Читать книгу The Dawn of Reckoning - James Hilton - Страница 8

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Buda, crowning the rocky hill-side, with its towers and minarets gleaming in the red-gold sunset; the Last City of the East. And Pesth, hot, dusty and bustling, with its outdoor cafés and beer-gardens, wharves and warehouses, the First City of the West. At the quayside, alive with chattering and gesticulating porters, the steamer tilted steeply with the press of people that fought and jostled to disembark as soon as the gangways were lowered.

Mrs. Monsell and Philip still lingered in the saloon over a bottle of golden Hungarian wine. It was her habit, born of long travelling experience, always to wait till the last before leaving a boat. "For one thing, the customs people get tired before they come to you. And then, also, if there's a boat-train and it's full when you get to it, they put on a special carriage for you if you complain loud enough Any way, it's much pleasanter to wait till the crush is over." Almost for the first time since the beginning of the journey she and Philip were alone together. The other passengers were busy with their luggage elsewhere, and the saloon was empty save for them selves and a steward clearing the tables.

"By the way, Philip, I sent our address to that unfortunate girl—"

"You did?"

"Yes. Why not? I wrote it out on a visiting-card and told the steward to take it to her."

"Bet you she can't read."

"Even if she can't, she can ask someone who can."

"Oh, yes, I dare say...But what made you think of all this?"

"My dear Philip, my natural intelligence. I'm quite aware that you haven't a great deal yourself—"

"Oh, haven't I? Anyhow, I don't need it, with a mother who can decide everything, arrange every thing, talk five languages, read foreign railway time tables, give first-aid to the drowning—"

"Rubbish," she interrupted him. "I didn't give first-aid. There was no need to. The girl wasn't anywhere near drowning. She was just sick with misery because she hadn't had pluck enough to drown herself."

"But why on earth should she want to drown herself?"

"Goodness knows...She seemed cheerful enough after I'd been with her about ten minutes. She had no money—only the steamer ticket. The few crowns I gave her won't last long in Buda. That's why I sent her the address of our hotel, so that if she finds herself in difficulties she can..."

The steward approached. "Pardon, madame, but de ozzers are all gone..."

"Come on then, Philip," said Mrs. Monsell. She gave the steward his expected trinkgeld, adding: "Did you deliver my message?"

"Yes, madame."

"What did she say?"

"She say zank-you,' madame."

"Nothing else?"

"Nothing else, madame."