451 по фаренгейту
It was a pleasure to burn
"Shutthe‘relatives’up,"saidBeatty,lookingaroundateverythingexceptMontagandhiswife.
Thistime,Mildredran.Theyammeringvoicesstoppedyellingintheparlour.
CaptainBeattysatdowninthemostcomfortablechairwithapeacefullookonhisruddyface. Hetooktimetoprepareandlighthisbrasspipeandpuffoutagreatsmokecloud. "JustthoughtI’dcomebyandseehowthesickmanis."
"How’dyouguess?"
Beattysmiledhissmilewhichshowedthecandypinknessofhisgumsandthetinycandywhitenessofhisteeth. "I’veseenitall.Youweregoingtocallforanightoff."
Montagsatinbed.
"Well,"saidBeatty,"takethenightoff!" Heexaminedhiseternalmatchbox,thelidofwhichsaidGUARANTEED:ONEMILLIONLIGHTSINTHISIGNITER, andbegantostrikethechemicalmatchabstractedly,blowout,strike,blowout,strike,speakafewwords,blowout.Helookedattheflame.Heblew,helookedatthesmoke. "Whenwillyoubewell?"
"Tomorrow.Thenextdaymaybe.Firstoftheweek."
Beattypuffedhispipe. "Everyfireman,soonerorlater,hitsthis.Theyonlyneedunderstanding,toknowhowthewheelsrun.Needtoknowthehistoryofourprofession. Theydon’tfeedittorookiesliketheyusedto.Damnshame."Puff."Onlyfirechiefsrememberitnow."Puff."I’llletyouinonit."
Mildredfidgeted.
