Пролетая над гнездом кукушки

           Shepulledthecollarofthejackethigharoundherneckandhuggedherelbowsandstrolledasfarawayfromusdownthedockasshecouldgo.Nobodywentafterher.BillyBibbitshiveredinthecoldandbithislip.Theguysatthebaitshackwhisperedsomethingelseandwhoopedoutlaughingagain.

           "Ask‘er,Perce—goon."

           "Hey,Blondie,didyouget‘amtosignawaiverclearingyouwithproperauthorities?Relativescouldsue,theytellme,ifoneoftheboysfellinanddrownwhilehewasonboard.Didyoueverthinkofthat?Maybeyou’dbetterstayherewithus,Blondie."

           "Yeah,Blondie;myrelativeswouldn’tsue.Ipromise.Stayherewithusfellows,Blondie."

           IimaginedIcouldfeelmyfeetgettingwetasthedocksankwithshameintothebay.Weweren’tfittobeoutherewithpeople.IwishedMcMurphywouldcomebackoutandcusstheseguysgoodandthendriveusbackwherewebelonged.

           Themanwiththekidneylipsfoldedhisknifeandstoodupandbrushedthewhittleshavingsoutofhislap.Hestartedwalkingtowardthesteps."C’monnow,Blondie,whatyouwanttomesswiththesebozosfor?"

           Sheturnedandlookedathimfromtheendofthedock,thenbackatus,andyoucouldtellshewasthinkinghispropositionoverwhenthedoorofthebaitshopopenedandMcMurphycameshovingoutpastthebunchofthem,downthesteps.

           "Pilein,crew,it’sallset!Gassedandreadyandthere’sbaitandbeeronboard."

           HeslappedBillyontherearanddidalittlehornpipeandcommencedslingingropesfromtheirsnubs.