Алая чума
Chapter 1
Theboysrakedthemoutwithsticksandplacedthemonalargepieceofdriftwoodtocool.
“WhenIwasaboy,wedidnotlaughatourelders;werespectedthem.”
Theboystooknonotice,andGransercontinuedtobabbleanincoherentflowofcomplaintandcensure. Butthistimehewasmorecareful,anddidnotburnhismouth. Allbegantoeat,usingnothingbuttheirhandsandmakingloudmouth-noisesandlip-smackings. Thethirdboy,whowascalledHare-Lip,slylydepositedapinchofsandonamusseltheancientwascarryingtohismouth;andwhenthegritofitbitintotheoldfellow’smucousmembraneandgums,thelaughterwasagainuproarious. Hewasunawarethatajokehadbeenplayedonhim,andsplutteredandspatuntilEdwin,relenting,gavehimagourdoffreshwaterwithwhichtowashouthismouth.
“Where’sthemcrabs,Hoo-Hoo?”Edwindemanded. “Granser’ssetuponhavingasnack.”
AgainGranser’seyesburnedwithgreedinessasalargecrabwashandedtohim. Itwasashellwithlegsandallcomplete,butthemeathadlongsincedeparted. Withshakyfingersandbabblingsofanticipation,theoldmanbrokeoffalegandfounditfilledwithemptiness.
“Thecrabs,Hoo-Hoo?”hewailed.“Thecrabs?”
“IwasfoolingGranser.Theyain’tnocrabs!Ineverfoundone.”
Theboyswereoverwhelmedwithdelightatsightofthetearsofseniledisappointmentthatdribbleddowntheoldman’scheeks. Then,unnoticed,Hoo-Hooreplacedtheemptyshellwithafresh-cookedcrab.
