Читать книгу Classics of a fantasy - A. Belyaev - Страница 3

– Whether everything is given? A benedictine for the bishop? Sherribrendi for sir Henry?

White wine? Cheese? Cake? And honey? His Eminence loves honey – food

hermits. There is no honey? – Lady Hinton called.

The girl, the red-cheeked Scotswoman in a gray dress, with white entered

starched apron and in a white lacy headdress, from under which

locks of a thick nutbrown hair were beaten out. In Mary’s hand was crystal

vase with honey.

– You forgot to put honey again, Mary? Mary silently put a vase

and silently came to a table. Hinton carried out it by eyes and translated a look

on a pale face of the niece.

– Why you cut hair, Ellen?

The girl touched slender white fingers with long bright pink

nails the ashy hair falling to cheeks equal waves

waves, and silently told:

– Sir Henry…

– Certainly! – with displeasure the old lady said. – Give me

“air” also take the book.

Lady Hinton embroidered five months with silk and gold flowers and

cherubs on “air” for an altar of church in which prior was

the bishop Iov Weller is a confessor the lady, her old friend and the adviser.

– What time is it now?

– Five minutes to five.

– Read, Ellen.

The niece opened at random Dickens’s volume:

– “Then they only feel in a happy state

the friendly association and mutual goodwill which is

source of the most true, pure pleasure…”

– In the Hyde park again, apparently, a meeting, – interrupted reading lady Hinton,

listening. Shook the head and heaved so a deep sigh that it

the breast which is stirred up under a lilac silk dress touched double

chin.

After this lady Hinton fiercely thrust a needle in an eye of the cherub and

deeply thought.

How many years it wages war, hopeless war over time!

At first against each new pound of weight of a fat body, against everyone

new wrinkle on a face – not without reason she endured three husbands and collected in

the strong hands three states, – and then against that new that

interfered in political, public and private life, up to these

“modern short-haired hair and indecent suits” Ellen.

Lady Hinton considered the Golden Age kind old England of times

the Queen Victoria to whom the lady was a little similar and which

tried to imitate.

The old mansion in West End, against the Hyde park, lady Hinton

turned into fortress – “my house – my fortress”, – in which wanted

to sit out from time pressure. The twentieth century had to come to an end on

threshold. Here everything, beginning from heavy furniture and finishing vital

way and etiquette, was antiquated and pradedovsky times.

Lady Hinton even did not open tightly the closed double glazing in the summer and

forced to lower heavy curtains on windows not to see crowd

the excited people passing in the Hyde park – the favourite place for

meetings. But voices and songs, rumble, and sometimes and dry crash of shots

got through thick walls. At its canneries – inheritance

the second husband – workers striked, and it had to conduct unpleasant

talk with the managing director. To its Fife-au-shreds a political talk was

are expelled as a sign of bad form. And nevertheless it is frequent behind these ceremonious

tea drinking political debates erupted.

Time has come, time conducted the correct siege of the mansion which took cover for

lattice, under old chestnuts and elms.

Time rushed a street rumble, the concerning talk, terrible

news. Neither old servants, nor thick walls, nor double glazing, nor curtains

did not save from time impact.

At lady Hinton the real mania of prosecution began. And

time was a persecutor, the enemy, the murderer…

– Read, Ellen.

But it was not necessary to continue reading. Hours slowly, deafly, as if blows

them reached from a far tower, punched five.

In the doorway silently the old footman in a gray livery with braids appeared.

Deaf aged voice respectfully reported:

– Doctor Mr. Teker.

Lady Hinton frowned. On Thursdays – put Fife-au-shred – house

the doctor had to be at four hours forty five minutes to end

evening visit before arrival of guests. Today the doctor was late for whole

fifteen minutes.

– Ask.

Because of a door the close-cut head with turning gray seemed

temples, then also all figure of the doctor – in black carefully promoted,

tightly the clasped frock coat. A frock coat instead of traditional evening

tuxedo! Lady Hinton forgave such violation of etiquette Tekera only

because he was “the person of other circle”, besides the foreigner, fine

doctor, “victim and refugee of time”. In the homeland he did not get on with “spirit

modern times” which was given for there “true spirit ancient”.

Teker’s face was confused and joyful and uneasy. About ostentatious

confidence it passed space from a door to a tronopodobny chair,

welcomed lady Hinton respectful bow and it is careful as fragile

jewelry, took a thick hand of the patient to probe pulse.

– Said to me that doctors differ in punctuality, and German in

features! – viscously lady Hinton told.

– . Sixty six., sixty seven… – the Ticker counted blows

pulse, looking at a second hand of the pocket watch – Pulse normal.

Forgive, the lady. House circumstances detained me. My wife.,

it was resolved from a burden. Boy. – And Teker’s eyes flashed joy.

– I congratulate, – lady Hinton silently told. – The doctor accepted? At

your wife, so there were two doctors. And at me the attack was nearly played

liver… Medical ethics, however, always for me were unclear.

The ticker shifted from one foot to the other. Internally he was enraged, but

constrained itself, having remembered the newborn: new duties of the father, new

responsibility…

Having set the patient several questions, Teker wanted to leave. But at the lady

Hinton already was on call women’s revenge.

– I hope, the doctor, you will not refuse to remain to Fife-au-shred?

My old friends will gather, – she told with a smile hospitable

hostesses.

The ticker shortly sighed, bowed and took seat on a chair with such look,

as if it was the hot brazier. There came silence.

To interrupt a burdensome pause, the captive of artful hospitality

started talking:

– I read in the newspaper: somehow at the London economic school acted

famous writer. He addressed listeners with such speech:

“Many of the young people sitting here will be killed, others are suffocated

gases, the third will die of hunger. World accident approaches.

The civilization perishes, and there is no exit. It is necessary unless to construct an ark

like Noyev…”

Lady Hinton omitted embroidery on knees. She turned pale, eyes

sparkled anger.

– Spare nerves of your patient, Mr. Teker! The servant entered:

– His Excellency baron Marshal de Terlonzh and his excellency

commerce adviser Mr. Stormer.

Displeasure was replaced on a face of lady Hinton by a habitual mask

courtesies.

Marshal de Terlonzh, the French banker with shadowy past entered,

the title of the baron which profited in the war and bought. To it was under fifty, but

it looked a perfect wreck. Together with it appeared broad-shouldered,

the strong old man with a red face of the butcher. The baron проковылял to a chair,

kissed a hand of the hostess and, strongly stammering, told:

– Allow, e-e-e., to present my kkompanion and Mr. friend

St… St… St…

– Stormer! – the fat man banged, stretching to the shuddered hostess

the spread wide thick fingers.

– His Eminence bishop! – the footman announced.

The bishop Iov Weller, the stout, healthy man with thoroughbred entered

ruddy face. His radiant eyes and juicy lips smiled.

After the bishop professor of philosophy Shnirer seemed. It

puzzly looked round around as if got at the wrong door, smiled as

the child who learned familiar faces and, having given both hands, went to the lady

Hinton.

After mutual greetings all took seat at a tea table. At this moment

at an entrance the beep of the car cried. Lady Hinton discontentedly frowned

– “after all is!.” – and Ellen slightly reddened. She learned beep

blottonovsky car.

In two minutes lord Henry Blotton already entered a drawing room, in black

tuxedo, fashionable vest and tie, sparkling a monocle. It was scented,

it is perfectly shaved.

– I was not late? Hello, aunt! – so he called lady Hinton,

which had the remote relative.

As soon as all took seat at a table, the lady started talking on a favourite subject about

degradation of morals, dissoluteness of youth, modern books, “which

it is impossible to give in hands to the well-educated girl”, about lack of due

respect for authorities and seniors.

– Tell, dear baron, – she addressed the banker, – I heard, you

came to us to extort the English gold? You want to shoal our gold

pool?

The face of the banker warped.

– Хь., хь., хь… I am for this purpose too low-power pump, the lady.

TT., the same success I could shoal the Atlantic Ocean.

Lady Hinton reluctantly received “it the upstart”, but was with it

it is kind at insistance of the legal adviser and managing affairs

Smiggers who ran large business with the banker.

Did not forget lady Hinton as the hospitable hostess, and the old philosopher.

– And where your charming daughter, Mr. Shnirer?

– And? What? – professor as if wakening from a dream asked. – Amelie?

Yes. At a football match! What? Soccer! And? – It plunged into the again

usual contemplate state.

– It is a pity, – lady Hinton stretched though she in soul was glad: it

preferred men’s society, besides in Amelie’s behavior a lot of things

shocked her.

– Doctor Teker told me terrible things, – it continued,

addressing already all and darting a sidelong glance at Teker, – how ours

the famous writer predicted death of a civilization. Really it

perhaps?

The ticker was on thorns. He thought of the wife, of the newborn and

every minute tried to rise, take the leave and leave, but did not decide to make

it.

Shnirer, having heard about the favourite subject, unexpectedly turned from

contemplate Buddha in the ardent speaker.

– Death of a civilization! – he exclaimed, having sparkled eyes, and continued,

increasing tone:

– Yes, the civilization perishes! She is doomed, and she is ruined by the car, it

iron monster. The owner of land becomes the slave to the car. It forces

us, one and all whether we know and whether we want it or not to go

till its ways. Without restraint the rushing chariot drags for itself prostrate

the winner, until he dies… Human beings, so

carefully raised these wild and dangerous animals, woke up and found

in an environment of the new race of iron monsters dominating over them…

Shnirer did not speak any more, and cried out, shaking by the wrinkled fist:

– It is necessary to bridle even stronger science, to detain rationalization,

to clamp the equipment, to suffocate invention, differently death of a civilization and

our death are inevitable… Still a cup of tea, more strong if you allow, —

unexpectedly it finished.

Ellen silently spilled tea, imperceptibly glancing at the groom. But that

was interested in liqueurs more, strenuously adding the bishop whose face

shone light of terrestrial pleasures.

– WW., ffva., are right, professor, – objected the banker, – it is necessary to the technician

to keep in a strong bridle. But civilizations threaten not only машшш.,

cars. There are animals more dangerous, artful and ruthless…

– Communists! – lady Hinton exclaimed.

Precisely December cold blew softly in August. The society which gathered for

table, it was stirred up.

All started talking at once, having forgotten about ethics. Faces were poured by hatred,

rage and fear. The word was pronounced. General disease, which

undermined all, saddened, joy of life poisoned, sang dreadful

dreams, it was called…

Everyone hurried to facilitate the soul, to pour out what overflowed long ago

heart. Spoke differently, but about same: about damned

communists, destroyers of culture and civilization, fanatics. Here was

in total: and revolutions in three states, and “nationalization of women”, and

Komintern, both dumping, and destruction of temples, and hunger…

Never before society of lady Hinton was so unanimously, so sincerely

in expression of feelings and thoughts. Never at a table sounded so harmoniously

the symphony of hatred and bodily fear before close revolution.

“Red animals” – unless not they threaten to take away everything from lady Hinton:

title, power, situation, wealth?

Their propagandists decompose Christ’s herd and threaten with God’s desolation

to temples, starvation to the bishop Iov Weller.

And the philosopher Shnirer – that other, except boundless hatred, he could

to feed “for patrons of the equipment and enthusiasts of industrialization,

forced to serve themselves cars which the teeths tear

human beings also threaten to crush the gear wheels modern

culture”! . When nervousness settled a little, lady Hinton seized

conversation.

– I offered two hundred thousand pounds on fight against them recently, but

it, of course, is not enough. Each of us has to understand that it is better now,

while the getting is good, voluntarily to refuse a part of the property, than

to lose everything.

– I read about “Noah’s Ark” and I believe that the writer quite

in due time raises a question of great importance, – Henry told, reeling up

on a finger a ribbon with a monocle. – When in a number of the countries revolution wins,

won, the truth resisting, quit the stage and as extreme

means, rescue in flight look for. But where to run? Whether is quite

the safe countries on the globe? It is time to think of it.

– Do not accept my words, – the baron told, – for premature

defeatism, panic, disbelief in a victory. With risen we will be

to fight all measures to the death. But success seems to me

problematic. Already now we are anxious with in what business to place ours

capitals, where big guarantee of their safety. However can come

the moment – and it is rather, than it seems to much, – when it is necessary to think already

not so much about the capitals, how many about to.

– And people will rush about here and there, as in the house embraced

flame, – in Shnirere the prophet recovered again. – From the country to the country will be

to run they and everywhere will meet an all-devouring flame, a pernicious flame,

unrestrained and inevitable, as destiny. Also will not save from him the guard,

iron lattices of fencings, thick walls. Everything will die. Everything will turn

in ashes. And we will die. – And, having passed to shrill shout again, Shnirer

finished – And who is guilty? Cars! Proletarians! They! Still cup to tea,

more strong if you allow.

– Strikes began, revolution will finish, – the banker brought a remark.

– Yes this bowl will pass us! – the bishop exclaimed and, having instantly made

pious expression, crossed. – Here really it is time to think about

some., an ark in which with the God’s help could take refuge

righteous persons – color of our civilization and culture. Whether not merciful

the Lord put some idea this, how in times Noyev?

– To construct such “Titanic” – “ark” of modern scale,

equipped with the latest technology? – ironically Henry asked. —

And further? Where you on it will go? To the southern seas? To uninhabited

to the island mislaid in the ocean and not plotted even? Nonsense,

there are no “white spots” on the world map any more. There are no almost such islands. And if

also is, they will be found soon. Construction of “ark” and its departure will not be able

to pass unnoticed. Will find for us, will overtake and will crush as worms,

together with “ark”. Where, at last, a guarantee that it will manage to be completed?

There came silence.

– Really there is no exit? – lady Hinton asked.

– Why is not present? There is a solution, and quite good as it seems to me, – it is quiet

Henry answered. – Here you, mister professor of philosophy, scolded to the technician,

and from the point of view you, of course, are right. But the same equipment can give

for us and an exit to open a way to rescue. We will force the equipment to render to us

this last service, and then I have nothing against if it is

it is destroyed, to your pleasure, professor.

All pricked up the ears, listening. The henry happy with the had effect,

made a pause and slowly continued:

– “Ark” can save not all belonging to our class and

to circle, and only small group of the electees… “Magics to escape yes will escape”

– so, apparently, the milord is told in the writing? So, “ark” can and

it has to be constructed. But “ark” of absolutely special grade which carried away

us far away from this rebellious planet – well, at least for a while, so far

danger will not be eliminated. Or otherwise., forever…

Listeners disappointedly leaned back on backs of chairs, and the bishop,

Henry as dexterous maneuver who apprehended words to distract the general attention from

gloomy thoughts, threw off a fast mask, began to shine and good-natured burst out laughing:

– Perfectly! The ark floating on waves of the radio ocean!

Excellently!

– Yes, on waves of the radio ocean, – Henry seriously answered.

– It could come to mind only to Henry! – respectable exclaimed

the lady not flatter for it tone.

– Least of all in my head, the aunt. I admit, I understand a little in

to the equipment. But you, misters, know that recently I pay a tribute

to interest in stratospheric flights together with my friend the engineer,

large theorist of a zvezdoplavaniye and talented designer Leo

Zander. I just from it… And if you knew about its works, it

achievements…

– But same chimera!

– Imagination!

– And how we will breathe there?

– And what to eat? Air?

– We will stiffen from world cold which will destroy us also soon

and it is right as it will make communism.

– He wants to send us to the sky prematurely!

– And you depart?

Exclamations, jokes, laughter were heard.

– The lady and gentlemen, – Henry was not appeased, – your questions and

exclamations testify only to full yours, to put it mildly

ignorance of a subject. I claim that if you…

But did not listen to it. The nervous tension found a way out. Society

cheered up. Even Shnirer left the gloomy concentration and

opened that in this world, except strong tea and terrible cars, exist

still amazingly pleasant liquids concluded in graceful small bottles, and

the bishop reddened more than ordinary and laughed more loudly, than it was necessary

to it at its dignity.

Lady Hinton was happy and already graciously glanced at Henry,

it is free or involuntarily rendered her service.

– Let’s not be, misters to think of gloomy things, – she told. – God

it is mercy, our people are reasonable, the power in reliable hands, and to us,

I hope, it is not necessary to resort to the air ships and to look for rescue in

similar flight. Why you will not taste this liqueur, the baron?

Henry was angry by a failure of promotion of a zvezdoplavaniye.

He expected to receive several checks for continuation of experiences

Zander.

Lady Hinton seemed she managed what as to the skillful captain, already

to bring the ship out of a strip of the most severe storm, and suddenly flew new:

Stormer who was silent all evening zagromykhat by the thunderous voice:

– And I assure you, the sir, – addressed he Blotton, – that in the southern seas

there will be not one ten more unopened islands. I well know Silent

ocean. In its southeast part, far from main ocean roads, and

now still it is possible to find a silent shelter, – the island which is not put on one

card… But… I am a businessman, the businessman not inclined to panic and

to hysterics. Silly, however, to close eyes to reality. We live

on a volcano. Yes. We with devilish (Hinton shuddered) speed fly in

abyss. I will not list the latest events, they are known to all.

It is necessary to be ready to the worst. Yes. – Everyone it “yes” rattled as

thunderclap. – I speak not about a silly pose a rack. The baron is right. It is necessary to fight

and at the same time to prepare ways of retreat, so far we did not tie hands and

there are capitals.

To construct the huge motor ship. Such “Noah’s Ark” of three hundred

meters and with the displacement of eighty five – hundred thousand tons. So

mechanized that it was possible to manage the minimum quantity

crew – from young people of exclusive classes. Any

the proletarian, because all of them are obvious or our secret enemies. Yes. How many

wars, revolutions will last? Four-five years? We will be able to take

food on six, for eight years. Not to mention an opportunity

replenishments of stocks fishing and hunting on lonely islands. And we

let’s sit out. We will be able to keep thus the life if not the

capitals. I offer, without postponing, to organize the company for

constructions of “Noah’s Ark”. Needless to say that members of this

the companies will be only chosen and all case will be processed in the most strict

to secret. My project does not exclude yours, the sir, – turned Stormer to

To Blotton, having filled on him the red face with goggle rachy

eyes. – He agrees: to open our floating island our enemies nevertheless

will be able. In a zvezdoplavaniye I, unfortunately, understand nothing. But if it

it is feasible why don’t we prepare as a last resort and to

to the last jump – from Earth to abysses of the sky? You will not refuse courtesy,

the sir to acquaint me with your inventor?

If he convinces me that a zvezdoplavaniye not a chimera, I am the first

I will bring a share.

– Ffva you fverit Nneuzheli in a zvezdoplavaniye and hkhgotova to fvlozhit фв it

business to., to., capital? – Marshal Stormera when they asked

came back from lady Hinton.

– I trust! Yes! – Stormer bellowed. – Both of us are businessmen, the baron, and with you

I can frankly speak, – it continued more quietly. – I trust in

the zvezdoplavaniye is as firm, as in a placer on the Thames. Yes.

Listen. If the Thames proceeded for thousands of kilometers from London, in

to the exotic country, thousands would believe in a placer on the Thames.

You remember mine “silver mines” in New Zealand or I wash “the Australian

oil”? I acquired on them millions, and they existed only in imagination

shareholders. Now you understand, as on the Thames can be gold

scatterings which will enrich us?

The car began to shake as if flew on the timbered bridge. Driver

looked back.

It Mr. Stormer laughed.

– Situation really extremely serious, – was continued by it more quietly and

more quietly. – What we endure, you know. In three countries already

communists dominate. Every day brings news of new

suicides. Whether long ago Smith, Milton., behind them Skarfas, now

Сиддонс, Abbington… Real epidemic. The most terrible crises happened and

earlier, but committed a suicide the few. Why? People trusted: behind crisis

again there will come the prosperity era. There is no this belief now. Who was ruined —

it was ruined forever. Unless I am not right?

– Fff…

– Such is situation and such is mood. Revolutions and ruin,

inevitable as death, guard all of us. Inevitable death. Stormer

made a pause to recover the breath.

– The person despaired. Was overstrung. It was exhausted. The person already stretches

hand to the revolver. And this minute to it our agent comes and speaks:

“We can save you. We will provide you a silent shelter where will not reach

your enemies and where you will be able in a circle of people close to you, surrounded

habitual comfort to live your life. Yes, it will cost to you

millions. But what these millions will cost tomorrow? Tomorrow you can

to wake up the poor, and you will intercept the retreat all,

to flight, rescue…”

Whether will be much such which will refuse our offer? To

to example, lady Hinton. Quite ripened fruit. Two-three more already close

political crash, and from this rich person fall down in our hands

pounds sterling without account. We will build “Noah’s Ark”. We will be

to build a starprobe vehicle, tens of starprobe vehicles, without caring for that at all,

they will depart or not. We will be at the head of business and to move huge

means. Conspiracy simplifies the reporting. It is necessary at all not

to have commercial intuition not to estimate all advantage of it

enterprises. I hope, now you quite understood what means to open

placer on the Thames?

Marshal de Terlonzh for nervousness long puffed, sniffed and, at last

squeezed out from itself:

– E-e-e., ffva are absolutely right!

So new was born in foggy London evening in darkness of a limousine

the joint-stock company fastened with short strong handshake.