Алая чума
Chapter 1
“Theygetthickereveryday,”hecomplainedinathin,undependablefalsetto. “Who’dhavethoughtI’dlivetoseethetimewhenamanwouldbeafraidofhislifeonthewaytotheCliffHouse. WhenIwasaboy,Edwin,menandwomenandlittlebabiesusedtocomeoutherefromSanFranciscobytensofthousandsonaniceday. Andthereweren’tanybearsthen. No,sir. Theyusedtopaymoneytolookatthemincages,theywerethatrare.”
“Whatismoney,Granser?”
Beforetheoldmancouldanswer,theboyrecollectedandtriumphantlyshovedhishandintoapouchunderhisbear-skinandpulledforthabatteredandtarnishedsilverdollar. Theoldman’seyesglistened,asheheldthecoinclosetothem.
“Ican’tsee,”hemuttered. “Youlookandseeifyoucanmakeoutthedate,Edwin.”
Theboylaughed.
“You’reagreatGranser,”hecrieddelightedly,“alwaysmakingbelievethemlittlemarksmeansomething.”
Theoldmanmanifestedanaccustomedchagrinashebroughtthecoinbackagainclosetohisowneyes.
“2012,”heshrilled,andthenfelltocacklinggrotesquely. “ThatwastheyearMorgantheFifthwasappointedPresidentoftheUnitedStatesbytheBoardofMagnates. Itmusthavebeenoneofthelastcoinsminted,fortheScarletDeathcamein2013. Lord!Lord!—thinkofit! Sixtyyearsago,andIamtheonlypersonaliveto-daythatlivedinthosetimes. Wheredidyoufindit,Edwin?”
Theboy,whohadbeenregardinghimwiththetolerantcuriousnessoneaccordstotheprattlingsofthefeeble-minded,answeredpromptly.
