Дюна
Book One: Dune
Now,therewasamanwhoappreciatedthepowerofbravura—evenindeath,theReverendMotherthought.
“Teachingisonething,”shesaid,“thebasicingredientisanother.Weshallsee.” TheoldeyesdartedahardglanceatJessica .“Leaveus.Ienjoinyoutopracticethemeditationofpeace.”
JessicatookherhandfromPaul’sshoulder. “YourReverence,I—”
“Jessica,youknowitmustbedone.”
Paullookedupathismother,puzzled.
Jessicastraightened. “Yes...ofcourse.”
PaullookedbackattheReverendMother. Politenessandhismother’sobviousaweofthisoldwomanarguedcaution. Yethefeltanangryapprehensionatthefearhesensedradiatingfromhismother.
“Paul....”Jessicatookadeepbreath.“...thistestyou’reabouttoreceive...it’simportanttome.”
“Test?”Helookedupather.
“Rememberthatyou’readuke’sson,”Jessicasaid.Shewhirledandstrodefromtheroominadryswishingofskirt.Thedoorclosedsolidlybehindher.
Paulfacedtheoldwoman,holdingangerincheck. “DoesonedismisstheLadyJessicaasthoughshewereaservingwench?”
Asmileflickedthecornersofthewrinkledoldmouth. “TheLadyJessicawasmyservingwench,lad,forfourteenyearsatschool.”Shenodded. “Andagoodone,too.Now,youcomehere!”
Thecommandwhippedoutathim.Paulfoundhimselfobeyingbeforehecouldthinkaboutit. UsingtheVoiceonme,hethought.Hestoppedathergesture,standingbesideherknees.
“Seethis?”sheasked.Fromthefoldsofhergown,sheliftedagreenmetalcubeaboutfifteencentimetersonaside.
