Дюна
Book One: Dune
PaulglancedatHalleck,tookinthedefensivepositionsofhisguards,lookedatthebankeruntilthemanloweredthewaterflagon.Hesaid:“Once,onCaladan,Isawthebodyofadrownedfishermanrecovered.He—”
“Drowned?”Itwasthestillsuitmanufacturer’sdaughter.
Paulhesitated,then:“Yes.Immersedinwateruntildead.Drowned.”
“Whataninterestingwaytodie,”shemurmured.
Paul’ssmilebecamebrittle.Hereturnedhisattentiontothebanker.“Theinterestingthingaboutthismanwasthewoundsonhisshoulders—madebyanotherfisherman’sclaw-boots.Thisfishermanwasoneofseveralinaboat—acraftfortravelingonwater—thatfoundered...sankbeneaththewater.Anotherfishermanhelpingrecoverthebodysaidhe’dseenmarkslikethisman’swoundsseveraltimes.Theymeantanotherdrowningfishermanhadtriedtostandonthispoorfellow’sshouldersintheattempttoreachuptothesurface—toreachair.”
“Whyisthisinteresting?”thebankerasked.
“Becauseofanobservationmadebymyfatheratthetime.Hesaidthedrowningmanwhoclimbsonyourshoulderstosavehimselfisunderstandable
—exceptwhenyouseeithappeninthedrawingroom.”Paulhesitatedjustlongenoughforthebankertoseethepointcoming,then:“And,Ishouldadd,exceptwhenyouseeitatthedinnertable.”
Asuddenstillnessenfoldedtheroom.
Thatwasrash,Jessicathought.Thisbankermighthaveenoughranktocallmysonout.ShesawthatIdahowaspoisedforinstantaction.TheHousetrooperswerealert.GurneyHalleckhadhiseyesonthemenoppositehim.
