Inalowvoice,Julianasaid,"Wouldthatbesobad?"

           "Youreadthebook?"

           "No,"sheadmitted,peeringtoseethecover.Shehadheardaboutit,though;alotofpeoplewerereadingit."ButFrankandI—myformerhusbandandI—oftentalkedabouthowitwouldhavebeeniftheAllieshadwonthewar."