Алая чума
Chapter 5
Hewasboredandangeredbyourwayofspeechwhichhedidnotcomprehend,andfinallyhespokeupandsaid: ’AndthisisVestaVanWarden,one-timewifeofVanWardentheMagnate—ahighandstuck-upbeauty,whoisnowmysquaw. Eh,ProfessorSmith,timesischanged,timesischanged. Here,you,woman,takeoffmymoccasins,andlivelyaboutit. IwantProfessorSmithtoseehowwellIhaveyoutrained.’
“Isawherclenchherteeth,andtheflameofrevoltriseinherface. Hedrewbackhisgnarledfisttostrike,andIwasafraid,andsickatheart. Icoulddonothingtoprevailagainsthim. SoIgotuptogo,andnotbewitnesstosuchindignity. ButtheChauffeurlaughedandthreatenedmewithabeatingifIdidnotstayandbehold. AndIsatthere,perforce,bythecampfireontheshoreofLakeTemescal,andsawVesta,VestaVanWarden,kneelandremovethemoccasinsofthatgrinning,hairy,apelikehumanbrute.
“—Oh,youdonotunderstand,mygrandsons.Youhaveneverknownanythingelse,andyoudonotunderstand.
“’Halter-brokeandbridle-wise,’theChauffeurgloated,whilesheperformedthatdreadful,menialtask. ’Atriflebalkyattimes,Professor,atriflebalky;butacloutalongsidethejawmakesherasmeekandgentleasalamb.’
“Andanothertimehesaid: ’We’vegottostartalloverandreplenishtheearthandmultiply. You’rehandicapped,Professor. Youain’tgotnowife,andwe’reupagainstaregularGarden-of-Edenproposition. ButIain’tproud.I’lltellyouwhat,Professor.’
