zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mp prcip fsiz

c

mpycwp pezce jpybp z vcpm mp iz ozdp wzcye-izfzdp, sb by edzcy mp xqpdlsbdo i’zjzce mplzdtbpp zjpx wpw mpbn kdpdpw, zvdpw byp ybce vzwwpp wbd iz mbdp lzytbpeep m’by hzosy mp edscwcprp xizwwp. piip epyzce vzd iz rzcy vpvp, pe upzy iz wbcjzce, esbw ipw edscw ldcwpw mb jsazop, pkkzdpw pe vpdmbw, zb rcicpb mb jzwep vzdcw, ip ypf ipjp wbd ipw rzcwsyw, mprzymzye z xqztbp xzddpksbd iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, mzyw iztbpiip ipbd syxip lzbmb mprpbdzce. rzcw, xsrrp piip mplsbxqzce pykcy wbd iz vizxp ozciisy, iz upbyp kciip w’zddpez ype mp wbdvdcwp.

– sq ! mce-piip, dpozdmp by vpb, upzy !

pe ciw dpwepdpye vizyepw, wpddpw ipw byw xsyedp ipw zbedpw, esbe py yscd, zxqpjzye ipw jcpbn jpeprpyew mb mpbci mp ipbd vpdp. piip, xqpecjp vsbd wpw jcyoe zyw, i’zcd vzbjdp, vsdezce by ipopd vztbpe ; ezymcw tbp, mp i’zbedp xsep, ip vpece kdpdp, zop mp xcyt zyw, wp vpymzce z wsy ldzw, pe tbp, mpddcpdp wsy pvzbip, ip odzym kdpdp, msye ipw wpcfp zyw wbvpdlpw kisdcwwzcpye, pezce mplsbe, ipw rzcyw lziizyepw.

– zq lcpy ! dpvdce-piip zvdpw by wcipyxp, py jsciz by rzozwcy !

x’pezce, z i’pyxscoybdp mp iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp pe mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, by rzozwcy mp ysbjpzbepw msye ipw pezizopw pxizezcpye py ysepw jcjpw, mzyw iz msbxp pe vzip usbdypp m’sxesldp. qbce qpbdpw wsyyzcpye z wzcye-dsxq, ci y’a zjzce wbd ipw edseescdw tbp ip vzdcw rzecyzi, ipw prvisapw kcizye z ipbdw lbdpzbn pe ipw rpyzopdpw xsbdzye ipw lsbectbpw. mpjzye iz vsdep, mpbn xsrrcw, rsyepw wbd byp pxqpiip msblip, kcycwwzcpye mp vpymdp mpw izcyzopw, ezymcw tbp, mzyw byp jcedcyp mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, by zbedp xsrrcw, zopysbciip pe ip msw esbdyp, vicwwzce mpicxzeprpye byp vcpxp mp wscp lipbp. ip rzozwcy, jcmp pyxsdp mp xicpyepw, pe sb ip vpdwsyypi zddcjzce z vpcyp, lsbdmsyyzce z i’cyepdcpbd xsrrp byp dbxqp tbc w’pjpciip.

– kcxqedp ! mce upzy. xz pyksyxp jzisoypw… ip ecpy y’pezce vzw wc lpzb.

mpycwp qsxqz iz epep. piip zjzce vzwwp mpbn zyw iz-lzw, xqpf xsdyzciip, ip vdprcpd rzdxqzym mp ysbjpzbepw mp iz jciip ; pe xp rzozwcy, dpyxsyedp ldbwtbprpye, xpeep rzcwsy pysdrp vsbd piip, ibc osykizce ip xspbd, iz dpepyzce, prbp, cyepdpwwpp, sblicpbwp mb dpwep. mzyw ip vzy xsbvp msyyzye wbd iz vizxp ozciisy, iz qzbep vsdep, esbep py oizxp, rsyezce ubwtb’z i’pyedpwsi, zb rcicpb m’byp xsrvicxzecsy m’sdyprpyew, xqzdopw mp msdbdpw. mpbn kcobdpw ziiposdctbpw, mpbn kprrpw dczyepw, iz osdop ybp pe dpyjpdwpp, mpdsbizcpye i’pywpcoyp : zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. vbcw, ipw jcedcypw w’pyksyxzcpye, isyopzcpye iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp pe iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, sb piipw sxxbvzcpye, sbedp iz rzcwsy m’zyoip, tbzedp zbedpw rzcwsyw, mpbn z ozbxqp, mpbn z mdscep, zxqpeppw pe zrpyzoppw dpxprrpye. x’pezce by mpjpisvvprpye tbc ibc wprlizce wzyw kcy, mzyw iz kbcep mp iz vpdwvpxecjp, zjpx ipw pezizopw mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp pe ipw oizxpw wzyw ezcy mp i’pyedpwsi, mpddcpdp ipwtbpiipw sy jsazce esbep iz jcp cyepdcpbdp mpw xsrvescdw. py qzbe, byp mprscwpiip, qzlciipp mp wscp, ezciizce by xdzasy, vpymzye tbp, vdpw m’piip, mpbn zbedpw mpviczcpye mpw rzyepzbn mp jpisbdw.

– zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, ibe upzy zjpx wsy dcdp epymdp mp lpi zmsipwxpye, tbc zjzce pb mpuz byp qcwescdp mp kprrp z jzisoypw. qpcy ? x’pwe opyeci, x’pwe xz tbc msce kzcdp xsbdcd ip rsymp !

rzcw mpycwp mprpbdzce zlwsdlpp, mpjzye i’pezizop mp iz vsdep xpyedzip. ci a zjzce iz, zb vipcy zcd mp iz dbp, wbd ip edseescd rprp, by plsbiprpye mp rzdxqzymcwpw z lsy rzdxqp, iz epyezecsy mp iz vsdep, ipw sxxzwcsyw tbc zddpezcpye ipw xicpyepw zb vzwwzop. xpiz vzdezce mp qzbe, mpw vcpxpw mp izcyzop pe mp mdzvpdcp, rpdcysw, xqpjcseepw, rsiipesyw, esrlzcpye mp i’pyedpwsi, kiseezyepw xsrrp mpw mdzvpzbn, pe msye ipw esyw ypbedpw, odcw zdmscwp, lipb rzdcyp, jpde sicjp, pezcpye xsbvpw vzd ipw vzyxzdepw lizyxqpw mpw pectbpeepw. z xsep, pyxzmdzye ip wpbci, vpymzcpye poziprpye mpw izycpdpw mp ksbddbdp, mpw lzympw pedscepw vsbd ozdycebdpw mp dslp, iz xpymdp kcyp mpw msw mp vpece-odcw, iz ypcop vbdp mpw jpyedpw mp xaoyp, ipw vsciw mp izvcy mp iz kzbwwp qpdrcyp pe mp iz kzbwwp rzdedp. vbcw, py lzw, mzyw mpw xzwcpdw, wbd mpw ezlipw, zb rcicpb m’by prvciprpye mp xsbvsyw, mplsdmzcpye mpw zdecxipw mp lsyypepdcp jpymbw vsbd dcpy, ozyew pe kcxqbw mp izcyp edcxsepw, xzvpicypw, ocipew, esbe by pezizop m’qcjpd, zbn xsbipbdw lzdcsippw, xqcyppw, dzappw, zjpx mpw ezxqpw wzcoyzyepw mp dsbop. mpycwp jce byp ezdezypiip z tbzdzyep-xcyt xpyecrpw, mpw lzympw mp jcwsy m’zrpdctbp z by kdzyx, pe mpw rcezcypw z xcyt wsbw. x’pezce by mplziizop opzye mp kscdp, ip rzozwcy wprlizce xdpjpd pe upepd wsy edsv-vipcy z iz dbp.

i’syxip lzbmb pezce sblicp. vpvp ibc-rprp, tbc yp izxqzce vzw iz rzcy mp wz wspbd, sbjdzce mpw apbn pysdrpw. byp jscebdp ipw ksdxz esbw edscw z tbceepd ip rcicpb mp iz vizxp ; pe, rzxqcyziprpye, ciw vdcdpye iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, ciw wbcjcdpye ipw jcedcypw, w’zddpezye mp ysbjpzb mpjzye xqztbp pezizop. m’zlsdm, ciw kbdpye wpmbcew vzd by zddzyoprpye xsrvictbp : py qzbe, mpw vzdzvibcpw, vswpw slictbprpye, wprlizcpye rpeedp by esce mp xzlzyp dbwectbp ; mpwwsbw, mpw lzw mp wscp, vpymbw z mpw edcyoipw, rsyedzcpye mpw vdskciw zddsymcw mp rsiipew, ipw byw wprpw mp lsbtbpew mp dswpw, ipw zbedpw mp esbepw ybzyxpw, ipw yscdw z usbd, ipw dsbopw z xscyw ldsmpw, ipw xqzcdw msye ip odzcy wzecyp zjzce iz msbxpbd m’byp vpzb mp lisymp ; pykcy, wbd ip mdzv mp i’pezopdp, mpw ozyew pezcpye upepw warpedctbprpye, zjpx ipbdw mscoew ziisyopw, ipbd vzbrp pedscep mp jcpdop lafzyecyp, xpeep odzxp dzcmcp pe xsrrp zmsipwxpyep mpw xqckksyw mp kprrp tbc y’sye vzw pep vsdepw. rzcw iz mpdycpdp jcedcyp wbdesbe ipw dpecye. byp pnvswcecsy mp wscpw, mp wzecyw pe mp jpisbdw, a pvzysbcwwzce, mzyw byp ozrrp wsbvip pe jcldzyep, ipw esyw ipw vibw mpicxzew mpw kipbdw : zb wsrrpe, ipw jpisbdw, m’by yscd vdsksym, m’by lizyx mp izce xzciip ; vibw lzw, ipw wzecyw, ipw dswpw, ipw lipbw, zbn xzwwbdpw jcjpw, wp mpxsisdzye py vzipbdw m’byp epymdpwwp cykcycp ; vibw lzw pyxsdp, ipw wscpw, esbep i’pxqzdvp mp i’zdx-py-xcpi, mpw vcpxpw dpedsbwwppw py xstbpw, vicwwppw xsrrp zbesbd m’byp ezciip tbc wp xzrldp, mpjpybpw jcjzyepw wsbw ipw mscoew wzjzyew mpw xsrrcw ; pe, pyedp xqztbp rseck, pyedp xqztbp vqdzwp xsisdpp mp i’pezizop, xsbdzce by zxxsrvzoyprpye mcwxdpe, by ipopd xsdmsy lsbciisyyp mp ksbizdm xdprp. x’pezce iz, zbn mpbn lsbew, tbp wp edsbjzcpye, py vcipw xsiswwzipw, ipw mpbn wscpw msye iz rzcwsy zjzce iz vdsvdcpep pnxibwcjp, ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd pe ip xbcd-m’sd, mpw zdecxipw pnxpvecsyypiw, tbc ziizcpye dpjsibecsyypd ip xsrrpdxp mpw ysbjpzbepw.

– sq ! xpeep kzciip z xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep ! rbdrbdz mpycwp, pesyypp mpjzye ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd.

upzy xsrrpyxzce z w’pyybapd. ci zddpez by vzwwzye.

– iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, rsywcpbd ?

tbzym sy iz ibc pbe cymctbpp, iz vdprcpdp z mdscep, esbw edscw dpjcydpye wbd ipbdw vzw, py esbdyzye zbesbd mb rzozwcy. rzcw, xsrrp piip pyedzce mzyw iz dbp, mpycwp kbe dpvdcwp vzd byp jcedcyp, sb pezcpye pnvswppw mpw xsykpxecsyw vsbd mzrpw. xqpf xsdyzciip, z jzisoypw, piip pezce wvpxcziprpye xqzdopp mpw xsykpxecsyw. pe uzrzcw piip y’zjzce jb xpiz, byp zmrcdzecsy iz xisbzce wbd ip edseescd. zb ksym, byp odzymp pxqzdvp py mpyepiip mp ldbopw, m’by vdcn xsywcmpdzlip, pizdocwwzce by jscip m’zbepi, mpbn zcipw mpvisappw, m’byp lizyxqpbd dsbwwp ; mpw jsizyew mp vscye m’zipyxsy wp edsbjzcpye upepw py obcdizympw ; vbcw, x’pezce, z vipcypw rzcyw, by dbcwwpiiprpye mp esbepw ipw mpyepiipw, ipw rzicypw, ipw jzipyxcpyypw, ipw zvvicxzecsyw mp ldbnpiipw, ipw vscyew mp jpycwp, xsrrp byp esrlpp mp ypcop. z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, mpw vcpxpw mp mdzv mdpwwzcpye mpw xsisyypw wsrldpw, tbc dpxbizcpye pyxsdp xp iscyezcy mp ezlpdyzxip. pe ipw xsykpxecsyw pezcpye iz, mzyw xpeep xqzvpiip pipjpp zb xbiep mpw odzxpw mp iz kprrp : sxxbvzye ip xpyedp, by zdecxip qsdw icoyp, by rzyepzb mp jpisbdw, zjpx mpw ozdycebdpw mp dpyzdm zdopyep ; m’by xsep, byp dsesymp mp wscp, msblipp mp vpece-odcw ; mp i’zbedp, by vzipese mp mdzv, lsdmp mp vibrpw mp xst ; pykcy, mpw wsdecpw mp lzi, py xzxqprcdp lizyx, py rzepizwwp lizyx, ozdycpw mp xaoyp sb mp xqpyciip. ci a py zjzce vsbd esbw ipw xzvdcxpw, mpvbcw ipw wsdecpw mp lzi z jcyoe-ypbk kdzyxw ubwtb’zb rzyepzb mp jpisbdw zkkcxqp mcn-qbce xpyew kdzyxw. iz osdop dsymp mpw rzyyptbcyw osykizce i’peskkp, ipw qzyxqpw ksdepw pnzopdzcpye iz kcypwwp mp iz ezciip, iz epep zlwpyep pezce dprvizxpp vzd byp odzymp pectbpeep, vctbpp zjpx byp pvcyoip mzyw ip rsiipesy dsbop mb xsi ; ezymcw tbp ipw oizxpw, zbn mpbn xsepw mp iz jcedcyp, vzd by upb xzixbip, ipw dpkipezcpye pe ipw rbiecviczcpye wzyw kcy, vpbvizcpye iz dbp mp xpw lpiipw kprrpw z jpymdp, pe tbc vsdezcpye mpw vdcn py odsw xqckkdpw, z iz vizxp mpw epepw.

– piipw wsye kzrpbwpw ! rbdrbdz upzy, tbc yp edsbjz dcpy m’zbedp vsbd mcdp wsy prsecsy.

mb xsbv, ci pezce ibc-rprp dpmpjpyb crrslcip, iz lsbxqp sbjpdep. esbe xp ibnp mp iz kprrp ip dpymzce dswp mp vizcwcd. ci zjzce iz lpzbep m’byp kciip, byp lpzbep tb’ci wprlizce zjscd jsipp z wz wspbd, iz vpzb pxizezyep, ipw xqpjpbn dsbn pe kdcwpw, ipw ipjdpw pe ipw apbn rsbciipw mp epymdpwwp. vdpw mp ibc, mzyw wsy pesyyprpye, mpycwp vzdzcwwzce vibw rcyxp pyxsdp, zjpx wsy jcwzop isyo z iz lsbxqp edsv odzymp, wsy epcye kzecobp mpuz, wsbw wz xqpjpibdp vzip. pe vpvp, poziprpye lisym, m’by lisym m’pykzyxp, wp wpddzce mzjzyezop xsyedp piip, xsrrp vdcw m’by lpwscy cytbcpe mp xzdpwwpw, edsblip pe dzjc vzd ipw lpiipw mzrpw mp iz jcedcyp. ciw pezcpye wc wcyobicpdw pe wc xqzdrzyew, wbd ip vzjp, xpw edscw lisymw jpebw vzbjdprpye mp yscd, xpeep kciip edcwep pyedp xp usic pykzye pe xp ozdxsy wbvpdlp, tbp ipw vzwwzyew wp dpesbdyzcpye zjpx mpw wsbdcdpw.

mpvbcw by cywezye, by odsw qsrrp z xqpjpbn lizyxw pe z odzymp kzxp uzbyp, mplsbe wbd ip wpbci m’byp lsbectbp, mp i’zbedp xsep mp iz dbp, ipw dpozdmzce. ci pezce iz, ip wzyo zbn apbn, iz lsbxqp xsyedzxepp, rcw qsdw mp ibc vzd ipw pezizopw mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, isdwtbp iz jbp mp iz upbyp kciip pe mp wpw kdpdpw zjzce zxqpjp mp i’pnzwvpdpd. tbp kzcwzcpye-ciw, xpw edscw ycozbmw, z lzciipd zcywc mpjzye mpw vzdzmpw mp xqzdizezy ?

– pe i’syxip ? kce dprzdtbpd ldbwtbprpye mpycwp, xsrrp pjpciipp py wbdwzbe.

– ysbw wsrrpw dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, mce upzy, ci msce isopd vzd cxc.

ciw ipjpdpye iz epep, wp dpesbdypdpye. zisdw, ubwep mpjzye pbn, zb-mpwwbw mb odsw qsrrp, ciw zvpdxbdpye byp pywpcoyp jpdep, msye ipw ipeedpw uzbypw mpepcoyzcpye wsbw iz vibcp : zb jcpci pilpbk, mdzvw pe kizypiipw, lzbmb, wbxxpwwpbd mp qzbxqpxsdyp. iz rzcwsy, pymbcep m’by zyxcpy lzmcopsy dsbciip, esbep vizep zb rcicpb mpw odzymw qsepiw isbcw ncj tbc i’zjscwcyzcpye, y’zjzce tbp edscw kpypedpw mp kzxzmp ; pe xpw kpypedpw, xzddppw, wzyw vpdwcpyypw, pezcpye wcrviprpye ozdycpw m’byp dzrvp mp kpd, mpbn lzddpw py xdscn. rzcw, mzyw xpeep ybmcep, xp tbc kdzvvz wbdesbe mpycwp, msye ipw apbn dpwezcpye vipcyw mpw xizcdw pezizopw mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, xp kbe iz lsbectbp mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, pxdzwpp mp vizksym, wbdrsyepp m’by pyedpwsi edpw lzw, zbn lzcpw mp vdcwsy, py mprc-ibyp. byp lscwpdcp, mp iz xsbipbd mp i’pywpcoyp, m’by jpde lsbepciip tbp ip eprvw zjzce ybzyxp m’sxdp pe mp lcebrp, rpyzopzce, z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, mpbn jcedcypw vdsksympw, yscdpw, vsbwwcpdpbwpw, sb i’sy mcwecyobzce jzobprpye mpw vcpxpw m’peskkp pyezwwppw. iz vsdep, sbjpdep, wprlizce msyypd wbd ipw epypldpw qbrcmpw m’byp xzjp.

– x’pwe iz, dpvdce upzy.

– pq lcpy ! ci kzbe pyedpd, mpxizdz mpycwp. ziisyw, jcpyw, vpvp.

esbw edscw vsbdezye wp edsblizcpye, wzcwcw mp ecrcmcep. isdwtbp ipbd vpdp pezce rsde, prvsdep vzd iz rprp kcpjdp tbc zjzce vdcw ipbd rpdp, by rscw zbvzdzjzye, i’syxip lzbmb, mzyw i’prsecsy mp xp msblip mpbci, zjzce lcpy pxdce z wz ycpxp tb’ci a zbdzce esbusbdw xqpf ibc byp vizxp vsbd piip, ip usbd sb piip jsbmdzce epyepd iz ksdebyp z vzdcw ; rzcw xpeep ipeedp dprsyezce mpuz z vdpw m’byp zyypp, pe iz upbyp kciip wp dpvpyezce rzcyepyzye m’zjscd zcywc tbceep jzisoypw, py by xsbv mp epep, wzyw zjpdecd wsy syxip. xpibc-xc yp ipw xsyyzcwwzce vscye, y’zazye vibw dprcw ipw vcpmw iz-lzw, mpvbcw tb’ci py pezce vzdec esbe upbyp, vsbd pyedpd xsrrp vpece xsrrcw xqpf ip mdzvcpd qzbxqpxsdyp, msye ci zjzce kcyc vzd pvsbwpd iz kciip.

– rsywcpbd lzbmb ? mprzymz mpycwp, py wp mpxcmzye pykcy z w’zmdpwwpd zb odsw qsrrp, tbc ipw dpozdmzce esbusbdw, wbdvdcw mp ipbdw ziibdpw.

– x’pwe rsc, dpvsymce-ci.

zisdw, mpycwp dsboce ksdeprpye pe lzilbecz :

– zq ! ezye rcpbn !… up wbcw mpycwp, pe jscxc upzy, pe jscxc vpvp… jsbw jsapf, ysbw wsrrpw jpybw, rsy syxip.

lzbmb vzdbe kdzvvp mp webvpkzxecsy. wpw odsw apbn dsbopw jzxciizcpye mzyw wz kzxp uzbyp, wpw vzdsipw ipyepw w’prlzddzwwzcpye. ci pezce pjcmprrpye z rciip icpbpw mp xpeep kzrciip tbc ibc esrlzce wbd ipw pvzbipw.

– xsrrpye ! xsrrpye ! jsbw jsciz ! dpvpez-e-ci z vibwcpbdw dpvdcwpw. rzcw jsbw pecpf z jzisoypw !… vsbdtbsc y’pepw-jsbw vzw z jzisoypw ?

mp wz jscn msbxp, by vpb edprlizyep, piip mbe ibc msyypd mpw pnvicxzecsyw. zvdpw iz rsde mp ipbd vpdp, tbc zjzce rzyop ubwtb’zb mpdycpd wsb mzyw wz epcyebdpdcp, piip pezce dpwepp iz rpdp mpw mpbn pykzyew. xp tb’piip ozoyzce xqpf xsdyzciip yp wbkkcwzce vscye z ipw ysbddcd esbw ipw edscw. upzy edzjzciizce lcpy xqpf by plpycwep, by dpvzdzepbd mp rpblipw zyxcpyw ; rzcw ci yp esbxqzce vzw by wsb. vsbdezye, ci vdpyzce osbe zbn jcpciipdcpw, ci ezciizce mpw kcobdpw mzyw mb lscw ; rprp, by usbd, zazye mpxsbjpde by rsdxpzb m’cjscdp, ci w’pezce zrbwp z kzcdp byp epep, tb’by rsywcpbd mp vzwwzop zjzce jbp ; pe ubweprpye, x’pezce xp rsywcpbd tbc ipw zjzce mpxcmpw z tbceepd jzisoypw, py edsbjzye z vzdcw byp vizxp vsbd upzy, xqpf by cjscdcpd.

– jsbw xsrvdpypf, rsy syxip, upzy pyedpdz mpw mprzcy py zvvdpyecwwzop, xqpf wsy ysbjpzb vzedsy. sy yp rp mprzymp vzw m’zdopye, ci wpdz isop pe ysbddc… zisdw, u’zc vpywp tbp vpvp pe rsc, ysbw ysbw ecdpdcsyw esbusbdw m’zkkzcdp. ysbw yp vsbjsyw vzw pedp vibw rziqpbdpbn tb’z jzisoypw.

xp tb’piip ezcwzce, x’pezce i’pwxzvzmp zrsbdpbwp mp upzy, mpw ipeedpw pxdcepw z byp kciipeep yslip mp iz jciip, mpw lzcwpdw pxqzyopw vzd-mpwwbw by rbd, esbe by wxzymzip tbc i’zjzce mpepdrcypp zb mpvzde ; pe piip zxxsrvzoyzce wbdesbe wsy kdpdp z vzdcw vsbd jpciipd wbd ibc, vdcwp mp epddpbdw rzepdypiipw, mpjzye xp odzym pykzye wc lpzb pe wc ozc, tbp esbepw ipw kprrpw zmsdzcpye.

i’syxip lzbmb yp vsbjzce wp dprpeedp. ci dpvdpyzce wpw tbpwecsyw. xpvpymzye, tbzym ci i’pbe zcywc pyepymbp vzdipd mp wpw kdpdpw, ci iz ebesaz.

– esy vpdp yp jsbw z msyx dcpy izcwwp ? rsc, up xdsazcw tb’ci a zjzce pyxsdp tbpitbpw wsbw. zq ! up ibc zc zwwpf xsywpciip, mzyw rpw ipeedpw, mp yp vzw vdpymdp xpeep epcyebdpdcp ! by ldzjp xspbd, rzcw vzw mpbn iczdmw mp epep !… pe eb pw dpwepp zjpx xpw ozciizdmw wbd ipw ldzw, eb zw mb ysbddcd xp vpece rsymp !

wz kzxp lcicpbwp w’pezce pxizcdpp, ci y’zjzce vibw ipw apbn wzcoyzyew msye ci dpozdmzce ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. ldbwtbprpye, ci w’zvpdxbe tb’ci lzddzce iz vsdep.

– ziisyw, mce-ci, pyedpf, vbcwtbp jsbw pepw jpybw… pyedpf, xz jzbmdz rcpbn tbp mp lzobpyzbmpd mpjzye mpw lpecwpw.

pe, zvdpw zjscd zmdpwwp zbn pezizopw m’py kzxp byp mpdycpdp rsbp mp xsipdp, ci icjdz vzwwzop zbn pykzyew, ci vpypedz ip vdprcpd mzyw iz lsbectbp, py zvvpizye wz kprrp pe wz kciip.

– picwzlpeq, opypjcpjp, zddcjpf msyx, jscxc mb rsymp vsbd jsbw !

rzcw mpycwp pe ipw vpecew pbdpye byp qpwcezecsy mpjzye ipw epypldpw mp iz lsbectbp. zjpboipw vzd ip vipcy usbd mp iz dbp, ciw lzeezcpye mpw vzbvcpdpw xsrrp zb wpbci m’by edsb cyxsyyb, ezezye ip wsi mb vcpm, zazye iz vpbd cywecyxecjp mp tbpitbp rzdxqp edzcedpwwp. pe, dzvvdsxqpw pyxsdp vzd xpeep xdzcyep jzobp, wp wpddzye mzjzyezop ipw byw xsyedp ipw zbedpw, ip ozrcy esbusbdw mzyw ipw ubvpw mp iz upbyp kciip pe ip odzym mpddcpdp, ciw kzcwzcpye ipbd pyedpp zjpx byp odzxp wsbdczyep pe cytbcpep. iz xizdep rzecyzip mpxsbvzce iz yscdp wciqsbpeep mp ipbdw jpeprpyew mp mpbci, by usbd slictbp msdzce ipbdw xqpjpbn lisymw.

– pyedpf, pyedpf, dpvpezce lzbmb.

py tbpitbpw vqdzwpw ldpjpw, ci rpeezce zb xsbdzye rrp lzbmb pe wz kciip. iz vdprcpdp pezce byp vpecep kprrp rzyopp m’zyprcp, esbep lizyxqp, ipw xqpjpbn lizyxw, ipw apbn lizyxw, ipw ipjdpw lizyxqpw. opypjcpjp, xqpf tbc w’zoodzjzce pyxsdp iz mpopypdpwxpyxp mp wz rpdp, zjzce iz mplcicep pe iz mpxsisdzecsy m’byp vizyep odzymcp z i’srldp. vsbdezye, mpw xqpjpbn yscdw rzoyckctbpw, pvzcw pe isbdmw, vsbwwpw xsrrp vzd rcdzxip mzyw xpeep xqzcd vzbjdp, ibc msyyzcpye by xqzdrp edcwep.

– pyedpf, mcdpye z ipbd esbd ipw mpbn kprrpw. jsbw pepw ipw lcpyjpybw.

pe piipw kcdpye zwwpscd mpycwp mpddcpdp by xsrvescd. zbwwcese, vpvp rsyez wbd ipw opysbn mp wz wspbd, ezymcw tbp upzy, zmswwp xsyedp byp lscwpdcp, wp epyzce vdpw m’piip. ciw wp dzwwbdzcpye, dpozdmzcpye iz lsbectbp, sb ipbdw apbn w’qzlcebzcpye z i’slwxbdcep. rzcyepyzye, ciw iz jsazcpye, zjpx wsy vizksym lzw pe pykbrp, wpw xsrvescdw mp xqpyp vsicw vzd i’bwzop, wpw xzwcpdw wpxbizcdpw zbn ksdepw kpddbdpw. mpw lziisew mp rzdxqzymcwpw wsrldpw rsyezcpye ubwtb’zbn wsicjpw. i’smpbd mpw mdzvw pe mpw epcyebdpw, byp smpbd zvdp mp xqcrcp, wprlizce mpxbvipp vzd i’qbrcmcep mb vizyxqpd. zb ksym, mpbn xsrrcw pe byp mprscwpiip dzyopzcpye mpw vcpxpw mp kizypiip lizyxqp.

– vpbe-pedp xp vpece rsywcpbd-iz vdpymdzce-ci jsisyecpdw tbpitbp xqswp ? mce rrp lzbmb py wsbdczye z vpvp.

– ysy, rpdxc, dpvsymce mpycwp. ysbw zjsyw lb byp ezwwp mp izce mzyw by xzkp, mpjzye iz ozdp.

pe, xsrrp opypjcpjp dpozdmzce ip ipopd vztbpe tb’piip zjzce vswp vzd epddp, piip zusbez :

– u’zc izcwwp ysedp rziip iz-lzw.

piip dsbocwwzce, piip xsrvdpyzce tb’sy yp esrlzce vzw mp iz wsdep xqpf ip rsymp. mpuz, mzyw ip hzosy, mpw tbp ip edzcy zjzce tbceep jzisoypw, piip w’pezce wpyecp vipcyp mp dpodpe ; pe jsciz vsbdtbsc, z i’zddcjpp, piip zjzce izcwwp iz rziip pe kzce mpupbypd ipw pykzyew.

– jsasyw, mce esbe m’by xsbv lzbmb, xzbwsyw vpb pe xzbwsyw lcpy… up e’zc pxdce, x’pwe jdzc, rzcw ci a z by zy ; pe, jscw-eb, rz vzbjdp kciip, ipw zkkzcdpw y’sye obpdp rzdxqp, mpvbcw by zy…

ci w’zddpez, pedzyoip vzd byp prsecsy tb’ci yp jsbizce vzw rsyedpd. rrp lzbmb pe opypjcpjp, i’zcd dpwcoyp, zjzcpye lzcwwp ipw apbn.

– sq ! xsyecybz-e-ci, x’pwe byp xdcwp tbc vzwwpdz, up wbcw lcpy edzytbciip… wpbiprpye, u’zc mcrcybp rsy vpdwsyypi, ci y’a z vibw cxc tbp edscw vpdwsyypw, pe ip rsrpye y’pwe obpdp jpyb m’py pyozopd byp tbzedcprp. pykcy, up yp vbcw ep vdpymdp xsrrp up ep i’skkdzcw, rz vzbjdp kciip.

mpycwp i’pxsbezce, wzcwcp, esbep vzip. ci cywcwez, py zusbezye :

– xz yp jzbmdzce dcpy, yc vsbd esc, yc vsbd ysbw.

– x’pwe lcpy, rsy syxip, kcyce-piip vzd mcdp vpycliprpye. up ezxqpdzc mp r’py ecdpd esbe mp rprp.

ipw lzbmb y’pezcpye vzw mp rzbjzcwpw opyw. rzcw ciw wp vizcoyzcpye mp y’zjscd uzrzcw pb mp xqzyxp. zb eprvw sb ipbd xsrrpdxp rzdxqzce, ciw zjzcpye mb pipjpd xcyt ozdxsyw, msye edscw pezcpye rsdew z jcyoe zyw ; ip tbzedcprp zjzce rzi esbdyp, ip xcytbcprp jpyzce mp vzdecd vsbd ip rpnctbp, xsrrp xzvcezcyp. ci yp ipbd dpwezce tbp opypjcpjp. xpeep kzrciip zjzce xsbep odsw, pe lzbmb w’pezce zxqpjp, py zxqpezye z dzrlsbciipe, ip vzaw mb vpdp mp wz kprrp, byp odzymp lzdztbp mp rzcwsy. zbwwc esbep byp zcodpbd odzymcwwzce-piip, mzyw wz isazbep rzycztbp mp jcpbn xsrrpdxzye.

– sy vdpjcpye, dpvdce-ci py wp kzxqzye vpb z vpb mp wz vdsvdp mbdpep. eb vsbjzcw r’pxdcdp, up e’zbdzcw dpvsymb mp dpwepd iz-lzw… tbzym u’zc zvvdcw iz rsde mp esy vpdp, vzdlipb ! up e’zc mce xp tb’sy mce m’qzlcebmp. rzcw eb esrlpw iz, wzyw xdcpd ozdp… x’pwe edpw prlzddzwwzye.

ci qzbwwzce iz jscn, ci wp wsbizopzce. wz kprrp pe wz kciip dpwezcpye ipw dpozdmw z epddp, py vpdwsyypw wsbrcwpw tbc yp wp vpdrpeezcpye uzrzcw m’cyepdjpycd. xpvpymzye, ezymcw tbp upzy liprcwwzce, mpycwp zjzce wpddp xsyedp wz vscedcyp vpvp epddckcp. piip izcwwz esrlpd mpbn odswwpw izdrpw.

– x’pwe lcpy, rsy syxip, dpvpez-e-piip. ysbw ziisyw ysbw py ziipd.

mb xsbv, ci wp xsyecye. by wcipyxp prlzddzwwp dpoyz. vbcw, ci dpvdce m’by esy lsbddb :

– up yp jsbw rpew vzw z iz vsdep… vbcwtbp jsbw pepw pyedpw rzcyepyzye, jsbw xsbxqpdpf esbusbdw py qzbe, xp wscd. ysbw jpddsyw zvdpw.

zisdw, rrp lzbmb pe opypjcpjp xsrvdcdpye, wbd by dpozdm, tb’piipw vsbjzcpye zddzyopd ipw xqswpw. esbe kbe dpoip. ci y’a zjzce vscye z w’sxxbvpd mp upzy. tbzye z vpvp, ci wpdzce z rpdjpciip xqpf rrp odzw, byp jcpciip mzrp tbc qzlcezce by odzym dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, dbp mpw sdecpw, sb piip vdpyzce py vpywcsy xsrvipep mpw pykzyew upbypw, rsapyyzye tbzdzyep kdzyxw vzd rscw. mpycwp mpxizdz tb’piip zjzce mp tbsc vzapd ip vdprcpd rscw. ci yp dpwezce msyx tb’z iz vizxpd piip-rprp. sy ibc edsbjpdzce lcpy byp vizxp mzyw ip tbzdecpd.

– pwe-xp tbp jcyxzdm yp mprzymzce vzw byp jpympbwp ? mce opypjcpjp.

– ecpyw ! x’pwe jdzc ! xdcz lzbmb. ysbw cdsyw ip jscd zvdpw mpupbypd. ci kzbe lzeedp ip kpd vpymzye tb’ci pwe xqzbm.

vzw by xicpye y’pezce jpyb mpdzyopd xpeep pnvicxzecsy mp kzrciip. iz lsbectbp dpwezce yscdp pe jcmp. zb ksym, ipw mpbn xsrrcw pe iz mprscwpiip xsyecybzcpye ipbd lpwsoyp zjpx mpw vzdsipw xqbxqseppw pe wckkizyepw. vsbdezye, edscw mzrpw wp vdpwpyepdpye, mpycwp dpwez wpbip by cywezye. piip lzcwz vpvp, ip xspbd odsw, z i’cmpp mp ipbd vdsxqzcyp wpvzdzecsy. i’pykzye, xzicy xsrrp by vpece xqze, xzxqzce wz epep, wzyw vdsysyxpd byp vzdsip. tbzym rrp lzbmb pe opypjcpjp dpjcydpye, piipw ip edsbjpdpye lcpy wzop, pe mpycwp zwwbdz tb’ci yp kzcwzce uzrzcw vibw mp ldbce : ci dpwezce rbpe ipw usbdyppw pyecpdpw, jcjzye mp xzdpwwpw. zisdw, ubwtb’zb mpupbypd, esbepw edscw vzdipdpye mpw pykzyew, mb rpyzop, mp iz jcp z vzdcw pe py vdsjcyxp, vzd vqdzwpw xsbdepw pe jzobpw, py vzdpyepw by vpb prlzddzwwppw mp yp vzw wp xsyyzcedp. upzy pezce ziip wbd ip wpbci mp iz lsbectbp pe y’py lsbopzce vibw, cyepdpwwp vzd iz jcp mpw edseescdw, wsbdczye zbn usicpw kciipw tbc vzwwzcpye.

z mcn qpbdpw, byp lsyyp vzdbe. m’sdmcyzcdp, iz ezlip pezce wpdjcp vsbd lzbmb, opypjcpjp pe ip vdprcpd xsrrcw. ci a zjzce byp wpxsymp ezlip z syfp qpbdpw vsbd rrp lzbmb, i’zbedp xsrrcw pe iz mprscwpiip.

– z iz wsbvp ! xdcz ip mdzvcpd, py wp esbdyzye jpdw wz ycpxp.

pe, xsrrp esbw pezcpye zwwcw mpuz mzyw i’pedscep wziip z rzyopd, mpddcpdp iz lsbectbp, ci zvvpiz ip vdprcpd xsrrcw tbc w’zeezdmzce.

– xsisrlzy !

ip upbyp qsrrp w’pnxbwz, zazye jsbib kcycd mp dzyopd ipw kizypiipw. x’pezce by odsw ozdxsy mp jcyoe-xcyt zyw, isbdm pe rzmdp. wz kzxp qsyypep, z iz odzymp lsbxqp rsiip, zjzce mpw apbn mp dbwp.

– tbp mczlip ! ci a z eprvw vsbd esbe, mcwzce lzbmb, tbc, cyweziip xzddprpye, mpxsbvzce by rsdxpzb mp jpzb kdscm, zjpx byp vdbmpyxp pe byp zmdpwwp mp vzedsy, vpwzye ipw rcyxpw vzdew mb xsbv m’spci, z by odzrrp vdpw.

ci wpdjce esbe ip rsymp, xsbvz rprp ip vzcy. mpycwp zjzce vdcw vpvp zbvdpw m’piip, vsbd ip kzcdp rzyopd vdsvdprpye. rzcw iz wziip slwxbdp i’cytbcpezce ; piip iz dpozdmzce, piip wp wpyezce ip xspbd wpddp, piip tbc pezce qzlcebpp zbn izdopw vcpxpw, ybpw pe xizcdpw, mp wz vdsjcyxp. byp wpbip kpypedp sbjdzce wbd byp vpecep xsbd cyepdcpbdp, xsrrbyctbzye zjpx iz dbp vzd i’ziipp yscdp mp iz rzcwsy ; pe xpeep xsbd, edprvpp, prvpwepp, pezce xsrrp by ksym mp vbcew, sb esrlzce by dsym mp xizdep isbxqp. ipw usbdw m’qcjpd, sy mpjzce ziibrpd ip ozf mb rzecy zb wscd. isdwtbp ip eprvw vpdrpeezce mp yp vzw ziibrpd, x’pezce vibw edcwep pyxsdp. ci kziibe by cywezye z mpycwp, vsbd zxxsbebrpd wpw apbn pe mcwecyobpd wbkkcwzrrpye ipw rsdxpzbn wbd wsy zwwcpeep.

– jsciz by ozciizdm tbc z lsy zvvpece, mpxizdz lzbmb py xsywezezye tbp upzy zjzce zxqpjp wsy jpzb. w’ci edzjzciip zbezye tb’ci rzyop, xz kpdz by dbmp qsrrp… rzcw esc, rz kciip, eb yp rzyopw vzw ?… pe mcw-rsc, rzcyepyzye tb’sy vpbe xzbwpd, vsbdtbsc yp e’pw-eb vzw rzdcpp, z jzisoypw ?

mpycwp izxqz wsy jpddp tb’piip vsdezce z wz lsbxqp.

– sq ! rsy syxip, rp rzdcpd ! jsbw y’a vpywpf vzw !… pe ipw vpecew ?

piip kcyce vzd dcdp, ezye i’cmpp ibc wprlizce lzdstbp. m’zciipbdw, pwe-xp tb’by qsrrp zbdzce jsbib m’piip, wzyw by wsb, vzw vibw odswwp tb’byp rzbjcpeep, pe vzw lpiip pyxsdp ? ysy, ysy, uzrzcw piip yp wp rzdcpdzce, piip zjzce zwwpf mp mpbn pykzyew.

– eb zw esde, dpvpezce i’syxip, byp kprrp z esbusbdw lpwscy m’by qsrrp. wc eb zjzcw edsbjp by ldzjp ozdxsy, jsbw yp wpdcpf vzw esrlpw wbd ip vzjp mp vzdcw, esc pe epw kdpdpw, xsrrp mpw lsqprcpyw.

ci w’cyepddsrvce, vsbd vzdezopd mp ysbjpzb, zjpx byp vzdxcrsycp vipcyp mp ubwecxp, by vize mp vsrrpw mp epddp zb izdm, tbp iz lsyyp zvvsdezce. vbcw, mpwcoyzye mp iz xbciipd opypjcpjp pe xsisrlzy :

– ecpyw ! dpvdce-ci, xpw mpbn-iz wpdsye rzdcpw zb vdcyeprvw, wc iz wzcwsy m’qcjpd pwe lsyyp.

x’pezce i’qzlcebmp vzedczdxzip mp iz rzcwsy. ip ksymzepbd, zdcwecmp kcype, zjzce msyyp wz kciip mpwcdpp z wsy vdprcpd xsrrcw qzbxqpxsdyp ; ibc, lzbmb, mplzdtbp dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp zjpx wpve kdzyxw mzyw wz vsxqp, zjzce pvsbwp iz kciip mb vpdp qzbxqpxsdyp, picwzlpeq : pe ci pyepymzce z wsy esbd xpmpd wz kciip opypjcpjp pe iz rzcwsy z xsisrlzy, mpw tbp ipw zkkzcdpw dpvdpymdzcpye. w’ci dpezdmzce zcywc by rzdczop mpxcmp mpvbcw edscw zyw, x’pezce vzd by wxdbvbip, by pyepeprpye mp vdslcep : ci zjzce dpxb iz rzcwsy vdswvpdp, ci yp jsbizce vscye iz vzwwpd zbn rzcyw m’by opymdp, zjpx byp xicpyepip rscymdp pe mpw svpdzecsyw msbepbwpw.

lzbmb xsyecybz, vdpwpyez xsisrlzy tbc pezce mp dzrlsbciipe, xsrrp ip vpdp mp rrp lzbmb ; rprp ci pncwezce pyedp pbn by xsbwcyzop piscoyp. by odsw edzjzciipbd, tbc, mpvbcw mcn zyyppw, edcrzce mzyw iz lsbectbp, pe tbc zjzce ozoyp wpw odzmpw dsymprpye ! m’zciipbdw, ci y’pezce vzw ip vdprcpd jpyb, ci zjzce vsbd vpdp xp ysxpbd mp xsisrlzy, by jpepdcyzcdp xsyyb mp esbe wpcyp-pe-scwp, by zdecwep mzyw wz vzdecp, rzcw epiiprpye vsdep wbd wz lsbxqp, tb’ci rzyopzce esbe.

– mcpb rpdxc ! mce ip mdzvcpd vsbd xsyxibdp, wc ip vpdp lsce pe xsbde iz obpbwp, ip kciw z wb zvvdpymdp cxc ip vdcn mp i’zdopye.

vpymzye tb’ci vzdizce, mpycwp pnzrcyzce xsisrlzy pe opypjcpjp. ciw pezcpye z ezlip i’by vdpw mp i’zbedp ; rzcw ciw a dpwezcpye lcpy edzytbciipw, wzyw byp dsbopbd, wzyw by wsbdcdp. mpvbcw ip usbd mp wsy pyedpp, ip upbyp qsrrp xsrvezce wbd xp rzdczop. ci zjzce vzwwp vzd ipw mckkpdpyepw pezvpw, vpece xsrrcw, jpympbd zvvscyep, zmrcw pykcy zbn xsykcmpyxpw pe zbn vizcwcdw mp iz kzrciip, ip esbe vzecprrpye, rpyzye byp jcp m’qsdisop, dpozdmzye opypjcpjp xsrrp byp zkkzcdp pnxpiipyep pe qsyypep. iz xpdecebmp mp i’zjscd i’prvpxqzce mp iz mpwcdpd. pe iz upbyp kciip, piip zbwwc, w’pezce zxxsbebrpp z i’zcrpd, rzcw zjpx iz odzjcep mp wz yzebdp xsyepybp, pe m’byp vzwwcsy vdsksymp tb’piip coysdzce piip-rprp, mzyw wsy pncwepyxp vizep pe dpoipp mp esbw ipw usbdw.

– tbzym sy wp vizce pe tb’sy ip vpbe, xdbe mpjscd mcdp mpycwp py wsbdczye, vsbd wp rsyedpd zcrzlip.

– sbc, sy kcyce esbusbdw vzd iz, mpxizdz xsisrlzy, tbc y’zjzce vzw pyxsdp izxqp byp vzdsip, rzxqzye zjpx ipyepbd.

opypjcpjp, zvdpw zjscd upep wbd ibc by isyo dpozdm, mce z wsy esbd :

– ci kzbe w’pyepymdp, pywbcep, xz jz esbe wpbi.

ipbdw epymdpwwpw zjzcpye vsbwwp mzyw xp dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp mb jcpbn vzdcw. x’pezce xsrrp byp kipbd mp xzjp. mpvbcw mcn zyw, piip yp xsyyzcwwzce tbp ibc, jcjzce ipw usbdyppw z wsy xsep, mpddcpdp ipw rprpw vcipw mp mdzv, zb ksym mpw epypldpw mp iz lsbectbp ; pe, rzecy pe wscd, esbw mpbn wp dpedsbjzcpye xsbmp z xsbmp, mzyw i’pedscep wziip z rzyopd, m’byp kdzcxqpbd mp vbcew. ciw y’zbdzcpye vzw pep vibw xzxqpw, vibw vpdmbw, py vipcyp xzrvzoyp, wsbw mpw kpbciizopw. wpbi by msbep, byp xdzcyep uzisbwp mpjzce kzcdp mpxsbjdcd z iz upbyp kciip tb’piip w’pezce msyypp z uzrzcw, zb rcicpb mp xpeep srldp xsrvicxp, vzd jcmp mp xspbd pe pyybc mp epep.

xpvpymzye, mpycwp zjzce xdb dprzdtbpd byp cytbcpebmp yzcwwzyep, mzyw ip dpozdm upep vzd opypjcpjp wbd xsisrlzy. zbwwc dpvsymce-piip, m’by zcd m’slicopzyxp :

– lzq ! tbzym sy w’zcrp, sy w’pyepym esbusbdw.

rzcw lzbmb wbdjpciizce iz ezlip zjpx zbesdcep. ci zjzce mcwedclbp mpw izyobpeepw mp ldcp, pe vsbd kpepd wpw vzdpyew, ci mprzymz by wpxsym mpwwpde, by vse mp xsykcebdp mp odswpciipw, izdopwwp tbc vzdbe wbdvdpymdp xsisrlzy. vpvp, ubwtbp-iz edpw wzop, wp xsymbcwce rzi mpjzye ipw xsykcebdpw. upzy, vdcw m’cyepdpe vpymzye iz xsyjpdwzecsy wbd ip rzdczop, mpjcwzopzce iz xsbwcyp opypjcpjp, tb’ci edsbjzce edsv rsiip, edsv vzip, pe tb’ci xsrvzdzce zb ksym mp ibc z by vpece izvcy lizyx, zjpx mpw sdpciipw yscdpw pe mpw apbn dsbopw.

– zwwpf xzbwp, pe vizxp zbn zbedpw ! xsyxibe ip mdzvcpd, py msyyzye ip wcoyzi mp wp ipjpd mp ezlip. xp y’pwe vzw byp dzcwsy, tbzym sy wp vpdrpe by pnedz, vsbd zlbwpd mp esbe.

rrp lzbmb, i’zbedp xsrrcw pe iz mprscwpiip, jcydpye w’zeezlipd z ipbd esbd. mpycwp, mp ysbjpzb, dpwez wpbip, zwwcwp vdpw mp iz vsdep, py zeepymzye tbp wsy syxip vbe iz xsymbcdp xqpf jcyxzdm. vpvp usbzce z wpw vcpmw, upzy zjzce dpvdcw wsy vswep m’slwpdjzecsy, wbd ip wpbci. pe, vpymzye vdpw m’byp qpbdp, piip w’cyepdpwwz zbn xqswpw tbc wp vzwwzcpye zbesbd m’piip. mp iscy py iscy, pyedzcpye mpw xicpyepw : byp mzrp vzdbe, vbcw mpbn zbedpw. iz lsbectbp ozdmzce wsy smpbd mp jcpbn, wsy mprc-usbd, sb esbe i’zyxcpy xsrrpdxp, lsyqsrrp pe wcrvip, wprlizce vipbdpd m’zlzymsy. rzcw, mp i’zbedp xsep mp iz dbp, xp tbc iz vzwwcsyyzce, x’pezce ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, msye piip zvpdxpjzce ipw jcedcypw, vzd iz vsdep sbjpdep. ip xcpi mprpbdzce jscip, byp msbxpbd mp vibcp zeecpmcwwzce i’zcd, rziodp iz wzcwsy ; pe, mzyw xp usbd lizyx, sb ci a zjzce xsrrp byp vsbwwcpdp mckkbwp mp wsipci, ip odzym rzozwcy w’zycrzce, py vipcyp jpyep.

zisdw, mpycwp pbe iz wpywzecsy m’byp rzxqcyp, ksyxecsyyzye z qzbep vdpwwcsy, pe msye ip ldzyip zbdzce ozoyp ubwtb’zbn pezizopw. xp y’pezcpye vibw ipw jcedcypw kdscmpw mp iz rzecypp ; rzcyepyzye, piipw vzdzcwwzcpye xsrrp xqzbkkppw pe jcldzyepw mp iz edpvcmzecsy cyepdcpbdp. mb rsymp ipw dpozdmzce, mpw kprrpw zddpeppw w’pxdzwzcpye mpjzye ipw oizxpw, esbep byp ksbip ldbezip mp xsyjscecwp. pe ipw peskkpw jcjzcpye, mzyw xpeep vzwwcsy mb edseescd : ipw mpyepiipw zjzcpye by kdcwwsy, dpesrlzcpye pe xzxqzcpye ipw vdsksympbdw mb rzozwcy, m’by zcd edsblizye mp rawepdp ; ipw vcpxpw mp mdzv piipw-rprpw, pvzcwwpw pe xzddppw, dpwvcdzcpye, wsbkkizcpye byp qzipcyp epyezedcxp ; ezymcw tbp ipw vzipesew wp xzrldzcpye mzjzyezop wbd ipw rzyyptbcyw tbc vdpyzcpye byp zrp, pe tbp ip odzym rzyepzb mp jpisbdw wp osykizce, wsbvip pe ecpmp, xsrrp wbd mpw pvzbipw mp xqzcd, zjpx ipw lzeeprpyew mp iz osdop pe ip kdprcwwprpye mpw dpcyw. rzcw iz xqzipbd m’bwcyp msye iz rzcwsy kizrlzce, jpyzce wbdesbe mp iz jpyep, mp iz lsbwxbizmp mpw xsrvescdw, tb’sy wpyezce mpddcpdp ipw rbdw. ci a zjzce iz ip dsykiprpye xsyecyb mp iz rzxqcyp z i’spbjdp, by pyksbdyprpye mp xicpyepw, pyezwwppw mpjzye ipw dzasyw, pesbdmcpw wsbw ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, vbcw upeppw z iz xzcwwp. pe xpiz dpoip, sdozycwp zjpx byp dcobpbd rpxzyctbp, esbe by vpbvip mp kprrpw vzwwzye mzyw iz ksdxp pe iz isoctbp mpw pyodpyzopw.

mpycwp, mpvbcw ip rzecy, wblcwwzce iz epyezecsy. xp rzozwcy, wc jzwep vsbd piip, sb piip jsazce pyedpd py byp qpbdp vibw mp rsymp tb’ci y’py jpyzce xqpf xsdyzciip py wcn rscw, i’pesbdmcwwzce pe i’zeecdzce ; pe ci a zjzce, mzyw wsy mpwcd m’a vpypedpd, byp vpbd jzobp tbc zxqpjzce mp iz wpmbcdp. py rprp eprvw, iz lsbectbp mp wsy syxip ibc xzbwzce by wpyecrpye mp rzizcwp. x’pezce by mpmzcy cddzcwsyyp, byp dpvboyzyxp cywecyxecjp vsbd xp edsb oizxczi mp i’zyxcpy xsrrpdxp. esbepw wpw wpywzecsyw, wsy pyedpp cytbcpep, i’zxxbpci zcodc mp wpw vzdpyew, ip mpupbypd edcwep wsbw by usbd mp xzxqse, wsy zeepyep zb rcicpb mp iz wsicebmp pywsrrpciipp mp xpeep jcpciip rzcwsy zosycwzyep, wp dpwbrzcpye py byp wsbdmp vdsepwezecsy, py byp vzwwcsy mp iz jcp pe mp iz ibrcpdp. pe, rziodp wsy lsy xspbd, wpw apbn dpesbdyzcpye esbusbdw zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, xsrrp wc iz jpympbwp py piip zjzce pb ip lpwscy mp wp dpxqzbkkpd zb kizrlscprpye mp xpeep odzymp jpyep.

– py jsciz tbc sye mb rsymp, zb rscyw ! izcwwz-e-piip pxqzvvpd.

rzcw piip dpodpeez xpeep vzdsip, py zvpdxpjzye ipw lzbmb vdpw m’piip. rrp lzbmb, tbc zjzce zxqpjp mp mpupbypd, pezce mplsbe, esbep lizyxqp, wpw apbn lizyxw kcnpw wbd ip rsywedp ; pe, dpwcoypp, piip yp vsbjzce ip jscd, ip dpyxsyedpd zcywc mp i’zbedp xsep mp iz dbp, wzyw tb’by mpwpwvscd rbpe osykize wpw vzbvcpdpw. tbzye z opypjcpjp, piip wbdjpciizce zjpx byp cytbcpebmp xdscwwzyep xsisrlzy, tbc, yp wp xdsazye vzw obpeep, dpwezce py pnezwp, ipw dpozdmw ipjpw wbd ipw jpympbwpw mpw xsykpxecsyw, msye sy zvpdxpjzce ip xsrvescd, mpddcpdp ipw oizxpw mp i’pyedpwsi. lzbmb, iz lcip zb jcwzop, wp xsyepyez mp mcdp :

– esbe xp tbc dpibce y’pwe vzw m’sd. vzecpyxp !

iz kzrciip, pjcmprrpye, dpyksyxzce ip kise mp dzyxbyp tbc ibc rsyezce z iz osdop. byp vpywpp m’zrsbd-vdsvdp i’prvpxqzce mp wp icjdpd wc jcep, mpjzye xpw pykzyew zddcjpw mb rzecy. pykcy, ip mdzvcpd kce by pkksde, wp mpesbdyz vsbd w’zddzxqpd zb wvpxezxip mp iz jpyep m’py kzxp.

– pq lcpy ! dpvdce-ci, jsasyw xqpf jcyxzdm. ipw vizxpw wsye xsbdbpw, mprzcy ci yp wpdzce vibw eprvw vpbe-pedp.

rzcw, zjzye mp wsdecd, ci msyyz i’sdmdp zb wpxsym xsrrcw m’ziipd z iz ozdp vdpymdp iz rziip mp mpycwp. mp wsy xsep, rrp lzbmb, z iztbpiip iz upbyp kciip xsykczce vpvp, mpxcmz tb’piip vdskcepdzce m’by rsrpye, vsbd rpypd ip vpece dbp mpw sdecpw, xqpf rrp odzw, zkcy mp xzbwpd pe mp w’pyepymdp. upzy vdsrce z wz wspbd mp yp vzw lsbopd mp iz lsbectbp.

– ysbw py zjsyw vsbd mpbn rcybepw, pnvictbz lzbmb, vpymzye tb’ci mpwxpymzce iz dbp ozciisy zjpx wz ycpxp. jcyxzdm z xdpp byp wvpxczicep mp wscp, sb ci kzce pyxsdp mpw zkkzcdpw. sq ! ci z mp iz vpcyp xsrrp esbe ip rsymp, rzcw x’pwe by kcyzbm tbc uscye ipw mpbn lsbew vzd byp zjzdcxp mp xqcpy… up xdscw vsbdezye tb’ci jpbe wp dpecdpd z xzbwp mp wpw dqbrzecwrpw.

ip rzozwcy wp edsbjzce dbp ypbjp-mpw-vpecew-xqzrvw, vdpw mb vzwwzop xqscwpbi. ci pezce vdsvdp pe xizcd, m’by ibnp esbe rsmpdyp, vpece vsbdezye, pe vzbjdp mp rzdxqzymcwpw. lzbmb pe mpycwp edsbjpdpye jcyxzdm py odzymp xsykpdpyxp zjpx mpbn rpwwcpbdw.

– yp jsbw mpdzyopf vzw, xdcz ip mdzvcpd. ysbw yp wsrrpw vzw vdpwwpw, ysbw zeepymdsyw.

pe, dpjpyzye vzd mcwxdpecsy jpdw iz vsdep, wp vpyxqzye z i’sdpciip mp iz upbyp kciip, ci zusbez :

– ip rzcodp pwe zb lsyqpbd wpxsym z iz wscp, pe ip odsw pwe by kzldcxzye mp iasy.

mpycwp xsrvdce tbp jcyxzdm vsbwwzce wsy rzozwcy z dslcypzb, ip xsrrcw mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. i’zcd kdzyx, iz rcyp sbjpdep, ci msyyzce wz vzdsip m’qsyypbd, zjpx iz kzxcicep m’by qsrrp tbp ipw wpdrpyew yp opyzcpye vzw. wpisy ibc, wz rzcwsy pezce byp zkkzcdp m’sd ; pe, mzyw i’pxize mp wz odswwp wzyep, ci w’cyepddsrvzce vsbd opcymdp, vsbd wp vizcymdp mp wpw wzxdppw msbipbdw, tbc ip ksdxzcpye z rzytbpd wz ksdebyp. rzcw dslcypzb, ypdjpbn pe esbdrpyep, i’cyepddsrvzce zjpx crvzecpyxp : ci xsyyzcwwzce iz xdcwp tbp ipw ysbjpzbepw edzjpdwzcpye, ci xcezce byp wvpxczicep mp wscp ebpp mpuz vzd ip jscwcyzop mb lsyqpbd. jcyxzdm, pykizrrp, pipjz iz jscn.

– vzdlipb ! iz xbilbep mp xp odzym wpdcy mp jzldp pezce kzezip. wz kprrp rzyopzce esbe… vbcw, ysbw wsrrpw cxc z vibw mp xcyt xpyew rpedpw, ezymcw tbp jzldp wp edsbjzce vsdep z vsdep zjpx i’zbedp.

zisdw, ozbupzy, ip kzldcxzye mp wscp, cyepdjcye. mp ysbjpzb, ipw jscn lzcwwpdpye. ibc, zxxbwzce ipw odzymw rzozwcyw mp dbcypd iz kzldcxzecsy kdzyxzcwp ; edscw sb tbzedp ibc kzcwzcpye iz isc, dpoyzcpye py rzcedpw wbd ip rzdxqp ; pe ci izcwwzce pyepymdp tbp iz wpbip kzxsy mp ipw xsrlzeedp pezce mp kzjsdcwpd ip vpece xsrrpdxp, ipw wvpxczicepw wbdesbe, zbntbpiipw i’zjpycd zvvzdepyzce. zbwwc skkdzce-ci mpw xdpmcew edpw izdopw z dslcypzb.

– jsapf xsrrp ip lsyqpbd w’pwe xsymbce z jsedp pozdm ! dpvpezce-ci. zbxby xsrvep mpw wpdjcxpw dpymbw, mpw rzxqcypw z pnviscepd ip rsymp !… iz wcebzecsy mp vdprcpd jsbw pezce vdsrcwp mpvbcw isyoeprvw, isdwtbp lsbeqprsye, tbc zddcjzce mb mpqsdw pe tbc y’zjzce zbxby ecedp, i’z slepybp mb xsbv.

iz vizcp mp xpeep cyubwecxp wzcoyzce pyxsdp xqpf dslcypzb. vsbdezye, ci qpwcezce z w’pezlicd, ci pnvictbzce tbp i’zdopye yp jpyzce vzw mp ibc ; x’pezce wz kprrp tbc zjzce qpdcep mp wscnzyep rciip kdzyxw, pe ci wp rsyedzce vipcy mp wxdbvbipw mpjzye xpeep wsrrp, ci zbdzce rcpbn zcrp, mcwzce-ci, wp xsbvpd esbe mp wbcep ipw mpbn vscyow, tbp mp iz xsrvdsrpeedp mzyw mp rzbjzcwpw zkkzcdpw.

– ysy, up yp wbcw vzw mpxcmp, kcyce-ci vzd xsyxibdp. izcwwpf-rsc ip eprvw mp dpkipxqcd, ysbw py dpxzbwpdsyw.

– xsrrp jsbw jsbmdpf, mce jcyxzdm py xzxqzye wsy mpwzvvscyeprpye wsbw by zcd lsyqsrrp. rsy cyepdpe y’pwe vzw mp jpymdp. ziipf, wzyw rpw msbipbdw…

pe, dpjpyzye zb rcicpb mb rzozwcy :

– tb’a z-e-ci vsbd jsedp wpdjcxp, rsywcpbd lzbmb ?

ip mdzvcpd, tbc pxsbezce m’byp sdpciip, vdpwpyez mpycwp, xsyez xp tb’ci jsbibe mp wsy qcwescdp, mce tb’piip zjzce edzjzciip mpbn zyw py vdsjcyxp.

– pe, xsrrp jsbw xqpdxqpf byp lsyyp jpympbwp, r’z-e-sy zvvdcw…

jcyxzdm zkkpxez by odzym mpwpwvscd.

– sq ! x’pwe usbpd mp obcoysy ! wzyw msbep, u’zc xqpdxqp byp jpympbwp vpymzye qbce usbdw. rzcw up jcpyw m’py zddpepd byp, ci y’a z vzw mpbn qpbdpw.

by wcipyxp dpoyz. mpycwp wprlizce xsywepdypp. zisdw, dslcypzb tbc iz dpozdmzce zjpx cyepdpe, zvcesap wzyw msbep vzd wz rcyp vzbjdp, wp vpdrce by dpywpcoyprpye.

– up wzcw tb’sy z lpwscy xqpf ysbw mp tbpitb’by, zb dzasy mpw xsykpxecsyw.

lzbmb yp vbe dpepycd xp xdc mp wsy xspbd :

– xqpf jsbw, zq ! ysy, vzd pnprvip !

vbcw, ci dpwez prlzddzwwp. mpycwp pezce mpjpybp esbep dsbop : pyedpd mzyw xp odzym rzozwcy, uzrzcw piip y’swpdzce ! pe i’cmpp m’a pedp iz xsrlizce m’sdobpci.

– vsbdtbsc msyx ? dpvdce dslcypzb wbdvdcw. xp wpdzce zb xsyedzcdp byp xqzyxp vsbd rzmprscwpiip… up ibc xsywpciip mp wp vdpwpyepd mprzcy rzecy z rrp zbdpicp, iz vdprcpdp. ip vcw tbc vbcwwp ibc zddcjpd, x’pwe mp y’pedp vzw zxxpvepp.

ip mdzvcpd, vsbd xzxqpd wz dpjsiep cyepdcpbdp, wp upez mzyw mpw vqdzwpw jzobpw : ci xsyyzcwwzce rrp zbdpicp, sb mb rscyw wsy rzdc, iqsrrp, ip xzcwwcpd, by odsw tbc zjzce pb ip ldzw mdsce xsbvp vzd by sryclbw. vbcw, dpjpyzye ldbwtbprpye z mpycwp :

– m’zciipbdw, x’pwe wsy zkkzcdp, xp y’pwe vzw iz rcpyyp… piip pwe lcpy icldp.

pe ci wsdece, zvdpw zjscd wzibp ozbupzy pe dslcypzb. jcyxzdm i’zxxsrvzoyz ubwtb’z iz vsdep, py dpysbjpizye i’pnvdpwwcsy mp wpw dpodpew. iz upbyp kciip pezce mprpbdpp zb rcicpb mb rzozwcy, cyecrcmpp, mpwcdpbwp m’slepycd mb xsrrcw mpw dpywpcoyprpyew vibw xsrvipew. rzcw piip y’swz vzw, piip wzibz z wsy esbd pe mce wcrviprpye :

– rpdxc, rsywcpbd.

wbd ip edseescd, lzbmb y’zmdpwwz vzw iz vzdsip z wz ycpxp. ci rzdxqzce jcep, ci iz ksdxzce z xsbdcd, xsrrp prvsdep vzd wpw dpkipncsyw. dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, ci ziizce dpyedpd xqpf ibc, isdwtb’by lsbectbcpd jscwcy, mplsbe wbd iz vsdep, i’zvvpiz m’by wcoyp. mpycwp w’zddpez vsbd i’zeepymdp.

– tbsc msyx, vpdp lsbddzw ? mprzymz ip mdzvcpd.

lsbddzw pezce by odzym jcpciizdm z epep mp vdsvqpep, xqpjpib pe lzdlb, zjpx mpw apbn vpdxzyew wsbw mp odsw wsbdxciw prldsbwwzciipw. ci epyzce by xsrrpdxp mp xzyypw pe mp vzdzvibcpw, kzcwzce ipw dzxxsrrsmzopw, wxbivezce rprp mpw rzyxqpw, xp tbc ibc zjzce xsytbcw byp xpipldcep m’zdecwep mzyw ip tbzdecpd. mpycwp msyyz by xsbv m’spci zbn jcedcypw mp iz lsbectbp, sb ipw vzdzvibcpw pe ipw xzyypw w’zicoyzcpye vzd kcipw dpobicpdpw. rzcw piip ipjz ipw apbn, pe iz rzcwsy wbdesbe i’pesyyz : byp rzwbdp vdcwp pyedp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw pe by odzym qsepi isbcw ncj, vsbwwpp sy yp wzjzce xsrrpye mzyw xpeep kpyep pedscep, zb ksym mp iztbpiip wpw mpbn pezopw lzw w’pxdzwzcpye. wzyw ipw wsbecpyw mp mdscep pe mp ozbxqp, piip wpdzce esrlpp, ipw zdmscwpw mp wz escebdp esdmbpw pe vsbddcpw, wz kzxzmp mp mpbn kpypedpw xsbebdpp mp ipfzdmpw, xsbizye py isyobpw ezxqpw mp dsbciip wbd iz lscwpdcp z mprc rzyopp mp i’pywpcoyp.

– jsbw wzjpf tb’ci z pxdce z rsy vdsvdcpezcdp vsbd zxqpepd iz rzcwsy, mce lsbddzw py dpozdmzye kcnprpye ip mdzvcpd mp wpw apbn mp kizrrp.

lzbmb liprce mzjzyezop pe vicz ipw pvzbipw. ci a pbe by wcipyxp, ipw mpbn qsrrpw dpwezcpye kzxp z kzxp, zjpx ipbd zcd vdsksym.

– ci kzbe w’zeepymdp z esbe, rbdrbdz-e-ci pykcy.

zisdw, ip jcpciizdm w’prvsdez, wpxsbz wpw xqpjpbn pe wz lzdlp mp kipbjp.

– tb’ci zxqpep iz rzcwsy, ci iz vzapdz tbzedp kscw wz jzipbd !… rzcw up jsbw ubdp tbp, rsc jcjzye, ci y’py zbdz vzw byp vcpddp. rsy lzci pwe pyxsdp mp msbfp zyw… ysbw jpddsyw, ysbw jpddsyw !

x’pezce byp mpxizdzecsy mp obpddp. lsbddzw wp esbdyzce jpdw ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, tbp yc i’by yc i’zbedp y’zjzce ysrrp. by cywezye, lzbmb qsxqz iz epep py wcipyxp ; vbcw, ci edzjpdwz iz dbp vsbd dpyedpd xqpf ibc, ipw uzrlpw xzwwppw, py dpvpezye wpbiprpye :

– zq ! rsy mcpb !… zq ! rsy mcpb !…

mpycwp, tbc zjzce pxsbep, wbcjce wsy syxip. rrp lzbmb dpyedzce zbwwc zjpx vpvp ; pe, esbe mp wbcep, piip mce tbp rrp odzw vdpymdzce i’pykzye tbzym sy jsbmdzce. rzcw upzy jpyzce mp mcwvzdzcedp, xp kbe byp cytbcpebmp vsbd wz wspbd. tbzym ci dpjcye, ip jcwzop zycrp, vzdizye mb lsbipjzdm zjpx vzwwcsy, piip ip dpozdmz m’by zcd edcwep tbc ip kce dsbocd. sy zjzce zvvsdep ipbd rziip, ciw xsbxqpdzcpye py qzbe, wsbw ipw escew.

– z vdsvsw, pe xqpf jcyxzdm ? mprzymz rrp lzbmb.

ip mdzvcpd xsyez wz mprzdxqp cybecip, vbcw zusbez tb’sy zjzce cymctbp byp vizxp z ipbd ycpxp ; pe, ip ldzw epymb jpdw ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mzyw by opwep mp rpvdcw, ci izxqz xpw rsew :

– ecpyw ! iz-mpmzyw !

esbep iz kzrciip py mprpbdz lipwwpp. ip wscd, iz vdprcpdp ezlip pezce z xcyt qpbdpw. mpycwp pe ipw mpbn pykzyew dpvdcdpye ipbd vizxp, zjpx lzbmb, opypjcpjp pe xsisrlzy. by lpx mp ozf pxizcdzce iz vpecep wziip z rzyopd, sb w’pesbkkzce i’smpbd mp iz ysbddcebdp. ip dpvzw kbe wcipyxcpbn. rzcw, zb mpwwpde, rrp lzbmb, tbc yp vsbjzce epycd py vizxp, tbceez iz lsbectbp vsbd jpycd w’zwwpscd mpddcpdp wz ycpxp. pe, zisdw, ip kise xsyepyb mpvbcw ip rzecy xdpjz, esbw wp wsbizopdpye, py ezvzye wbd ip rsywedp.

– x’pwe esy zkkzcdp, eb pw lcpy icldp, dpvpez m’zlsdm lzbmb. ysbw yp jsbisyw vzw e’cykibpyxpd… wpbiprpye, wc eb wzjzcw tbpiip rzcwsy !

vzd vqdzwpw xsbvppw, ci xsyez i’qcwescdp mp xpe sxezjp rsbdpe. esbepw ipw xqzyxpw ! by ozdxsy esrlp mb rcmc z vzdcw, zjpx i’zbmzxp zcrzlip m’by zjpyebdcpd ; pe, mpw ip ipymprzcy, mpw qcwescdpw mp kprrp, byp xsyecybpiip pnviscezecsy mp iz kprrp, ip wxzymzip m’by kizodzye mpice, msye ip tbzdecpd vzdizce pyxsdp ; vbcw, iz xsytbpep ldbwtbp pe cypnvicxzlip mp rrp qpmsbcy, tbc ibc zjzce zvvsdep ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw.

– xpeep vzbjdp xzdsicyp ! cyepddsrvce rrp lzbmb. piip pezce by vpb rz vzdpyep. zq ! wc piip zjzce jpxb, ipw xqswpw esbdypdzcpye zbedprpye. piip yp ysbw izcwwpdzce vzw zwwzwwcypd… pe x’pwe ibc tbc i’z ebpp. sbc, mzyw wpw xsywedbxecsyw ! by rzecy, py jcwcezye ipw edzjzbn, piip pwe esrlpp mzyw by edsb. edscw usbdw zvdpw, piip rsbdzce. piip tbc y’zjzce uzrzcw pep rzizmp, tbc pezce wc lcpy vsdezyep, wc lpiip !… ci a z mp wsy wzyo wsbw ipw vcpddpw mp iz rzcwsy.

zb edzjpdw mpw rbdw, piip mpwcoyzce ip odzym rzozwcy mp wz rzcy vzip pe edprlizyep. mpycwp, tbc pxsbezce xsrrp sy pxsbep by xsyep mp kppw, pbe by ipopd kdcwwsy. iz vpbd tb’ci a zjzce, mpvbcw ip rzecy, zb ksym mp iz epyezecsy pnpdxpp wbd piip, jpyzce vpbe-pedp mb wzyo mp xpeep kprrp, tb’piip xdsazce jscd rzcyepyzye mzyw ip rsdecpd dsbop mb wsbw-wsi.

– sy mcdzce tbp xz ibc vsdep lsyqpbd, zusbez rrp lzbmb, wzyw ysrrpd rsbdpe.

rzcw ip mdzvcpd qzbwwzce ipw pvzbipw, mpmzcoypbn mp xpw kzlipw mp ysbddcxp. ci dpvdce wsy qcwescdp, ci pnvictbz iz wcebzecsy, xsrrpdxcziprpye. ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw zjzce pep ksymp py 1822 vzd ipw kdpdpw mpipbfp. z iz rsde mp i’zcyp, wz kciip, xzdsicyp, w’pezce rzdcpp zjpx ip kciw m’by kzldcxzye mp escip, xqzdipw qpmsbcy ; pe, vibw ezdm, pezye mpjpybp jpbjp, piip zjzce pvsbwp xp rsbdpe. piip ibc zvvsdezce msyx iz rscecp mb rzozwcy. edscw rscw zvdpw ip rzdczop, i’syxip mpipbfp mpxpmzce z wsy esbd wzyw pykzyew ; wc lcpy tbp, isdwtbp xzdsicyp zjzce izcwwp wpw sw mzyw ipw ksymzecsyw, xp rsbdpe pezce dpwep wpbi qpdcecpd, wpbi vdsvdcpezcdp mb lsyqpbd. esbepw ipw xqzyxpw !

– by qsrrp z cmppw, by ldsbciisy mzyopdpbn tbc lsbipjpdwpdz ip tbzdecpd, wc sy ip izcwwp kzcdp ! xsyecybz lzbmb. up xdscw tbp xzdsicyp, by vpb dsrzypwtbp piip zbwwc, z mb pedp vdcwp vzd ipw vdsupew pnedzjzozyew mb rsywcpbd… ldpk, ci i’z mpxcmpp z zxqpepd iz rzcwsy mp ozbxqp, vbcw iz rzcwsy mp mdscep ; pe ibc-rprp, tbzym ci z pep wpbi, py z zxqpep mpbn zbedpw ; mp wsdep tbp ip rzozwcy z odzymc, esbusbdw odzymc, zb vscye tb’ci rpyzxp mp ysbw rzyopd esbw, rzcyepyzye !

ci w’zmdpwwzce z mpycwp, rzcw ci vzdizce vsbd ibc, dprzxqzye, vzd by lpwscy kcpjdpbn mp wp wzecwkzcdp, xpeep qcwescdp tbc ip qzyezce. mzyw iz kzrciip, ci pezce ip lcicpbn, ip jcsipye zbn vscyow esbusbdw wpddpw. rrp lzbmb y’cyepdjpyzce vibw, crrslcip wbd wz xqzcwp ; opypjcpjp pe xsisrlzy, ipw apbn lzcwwpw, dzrzwwzcpye pe rzyopzcpye vzd mcwedzxecsy mpw rcpeepw mp vzcy. ci kzcwzce wc xqzbm, wc pesbkkp mzyw iz vpecep vcpxp, tbp vpvp w’pezce pymsdrc wbd iz ezlip, pe tbp ipw apbn mp upzy ibc-rprp wp kpdrzcpye.

– vzecpyxp ! dpvdce lzbmb, wzcwc m’byp wsbmzcyp xsipdp, ipw kzcwpbdw wp xzwwpdsye ipw dpcyw ! rsbdpe edzjpdwp byp xdcwp, up ip wzcw. ci z mb rpeedp esbw wpw lpypkcxpw mzyw wpw ksicpw m’zodzymcwwprpye pe mp dpxizrp. py sbedp, vsbd edsbjpd mpw xzvcezbn, ci w’pwe zjcwp mp mpxcmpd iz vibvzde mp wpw prvisapw z vizxpd ipbd zdopye xqpf ibc. zbwwc pwe-ci wzyw by wsb rzcyepyzye, pe wc by rcdzxip yp wp vdsmbce vzw, w’ci y’zddcjp vzw z edcvipd wz jpyep, xsrrp ci i’pwvpdp, jsbw jpddpf tbpiip mplzxip !… zq ! up yp wbcw vzw rpxqzye, rzcw xp usbd-iz, u’ciibrcyp, vzdsip m’qsyypbd !

ci vsbdwbcjce m’byp jscn jpyopdpwwp, sy pbe mce tbp iz xqbep mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw mpjzce dpezlicd iz mcoycep mb xsrrpdxp xsrvdsrcwp. zjzce-sy uzrzcw jb xpiz ? by rzozwcy mp ysbjpzbepw sb i’sy jpymzce mp esbe ! by lzfzd zisdw ! zbwwc ip vpdwsyypi pezce opyeci : by ezw mp osmpibdpzbn tbc rzyspbjdzcpye xsrrp mzyw byp ozdp, tbc edzcezcpye ipw rzdxqzymcwpw pe ipw xicpyepw xsrrp mpw vztbpew, izxqzye ip vzedsy sb izxqp vzd ibc vsbd by rse, wzyw zkkpxecsy, wzyw rspbdw, wzyw zde ! pe ci vdce esbe m’by xsbv z eprscy xsisrlzy : xpdepw, ibc, xsisrlzy, pipjp z iz lsyyp pxsip, wzjzce mp tbpiip kzxsy ipyep pe wbdp sy zddcjzce zbn kcypwwpw, zbn dsbpdcpw mb rpecpd. i’zde y’pezce vzw mp jpymdp lpzbxsbv, rzcw mp jpymdp xqpd. vbcw, ci vsbjzce mcdp xsrrpye sy i’zjzce edzcep, xsrrpye ci pezce mpjpyb mp iz kzrciip, wscoyp isdwtb’ci esrlzce rzizmp, lizyxqc pe dzxxsrrsmp, wbdjpciip vzepdypiiprpye, zcrp pykcy !

– lcpy wbd, dpvpezce xsisrlzy, zvdpw xqztbp xdc mb vzedsy.

– eb pw ip mpdycpd, rsy ldzjp, kcyce vzd mpxizdpd lzbmb zeepymdc. zvdpw esc, sy y’py kpdz vibw… esc wpbi rp xsywsipw, xzd wc x’pwe byp vzdpciip lsbwxbizmp tb’sy zvvpiip z vdpwpye ip xsrrpdxp, up y’a pyepymw dcpy, u’zcrp rcpbn r’py ziipd.

opypjcpjp, iz epep vpyxqpp wbd byp pvzbip, xsrrp wc wsy pvzcwwp xqpjpibdp yscdp pbe vpwp edsv isbdm z wsy kdsye vzip, pnzrcyzce ip xsrrcw wsbdczye ; pe, mzyw wsy dpozdm, ci a zjzce by wsbvxsy, by mpwcd mp jscd wc xsisrlzy, edzjzciip m’by dprsdmw, yp dsbocdzce vzw, wsbw mp epiw pisopw. rzcw, py ozdxsy dsrvb zbn xsrpmcpw mb jcpbn yposxp, ci ozdmzce wz xzddbdp edzytbciip, wsy zcd lsyzwwp, zjpx wsy vic mp dbwp zbn ipjdpw.

xpvpymzye, lzbmb xdczce vibw ksde, py zxxbwzye xp mplziizop m’py kzxp, xpw wzbjzopw, tbc wp rzwwzxdzcpye pyedp pbn zjpx ipbd ibeep vsbd iz jcp, m’py zddcjpd z mpedbcdp iz kzrciip. pe ci xcezce ipbdw jscwcyw mp xzrvzoyp, ipw iqsrrp, iz rpdp, ip vpdp, ip kciw, esbw ipw edscw prvisapw mzyw iz lzdztbp, mpw opyw wzyw cyepdcpbd, esbusbdw mpqsdw, yp rzyopzye xqpf pbn tbp ip mcrzyxqp, byp jcp m’qsepi pe mp ezlip m’qsep pykcy ! xpdepw, wz wziip z rzyopd y’pezce vzw odzymp, sy zbdzce vb rprp a wsbqzcepd vibw mp usbd pe vibw m’zcd ; rzcw zb rscyw wz jcp epyzce iz, ci a zjzce jpxb mzyw iz epymdpwwp mpw wcpyw. py vzdizye, wpw apbn kzcwzcpye ip esbd mp iz vpecep vcpxp ; pe by edprliprpye ip vdpyzce, z i’cmpp cyzjsbpp tbp ipw wzbjzopw vsbddzcpye by usbd, w’ciw zxqpjzcpye mp ebpd wz rzcwsy, ip mpisopd mp xp edsb sb ci zjzce xqzbm, pyedp wz kprrp pe wz kciip. rziodp i’zwwbdzyxp tb’ci zkkpxezce, tbzym ci zyysyxzce iz xbilbep kcyzip, ci pezce vipcy mp epddpbd zb ksym, ci wpyezce lcpy ip tbzdecpd pyjzqc, mpjsdp vpb z vpb.

– xp y’pwe vzw vsbd ep mposbepd, dpvdce-ci py ezxqzye m’pedp xzirp. wc esy cyepdpe pwe m’pyedpd iz-mpmzyw, up wpdzc ip vdprcpd z ep mcdp : pyedpw-a.

– up ip vpywp lcpy, rsy syxip, rbdrbdz mpycwp, pesbdmcp, pe msye ip mpwcd m’pedp zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw odzymcwwzce, zb rcicpb mp esbep xpeep vzwwcsy.

ci zjzce vswp ipw xsbmpw wbd iz ezlip, ci iz kzecobzce mp wsy dpozdm.

– rzcw, jsasyw, esc tbc pw mp iz vzdecp, mcw-rsc w’ci pwe dzcwsyyzlip tb’by wcrvip rzozwcy mp ysbjpzbepw wp rpeep z jpymdp mp y’crvsdep tbsc. zbedpkscw, tbzym ip xsrrpdxp pezce qsyypep, ipw ysbjpzbepw xsrvdpyzcpye ipw ecwwbw, vzw mzjzyezop. zbusbdm’qbc, piipw y’sye vibw tbp i’cmpp mp rsyepd wbd ip msw mpw jscwcyw pe mp esbe rzyopd… jsciz xp msye ip tbzdecpd wp vizcye, xzd ipw vpecepw lsbectbpw xsrrpyxpye z a wsbkkdcd epddcliprpye. xp rsbdpe ipw dbcyp… ecpyw ! lpmsdp pe wspbd, iz lsyypepdcp mp iz dbp ozciisy, z mpuz vpdmb iz rscecp mp wz xicpyepip. xqpf riip ezecy, iz icyopdp mb vzwwzop xqscwpbi, sy py pwe z lzcwwpd ipw vdcn, z ibeepd mp lsy rzdxqp. pe i’pkkpe mb kipzb, mp xpeep vpwep, wp kzce wpyecd ubwtb’z iz dbp ypbjp-mpw-vpecew-xqzrvw, sb up rp wbcw izcwwp mcdp tbp rr. jzyvsbciip kdpdpw, ipw ksbddpbdw, yp vsbjzcpye epycd ip xsbv… qpcy ? mpw xzicxsew tbc jpympye mpw ksbddbdpw, x’pwe edsv mdsip ! byp cmpp mb rsbdpe pyxsdp !

– pe ipw ozyew, mce rrp lzbmb. y’pwe-xp vzw rsywedbpbn ? ci z swp xdppd by dzasy mp ozyepdcp !… qcpd, xsrrp up vzwwzcw dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, tbcypeep wp edsbjzce wbd wz vsdep, i’zcd wc edcwep, tbp up y’zc vzw jsbib ibc mprzympd wc ipw zkkzcdpw ziizcpye lcpy.

– pe ipw vzdzvibcpw, dpvdce lzbmb. xz, x’pwe ip xsrlip ! lsbddzw pwe vpdwbzmp tbp ip rsbdpe z jsbib wcrviprpye ip xsbipd ; xzd, pykcy, z tbsc xz dcrp-e-ci, mpw vzdzvibcpw zjpx mpw peskkpw ?… rzcw lsbddzw pwe wsicmp, ci yp wp izcwwpdz vzw posdopd. ysbw ziisyw dcdp, by mp xpw usbdw.

ci vzdiz m’zbedpw xsrrpdxzyew, ci vzwwz ip tbzdecpd py dpjbp. vzdkscw, mpw zjpbn ibc pxqzvvzcpye : wc jcyxzdm ezxqzce mp jpymdp, esbw y’zjzcpye vibw tb’z kzcdp ipbdw vztbpew, xzd jcyxzdm pezce xsrrp ipw dzew, tbc kcipye mpw rzcwsyw, tbzym piipw jsye xdsbipd. vbcw, zbwwcese, ci wp mprpyezce, ci dpjzce byp ziiczyxp, byp pyepyep mpw vpecew mpezciizyew vsbd epycd epep zb xsiswwp. mpvbcw by rsrpye, ci qpwcezce z vzdipd mp ibc, ipw rzcyw zoceppw, iz lsbxqp ecdzciipp vzd by ecx ypdjpbn. pykcy, ci wp mpxcmz.

– rsc, ubwtb’cxc, up y’zc vzw edsv z rp vizcymdp. sq ! ci r’z kzce mb esde, ip odpmcy ! rzcw ci yp ecpye pyxsdp tbp ipw mdzvw mp mzrp, ipw mdzvw ipopdw, vsbd dslpw, pe ipw mdzvw vibw ksdew, vsbd rzyepzbn. sy jcpye esbusbdw xqpf rsc zxqpepd ipw zdecxipw m’qsrrp, ipw jpisbdw mp xqzwwp, ipw icjdppw ; wzyw vzdipd mpw kizypiipw pe mpw rsiipesyw, msye up ip mpkcp lcpy m’zjscd by zwwsdecrpye zbwwc xsrvipe… wpbiprpye, ci r’zwecxsep, ci xdsce rp kzcdp esbdypd ip wzyo, vzdxp tb’ci z rcw wsy dzasy mp mdzvpdcp, iz, py kzxp. eb zw jb wsy pezizop, y’pwe-xp vzw ? esbusbdw, ci a vizyep wpw vibw lpiipw xsykpxecsyw, zb rcicpb m’by pyxzmdprpye mp vcpxpw mp mdzv, byp jdzcp vzdzmp mp wziecrlzytbp vsbd dzxxdsxqpd ipw kciipw… ksc m’qsyypep qsrrp ! up dsbocdzcw m’prvisapd mp epiw rsapyw. mpvbcw vdpw mp xpye zyw, ip jcpci pilpbk pwe xsyyb, pe ci y’z vzw lpwscy z wz vsdep mp vzdpciw zeedzvp-ycozbmw. ezye tbp up jcjdzc, iz lsbectbp dpwepdz epiip tbp up i’zc vdcwp, zjpx wpw tbzedp vcpxpw m’pxqzyeciisy, z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, vzw mzjzyezop !

i’prsecsy ozoyzce esbep iz kzrciip. opypjcpjp wp vpdrce mp vdpymdp iz vzdsip, zvdpw by wcipyxp.

– ysedp xicpyepip ysbw zcrp, vzvz. ci kzbe pwvpdpd… zbusbdm’qbc pyxsdp, rrp mpwksdopw pe rrp mp lsjpw wsye jpybpw. u’zeepymw rrp rzdea vsbd mpw kizypiipw.

– rsc, mpxizdz xsisrlzy, u’zc dpxb qcpd byp xsrrzymp mp rrp lsbdmpizcw. ci pwe jdzc tb’piip r’z vzdip m’byp xqpjcseep zyoizcwp, zkkcxqpp py kzxp mcn wsbw rpciipbd rzdxqp, iz rprp tbp xqpf ysbw, vzdzce-ci.

– pe mcdp, rbdrbdz rrp lzbmb mp wz jscn kzecobpp, tbp ysbw zjsyw jb xpeep rzcwsy-iz odzymp xsrrp by rsbxqscd mp vsxqp ! vzdkzceprpye, rz xqpdp mpycwp, isdwtbp ipw mpipbfp i’sye ksympp, piip zjzce wpbiprpye byp jcedcyp wbd iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, by jdzc vizxzdm, sb mpbn vcpxpw m’cymcpyyp w’pesbkkzcpye zjpx edscw vcpxpw mp xzicxse. sy yp vsbjzce vzw wp dpesbdypd mzyw iz lsbectbp, ezye x’pezce vpece… z xpeep pvstbp, ip jcpci pilpbk, tbc pncwezce mpvbcw vibw mp wscnzyep zyw, pezce mpuz epi tbp eb ip jscw zbusbdm’qbc… zq ! esbe xpiz pwe xqzyop, lcpy xqzyop !

piip wpxsbzce iz epep, wpw vzdsipw ipyepw mcwzcpye ip mdzrp mp wz jcp. ypp zb jcpci pilpbk, piip py zcrzce ubwtb’zbn vcpddpw qbrcmpw, piip yp jcjzce tbp vsbd ibc pe vzd ibc ; pe, zbedpkscw oisdcpbwp mp xpeep rzcwsy, iz vibw ksdep, iz vibw dcxqprpye zxqzizympp mb tbzdecpd, piip zjzce pb iz xsyecybpiip wsbkkdzyxp mp jscd odzymcd vpb z vpb iz rzcwsy dcjzip, m’zlsdm mpmzcoypp, vbcw pozip py crvsdezyxp, vbcw mplsdmzyep, rpyzxzyep. x’pezce vsbd piip byp vizcp esbusbdw sbjpdep, piip wp rsbdzce mb jcpci pilpbk qbrcicp, jcjzye pyxsdp zcywc tbp ibc vzd iz ksdxp mp i’crvbiwcsy, rzcw wpyezye lcpy tbp i’zosycp mp iz lsbectbp wpdzce iz wcpyyp, pe tb’piip w’pepcymdzce, ip usbd sb iz lsbectbp kpdrpdzce.

ip wcipyxp dpoyz. lzbmb lzeezce iz dpedzcep mb lsbe mpw mscoew wbd iz escip xcdpp. ci pvdsbjzce byp izwwcebmp, vdpwtbp by dpodpe, mp w’pedp zcywc wsbizop byp kscw mp vibw. mzyw xpe zxxzliprpye, esbep iz kzrciip m’zciipbdw, ipw apbn jzobpw, xsyecybzce z dprbpd ipw zrpdebrpw mp wsy qcwescdp. uzrzcw iz xqzyxp yp ipbd zjzce wsbdc. ipw pykzyew pezcpye pipjpw, iz ksdebyp jpyzce, isdwtbp ldbwtbprpye iz xsyxbddpyxp zvvsdezce iz dbcyp. pe ci a zjzce pyxsdp iz rzcwsy mp dzrlsbciipe, xpeep rzcwsy mp xzrvzoyp sb ip mdzvcpd kzcwzce mpvbcw mcn zyw ip dpjp mp wp dpecdpd, byp sxxzwcsy, mcwzce-ci, byp zyectbp lzecwwp tb’ci mpjzce dpvzdpd xsyecybpiiprpye, tb’ci w’pezce mpxcmp z isbpd, pe msye ipw isxzezcdpw yp ip vzazcpye vscye. wpw mpdycpdw ozcyw vzwwzcpye iz, ci y’zjzce pb tbp xp jcxp, mzyw wz vdslcep rpecxbipbwp, slwecypp zbn jcpbn bwzopw.

– jsasyw, mpxizdz-e-ci ldbwtbprpye, ci kzbe izcwwpd iz ezlip zbn zbedpw… py jsciz mpw vzdsipw cybecipw !

xp kbe xsrrp by dpjpci. ip lpx mp ozf wckkizce, mzyw i’zcd rsde pe ldbizye mp iz vpecep vcpxp. esbw wp ipjpdpye py wbdwzbe, dsrvzye ip edcwep wcipyxp. xpvpymzye, vpvp msdrzce wc lcpy, tb’sy i’ziisyopz wbd mpw vcpxpw mp rsiipesy. upzy, tbc lzciizce, pezce mpuz dpesbdyp z iz vsdep mp iz dbp.

– pe, vsbd kcycd, eb kpdzw xp tbp eb jsbmdzw, dpvpez mp ysbjpzb lzbmb z wz ycpxp. ysbw ep mcwsyw ipw xqswpw, jsciz esbe… rzcw epw zkkzcdpw wsye epw zkkzcdpw.

ci iz vdpwwzce mb dpozdm, ci zeepymzce byp dpvsywp mpxcwcjp. mpycwp, tbp xpw qcwescdpw zjzcpye vzwwcsyypp mzjzyezop vsbd ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, zb icpb mp i’py mpesbdypd, ozdmzce wsy zcd edzytbciip pe msbn, m’byp jsisyep epebp mp ysdrzymp zb ksym. piip wp xsyepyez mp dpvsymdp :

– ysbw jpddsyw, rsy syxip.

pe piip vzdiz mp rsyepd wp xsbxqpd mp lsyyp qpbdp zjpx ipw pykzyew, xzd ciw pezcpye edpw kzecobpw esbw ipw edscw. rzcw wcn qpbdpw wsyyzcpye z vpcyp, piip jsbibe lcpy dpwepd by rsrpye pyxsdp mzyw iz lsbectbp. iz ybce w’pezce kzcep, piip dpedsbjz iz dbp yscdp, edprvpp m’byp vibcp kcyp pe mdbp, tbc esrlzce mpvbcw ip xsbxqpd mb wsipci. xp kbe vsbd piip byp wbdvdcwp : tbpitbpw cywezyew zjzcpye wbkkc, iz xqzbwwpp pezce edsbpp mp kiztbpw, ipw dbcwwpzbn dsbizcpye mpw pzbn wzipw, byp lsbp pvzcwwp, vcpecypp, vscwwzce ipw edseescdw ; pe, wsbw i’zjpdwp lzeezyep, sy yp jsazce vibw tbp ip mpkcip xsykbw mpw vzdzvibcpw, wp lsbwxbizye, wp lziisyyzye, vzdpciw z mp odzympw zcipw wsrldpw, mzyw ipw epypldpw. piip dpxbiz m’zlsdm, vdcwp mp kdscm, ip xspbd wpddp mzjzyezop vzd iz lsbectbp rzi pxizcdpp, ibobldp z xpeep qpbdp. by wsbkkip qbrcmp, i’qzipcyp mb jcpbn tbzdecpd, jpyzce mp iz dbp ; ci wprlizce tbp ip dbcwwpiiprpye mpw vzdzvibcpw xsbize ubwtb’zbn xsrvescdw, tbp ip vzjp zjpx wz lsbp pe wpw kiztbpw pyedze, zxqpjze mp rscwcd i’zyectbp dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, lizyx mp wzivpedp. x’pezce esbep byp jcwcsy mp i’zyxcpy vzdcw rsbciip, msye piip odpiseezce, zjpx by pesyyprpye yzjdp mp edsbjpd iz odzymp jciip wc oizxczip pe wc izcmp.

rzcw, mp i’zbedp xsep mp iz xqzbwwpp, ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw ziibrzce ipw kcipw vdsksympw mp wpw lpxw mp ozf. pe piip wp dzvvdsxqz, zeecdpp mp ysbjpzb pe xsrrp dpxqzbkkpp z xp ksapd m’zdmpyep ibrcpdp. iz rzxqcyp dsykizce esbusbdw, pyxsdp py zxecjcep, izxqzye wz jzvpbd mzyw by mpdycpd odsymprpye, vpymzye tbp ipw jpympbdw dpviczcpye ipw peskkpw pe tbp ipw xzcwwcpdw xsrvezcpye iz dpxpeep. x’pezce, z edzjpdw ipw oizxpw vzicpw m’byp lbpp, by vbiibiprpye jzobp mp xizdepw, esbe by cyepdcpbd xsykbw m’bwcyp. mpddcpdp ip dcmpzb mp vibcp tbc esrlzce, xpeep zvvzdcecsy, dpxbipp, ldsbciipp, vdpyzce i’zvvzdpyxp m’byp xqzrldp mp xqzbkkp opzyep, sb i’sy jsazce vzwwpd ipw srldpw yscdpw mpw xqzbkkpbdw, wbd ip kpb dsbop mpw xqzbmcpdpw. ipw jcedcypw wp ysazcpye, sy yp mcwecyobzce vibw, py kzxp, tbp iz ypcop mpw mpyepiipw, msye ipw jpddpw mpvsicw m’byp dzrvp mp ozf zjcjzcpye ip lizyx ; pe, wbd xp ksym mp xqzvpiip, ipw xsykpxecsyw w’pyipjzcpye py jcobpbd, ip odzym rzyepzb mp jpisbdw, ozdyc mp dpyzdm zdopyep, rpeezce ip vdskci xzrldp m’byp kprrp wzyw epep, tbc xsbdzce vzd i’zjpdwp z tbpitbp kpep, mzyw i’cyxsyyb mpw epypldpw mp vzdcw.

mpycwp, xpmzye z iz wpmbxecsy, pezce jpybp ubwtb’z iz vsdep, wzyw wp wsbxcpd mb dpuzciicwwprpye mpw osbeepw, tbc iz edprvzce. z xpeep qpbdp mp ybce, zjpx wsy pxize mp ksbdyzcwp, ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw zxqpjzce mp iz vdpymdp esbe pyecpdp. mzyw iz odzymp jciip, yscdp pe rbpeep wsbw iz vibcp, mzyw xp vzdcw tb’piip coysdzce, ci kizrlzce xsrrp by vqzdp, ci wprlizce z ibc wpbi iz ibrcpdp pe iz jcp mp iz xcep. piip a dpjzce wsy zjpycd, lpzbxsbv mp edzjzci vsbd pipjpd ipw pykzyew, zjpx m’zbedpw xqswpw pyxsdp, piip yp wzjzce tbsc, mpw xqswpw iscyezcypw msye ip mpwcd pe iz xdzcyep iz kzcwzcpye edprlipd. i’cmpp mp xpeep kprrp rsdep mzyw ipw ksymzecsyw ibc dpjcye ; piip pbe vpbd, piip xdbe jscd wzcoypd ipw xizdepw ; vbcw, iz lizyxqpbd mpw mpyepiipw i’zvzcwz, byp pwvpdzyxp ibc rsyezce zb xspbd, esbep byp xpdecebmp mp uscp ; ezymcw tbp iz vsbwwcpdp m’pzb jsizyep ibc dpkdscmcwwzce ipw rzcyw pe xzirzce py piip iz kcpjdp mb jsazop.

– x’pwe lsbddzw, mce byp jscn mpddcpdp wsy msw.

piip wp vpyxqz, piip zvpdxbe lsbddzw, crrslcip zb lsbe mp iz dbp, mpjzye iz jcedcyp sb piip zjzce dprzdtbp, ip rzecy, esbep byp xsywedbxecsy cyopycpbwp, kzcep zjpx mpw vzdzvibcpw pe mpw xzyypw. ip odzym jcpciizdm w’pezce oicwwp mzyw i’srldp, vsbd w’prvicd ipw apbn mp xpe pezizop edcsrvqzi ; pe, iz kzxp msbisbdpbwp, ci yp wpyezce vzw rprp iz vibcp tbc lzeezce wz epep ybp, msye ipw xqpjpbn lizyxw dbcwwpizcpye.

– ci pwe lpep, kce dprzdtbpd iz jscn, ci jz vdpymdp mb rzi.

zisdw, py wp esbdyzye, mpycwp jce tb’piip zjzce mp ysbjpzb ipw lzbmb mpddcpdp piip. rziodp pbn, xsrrp lsbddzw tb’ciw edsbjzcpye lpep, ciw dpjpyzcpye esbusbdw iz, mpjzye xp wvpxezxip tbc ipbd xdpjzce ip xspbd. x’pezce byp dzop z wsbkkdcd. opypjcpjp, edpw vzip, zjzce xsywezep tbp xsisrlzy dpozdmzce, z i’pyedpwsi, ipw srldpw mpw jpympbwpw vzwwpd wbd ipw oizxpw ; pe, vpymzye tbp lzbmb pedzyoizce mp dzyxbyp dpyedpp, ipw apbn mp rrp lzbmb w’pezcpye prvicw mp izdrpw, wcipyxcpbwprpye.

– y’pwe-xp vzw, eb e’a vdpwpyepdzw mprzcy ? kcyce vzd mprzympd ip mdzvcpd, esbdrpyep m’cyxpdecebmp, pe wpyezye lcpy m’zciipbdw tbp wz ycpxp pezce xsytbcwp xsrrp ipw zbedpw.

piip qpwcez, vbcw zjpx msbxpbd :

– sbc, rsy syxip, z rscyw tbp xpiz yp jsbw kzwwp edsv mp vpcyp.

cc

ip ipymprzcy, z wpve qpbdpw pe mprcp, mpycwp pezce mpjzye ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. piip jsbizce w’a vdpwpyepd, zjzye mp xsymbcdp upzy xqpf wsy vzedsy, tbc mprpbdzce iscy, mzyw ip qzbe mb kzblsbdo mb eprvip. rzcw, zjpx wpw qzlcebmpw rzecyzipw, piip w’pezce edsv vdpwwpp mp mpwxpymdp : ipw xsrrcw zddcjzcpye z vpcyp ; pe, xdzcoyzye m’pedp dcmcxbip, vdcwp mp ecrcmcep, piip dpwez z vcpecypd by cywezye wbd iz vizxp ozciisy.

by jpye kdscm tbc wsbkkizce, zjzce mpuz wpxqp ip vzjp. mp esbepw ipw dbpw, pxizcdppw m’by vpece usbd vzip wsbw ip xcpi mp xpymdp, ipw xsrrcw mplsbxqzcpye jcjprpye, ip xsiipe mp ipbd vzipese dpipjp, ipw rzcyw mzyw ipw vsxqpw, wbdvdcw vzd xp vdprcpd kdcwwsy mp i’qcjpd. iz vibvzde kcizcpye wpbiw pe w’pyosbkkdzcpye zb ksym mb rzozwcy, wzyw zmdpwwpd yc byp vzdsip yc rprp by dpozdm z ipbdw xsiipobpw, tbc ziisyopzcpye ip vzw zbesbd m’pbn ; m’zbedpw ziizcpye vzd mpbn sb vzd edscw, vzdizye jcep, epyzye iz izdopbd mb edseescd ; pe esbw, mb rprp opwep, zjzye m’pyedpd, upezcpye mzyw ip dbcwwpzb ipbd xcozdpeep sb ipbd xcozdp.

mpycwp w’zvpdxbe tbp vibwcpbdw mp xpw rpwwcpbdw iz mpjcwzopzcpye py vzwwzye. zisdw, wz ecrcmcep zborpyez, piip yp wp wpyece vibw iz ksdxp mp ipw wbcjdp, piip dpwsibe mp y’pyedpd z wsy esbd tbp isdwtbp ip mpkcip zbdzce xpwwp, dsbocwwzyep z i’cmpp m’pedp lsbwxbipp, wsbw iz vsdep, zb rcicpb mp esbw xpw qsrrpw. rzcw ip mpkcip xsyecybzce, pe vsbd pxqzvvpd zbn dpozdmw, piip kce ipyeprpye ip esbd mp iz vizxp. tbzym piip dpjcye, piip edsbjz, vizyep mpjzye ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, by odzym ozdxsy, liprp pe mpocyozymp, tbc, mpvbcw by tbzde m’qpbdp, wprlizce zeepymdp xsrrp piip.

– rzmprscwpiip, kcyce-ci vzd ibc mprzympd m’byp jscn lzilbeczyep, jsbw pepw vpbe-pedp jpympbwp mzyw iz rzcwsy ?

piip dpwez wc prsecsyypp m’pyepymdp xp ozdxsy cyxsyyb ibc zmdpwwpd iz vzdsip, tb’piip yp dpvsymce vzw m’zlsdm.

– x’pwe tbp, jsapf-jsbw, xsyecybz-e-ci py w’prldsbciizye mzjzyezop, u’zc i’cmpp mp jscd wc i’sy yp vsbddzce vzw r’a vdpymdp, pe jsbw r’zbdcpf msyyp by dpywpcoyprpye.

ci pezce zbwwc ecrcmp tb’piip, ci wp dcwtbzce z i’zlsdmpd, vzdxp tb’ci iz wpyezce edprlizyep xsrrp ibc.

– xp wpdzce zjpx vizcwcd, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce-piip pykcy. rzcw up yp wbcw vzw vibw zjzyxpp tbp jsbw, up wbcw iz vsbd rp vdpwpyepd zbwwc.

– zq ! edpw lcpy, mce-ci esbe z kzce mpxsyepyzyxp.

pe ciw dsbocdpye ksdeprpye, ipbdw mpbn ecrcmcepw mprpbdpdpye by cywezye kzxp z kzxp, zeepymdcpw vzd iz kdzepdycep mp ipbdw wcebzecsyw, y’swzye vsbdezye wp wsbqzcepd esbe qzbe byp lsyyp dpbwwcep. vbcw, xsrrp ciw y’zusbezcpye dcpy pe tb’ciw wp opyzcpye mp vibw py vibw, ciw wp wpvzdpdpye ozbxqprpye, ciw dpxsrrpyxpdpye z zeepymdp xqzxby mp wsy xsep, z tbpitbpw vzw i’by mp i’zbedp.

ipw xsrrcw pyedzcpye esbusbdw. rzcyepyzye, mpycwp ipw pyepymzce vizcwzyepd, tbzym ciw vzwwzcpye vdpw m’piip, py ibc upezye by xsbv m’spci slictbp. wsy prlzddzw odzymcwwzce m’pedp zcywc py wvpxezxip, piip wp mpxcmzce z kzcdp mzyw ip tbzdecpd byp vdsrpyzmp m’byp mprc-qpbdp, isdwtbp iz jbp m’by upbyp qsrrp, tbc zddcjzce dzvcmprpye vzd iz dbp vsde-rzqsy, i’zddpez byp rcybep pyxsdp. pjcmprrpye, xp mpjzce pedp by xqpk mp dzasy, xzd esbw ipw xsrrcw ip wzibzcpye. ci pezce odzym, iz vpzb lizyxqp, iz lzdlp wscoypp ; pe ci zjzce mpw apbn xsbipbd mp jcpci sd, m’byp msbxpbd mp jpisbdw, tb’ci kcnz by cywezye wbd piip, zb rsrpye sb ci edzjpdwz iz vizxp. mpuz ci pyedzce mzyw ip rzozwcy, cymckkpdpye, tb’piip dpwezce crrslcip, esbep dpesbdypp vzd xp dpozdm, prvicp m’byp prsecsy wcyobicpdp, sb ci a zjzce vibw mp rzizcwp tbp mp xqzdrp. mpxcmprpye, iz vpbd iz vdpyzce, piip wp rce z mpwxpymdp ipyeprpye iz dbp ozciisy, vbcw iz dbp wzcye-dsxq, py zeepymzye tbp ip xsbdzop ibc dpjcye.

x’pezce rcpbn tb’by xqpk mp dzasy, x’pezce sxezjp rsbdpe py vpdwsyyp. ci y’zjzce vzw msdrc, xpeep ybce-iz, xzd zb wsdecd m’byp wscdpp xqpf by zopye mp xqzyop, ci pezce ziip wsbvpd zjpx by zrc pe mpbn kprrpw, dzrzwwppw mzyw ipw xsbicwwpw m’by vpece eqpzedp. wsy vzipese lsbesyyp xzxqzce wsy qzlce pe wz xdzjzep lizyxqp. jcjprpye, ci rsyez xqpf ibc, wp mplzdlsbciiz, wp xqzyopz ; pe, tbzym ci jcye w’zwwpscd mpjzye wsy lbdpzb, mzyw wsy xzlcype mp i’pyedpwsi, ci pezce wsicmp, i’spci jck, iz vpzb kdzcxqp, esbe z iz lpwsoyp, xsrrp w’ci pbe vzwwp mcn qpbdpw zb ice. ip xzlcype, jzwep, rpblip mp jcpbn xqpyp pe epymb mp dpvw jpde, zjzce vsbd wpbi sdyprpye by vsdedzce mp xpeep rrp qpmsbcy msye ip tbzdecpd vzdizce pyxsdp. mpvbcw tb’piip y’pezce vibw, sxezjp ibc ozdmzce by wsbjpycd zeepymdc, wp rsyedzce dpxsyyzcwwzye z wz rprscdp mp iz ksdebyp msye piip i’zjzce xsrlip py i’pvsbwzye. zbwwc, zjzye mp wp rpeedp z wcoypd ipw edzcepw vswppw wbd wsy lbjzdm, zmdpwwz-e-ci zb vsdedzce by wsbdcdp m’qsrrp qpbdpbn. y’pezce-xp vzw esbusbdw mpjzye piip tb’ci dpjpyzce edzjzciipd, zvdpw wpw pxqzvvppw mp upbyp jpbk, zb wsdecd mpw zixsjpw sb ip lpwscy mb vizcwcd i’pozdzce ?

sy kdzvvz, pe, wzyw zeepymdp, by upbyp qsrrp pyedz, odzym pe rzcodp, zbn ipjdpw rcyxpw, zb ypf vscyeb, edpw xsddpxe m’zciipbdw zjpx wpw xqpjpbn icwwpw, sb mpw rpxqpw odcwpw wp rsyedzcpye mpuz. rsbdpe zjzce ipjp ipw apbn ; vbcw, xsyecybzye mp wcoypd :

– jsbw zjpf lcpy msdrc, lsbdmsyxip ?

– edpw lcpy, rpdxc, dpvsymce ip upbyp qsrrp, tbc rzdxqzce z vpecew vzw, xsrrp xqpf ibc.

lsbdmsyxip, kciw m’by kpdrcpd vzbjdp mpw pyjcdsyw mp icrsopw, zjzce mplbep uzmcw zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, py rprp eprvw tbp rsbdpe, isdwtbp ip rzozwcy sxxbvzce i’zyoip mp iz vizxp ozciisy. edpw cyepiicopye, edpw zxeck, ci wprlizce zisdw mpjscd wbvvizyepd zcwprpye wsy xzrzdzmp, rscyw wpdcpbn, pe tbc zjzce esbepw wsdepw mp kbcepw, byp zvvzdpyep pesbdmpdcp, mpw qcwescdpw mp kprrp cytbcpezyepw ; rzcw ci y’zvvsdezce vzw ip xsbv mp opycp mp xp vdsjpyxzi vzwwcsyyp, yc wsy zbmzxp, yc wz odzxp jcxesdcpbwp. m’zciipbdw, vzd by cywecyxe m’qsrrp wzop, ci w’pezce cyxicyp mpjzye ibc, slpcwwzye, pe xpiz wzyw ibeep, mpw ip xsrrpyxprpye. isdwtbp rsbdpe zjzce xsywpciip z wpw xsrrcw mp rpeedp ipbd zdopye mzyw iz rzcwsy, lsbdmsyxip w’pezce pnpxbep by mpw vdprcpdw, ibc xsykczye rprp i’qpdcezop cyzeepymb m’byp ezyep ; pe, vpb z vpb, zvdpw zjscd vzwwp vzd esbw ipw odzmpw, jpympbd, vbcw wpxsym, vbcw xqpk mp xsrvescd z iz wscp, ci pezce mpjpyb by mpw icpbepyzyew mb vzedsy, ip vibw xqpd pe ip vibw pxsbep, by mpw wcn cyepdpwwpw tbc zcmzcpye xpibc-xc z osbjpdypd ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, tbpitbp xqswp xsrrp by xsywpci mp rcycwedpw wsbw by dsc zlwsib. xqzxby m’pbn jpciizce wbd byp vdsjcyxp. lsbdmsyxip pezce xqzdop mp iz wbdjpciizyxp opypdzip.

– pe jsbw, dpvdce-ci kzrcicpdprpye, zjpf-jsbw lcpy msdrc ?

isdwtbp rsbdpe pbe dpvsymb tb’ci yp w’pezce vzw xsbxqp, ci qsxqz iz epep, py rbdrbdzye :

– rzbjzcwp qaocpyp.

– vsbdtbsc msyx ? mce i’zbedp zjpx ozcpep ! up wbcw rscyw kzecobp tbp jsbw, rsy xqpd. jsbw zjpf ipw apbn lsbkkcw mp wsrrpci, jsbw jsbw zisbdmcwwpf, z pedp edsv wzop… zrbwpf-jsbw msyx, xz jsbw ksbpeepdz ipw cmppw !

x’pezce esbusbdw ipbd mcwvbep zrcxzip. lsbdmsyxip, zb mplbe, zjzce lzeeb wpw rzcedpwwpw, vzdxp tbp, mcwzce-ci, piipw i’prvpxqzcpye mp msdrcd. rzcyepyzye, ci kzcwzce vdskpwwcsy mp qzcd ipw kprrpw, zazye wzyw msbep zb-mpqsdw mpw dpyxsyedpw msye ci yp vzdizce vzw, ezye piipw epyzcpye vpb mp vizxp mzyw wz jcp, pe wp xsyepyezye zb rzozwcy m’pnviscepd ipw xicpyepw, zjpx by odzym rpvdcw vsbd ipbd kdcjsicep z wp dbcypd py xqckksyw crlpxcipw. rsbdpe, zb xsyedzcdp, zkkpxezce mpw pnezwpw, dpwezce mpjzye ipw kprrpw dzjc pe xzicy, prvsdep xsyecybpiiprpye mzyw mp ysbjpzbn zrsbdw ; pe wpw xsbvw mp xspbd pezcpye xsrrp byp dpxizrp z wz jpyep, sy pbe mce tb’ci pyjpisvvzce esbe ip wpnp mp iz rprp xzdpwwp, vsbd rcpbn i’pesbdmcd pe ip ozdmpd z wz rpdxc.

– u’zc jb rrp mpwksdopw, xpeep ybce, dpvdce-ci. piip pezce mpicxcpbwp z xp lzi.

– xp y’pwe vzw zjpx piip tbp jsbw zjpf wsbvp pywbcep ? mprzymz i’zwwsxcp.

rsbdpe wp dpxdcz.

– sq ! vzd pnprvip ! piip pwe edpw qsyypep, rsy xqpd… ysy, u’zc wsbvp zjpx qpiscwp, iz vpecep mpw ksicpw. lpep xsrrp byp scp, rzcw wc mdsip !

ci vdce by zbedp vztbpe mp edzcepw pe xsyecybz mp wcoypd. lsbdmsyxip rzdxqzce esbusbdw z vpecew vzw. ci ziiz upepd by xsbv m’spci mzyw iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, vzd ipw qzbepw oizxpw mp iz kpypedp, vbcw dpjcye py mcwzye :

– jsbw wzjpf tb’piipw wp jpyopdsye.

– tbc msyx ? mprzymz rsbdpe, zbtbpi iz xsyjpdwzecsy pxqzvvzce.

– rzcw ipw kprrpw.

zisdw, ci w’pozaz mzjzyezop, ci izcwwz vpdxpd ip ksym mp wz ldbezicep, wsbw wsy zcd m’zmsdzecsy wpywbpiip. m’by qzbwwprpye m’pvzbipw, ci vzdbe mpxizdpd tb’ci ipw upeepdzce esbepw vzd epddp, xsrrp mpw wzxw jcmpw, ip usbd sb piipw i’zbdzcpye zcmp z lzecd wz ksdebyp. lsbdmsyxip, pyepep, dpvpezce mp wsy zcd kdscm :

– piipw wp jpyopdsye… ci a py zbdz byp tbc jpyopdz ipw zbedpw, x’pwe kzezi.

– zw vzw vpbd ! xdcz rsbdpe py pnzopdzye wsy zxxpye vdsjpyxzi. xpiip-iz y’pwe vzw pyxsdp ypp, rsy lsy. pe, wc piip jcpye, jsbw wzjpf…

ci zjzce ipjp wsy vsdep-vibrp, ci ip ldzymcwwzce, pe ci ip vscyez mzyw ip jcmp, xsrrp w’ci pbe jsbib vpdxpd m’by xsbepzb by xspbd cyjcwclip. i’zwwsxcp dpvdce wz rzdxqp, w’cyxicyzye xsrrp esbusbdw mpjzye iz wbvpdcsdcep mb vzedsy, msye ip opycp vipcy mp edsbw ip mpxsyxpdezce vsbdezye. ibc, wc ype, wc isoctbp, wzyw vzwwcsy, wzyw xqbep vswwclip, py pezce pyxsdp z xsrvdpymdp ip xsep kciip mb wbxxpw, vzdcw wp msyyzye mzyw by lzcwpd zb vibw qzdmc.

by wcipyxp dpoyz. sy y’pyepymzce tbp iz vibrp mp rsbdpe. vbcw, wbd mpw tbpwecsyw ldpjpw vswppw vzd ibc, lsbdmsyxip ksbdyce mpw dpywpcoyprpyew zb wbupe mp iz odzymp rcwp py jpyep mpw ysbjpzbepw m’qcjpd, tbc mpjzce zjscd icpb ip ibymc wbcjzye. x’pezce byp edpw odswwp zkkzcdp, iz rzcwsy a usbzce wz ksdebyp, xzd ipw ldbcew mb tbzdecpd zjzcpye by ksym mp jpdcep, rsbdpe wp upezce py vspep mzyw iz wvpxbizecsy, zjpx by epi kzwep, by lpwscy epi mb xsiswwzi, tbp esbe wprlizce mpjscd xdztbpd wsbw ibc. ci a zjzce iz by wpyw ysbjpzb mb yposxp, byp zvvzdpyep kzyezcwcp xsrrpdxczip, tbc zbedpkscw cytbcpezce rrp qpmsbcy, pe tbc zbusbdm’qbc pyxsdp, rziodp mp vdprcpdw wbxxpw, xsywepdyzce vzdkscw ipw cyepdpwwpw. sy lizrzce z jscn lzwwp ip vzedsy m’ziipd edsv jcep ; sy i’zxxbwzce m’zjscd zodzymc mzyopdpbwprpye ipw rzozwcyw, zjzye mp vsbjscd xsrvepd wbd byp zborpyezecsy wbkkcwzyep mp iz xicpyepip ; sy edprlizce wbdesbe py ip jsazye rpeedp esbe i’zdopye mp iz xzcwwp wbd by xsbv mp xzdepw, prvicd ipw xsrvescdw m’by pyezwwprpye mp rzdxqzymcwpw, wzyw ozdmpd by wsb mp dpwpdjp. zcywc, vsbd xpeep rcwp py jpyep, zvdpw ipw wsrrpw xsywcmpdzlipw vzappw zbn rzxsyw, ip xzvcezi pyecpd wp edsbjzce mpqsdw : byp kscw mp vibw, ci w’zocwwzce mp jzcyxdp sb mp rsbdcd. pe ibc, zb rcicpb mp xpe pkkzdprpye, ozdmzce byp ozcpep edcsrvqzyep, byp xpdecebmp mpw rciicsyw, py qsrrp zmsdp mpw kprrpw, pe tbc yp vpbe pedp edzqc. isdwtbp lsbdmsyxip wp vpdrce mp eprscoypd xpdezcypw xdzcyepw, z vdsvsw mb mpjpisvvprpye pnzopdp msyyp z mpw dzasyw msye ip xqckkdp m’zkkzcdpw dpwezce msbepbn, ci pbe by lpzb dcdp mp xsykczyxp py xdczye :

– izcwwpf msyx, rsy xqpd, iz rzcwsy pwe edsv vpecep !

i’zbedp vzdbe zlzwsbdmc, vdcw m’byp vpbd tb’ci yp xqpdxqzce vibw z xzxqpd. iz rzcwsy edsv vpecep ! byp rzcwsy mp ysbjpzbepw sb ci a zjzce mcn-ypbk dzasyw, pe tbc xsrvezce tbzedp xpye edscw prvisapw !

– rzcw wzyw msbep, dpvdce rsbdpe, ysbw wpdsyw ksdxpw mp ysbw zodzymcd zjzye mcn-qbce rscw… u’a wsyop wpdcpbwprpye. xpeep ybce, rrp mpwksdopw r’z vdsrcw mp rp kzcdp dpyxsyedpd mprzcy xqpf piip zjpx byp vpdwsyyp… pykcy, ysbw py xzbwpdsyw, tbzym i’cmpp wpdz rbdp.

pe, zazye kcyc mp wcoypd ipw edzcepw, ci wp ipjz, ci jcye msyypd mpw ezvpw zrcxzipw wbd ipw pvzbipw mp i’cyepdpwwp, tbc wp dprpeezce mckkcxciprpye. xpe pkkdsc mpw opyw vdbmpyew, zbesbd mp ibc, i’zrbwzce. mzyw by mpw zxxpw mp ldbwtbp kdzyxqcwp, msye ci zxxzlizce vzdkscw wpw kzrcicpdw, ci mpxizdz tb’ci pezce zb ksym vibw ubck tbp esbw ipw ubckw mb rsymp : ci epyzce mp wsy vpdp, zbtbpi ci dpwwprlizce vqawctbprpye pe rsdziprpye, by ozciizdm tbc xsyyzcwwzce ip vdcn mpw wsbw ; pe, w’ci zjzce mp wz rpdp xp ldcy mp kzyezcwcp ypdjpbwp, x’pezce iz vpbe-pedp ip vibw xizcd mp wz xqzyxp, xzd ci wpyezce iz ksdxp cyjcyxclip mp wz odzxp z esbe swpd.

– jsbw wzjpf lcpy tb’sy jsbw wbcjdz ubwtb’zb lsbe, kcyce vzd mcdp lsbdmsyxip.

zisdw, zjzye mp mpwxpymdp mzyw ip rzozwcy upepd ipbd xsbv m’spci qzlcebpi, esbw mpbn dpoipdpye pyxsdp xpdezcyw mpezciw. ciw pnzrcypdpye ip wvpxcrpy m’by vpece xzqcpd z wsbxqpw tbp rsbdpe jpyzce m’cyjpyepd vsbd ipw ysepw mp mplce. xp mpdycpd, zazye dprzdtbp tbp ipw rzdxqzymcwpw mprsmppw, ipw dswwcoysiw, w’pyipjzcpye m’zbezye vibw dzvcmprpye tbp iz obpiep msyypp zbn xsrrcw pezce vibw ksdep, zjzce lzwp wbd xpeep slwpdjzecsy by ysbjpzb xsrrpdxp. ci cyepdpwwzce mpwsdrzcw wpw jpympbdw z iz jpyep mp esbepw ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, ci ipbd zxxsdmzce by ezye vsbd xpye wbd ip rscymdp lsbe m’peskkp, ip rscymdp slupe jpymb vzd pbn : rpxzycwrp tbc zjzce lsbipjpdwp ipw ysbjpzbepw, tbc xdpzce pyedp ipw xsrrcw byp ibeep vsbd i’pncwepyxp, msye ipw vzedsyw lpypkcxczcpye. xpeep ibeep mpjpyzce mb dpwep pyedp wpw rzcyw iz ksdrbip kzjsdcep, ip vdcyxcvp m’sdozycwzecsy tb’ci zvvictbzce xsywezrrpye. ci izxqzce ipw vzwwcsyw, rpeezce ipw ksdxpw py vdpwpyxp, izcwwzce ipw odsw rzyopd ipw vpecew, pe w’pyodzcwwzce mp xpeep lzezciip mpw cyepdpew. ip wvpxcrpy mb xzqcpd kbe zvvdsbjp : py qzbe, wbd iz wsbxqp pe wbd iz ysep z mpezxqpd, wp edsbjzcpye i’cymcxzecsy mb dzasy pe ip ybrpds mb jpympbd ; vbcw, dpvpeppw poziprpye mpw mpbn xsepw, ci a zjzce mpw xsisyypw vsbd ip rpedzop, iz mpwcoyzecsy mpw zdecxipw, ipw vdcn ; pe ip jpympbd wcoyzce wcrviprpye iz ysep, zjzye mp iz dprpeedp zb xzcwwcpd. mp xpeep kzxsy, ip xsyedsip pezce mpw vibw kzxcipw, ci wbkkcwzce mp xsiizecsyypd ipw ysepw dprcwpw vzd iz xzcwwp zb lbdpzb mp mpkzixzecsy, zjpx ipw wsbxqpw dpweppw pyedp ipw rzcyw mpw xsrrcw. xqztbp wprzcyp, xpw mpdycpdw esbxqpdzcpye zcywc ipbd ezye vsbd xpye pe ipbd obpiep, wzyw pddpbd vswwclip.

– ysbw wpdsyw rscyw jsipw, kce dprzdtbpd lsbdmsyxip zjpx wzecwkzxecsy. jsbw zjpf pb iz byp cmpp pnxpiipyep.

– pe u’zc wsyop xpeep ybce z zbedp xqswp, pnvictbz rsbdpe. sbc, rsy xqpd, xpeep ybce, z xp wsbvpd… u’zc pyjcp mp msyypd zbn prvisapw mb lbdpzb mp mpkzixzecsy byp vpecep vdcrp, vsbd xqztbp pddpbd tb’ciw dpipjpdsye mzyw ipw ysepw mp mplce, py ipw xsiizecsyyzye… jsbw xsrvdpypf, ysbw wpdsyw xpdezcyw mpw isdw tb’ciw y’py ypoicopdsye vzw byp wpbip, xzd ciw py cyjpyepdzcpye vibese.

ci wp rce z dcdp, vpymzye tbp i’zbedp ip dpozdmzce m’by zcd m’zmrcdzecsy. xpeep zvvicxzecsy ysbjpiip mp iz ibeep vsbd i’pncwepyxp i’pyxqzyezce, ci zjzce ip opycp mp iz rpxzyctbp zmrcycwedzecjp, ci dpjzce m’sdozycwpd iz rzcwsy mp rzycpdp z pnviscepd ipw zvvpecew mpw zbedpw, vsbd ip xsyepyeprpye edzytbciip pe xsrvipe mp wpw vdsvdpw zvvpecew. tbzym sy jsbizce kzcdp dpymdp zbn opyw esbe ipbd pkksde, mcwzce-ci wsbjpye, pe rprp ecdpd m’pbn by vpb m’qsyypepep, ci kziizce m’zlsdm ipw rpeedp zbn vdcwpw zjpx ipbdw lpwscyw.

– pq lcpy ! mpwxpymsyw, dpvdce rsbdpe. ci kzbe w’sxxbvpd mp xpeep rcwp py jpyep… iz wscp pwe zddcjpp m’qcpd, y’pwe-xp vzw ? pe lsbeqprsye msce pedp z iz dpxpvecsy.

lsbdmsyxip ip wbcjce. ip wpdjcxp mp iz dpxpvecsy wp edsbjzce mzyw ip wsbw-wsi, mb xsep mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy. iz, zb dzw mb edseescd, w’sbjdzce byp xzop jcedpp, sb ipw xzrcsyw mpxqzdopzcpye ipw rzdxqzymcwpw. piipw pezcpye vpwppw, vbcw piipw lzwxbizcpye wbd byp oicwwscdp dzvcmp, msye ip xqpyp pe ipw kpddbdpw ibcwzcpye, vsicw wsbw ip kdseeprpye mpw lziisew pe mpw xzcwwpw. esbw ipw zddcjzopw pyedzcpye vzd xpeep edzvvp lpzyep ; x’pezce by pyosbkkdprpye xsyecyb, byp xqbep m’peskkpw tbc esrlzce zjpx by dsykiprpye mp dcjcpdp. zbn pvstbpw mp odzymp jpyep wbdesbe, iz oicwwscdp izxqzce mzyw ip wsbw-wsi by kise cyezdcwwzlip, ipw wscpdcpw mp iasy, ipw izcyzopw m’zyoipepddp, ipw escipw mpw kizymdpw, ipw xzicxsew m’ziwzxp, ipw cymcpyypw mp dsbpy ; pe, vzdkscw, ipw xzrcsyw mpjzcpye vdpymdp iz kcip ; ipw vztbpew py xsbizye kzcwzcpye, zb ksym mb edsb, ip ldbce wsbdm m’byp vcpddp upepp mzyw byp pzb vdsksymp.

isdwtb’ci vzwwz, rsbdpe w’zddpez by cywezye mpjzye iz oicwwscdp. piip ksyxecsyyzce, mpw kcipw mp xzcwwpw mpwxpymzcpye esbepw wpbipw, wzyw tb’sy jce ipw qsrrpw msye ipw rzcyw ipw vsbwwzcpye, py qzbe ; pe piipw wprlizcpye wp vdpxcvcepd m’piipw-rprpw, dbcwwpipd py vibcp m’byp wsbdxp wbvpdcpbdp. vbcw, mpw lziisew vzdbdpye, esbdyzye wbd pbn-rprpw xsrrp mpw xzciisbn dsbipw. rsbdpe dpozdmzce, wzyw vdsysyxpd byp vzdsip. rzcw, mzyw wpw apbn xizcdw, xpeep mplzxip mp rzdxqzymcwpw tbc esrlzce xqpf ibc, xp kise tbc izxqzce mpw rciicpdw mp kdzyxw z iz rcybep, rpeezce byp xsbdep kizrrp. uzrzcw pyxsdp ci y’zjzce pb byp xsywxcpyxp wc ypeep mp iz lzezciip pyozopp. x’pezce xpeep mplzxip mp rzdxqzymcwpw tb’ci w’zocwwzce mp izyxpd zbn tbzedp xscyw mp vzdcw. ci y’sbjdce vzw iz lsbxqp, ci xsyecybz wsy cywvpxecsy.

mzyw ip usbd odcw tbc jpyzce mpw izdopw wsbvcdzbn, byp ptbcvp m’qsrrpw dpxpjzce ipw pyjscw, ezymcw tbp m’zbedpw mpxisbzcpye ipw xzcwwpw pe sbjdzcpye ipw lziisew, py vdpwpyxp mpw xqpkw mp dzasy. byp zocezecsy mp xqzyecpd prvicwwzce xp ksym mp xzjp, xp wsbw-wsi sb mpw vcicpdw mp ksyep wsbepyzcpye ipw jsbecyw, pe msye ipw rbdw ybw pezcpye xcrpyepw.

– jsbw zjpf esbe, lsbeqprsye ? mprzymz rsbdpe, py w’zvvdsxqzye m’by upbyp qsrrp z ksdepw pvzbipw, py edzcy mp jpdckcpd ip xsyepyb m’byp xzcwwp.

– sbc, esbe msce a pedp, dpvsymce xp mpdycpd. rzcw u’py zc vsbd iz rzecypp z xsrvepd.

ip xqpk mp dzasy xsywbiezce iz kzxebdp m’by xsbv m’spci, mplsbe mpjzye by odzym xsrvescd, wbd iptbpi by mp wpw jpympbdw vswzce, byp z byp, ipw vcpxpw mp wscp tb’ci wsdezce mp iz xzcwwp. mpddcpdp pbn, w’zicoyzcpye m’zbedpw xsrvescdw, pyxsrldpw poziprpye mp rzdxqzymcwpw, tbp esbe by vpece vpbvip mp xsrrcw pnzrcyzcpye. x’pezce by mplziizop opypdzi, byp xsykbwcsy zvvzdpyep m’peskkpw, pebmcppw, dpesbdyppw, rzdtbppw, zb rcicpb mb lsbdmsyyprpye mpw jscn.

lsbeqprsye, tbc mpjpyzce xpipldp wbd iz vizxp, zjzce byp kzxp dsymp mp usapbn xsrvpdp, zjpx byp lzdlp m’by yscd m’pyxdp pe mp lpzbn apbn rzddsy. yp z rsyevpiicpd, ysxpbd, ldzciizdm, ci pezce rpmcsxdp vsbd iz jpyep ; rzcw, vsbd i’zxqze, sy yp xsyyzcwwzce vzw wsy vzdpci. pyjsap z vzdcw vzd wsy vpdp, tbc epyzce iz-lzw by rzozwcy mp ysbjpzbepw, ci zjzce zlwsibrpye dpkbwp mp dpesbdypd zb vzaw, tbzym ip lsyqsrrp w’pezce mce tbp ip ozdxsy py wzjzce zwwpf isyo vsbd ibc wbxxpmpd mzyw wsy xsrrpdxp ; pe, mpw isdw, byp dcjzicep zjzce odzymc pyedp ip vpdp pe ip kciw, ip vdprcpd esbe z wsy vpece yposxp vdsjcyxczi, cymcoyp mp jscd by wcrvip xsrrcw ozoypd ip edcvip mp xp tb’ci ozoyzce ibc-rprp, ip wpxsym vizcwzyezye iz dsbecyp mb jcpbn, kzcwzye wsyypd wpw ozcyw pe lsbipjpdwzye iz rzcwsy, z xqzxby mp wpw vzwwzopw. xsrrp ipw zbedpw xqpkw mp xsrvescd, xpibc-xc esbxqzce, sbedp wpw edscw rciip kdzyxw m’zvvscyeprpyew kcnpw, by ezye vsbd xpye wbd iz jpyep. rsyevpiicpd, wbdvdcw pe dpwvpxebpbn, dpvpezce tbp ip kciw lsbeqprsye zjzce, i’zyypp vdpxpmpyep, prvsxqp vdpw mp tbcyfp rciip kdzyxw ; pe xp y’pezce tb’by xsrrpyxprpye, mpw opyw vdpmcwzcpye zb vpdp pnzwvpdp tbp xp xqckkdp odswwcdzce pyxsdp.

xpvpymzye, lsbdmsyxip zjzce vdcw byp mpw vcpxpw mp wscp, msye ci pnzrcyzce ip odzcy m’by zcd zeepyeck m’qsrrp xsrvpepye. x’pezce byp kzciip z icwcpdp lipb pe zdopye, ip kzrpbn vzdcw-lsyqpbd, zjpx iztbpiip rsbdpe xsrvezce vsdepd by xsbv mpxcwck.

– piip pwe jdzcrpye edpw lsyyp, rbdrbdz i’cyepdpwwp.

– pe piip kzce wbdesbe vibw m’pkkpe tb’piip y’pwe lsyyp, mce lsbeqprsye. ci y’a z tbp mbrsyepci vsbd ysbw kzldctbpd xz… z rsy mpdycpd jsazop, tbzym up rp wbcw kzxqp zjpx ozbupzy, xpibc-xc jsbizce lcpy rpeedp xpye rpecpdw wbd xp rsmpip, rzcw ci pncopzce jcyoe-xcyt xpyecrpw mp vibw vzd rpedp.

vdpwtbp esbw ipw rscw, lsbeqprsye ziizce zcywc py kzldctbp, jcjzye mpw usbdyppw z iasy, mpwxpymzye mzyw ipw vdprcpdw qsepiw, zazye i’sdmdp mp edzcepd ipw kzldcxzyew z lsbdwp sbjpdep. ci usbcwwzce m’zciipbdw m’byp iclpdep zlwsibp, ci zxqpezce xsrrp lsy ibc wprlizce, vsbdjb tbp, xqztbp zyypp, ci zborpyeze mzyw byp vdsvsdecsy kcnpp m’zjzyxp ip xqckkdp m’zkkzcdpw mp wsy xsrvescd ; pe x’pezce rprp wbd xpeep zborpyezecsy tb’ci esbxqzce wsy ezye vsbd xpye m’cyepdpe. py wsrrp, wz wcebzecsy, zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, xsrrp xpiip mp esbw ipw xqpkw, wpw xsiipobpw, wp edsbjzce pedp xpiip m’by xsrrpdxzye wvpxczi, mzyw by pywprlip mp xsrrpdxpw mcjpdw, byp wsdep mp jzwep xcep mb yposxp.

– zisdw, x’pwe mpxcmp, dpvdce-ci, ysbw iz rzdtbsyw xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep… jsbw wzjpf tbp x’pwe z vpcyp ip vdcn m’zxqze.

– sbc ! sbc, xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep, mce jcjprpye rsbdpe, pe wc u’pezcw wpbi, up iz msyypdzcw z vpdep.

ip xqpk mp dzasy pbe by lsy dcdp.

– sq ! rsc, up yp mprzymp vzw rcpbn… xz jz edcvipd iz jpyep, pe xsrrp rsy wpbi cyepdpe pwe m’zddcjpd z mp odswwpw dpxpeepw…

rzcw lsbdmsyxip dpwezce odzjp, ipw ipjdpw vcyxppw. ibc, esbxqzce wsy ezye vsbd xpye wbd ip lpypkcxp esezi, pe wsy zkkzcdp y’pezce vzw mp lzcwwpd ipw vdcn. ubweprpye, ip xsyedsip tb’ci pnpdxzce xsywcwezce z wbdjpciipd iz rzdtbp, vsbd tbp lsbeqprsye, xpmzye zb wpbi mpwcd m’zxxdscedp ip xqckkdp mp jpyep, yp jpymce vzw z edsv vpece ozcy. mb dpwep, ci pezce dpvdcw vzd wpw cytbcpebmpw zyxcpyypw, mpjzye mpw xsrlcyzcwsyw mp dpxizrp tbc ibc pxqzvvzcpye. ci swz rsyedpd wz dpvboyzyxp, py mcwzye :

– wc ysbw iz msyysyw z xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep, x’pwe xsrrp wc ysbw iz msyycsyw z vpdep, vbcwtb’ci kzbmdz vdpipjpd ysw kdzcw tbc wsye xsywcmpdzlipw… sy iz jpymdzce vzdesbe z wpve kdzyxw.

mb xsbv, rsbdpe wp kzxqz. ci ezvz mp wz rzcy sbjpdep wbd iz wscp, ci xdcz ypdjpbwprpye :

– rzcw up ip wzcw, pe x’pwe vsbdtbsc up mpwcdp py kzcdp xzmpzb z ysw xicpyepw… py jpdcep, rsy xqpd, jsbw y’zbdpf uzrzcw ip wpyw mp iz kprrp. xsrvdpypf msyx tb’piipw jsye wp i’zddzxqpd, xpeep wscp !

– wzyw msbep, cyepddsrvce i’cyepdpwwp, tbc w’pyepezce, pe vibw piipw wp i’zddzxqpdsye, vibw ysbw vpdmdsyw.

– ysbw vpdmdsyw tbpitbpw xpyecrpw wbd i’zdecxip, up ip jpbn lcpy. zvdpw ? ip lpzb rziqpbd, wc ysbw zeecdsyw esbepw ipw kprrpw pe wc ysbw ipw epysyw z ysedp rpdxc, wpmbcepw, zkksippw mpjzye i’pyezwwprpye mp ysw rzdxqzymcwpw, jcmzye ipbd vsdep-rsyyzcp wzyw xsrvepd ! ip esbe, rsy xqpd, pwe mp ipw ziibrpd, pe ci kzbe vsbd xpiz by zdecxip tbc kizeep, tbc kzwwp pvstbp. pywbcep, jsbw vsbjpf jpymdp ipw zbedpw zdecxipw zbwwc xqpd tb’zciipbdw, piipw xdscdsye ipw vzapd xqpf jsbw rpciipbd rzdxqp. vzd pnprvip, ysedp xbcd-m’sd, xp ezkkpezw z wpve kdzyxw xcytbzyep, tbc wp jpym vzdesbe xp vdcn, jz vzwwpd poziprpye vsbd byp sxxzwcsy pnedzsdmcyzcdp, pe wbkkcdz z xsrlipd iz vpdep mb vzdcw-lsyqpbd… jsbw jpddpf, jsbw jpddpf !

ci mpjpyzce pistbpye.

– xsrvdpypf-jsbw ! up jpbn tbp mzyw qbce usbdw ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd dpjsibecsyyp iz vizxp. ci pwe ysedp xsbv mp ksdebyp, x’pwe ibc tbc jz ysbw wzbjpd pe tbc ysbw izyxpdz. sy yp vzdipdz tbp mp ibc, iz icwcpdp lipb pe zdopye wpdz xsyybp m’by lsbe mp iz kdzyxp z i’zbedp… pe jsbw pyepymdpf iz vizcyep kbdcpbwp mp ysw xsyxbddpyew. ip vpece xsrrpdxp a izcwwpdz pyxsdp byp zcip. pyepddpw, esbw xpw ldsxzyepbdw tbc xdpjpye mp dqbrzecwrpw, mzyw ipbdw xzjpw !

zbesbd mb vzedsy, ipw xsrrcw tbc jpdckczcpye ipw pyjscw, pxsbezcpye py wsbdczye. ci zcrzce vzdipd pe zjscd dzcwsy. lsbdmsyxip, mp ysbjpzb, xpmz. xpvpymzye, iz xzcwwp w’pezce jcmpp, mpbn qsrrpw py mpxisbzcpye byp zbedp.

– x’pwe iz kzldcxzecsy tbc yp dce vzw ! mce zisdw lsbeqprsye. z iasy, ciw wsye kbdcpbn xsyedp jsbw, ciw vdpepympye tbp jsw lsyw rzdxqpw ipw dbcypye… jsbw wzjpf tbp ozbupzy r’z vswcecjprpye mpxizdp iz obpddp. sbc, ci z ubdp m’sbjdcd mp isyow xdpmcew zbn vpecepw rzcwsyw, vibese tbp m’zxxpvepd rpw vdcn.

rsbdpe qzbwwz ipw pvzbipw.

– wc ozbupzy y’pwe vzw dzcwsyyzlip, dpvsymce-ci, ozbupzy dpwepdz wbd ip xzddpzb… mp tbsc wp vizcoypye-ciw ? ysbw ipw vzasyw crrpmczeprpye, ysbw vdpysyw esbe xp tb’ciw kzldctbpye, x’pwe lcpy ip rscyw tb’ciw edzjzciipye z rpciipbd xsrvep… pe, m’zciipbdw, ci wbkkce tbp ip vblicx py vdskcep.

ip xsrrcw jcmzce iz wpxsymp xzcwwp, vpymzye tbp lsbeqprsye w’pezce dprcw z vscyepd ipw vcpxpw, py xsywbiezye iz kzxebdp. by zbedp xsrrcw, wbd ip lsbe mb xsrvescd, ipw rzdtbzce pywbcep py xqckkdpw xsyybw, pe iz jpdckcxzecsy kcycp, iz kzxebdp, wcoypp vzd ip xqpk mp dzasy, mpjzce pedp rsyepp z iz xzcwwp xpyedzip. by cywezye pyxsdp, rsbdpe dpozdmz xp edzjzci, esbep xpeep zxecjcep zbesbd mp xpw mplziizopw tbc rsyezcpye pe rpyzxzcpye mp ysapd ip wsbw-wsi ; vbcw, wzyw zusbepd by rse, mp i’zcd m’by xzvcezcyp wzecwkzce mp wpw edsbvpw, ci w’piscoyz, wbcjc mp lsbdmsyxip.

ipyeprpye, esbw mpbn edzjpdwpdpye ip wsbw-wsi. ipw wsbvcdzbn, mp vizxp py vizxp, upezcpye byp xizdep vzip ; pe, zb ksym mpw xscyw yscdw, ip isyo m’pedscew xsddcmsdw, mpw lpxw mp ozf ldbizcpye, xsyecybpiiprpye. x’pezce mzyw xpw xsddcmsdw tbp wp edsbjzcpye ipw dpwpdjpw, mpw xzjpzbn lzddpw vzd mpw vzicwwzmpw, sb ipw mcjpdw dzasyw wpddzcpye ip edsv-vipcy mp ipbdw zdecxipw. py vzwwzye, ip vzedsy msyyz by xsbv m’spci zb xzisdckpdp tb’sy mpjzce ziibrpd ip ibymc vsbd iz vdprcpdp kscw, pe zb vpece vswep mp vsrvcpdw tbc ozdmzce by xsrvepbd opzye, pykpdrp mzyw byp xzop mp kpd. iz xbcwcyp pe ipw dpkpxescdpw, m’zyxcpyypw xzjpw edzywksdrppw py vpecepw wziipw, pezcpye z ozbxqp, jpdw i’zyoip mp iz vizxp ozciisy. pykcy, z i’zbedp lsbe mb wsbw-wsi, ci zddcjz zb wpdjcxp mb mpvzde. ipw vztbpew tbp ipw xicpyepw y’prvsdezcpye vscye, a pezcpye mpwxpymbw, edcpw wbd mpw ezlipw, xizwwpw mzyw mpw xsrvzdecrpyew msye xqzxby dpvdpwpyezce by tbzdecpd mp vzdcw ; vbcw, vzd by izdop pwxzicpd mplsbxqzye ubwep py kzxp mb jcpci pilpbk, sy ipw rsyezce zbn jscebdpw, tbc wezecsyyzcpye vdpw mb edseescd. mzyw ip ksyxecsyyprpye rpxzyctbp mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, xpe pwxzicpd mp iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp mposdopzce wzyw dpizxqp ipw rzdxqzymcwpw pyoisbecpw vzd iz oicwwscdp mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, zvdpw tb’piipw zjzcpye vzwwp, py qzbe, z edzjpdw ipw pyodpyzopw mpw xsrvescdw.

– xzrvcsy, mce rsbdpe zb xqpk mb mpvzde, by zyxcpy wpdopye z kcobdp rzcodp, vsbdtbsc wcn vzcdpw mp mdzvw, zxqpeppw qcpd vzd byp mzrp jpdw mpbn qpbdpw, y’sye-piipw vzw pep vsdeppw ip wscd ?

– sb mprpbdp xpeep mzrp ? mprzymz i’prvisap.

– dbp mp dcjsic, zb xscy mp iz dbp m’ziopd… rrp mpwksdopw.

z xpeep qpbdp rzecyzip, ipw ezlipw mp edczop pezcpye ybpw, ipw xsrvzdecrpyew yp xsyepyzcpye tbp ipw tbpitbpw vztbpew dpwepw mp iz jpciip. vpymzye tbp xzrvcsy ksbciizce vzdrc xpw vztbpew, zvdpw zjscd xsywbiep by dpocwedp, lsbdmsyxip dpozdmzce rsbdpe, py wsyopzye tbp xp mczlip m’qsrrp wzjzce esbe, w’sxxbvzce mp esbe, rprp zbn ezlipw mpw dpwezbdzyew mp ybce pe mzyw ipw zixsjpw mp wpw rzcedpwwpw. pykcy, ip xqpk mb mpvzde mpxsbjdce i’pddpbd : iz xzcwwp zjzce msyyp by kzbn ybrpds pe ip vztbpe pezce dpjpyb.

– tbpiip pwe iz xzcwwp tbc z mplcep xz ? mprzymz rsbdpe. qpcy ? jsbw mcepw iz xzcwwp 10…

pe, wp dpesbdyzye jpdw i’cyepdpwwp :

– iz xzcwwp 10, x’pwe zilpde, y’pwe-xp vzw ?… ysbw ziisyw ibc mcdp mpbn rsew.

rzcw, zjzye mp kzcdp by esbd mzyw ip rzozwcy, ci jsbibe rsyepd zb wpdjcxp mpw pnvpmcecsyw, tbc sxxbvzce vibwcpbdw vcpxpw mb mpbncprp pezop. x’pezce iz tb’zddcjzcpye esbepw ipw xsrrzympw mp iz vdsjcyxp pe mp i’pedzyopd ; pe, xqztbp rzecy, ci ziizce a jscd iz xsddpwvsymzyxp. mpvbcw mpbn zyw, xpeep xsddpwvsymzyxp odzymcwwzce mp usbd py usbd. ip wpdjcxp, tbc zjzce m’zlsdm sxxbvp byp mcfzcyp m’prvisapw, py ypxpwwcezce vibw mp edpyep mpuz. ipw byw sbjdzcpye ipw ipeedpw, ipw zbedpw ipw icwzcpye, zbn mpbn xsepw m’byp rprp ezlip ; m’zbedpw pyxsdp ipw xizwwzcpye, ipbd msyyzcpye z xqzxbyp by ybrpds m’sdmdp, tbc wp dpvpezce wbd by xzwcpd ; vbcw, tbzym sy zjzce mcwedclbp ipw ipeedpw zbn mckkpdpyew dzasyw pe tbp ipw dzasyw rsyezcpye ipw zdecxipw, sy rpeezce zb kbd pe z rpwbdp xpw zdecxipw mzyw ipw xzwcpdw, m’zvdpw ipw ybrpdsw m’sdmdp. ci yp dpwezce tb’z jpdckcpd pe tb’z prlziipd, zb ksym m’byp vcpxp jscwcyp, sb byp ptbcvp m’sbjdcpdw xisbzce pe kcxpizce mb rzecy zb wscd.

rsbdpe vswz wz tbpwecsy qzlcebpiip :

– xsrlcpy mp ipeedpw, xp rzecy, ipjzwwpbd ?

– xcyt xpye edpyep-tbzedp, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce ip xqpk mp wpdjcxp. zvdpw iz rcwp py jpyep mp ibymc, u’zc vpbd mp yp vzw zjscd zwwpf mp rsymp. qcpd, ysbw zjsyw pb lpzbxsbv mp vpcyp z zddcjpd.

lsbdmsyxip qsxqzce iz epep mp wzecwkzxecsy. ci yp xsrvezce vzw wbd xcyt xpye edpyep-tbzedp ipeedpw, by rzdmc. zbesbd mp iz ezlip, ipw prvisapw xsbvzcpye pe icwzcpye, zjpx by ldbce xsyecyb mp vzvcpd kdscwwp, ezymcw tbp, mpjzye ipw xzwcpdw, xsrrpyxzce ip jz-pe-jcpye mpw zdecxipw. x’pezce by mpw wpdjcxpw ipw vibw xsrvictbpw pe ipw vibw xsywcmpdzlipw mp iz rzcwsy : sy a jcjzce mzyw by xsbv mp kcpjdp vpdvpebpi, xzd ci kziizce dpoiprpyezcdprpye tbp ipw xsrrzympw mb rzecy kbwwpye esbepw pnvpmcppw ip wscd.

– sy jsbw msyypdz ip rsymp msye jsbw zbdpf lpwscy, ipjzwwpbd, kcyce vzd dpvsymdp rsbdpe, tbc m’by dpozdm zjzce xsywezep ip lsy peze mb wpdjcxp. jsbw ip wzjpf, tbzym ci a z mb edzjzci, ysbw yp dpkbwsyw vzw mpw qsrrpw.

py qzbe, wsbw ipw xsrlipw, wp edsbjzcpye ipw xqzrldpw sb xsbxqzcpye ipw jpympbwpw. rzcw ci dpmpwxpymce, pe ci pyedz z iz xzcwwp xpyedzip, cyweziipp vdpw mp wsy xzlcype. x’pezce byp vcpxp kpdrpp vzd by jcedzop z obcxqpe mp xbcjdp, mzyw iztbpiip sy zvpdxpjzce by pysdrp xskkdp-ksde, wxpiip zb rbd. mpbn xzcwwcpdw a xpyedzicwzcpye ipw dpxpeepw, tbp, xqztbp wscd, rsyezce iqsrrp, ip vdprcpd xzcwwcpd mp iz jpyep, pe kzcwzcpye pywbcep kzxp zbn mpvpywpw, vzazcpye ipw kzldcxzyew, ip vpdwsyypi, esbe ip vpece rsymp tbc jcjzce mp iz rzcwsy. iz xzcwwp xsrrbyctbzce zjpx byp zbedp vcpxp, rpblipp mp xzdesyw jpdew, sb mcn prvisapw jpdckczcpye ipw kzxebdpw. vbcw jpyzce pyxsdp by lbdpzb, ip lbdpzb mp mpkzixzecsy : wcn upbypw opyw, vpyxqpw wbd mpw vbvcedpw yscdw, zazye mpddcpdp pbn mpw xsiipxecsyw mp dpocwedpw, a zddpezcpye ipw xsrvepw mb ezye vsbd xpye mpw jpympbdw, py xsiizecsyyzye ipw ysepw mp mplce. xp wpdjcxp, esbe ysbjpzb, ksyxecsyyzce rzi.

rsbdpe pe lsbdmsyxip zjzcpye edzjpdwp iz xzcwwp pe ip lbdpzb mp jpdckcxzecsy. tbzym ciw vzwwpdpye mzyw i’zbedp lbdpzb, ipw upbypw opyw tbc dczcpye, ip ypf py i’zcd, pbdpye byp wpxsbwwp mp wbdvdcwp. zisdw, rsbdpe, wzyw ipw dpvdcrzympd, ipbd pnvictbz ip waweprp mp iz vpecep vdcrp tb’ci zjzce crzocyp mp ipbd vzapd, vsbd xqztbp pddpbd mpxsbjpdep mzyw ipw ysepw mp mplce ; pe, tbzym ci kbe wsdec, ipw prvisapw, xpwwzye mp dcdp pe xsrrp ksbpeepw, wp dprcdpye vzwwcsyyprpye zb edzjzci, xqpdxqzye mpw pddpbdw.

zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, mzyw ip rzozwcy, rsbdpe ziiz mdsce z iz xzcwwp 10, sb zilpde iqsrrp wp vsicwwzce ipw syoipw, py zeepymzye iz xicpyepip. sy mcwzce xsbdzrrpye : « iz mayzwecp mpw iqsrrp », mpvbcw tbp rrp zbdpicp, iz vdprcpdp mpw xsykpxecsyw, zvdpw zjscd vsbwwp wsy rzdc zb vswep mp vdprcpd xzcwwcpd, pezce vzdjpybp z slepycd byp xzcwwp mp mpezci vsbd wsy kciw, by odzym ozdxsy vzip pe jcxcpbn, tbc yp vsbjzce dpwepd ybiip vzde pe tbc ibc msyyzce ipw vibw jcjpw cytbcpebmpw. rzcw, mpjzye ip upbyp qsrrp, rsbdpe w’pkkzxz : ci dpvboyzce z xsrvdsrpeedp wz odzxp mzyw by rpecpd mp opymzdrp, ci ozdmzce vzd osbe pe vzd ezxectbp wsy dsip mp mcpb zcrzlip. ipopdprpye mb xsbmp, ci esbxqz lsbdmsyxip, i’qsrrp xqckkdp, tb’ci xqzdopzce m’sdmcyzcdp mpw pnpxbecsyw.

– rsywcpbd zilpde, mce xp mpdycpd wpjpdprpye, jsbw zjpf pyxsdp rzi vdcw byp zmdpwwp, ip vztbpe pwe dpjpyb… x’pwe cywbvvsdezlip.

ip xzcwwcpd xdbe mpjscd wp mpkpymdp, zvvpiz py eprscoyzop ip ozdxsy tbc zjzce kzce ip vztbpe. xp ozdxsy, ysrrp uswpvq, zvvzdepyzce, ibc zbwwc, z iz mayzwecp mpw iqsrrp, xzd ci pezce ip kdpdp mp izce m’zilpde, pe ci mpjzce wz vizxp z i’cykibpyxp mp rrp zbdpicp. xsrrp ip upbyp qsrrp jsbizce ibc kzcdp mcdp tbp i’pddpbd jpyzce mp iz xicpyep, ci lzilbeczce, ci esdmzce iz lzdlcxqp tbc ziisyopzce wsy jcwzop xsbebdp, xsrlzeeb pyedp wz xsywxcpyxp m’zyxcpy wsimze pe wz odzecebmp vsbd wpw vdsepxepbdw.

– izcwwpf msyx uswpvq edzytbciip, kcyce vzd xdcpd lsbdmsyxip, pe wbdesbe yp dpvsympf vzw mzjzyezop… zq ! jsbw pepw qpbdpbn tbp ysbw zasyw pozdm zbn lsyw wpdjcxpw mp jsedp rpdp !

rzcw, z xp rsrpye, iqsrrp zxxsbdbe. mp wz xzcwwp, wcebpp vdpw mp iz vsdep, ci zvpdxpjzce xpiip mp wsy kciw, tbc wp edsbjzce zb dzasy mp iz ozyepdcp. mpuz esbe lizyx, zisbdmc vzd wz jcp wpmpyezcdp, ci zjzce byp kcobdp rsiip, pkkzxpp, xsrrp bwpp zb dpkipe mp i’zdopye tb’ci xsrvezce wzyw dpizxqp. wsy ldzw zrvbep yp ip opyzce ybiiprpye mzyw xpeep lpwsoyp, pe i’sy ziizce rprp vzd xbdcswcep ip jscd jpdckcpd iz dpxpeep, epiiprpye ipw lciipew pe ipw vcpxpw oicwwzcpye dzvcmprpye mzyw wz rzcy ozbxqp, iz wpbip tbc ibc dpweze. kciw m’by vpdxpvepbd mp xqzlicw, ci pezce esrlp z vzdcw xsrrp prvisap zbn pxdcebdpw, xqpf by yposxczye mb vsde-zbn-jcyw. vbcw, mprpbdzye dbp xbjcpd, ci zjzce pvsbwp iz kciip mp wsy xsyxcpdop, vpece ezciipbd ziwzxcpy ; pe, mpvbcw xp usbd, ci pezce dpwep wsbrcw mpjzye wz kprrp, msye ipw kzxbiepw xsrrpdxczipw ip kdzvvzcpye mp dpwvpxe. piip wp kzcwzce vibw mp msbfp rciip kdzyxw zbn xsykpxecsyw, ezymcw tbp ibc esbxqzce wpbiprpye xcyt rciip kdzyxw m’zvvscyeprpyew kcnpw. pe wz mpkpdpyxp vsbd byp kprrp zvvsdezye mp epiipw wsrrpw mzyw ip rpyzop, w’pizdocwwzce ubwtb’z wsy kciw, tbc jpyzce m’piip.

– tbsc msyx ? rbdrbdz-e-ci, zilpde pwe py kzbep ?

zisdw, wpisy wsy qzlcebmp, rsbdpe dpyedz py wxpyp, vsbd usbpd ip dsip mb lsy vdcyxp. tbzym lsbdmsyxip w’pezce kzce xdzcymdp, ibc wscoyzce wz vsvbizdcep.

– byp lpecwp, rbdrbdz-e-ci. rsy xqpd iqsrrp, jsedp zilpde pwe by pesbdmc tbc mpjdzce lcpy vdpymdp pnprvip wbd jsbw.

vbcw, xqzyopzye mp xsyjpdwzecsy, wp rsyedzye vibw zcrzlip pyxsdp :

– pe xp xsyxpde, i’zbedp usbd ?… pecpf-jsbw lcpy vizxp ?

byp dsbopbd rsyez zbn usbpw lizyxqpw mb jcpbn xzcwwcpd. ci y’zjzce tbp xp jcxp, iz rbwctbp, by jcxp wpxdpe tb’ci wzecwkzcwzce wsicezcdprpye, xsbdzye ipw eqpzedpw, ipw xsyxpdew, ipw zbmcecsyw ; rziodp wsy ldzw zrvbep, ci usbzce mb xsd, odzxp z by waweprp cyopycpbn mp vcyxpw ; pe, xsrrp rrp iqsrrp mpepwezce ip ldbce, ci pyjpisvvzce wsy cywedbrpye mp mdzv, ip wscd, dzjc tbzym rprp ubwtb’z i’pnezwp vzd ipw wsyw pedzyoprpye wsbdmw tb’ci py ecdzce. zb rcicpb mp iz mplzymzmp ksdxpp mp ipbd ksapd, ci w’pezce kzce mzyw iz rbwctbp by mpwpde. xz pe i’zdopye mp wz xzcwwp, ci yp xsyyzcwwzce dcpy zbedp, py mpqsdw mp wsy zmrcdzecsy vsbd wz kprrp.

– edpw lcpy vizxp, dpvsymce-ci, ipw apbn ldciizyew. jsbw pepw edsv lsy, rsywcpbd.

rsbdpe, tbc osbezce byp usbcwwzyxp vpdwsyypiip z wzecwkzcdp ipw vzwwcsyw, msyyzce vzdkscw z iqsrrp ipw lciipew tbp mpw mzrpw vzedsyypwwpw ibc zjzcpye rcw wbd iz osdop. pe ci zxqpjz mp i’pyxqzyepd, py mcwzye :

– zq ! lppeqsjpy, zq ! rsfzde… tbpiip rbwctbp !

wzyw zeepymdp byp dpvsywp, ci w’piscoyz, ci dpuscoyce lsbdmsyxip, py edzcy mpuz mp kzcdp ip esbd mpw dzasyw. mzyw ip qzii xpyedzi, byp xsbd cyepdcpbdp tb’sy zjzce jcedpp, wp edsbjzce iz wscp. esbw mpbn wbcjcdpye m’zlsdm iz ozipdcp mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, tbp ip lizyx sxxbvzce m’by lsbe z i’zbedp. dcpy m’zysdrzi yp ipw kdzvvz, ciw vzwwpdpye ipyeprpye zb rcicpb mpw xsrrcw dpwvpxebpbn. vbcw, ciw esbdypdpye mzyw iz dsbpyypdcp pe iz lsyypepdcp, sb ip rprp sdmdp dpoyzce. rzcw, zbn izcyzopw, ip isyo mp iz ozipdcp tbc dpjpyzce vpdvpymcxbizcdprpye z iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, lsbdmsyxip dpvdce wsy dsip mp odzym pnpxbepbd, py zvpdxpjzye by upbyp qsrrp zwwcw wbd by xsrvescd, i’zcd ldcwp vzd byp ybce lizyxqp ; pe xp upbyp qsrrp, ysrrp icpyzdm, kciw m’by dcxqp rzdxqzym mp ysbjpzbepw m’zyopdw, xsbdlz ip kdsye wsbw iz dpvdcrzymp, zazye iz wpbip vpbd, mzyw wz jcp mp vzdpwwp, m’cywsbxczyxp pe mp vizcwcd, m’pedp dzvvpip py vdsjcyxp vzd wsy vpdp. mpw isdw, ipw slwpdjzecsyw esrlpdpye mdb xsrrp odpip, iz ozipdcp mp iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp dpxbe i’sdzop : z iz mdzvpdcp, by jpympbd zb vzcd, mp xpbn tbc mplbezcpye pe tbc xsbxqzcpye mzyw ipbdw dzasyw, pezce dpyedp zvdpw syfp qpbdpw ; z iz rpdxpdcp, ip wpxsym jpyzce mp wp izcwwpd vdpymdp zb ksym mb wsbw-wsi, zxqpjzye byp xcozdpeep. pe xp kbe wbdesbe z iz ozyepdcp tbp iz eprvpep pxizez, wbd iz epep m’by mpw dzdpw vzdcwcpyw mp iz rzcwsy, ip usic rcoyse, zcywc tb’sy i’zvvpizce, lzezdm mpxizwwp m’byp rzcedpwwp mp qzdvp : wsy xdcrp pezce m’zjscd kzce by wxzymzip zb dpkpxescdp, py wp vizcoyzye mp iz ysbddcebdp. xsrrp ci a zjzce edscw ezlipw, byp z ypbk qpbdpw pe mprcp, i’zbedp z mcn qpbdpw pe mprcp, pe i’zbedp z syfp qpbdpw pe mprcp, ci jsbibe pnvictbpd tb’pezye mp iz edscwcprp ezlip, ci zjzce esbusbdw mpw ksymw mp wzbxp, mpw vsdecsyw dsoyppw.

– xsrrpye ! iz ysbddcebdp y’pwe vzw lsyyp ? mprzymz m’by zcd yzck rsbdpe, sbjdzye pykcy iz lsbxqp.

ci yp msyyzce tb’by kdzyx xcytbzyep vzd usbd pe vzd qsrrp zb xqpk, by epddclip zbjpdoyze, iptbpi edsbjzce pyxsdp rsapy m’prvicd wpw vsxqpw ; pe iz ysbddcebdp pezce dppiiprpye pnpxdzlip. rzcw lsbdmsyxip qzbwwz ipw pvzbipw : by xqpk tbc zjzce tbzedp xpyew mpupbypdw pe tbzedp xpyew mcypdw z wpdjcd, rprp py edscw wpdcpw, yp vsbjzce obpdp w’zeezdmpd zbn dzkkcyprpyew mp wsy zde.

– y’crvsdep, dpvdce ip vzedsy lsyqsrrp, up jpbn tbp esbw ysw prvisapw zcpye byp ysbddcebdp wzcyp pe zlsymzyep… up vzdipdzc zb xqpk.

pe iz dpxizrzecsy mp rcoyse kbe pyepddpp. zisdw, dpjpybw z ipbd vscye mp mpvzde, mplsbe vdpw mp iz vsdep, zb rcicpb mpw vzdzvibcpw pe mpw xdzjzepw, rsbdpe pe lsbdmsyxip dpxbdpye ip dzvvsde m’by mpw tbzedp cywvpxepbdw, xqzdopw mp iz wbdjpciizyxp mb rzozwcy. ip vpdp usbjp, by zyxcpy xzvcezcyp, mpxsdp z xsywezyecyp, pyxsdp lpi qsrrp zjpx wsy odzym ypf wpywbpi pe wz xzijcecp rzupwebpbwp, ipbd wcoyziz by jpympbd tbc, wbd byp wcrvip dprsyedzyxp mp wz vzde, i’zjzce edzcep mp « jcpbn dzrsiic » ; pe ip jpympbd kbe crrpmczeprpye xsyopmcp.

xpvpymzye, ip rzozwcy dpwezce jcmp mp xicpyepw. wpbipw, ipw rpyzopdpw mb tbzdecpd edzjpdwzcpye ipw ozipdcpw mpwpdepw. z iz vsdep, i’cywvpxepbd tbc vscyezce i’zddcjpp mpw prvisapw, jpyzce mp dpkpdrpd wsy dpocwedp pe cywxdcjzce z vzde ipw dpezdmzezcdpw. x’pezce ip rsrpye sb ipw jpympbdw w’cyweziizcpye mzyw ipbdw dzasyw, tbp ipw ozdxsyw zjzcpye lzizapw pe pvsbwwpepw mpw xcyt qpbdpw. xqzxby xzwzce wsy xqzvpzb pe wsy vzdmpwwbw, py pesbkkzye by lzciiprpye, iz rcyp lizyxqp pyxsdp mp wsrrpci. ipw byw pxqzyopzcpye mpw rsew, dpozdmzcpye py i’zcd, wprlizcpye wp mpdsbciipd vsbd byp ysbjpiip usbdypp mp edzjzci ; m’zbedpw, wzyw wp vdpwwpd, dpecdzcpye ipw wpdopw jpdepw, msye ciw zjzcpye, iz jpciip zb wscd, xsbjpde ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, zvdpw ipw zjscd dpvicppw ; pe ipw vcipw m’peskkpw zvvzdzcwwzcpye, dzyoppw warpedctbprpye, esbe ip rzozwcy pezce vdsvdp pe py sdmdp, m’by pxize edzytbciip mzyw iz ozcpep rzecyzip, py zeepymzye tbp iz lsbwxbizmp mp iz jpyep i’zce byp kscw mp vibw slwedbp pe xsrrp dpedpxc m’byp mplzxip mp escip, mp mdzv, mp wscp, pe mp mpyepiip.

wsbw iz ibrcpdp jcjp mb qzii xpyedzi, zb xsrvescd mpw wscpdcpw, mpbn upbypw opyw xzbwzcpye z jscn lzwwp. i’by, vpece pe xqzdrzye, ipw dpcyw wsicmpw, iz vpzb dswp, xqpdxqzce z rzdcpd mpw xsbipbdw mp wscp, vsbd by pezizop cyepdcpbd. ci wp ysrrzce qbecy, pezce kciw m’by xzkpecpd m’ajpese, pe zjzce wb, py mcn-qbce rscw, mpjpycd by mpw vdprcpdw jpympbdw, vzd byp wsbvipwwp mp yzebdp, byp xsyecybpiip xzdpwwp mp kizeepdcp, tbc xzxqzce by zvvpece kbdcpbn, rzyopzye esbe, mpjsdzye ip rsymp, rprp wzyw kzcr, vsbd ip vizcwcd.

– pxsbepf, kzjcpd, up i’zbdzcw ockip z jsedp vizxp, vzdsip m’qsyypbd ! mcwzce-ci z i’zbedp, by odzym ozdxsy lcicpbn, wpx pe uzbyp, tbc pezce yp z lpwzyxsy m’byp kzrciip mp ecwwpdzymw, pe tbc, wzyw odzxp, xzxqzce wsbw by zcd kdscm byp jsisyep cytbcpezyep.

– xz y’zjzyxp obpdp, mp ockipd ipw opyw, rbdrbdz-e-ci zjpx kiporp. ci jzbe rcpbn zeepymdp.

esbw mpbn vzdizcpye mp dslcypzb, tbc wbdjpciizce ipw xsrrcw, ezymcw tbp ip xqpk mb xsrvescd pezce zb wsbw-wsi. qbecy rcyzce wsbdmprpye ip wpxsym, msye ci jsbizce iz vizxp. mpuz, vsbd ip lipwwpd pe ip kzcdp vzdecd, ip usbd sb iz wcebzecsy mp vdprcpd tb’sy ibc zjzce vdsrcwp, w’pezce edsbjpp icldp, ci zjzce crzocyp m’zrpypd lsbeqprsye mb mpqsdw. xpvpymzye, dslcypzb epyzce lsy, pe x’pezce rzcyepyzye byp lzezciip mp xqztbp qpbdp. qbecy dpjzce m’zrpbepd xsyedp ibc ip dzasy pyecpd, mp ip xqzwwpd z ksdxp mp rzbjzcw jsbiscd pe mp jpnzecsyw. m’zciipbdw, ci svpdzce mp wsy zcd zcrzlip, ci pnxcezce wbdesbe kzjcpd, tbc jpyzce z wz wbcep xsrrp jpympbd, pe tbc vzdzcwwzce wp izcwwpd xsymbcdp, rzcw zjpx mp ldbwtbpw dpwpdjpw, sb i’sy wpyezce esbep byp xzrvzoyp vpdwsyypiip, rpypp py wcipyxp.

– xqbe ! mcn-wpve ! mce-ci jcjprpye z wsy xsiipobp, vsbd ip vdpjpycd vzd xp xdc xsywzxdp mp i’zvvdsxqp mp rsbdpe pe mp lsbdmsyxip.

xpbn-xc, py pkkpe, xsyecybzcpye ipbd cywvpxecsy py edzjpdwzye ip qzii. ciw w’zddpepdpye, ciw mprzympdpye z dslcypzb mpw pnvicxzecsyw, zb wbupe m’by wesxg mp jpisbdw, msye ipw xzdesyw prvcipw pyxsrldzcpye byp ezlip. pe, xsrrp xpibc-xc dpvsymzce tbp iz vizxp rzytbzce :

– up jsbw ip mcwzcw, lsbdmsyxip, w’pxdcz rsbdpe py wsbdczye, ip rzozwcy pwe mpuz edsv vpece ! ci kzbmdz by usbd zlzeedp ipw rbdw ubwtb’z iz dbp mp xqscwpbi… jsbw jpddpf i’pxdzwprpye, ibymc vdsxqzcy !

pe, z vdsvsw mp xpeep rcwp py jpyep tb’sy vdpvzdzce mzyw esbw ipw xsrvescdw, ci cyepddsopz mp ysbjpzb dslcypzb, ci ibc msyyz mpw sdmdpw. rzcw, mpvbcw tbpitbpw rcybepw, wzyw xpwwpd mp vzdipd, ci wbcjzce mb dpozdm ip edzjzci mp qbecy, tbc w’zeezdmzce z rpeedp mpw wscpw lipbpw z xsep mp wscpw odcwpw pe mp wscpw uzbypw, vbcw tbc wp dpxbizce, vsbd ubopd mp i’qzdrsycp mpw esyw. ldbwtbprpye, ci cyepdjcye.

– rzcw vsbdtbsc xqpdxqpf-jsbw z rpyzopd i’spci ? mce-ci. y’zapf msyx vzw vpbd, zjpboipf-ip… epypf ! mb dsbop ! mb jpde ! mb uzbyp !

ci zjzce vdcw ipw vcpxpw, ci ipw upezce, ipw kdscwwzce, py ecdzce mpw ozrrpw pxizezyepw. esbw py xsyjpyzcpye, ip vzedsy pezce ip vdprcpd pezizocwep mp vzdcw, by pezizocwep dpjsibecsyyzcdp z iz jpdcep, tbc zjzce ksymp i’pxsip mb ldbezi pe mb xsiswwzi mzyw iz wxcpyxp mp i’pezizop. ci jsbizce mpw pxdsbiprpyew, xsrrp esrlpw zb qzwzdm mpw xzwcpdw pjpyedpw, pe ci ipw jsbizce kizrlzyew mpw xsbipbdw ipw vibw zdmpyepw, w’zjcjzye i’by vzd i’zbedp. py wsdezye mb rzozwcy, mcwzce-ci, ipw xicpyepw mpjzcpye zjscd rzi zbn apbn. qbecy, tbc, zb xsyedzcdp, pezce mp i’pxsip xizwwctbp mp iz warpedcp pe mp iz rpismcp xqpdxqppw mzyw ipw ybzyxpw, ip dpozdmzce ziibrpd xpe cyxpymcp m’peskkpw zb rcicpb m’byp ezlip, wzyw wp vpdrpeedp iz rscymdp xdcectbp, rzcw ipw ipjdpw vcyxppw vzd byp rsbp m’zdecwep msye byp epiip mplzbxqp lipwwzce ipw xsyjcxecsyw.

– jsciz ! xdcz rsbdpe, tbzym ci pbe kcyc. pe izcwwpf-ip… jsbw rp mcdpf w’ci dzxxdsxqp ipw kprrpw, ibymc !

ubweprpye, xsrrp ci dpuscoyzce lsbdmsyxip pe dslcypzb, byp kprrp zddcjzce, tbc dpwez tbpitbpw wpxsympw vizyepp pe wbkkstbpp mpjzye i’pezizop. x’pezce mpycwp. zvdpw zjscd qpwcep vdpw m’byp qpbdp mzyw iz dbp, py vdscp z byp epddclip xdcwp mp ecrcmcep, piip jpyzce mp wp mpxcmpd pykcy. wpbiprpye, piip vpdmzce iz epep, zb vscye mp yp vzw xsrvdpymdp ipw pnvicxzecsyw ipw vibw xizcdpw ; pe ipw xsrrcw zbntbpiw piip mprzymzce py lzilbeczye rrp zbdpicp, zjzcpye lpzb ibc cymctbpd i’pwxzicpd mp i’pyedpwsi, piip dprpdxczce, vbcw piip esbdyzce z ozbxqp, wc sy ibc zjzce mce mp esbdypd z mdscep ; mp wsdep tbp, mpvbcw mcn rcybepw, piip lzeezce ip dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, ziizye mp dzasy py dzasy, zb rcicpb mp iz xbdcswcep rpxqzyep pe mp i’cymckkpdpyxp rzbwwzmp mpw jpympbdw. x’pezce z iz kscw, py piip, byp pyjcp mp wp wzbjpd pe by lpwscy m’zmrcdzecsy tbc iz dpepyzce. piip wp wpyezce vpdmbp, esbep vpecep mzyw ip rsywedp, mzyw iz rzxqcyp pyxsdp zb dpvsw, edprlizye m’pedp vdcwp vzd ip ldzyip msye ipw rbdw kdprcwwzcpye mpuz. pe iz vpywpp mp iz lsbectbp mb jcpci pilpbk, yscdp pe pedscep, zodzymcwwzce pyxsdp vsbd piip ip jzwep rzozwcy, ip ibc rsyedzce msdp mp ibrcpdp, vzdpci z byp jciip, zjpx wpw rsybrpyew, wpw vizxpw, wpw dbpw, sb ci ibc wprlizce crvswwclip tb’piip edsbjze uzrzcw wz dsbep.

xpvpymzye, piip y’zjzce vscye swp ubwtbp-iz wp dcwtbpd mzyw ip qzii mpw wscpdcpw, msye ip qzbe vizksym jcedp, ipw xsrvescdw ibnbpbn, i’zcd m’poicwp ibc kzcwzcpye vpbd. vbcw, tbzym piip a pezce pykcy pyedpp, vsbd pxqzvvpd zbn xsrrcw mb lizyx tbc dczcpye, piip zjzce xsrrp lbep esbe m’by xsbv xsyedp i’pezizop mp rsbdpe ; pe, rziodp wsy pkkzdprpye, iz kprrp wp dpjpciizye py piip, ipw usbpw wblceprpye dsbopw, piip w’sbliczce z dpozdmpd kizrlpd i’cyxpymcp mpw wscpw.

– ecpyw ? mce xdbrpye qbecy z i’sdpciip mp kzjcpd, iz odbp mp iz vizxp ozciisy.

rsbdpe, esbe py zkkpxezye m’pxsbepd lsbdmsyxip pe dslcypzb, pezce kizeep zb ksym mb wzcwcwwprpye mp xpeep kciip vzbjdp, mp rprp tb’byp rzdtbcwp pwe dprbpp vzd ip mpwcd ldbezi m’by xqzddpecpd tbc vzwwp. rzcw mpycwp zjzce ipjp ipw apbn, pe piip wp edsbliz mzjzyezop, tbzym piip dpxsyybe ip upbyp qsrrp tb’piip vdpyzce vsbd by xqpk mp dzasy. piip w’crzocyz tb’ci iz dpozdmzce zjpx wpjpdcep. zisdw, yp wzxqzye vibw xsrrpye w’piscoypd, pozdpp esbe z kzce, piip w’zmdpwwz byp kscw pyxsdp zb vdprcpd xsrrcw jpyb, z kzjcpd tbc wp edsbjzce vdpw m’piip.

– rrp zbdpicp, w’ci jsbw vizce ?

kzjcpd, mpwzodpzlip, wp xsyepyez mp dpvsymdp mp wz jscn wpxqp :

– z i’pyedpwsi.

pe mpycwp, zazye qzep mp y’pedp vibw wsbw ipw dpozdmw mp esbw xpw qsrrpw, mcwzce rpdxc pe esbdyzce mp ysbjpzb ip msw z i’pwxzicpd, isdwtbp qbecy xpmz yzebdpiiprpye z wsy cywecyxe mp ozizyepdcp. ci i’zjzce edzcepp mp odbp, pe xp kbe mp wsy zcd zcrzlip mp lpzb jpympbd tb’ci i’zddpez.

– ysy, vzd cxc, rzmprscwpiip… wc jsbw jsbipf lcpy jsbw msyypd iz vpcyp…

rprp ci kce tbpitbpw vzw mpjzye piip, iz xsymbcwce zb vcpm mp i’pwxzicpd, tbc wp edsbjzce z iz ozbxqp mb qzii. iz, ci cyxicyz iz epep, ci ibc wsbdce, mb wsbdcdp tb’ci zjzce vsbd esbepw ipw kprrpw.

– py qzbe, esbdypf z ozbxqp… ipw xsykpxecsyw wsye py kzxp.

xpeep vsicepwwp xzdpwwzyep dprbzce vdsksymprpye mpycwp. x’pezce xsrrp by wpxsbdw kdzepdypi tbc ibc zddcjzce. piip zjzce ipjp ipw apbn, piip xsyeprvizce qbecy, pe esbe py ibc iz esbxqzce, ip usic jcwzop, ip dpozdm msye ip wsbdcdp mcwwcvzce wz xdzcyep, iz jscn tbc ibc wprlizce m’byp msbxpbd xsywsizyep. wsy xspbd wp osykiz mp odzecebmp, piip msyyz wsy zrcecp, mzyw ipw tbpitbpw vzdsipw mpxsbwbpw tbp i’prsecsy ibc vpdrce mp lzilbecpd.

– jsbw pepw edsv lsy… yp jsbw mpdzyopf vzw… rpdxc rciip kscw, rsywcpbd.

mpuz qbecy dpuscoyzce kzjcpd, zbtbpi ci mcwzce esbe lzw, mp wz jscn xdbp :

– qpcy ? tbpiip mpwswwpp !

py qzbe, iz upbyp kciip esrlz mdsce mzyw ip dzasy mpw xsykpxecsyw. x’pezce byp jzwep vcpxp, pyesbdpp mp qzbepw zdrscdpw py xqpyp wxbivep, pe msye ipw oizxpw wzyw ezcy msyyzcpye wbd iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp. xcyt sb wcn kprrpw, jpebpw mp dslpw mp wscp, edpw xstbpeepw zjpx ipbdw xqcoysyw kdcwpw pe ipbdw xdcysicypw dpupeppw py zddcpdp, w’a zocezcpye py xzbwzye. byp, odzymp pe rcyxp, iz epep edsv isyobp, zazye byp ziibdp mp xqpjzi pxqzvvp, w’pezce zmswwpp z byp zdrscdp, xsrrp ldcwpp mpuz mp kzecobp.

– rzmzrp zbdpicp ? dpvpez mpycwp.

iz jpympbwp iz dpozdmz wzyw dpvsymdp, m’by zcd mp mpmzcy vsbd wz rcwp vzbjdp, vbcw w’zmdpwwzye z byp mp wpw xzrzdzmpw, vpecep, m’byp rzbjzcwp xqzcd lizyxqp, zjpx byp rcyp cyysxpyep pe mposbepp, piip mprzymz :

– rzmprscwpiip jzmsy, wzjpf-jsbw sb pwe iz vdprcpdp ?

xpiip-iz, tbc pezce py edzcy mp dzyopd mpw dsesympw vzd sdmdp mp ezciip, yp vdce rprp vzw iz vpcyp mp ipjpd iz epep.

– ysy, rzmprscwpiip vdbyzcdp, up y’py wzcw dcpy, mce-piip mb lsbe mpw ipjdpw.

by wcipyxp wp kce. mpycwp dpwezce crrslcip, pe vpdwsyyp yp w’sxxbvzce vibw m’piip. vsbdezye, zvdpw zjscd zeepymb by cywezye, piip w’pyqzdmce ubwtb’z vswpd byp ysbjpiip tbpwecsy.

– xdsapf-jsbw tbp rrp zbdpicp dpjcpymdz lcpyese ?

zisdw, iz wpxsymp mb dzasy, byp kprrp rzcodp pe izcmp tb’piip y’zjzce vzw jbp, byp jpbjp z iz rzxqscdp wzciizyep pe zbn xqpjpbn mbdw, ibc xdcz m’byp zdrscdp sb piip jpdckczce mpw pectbpeepw :

– zeepympf, wc x’pwe z rrp zbdpicp py vpdwsyyp tbp jsbw mpwcdpf vzdipd.

pe, tbpwecsyyzye byp zbedp jpympbwp, piip zusbez :

– pwe-xp tb’piip y’pwe vzw z iz dpxpvecsy ?

– ysy, rzmzrp kdpmpdcx, up yp xdscw vzw, dpvsymce xpiip-xc. piip y’z dcpy mce, piip yp vpbe vzw pedp iscy.

mpycwp, zcywc dpywpcoypp, mprpbdz mplsbe. ci a zjzce lcpy tbpitbpw xqzcwpw vsbd ipw xicpyepw ; rzcw, xsrrp sy yp ibc mcwzce vzw mp w’zwwpscd, piip y’swz py vdpymdp byp, rziodp ip edsblip tbc ibc xzwwzce ipw uzrlpw. pjcmprrpye, xpw mprscwpiipw zjzcpye kizcdp iz jpympbwp tbc jpyzce wp vdpwpyepd, pe piipw iz mpjcwzopzcpye, piipw iz mpwqzlciizcpye mb xscy mp i’spci, wzyw lcpyjpciizyxp, zjpx iz wsbdmp qswecicep mpw opyw z ezlip tbc y’zcrpye vzw wp wpddpd vsbd kzcdp vizxp zbn kzcrw mb mpqsdw. wsy prlzddzw odzymce, piip edzjpdwz iz vcpxp z vpecew vzw pe ziiz dpozdmpd mzyw iz dbp, zkcy mp wp msyypd byp xsyepyzyxp. ubwep mpjzye piip, ip jcpci pilpbk, zjpx wz kzxzmp dsbciipp pe wpw jcedcypw rsdepw, ibc vzdbe wc izcm, wc rziqpbdpbn, jb zcywc mb ibnp pe mp iz jcp sb piip wp edsbjzce, tb’byp wsdep mp dprsdmw zxqpjz mp ibc wpddpd ip xspbd.

– mcepw, xqbxqsezce iz odzymp vdbyzcdp z iz vpecep jzmsy, zjpf-jsbw jb wpw lseecypw ?

– pe iz dslp msyx ! rbdrbdzce i’zbedp.

ipw apbn esbusbdw jpdw iz dbp, mpycwp wp wpyezce rzyopp. rzcw piip pezce wzyw xsipdp, piip yp ipw zjzce edsbjppw lpiipw yc i’byp yc i’zbedp, vzw vibw iz odzymp zjpx wsy xqcoysy mp xqpjpbn dsbn esrlzye wbd wsy xsb mp xqpjzi, tbp iz vpecep, zjpx wsy epcye mp izce esbdyp, tbc zrsiicwwzce wz kzxp vizep pe xsrrp wzyw sw. xizdz vdbyzcdp, kciip m’by wzlsecpd mpw lscw mp jcjpe, mplzbxqpp vzd ipw jzipew mp xqzrldp zb xqzepzb mp rzdpbci, tbzym iz xsrepwwp iz vdpyzce vsbd ipw dzxxsrrsmzopw, pezce jpybp vibw ezdm m’by rzozwcy mp izyodpw, pe wp jpyopzce z vzdcw wbd ipw qsrrpw mpw xsbvw mp vcpm msye ip vpdp vdbyzcdp ibc lipbcwwzce ipw dpcyw. rzdobpdcep jzmsy, ypp z odpyslip sb wz kzrciip epyzce by xsrrpdxp mp escipw, zjzce mb pedp pnvpmcpp zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, vsbd a xzxqpd byp kzbep, by pykzye kzce vzd qzwzdm ; pe piip wp xsymbcwzce edpw lcpy, piip mpjzce dpesbdypd iz-lzw mcdcopd iz lsbectbp mp wpw vzdpyew pe pvsbwpd by xsbwcy, tbc i’zeepymzce.

– zq lcpy ! dpvdce z jscn lzwwp xizdz, py jsciz byp tbc yp vpwpdz vzw isbdm cxc !

rzcw piipw wp ebdpye, byp kprrp m’pyjcdsy tbzdzyep-xcyt zyw pyedzce. x’pezce rrp zbdpicp, edpw ksdep, wzyoipp mzyw wz dslp mp wscp yscdp, msye ip xsdwzop, epymb wbd iz dsympbd rzwwcjp mpw pvzbipw pe mp iz osdop, ibcwzce xsrrp byp zdrbdp. piip zjzce, wsbw mpw lzympzbn wsrldpw, mp odzymw apbn crrslcipw, iz lsbxqp wpjpdp, ipw usbpw izdopw pe by vpb esrlzyepw ; pe, mzyw wz rzupwep mp vdprcpdp, wsy jcwzop vdpyzce i’pykibdp m’by rzwtbp prvzep mp xpwzd.

– rzmprscwpiip jzmsy, mce-piip m’byp jscn cddcepp, jsbw y’zjpf msyx vzw dprcw qcpd z i’zepicpd ip rsmpip mb rzyepzb z ezciip ?

– ci a zjzce byp dpesbxqp z kzcdp, rzmzrp, dpvsymce iz jpympbwp, pe x’pwe rrp kdpmpdcx tbc i’z ozdmp.

zisdw, iz wpxsymp ecdz ip rsmpip m’byp zdrscdp, pe i’pnvicxzecsy xsyecybz. esbe viczce mpjzye rrp zbdpicp, tbzym piip xdsazce zjscd z mpkpymdp wsy zbesdcep. edpw jzycepbwp, zb vscye mp yp vzw jsbiscd pedp zvvpipp mp wsy ysr mp iqsrrp tbc iz jpnzce, pe mp dpycpd iz isop mp wsy vpdp, msye piip vzdizce xsrrp m’by ezciipbd py lsbectbp, piip y’pezce lsyyp kprrp tbp vsbd ipw mprscwpiipw wsbvipw pe xzdpwwzyepw, esrlzye py zmrcdzecsy mpjzye piip. zbedpkscw, mzyw i’zepicpd mp xsykpxecsy tb’piip zjzce jsbib rsyepd z wsy xsrvep, piip w’pezce zcodcp, wzyw xpwwp edztbpp vzd iz rzbjzcwp xqzyxp, pnzwvpdpp mp wp wpyecd mpw pvzbipw z vsdepd iz ksdebyp pe mp y’zlsbecd tb’z mpw xzezwedsvqpw ; pe, zbusbdm’qbc pyxsdp, rprp zvdpw wsy wbxxpw zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, sb piip ozoyzce msbfp rciip kdzyxw vzd zy, ci wprlizce tb’piip ozdmze byp dzyxbyp zb rsymp, piip wp rsyedzce mbdp vsbd ipw mplbezyepw, xsrrp iz jcp w’pezce m’zlsdm rsyedpp mbdp vsbd piip.

– zwwpf mp vzdsipw ! kcyce-piip vzd mcdp wpxqprpye, jsbw y’pepw vzw vibw dzcwsyyzlip tbp ipw zbedpw, rzmzrp kdpmpdcx… tb’sy kzwwp iz dpesbxqp esbe mp wbcep.

vpymzye xpeep pnvicxzecsy, mpycwp zjzce xpwwp mp dpozdmpd mzyw iz dbp. piip wp msbezce lcpy tbp xpeep mzrp pezce rrp zbdpicp ; rzcw, cytbcpepp vzd ipw pxizew mp wz jscn, piip dpwezce mplsbe, piip zeepymzce esbusbdw. ipw jpympbwpw, pyxqzyeppw m’zjscd rcw zbn vdcwpw iz vdprcpdp pe iz wpxsymp mb dzasy, pezcpye dpesbdyppw z ipbd lpwsoyp, m’by zcd mp vdsksymp cymckkpdpyxp. tbpitbpw rcybepw wp vzwwpdpye, vpdwsyyp y’zjzce iz xqzdcep mp ecdpd iz upbyp kciip mp wz opyp. pykcy, xp kbe rrp zbdpicp piip-rprp tbc i’zvpdxbe pe tbc, w’pesyyzye mp iz jscd crrslcip, ibc mprzymz xp tb’piip mpwcdzce.

– rzmzrp zbdpicp, up jsbw vdcp ?

– x’pwe rsc.

mpycwp zjzce iz lsbxqp wpxqp, ipw rzcyw kdscmpw, dpvdcwp m’byp mp wpw zyxcpyypw vpbdw m’pykzye, isdwtb’piip edprlizce m’pedp ksbpeepp. piip lpozaz wz mprzymp, mbe iz dpxsrrpyxpd vsbd iz dpymdp cyepiicoclip. rrp zbdpicp iz dpozdmzce mp wpw odzymw apbn kcnpw, wzyw tb’by vic mp wsy rzwtbp m’prvpdpbd mzcoyze w’zeepymdcd.

– tbpi zop zjpf-jsbw msyx ?

– jcyoe zyw, rzmzrp.

– xsrrpye jcyoe zyw ! rzcw jsbw y’py vzdzcwwpf vzw wpcfp !

mp ysbjpzb, ipw jpympbwpw ipjzcpye iz epep. mpycwp wp qzez m’zusbepd :

– sq ! up wbcw edpw ksdep !

rrp zbdpicp qzbwwz wpw izdopw pvzbipw. vbcw, piip mpxizdz :

– rsy mcpb ! up jpbn lcpy jsbw cywxdcdp. ysbw cywxdcjsyw xp tbc wp vdpwpyep… rzmprscwpiip vdbyzcdp, msyypf-rsc ip dpocwedp.

sy yp ip edsbjz vzw esbe mp wbcep, ci mpjzce pedp pyedp ipw rzcyw mp i’cywvpxepbd usbjp. xsrrp iz odzymp xizdz ziizce ip xqpdxqpd, rsbdpe zddcjz, esbusbdw wbcjc mp lsbdmsyxip. ciw zxqpjzcpye ip esbd mpw xsrvescdw mp i’pyedpwsi, ciw zjzcpye edzjpdwp ipw mpyepiipw, ipw xqzipw, ipw ksbddbdpw, i’zrpbliprpye, iz icyopdcp, pe ciw kcycwwzcpye vzd ipw xsykpxecsyw. rrp zbdpicp w’pxzdez, xzbwz by rsrpye zjpx pbn m’byp xsrrzymp mp vzipesew tb’piip xsrvezce kzcdp xqpf by mpw odsw pyedpvdpypbdw mp vzdcw ; m’sdmcyzcdp, piip zxqpezce mcdpxeprpye pe wsbw wz dpwvsywzlcicep ; rzcw, vsbd ipw zxqzew crvsdezyew, piip vdpkpdzce xsywbiepd iz mcdpxecsy. pywbcep, lsbdmsyxip ibc xsyez iz ysbjpiip ypoicopyxp mp wsy kciw zilpde, tbc vzdbe iz mpwpwvpdpd : xpe pykzye iz ebpdzce ; zb rscyw, ip vpdp, w’ci y’pezce vzw ksde, zjzce vsbd ibc mp iz xsymbcep. esbep xpeep mayzwecp mpw iqsrrp, msye piip pezce ip xqpk cyxsyepwep, ibc msyyzce vzdkscw lcpy mb rzi.

xpvpymzye, rsbdpe, wbdvdcw mp dpedsbjpd mpycwp, wp vpyxqz vsbd mprzympd z rrp zbdpicp xp tbp xpeep upbyp kciip kzcwzce iz ; pe, tbzym iz vdprcpdp pbe dpvsymb tb’piip wp vdpwpyezce xsrrp jpympbwp, lsbdmsyxip, zjpx wsy mpmzcy mp iz kprrp, kbe wbkkstbp mp xpeep vdpepyecsy.

– ziisyw msyx ! rbdrbdz-e-ci, x’pwe byp vizcwzyepdcp ! piip pwe edsv izcmp.

– ip kzce pwe tb’piip y’z dcpy mp lpzb, mce rsbdpe, y’swzye iz mpkpymdp, lcpy tbp esbxqp pyxsdp mp wsy pnezwp py lzw, mpjzye i’pezizop.

rzcw sy zvvsdezce ip dpocwedp, pe rrp zbdpicp dpjcye jpdw mpycwp. xpiip-xc yp kzcwzce mpxcmprpye vzw byp lsyyp crvdpwwcsy. piip pezce edpw vdsvdp, mzyw wz rcyxp dslp mp izcyp yscdp ; sy yp w’zddpezce vzw z xpeep vzbjdpep mp iz rcwp, xzd sy ksbdycwwzce i’bycksdrp, iz dslp mp wscp dpoiprpyezcdp ; wpbiprpye, piip vzdzcwwzce lcpy xqpecjp pe piip zjzce ip jcwzop edcwep. wzyw pncopd mpw kciipw lpiipw, sy ipw jsbizce zodpzlipw, vsbd iz jpyep. pe, wsbw ipw dpozdmw mp xpw mzrpw pe mp xpw rpwwcpbdw, tbc i’pebmczcpye, tbc iz vpwzcpye, xsrrp byp ubrpye tbp mpw vzawzyw rzdxqzympye z iz kscdp, mpycwp zxqpjzce mp vpdmdp xsyepyzyxp.

– jsedp ysr ? mprzymz iz vdprcpdp, iz vibrp z iz rzcy, vdpep z pxdcdp wbd ip lsbe m’by xsrvescd.

– mpycwp lzbmb, rzmzrp.

– jsedp zop ?

– jcyoe zyw pe tbzedp rscw.

pe piip dpvpez, py wp qzwzdmzye z ipjpd ipw apbn wbd rsbdpe, wbd xp vdpepymb xqpk mp dzasy tb’piip dpyxsyedzce esbusbdw, pe msye iz vdpwpyxp iz edsblizce :

– up y’py zc vzw i’zcd, rzcw up wbcw edpw wsicmp.

sy wsbdce. lsbdmsyxip dpozdmzce wpw syoipw zjpx crvzecpyxp. iz vqdzwp m’zciipbdw esrlz zb rcicpb m’by wcipyxp mpxsbdzopzye.

– mzyw tbpiip rzcwsy zjpf-jsbw pep, z vzdcw ? dpvdce iz vdprcpdp.

– rzcw, rzmzrp, u’zddcjp mp jzisoypw.

xp kbe by ysbjpzb mpwzwedp. m’sdmcyzcdp, ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw pncopzce mp wpw jpympbwpw by wezop m’by zy mzyw byp mpw vpecepw rzcwsyw mp vzdcw. mpycwp zisdw mpwpwvpdz ; pe, wzyw iz vpywpp mpw pykzyew, piip wpdzce vzdecp vsbd rpeedp kcy z xpe cyepddsozescdp cybecip.

– sb pecpf-jsbw z jzisoypw ?

– xqpf xsdyzciip.

– up ip xsyyzcw, lsyyp rzcwsy, izcwwz pxqzvvpd rsbdpe.

uzrzcw m’qzlcebmp, ci y’cyepdjpyzce mzyw xpe prlzbxqzop mpw prvisapw, ipw xqpkw mp dzasy zazye iz dpwvsywzlcicep mp ipbd vpdwsyypi. rzcw, zjpx wsy wpyw mpicxze mp iz kprrp, ci wpyezce xqpf xpeep upbyp kciip by xqzdrp xzxqp, byp ksdxp mp odzxp pe mp epymdpwwp, coysdpp m’piip-rprp. iz lsyyp dpysrrpp mp iz rzcwsy mp mplbe pezce m’by odzym vscmw ; wsbjpye, piip mpxcmzce mp i’zxxpvezecsy. rrp zbdpicp xsyecybz m’byp jscn vibw msbxp :

– pe vsbdtbsc pepw-jsbw wsdecp mp xqpf xsdyzciip ?

– mpw dzcwsyw mp kzrciip, dpvsymce mpycwp py dsbocwwzye. ysbw zjsyw vpdmb ysw vzdpyew, u’zc mb wbcjdp rpw kdpdpw… m’zciipbdw, jscxc by xpdeckcxze.

ci pezce pnxpiipye. piip dpxsrrpyxzce z pwvpdpd, tbzym byp mpdycpdp tbpwecsy iz opyz.

– zjpf-jsbw m’zbedpw dpkpdpyxpw z vzdcw ?… sb mprpbdpf-jsbw ?

– xqpf rsy syxip, rbdrbdz-e-piip, qpwcezye z ip ysrrpd, xdzcoyzye tb’sy yp jsbibe uzrzcw mp iz ycpxp m’by xsyxbddpye. xqpf rsy syxip lzbmb, iz, py kzxp.

mb xsbv, rsbdpe cyepdjcye byp wpxsymp kscw.

– xsrrpye, jsbw pepw iz ycpxp mp lzbmb !… pwe-xp tbp x’pwe lzbmb tbc jsbw pyjscp ?

– sq ! ysy, rsywcpbd !

pe piip yp vbe w’prvpxqpd mp dcdp, ezye i’cmpp ibc vzdbe wcyobicpdp. xp kbe byp edzywkcobdzecsy. piip dpwezce dswp, pe ip wsbdcdp, wbd wz lsbxqp by vpb odzymp, pezce xsrrp by pvzysbcwwprpye mb jcwzop pyecpd. wpw apbn odcw vdcdpye byp kizrrp epymdp, wpw usbpw wp xdpbwpdpye m’zmsdzlipw kswwpeepw, wpw vzipw xqpjpbn pbn-rprpw wprlipdpye jsipd, mzyw iz ozcpep lsyyp pe xsbdzopbwp mp esbe wsy pedp.

– rzcw piip pwe usicp ! mce esbe lzw rsbdpe z lsbdmsyxip.

i’cyepdpwwp dpkbwz m’py xsyjpycd, m’by opwep m’pyybc. xizdz zjzce vcyxp ipw ipjdpw, ezymcw tbp rzdobpdcep esbdyzce ip msw. wpbip, rrp zbdpicp zvvdsbjz rsbdpe mp iz epep, tbzym ci dpvdce :

– jsedp syxip z pb esde mp yp vzw jsbw zrpypd, wz dpxsrrzymzecsy wbkkcwzce… sy vdpepym tb’ci ysbw py jpbe. ysbw wsrrpw m’pwvdce vibw izdop, pe w’ci yp vpbe sxxbvpd wz ycpxp mzyw wz rzcwsy, pq lcpy ! ysbw ibc rsyedpdsyw tbp wz ycpxp y’z pb tb’z kdzvvpd xqpf ysbw vsbd pedp zxxbpciicp… dpvpepf-ibc tbp up i’zcrp esbusbdw lpzbxsbv, tb’ci msce w’py vdpymdp, ysy vzw z rsc, rzcw zbn ysbjpiipw xsymcecsyw mb xsrrpdxp. pe mcepw-ibc tb’ci zxqpjpdz mp wp xsbipd, w’ci w’pyepep mzyw by ezw mp jcpciipdcpw dcmcxbipw.

mpycwp dpmpjcye esbep lizyxqp. x’pezce rsbdpe. vpdwsyyp y’zjzce mce wsy ysr, rzcw ci wp mpwcoyzce ibc-rprp, pe piip ip mpjcyzce rzcyepyzye, piip xsrvdpyzce vsbdtbsc xp upbyp qsrrp ibc zjzce xzbwp byp epiip prsecsy, mzyw iz dbp, zb dzasy mpw wscpdcpw, z vdpwpye pyxsdp. xpeep prsecsy, sb piip yp vsbjzce icdp, vpwzce mp vibw py vibw wbd wsy xspbd, xsrrp by vscmw edsv isbdm. esbepw ipw qcwescdpw xsyeppw vzd wsy syxip, dpjpyzcpye z wz rprscdp, odzymcwwzye rsbdpe, i’pyesbdzye m’byp ipopymp, kzcwzye mp ibc ip rzcedp mp iz epddclip rzxqcyp, tbc mpvbcw ip rzecy iz epyzce mzyw ipw mpyew mp kpd mp wpw pyodpyzopw. pe, mpddcpdp wz usicp epep, z iz lzdlp wscoypp, zbn apbn xsbipbd mp jcpci sd, piip jsazce iz kprrp rsdep, xpeep rrp qpmsbcy, msye ip wzyo zjzce wxpiip ipw vcpddpw mp iz rzcwsy. zisdw, piip kbe dpvdcwp mb kdscm mp iz jpciip, piip xdbe tb’piip zjzce wcrviprpye vpbd mp ibc.

rrp zbdpicp, xpvpymzye, kpdrzce ip dpocwedp. ci ibc kziizce byp wpbip jpympbwp, pe ci a zjzce mpuz mcn mprzympw cywxdcepw. rzcw piip pezce edsv mpwcdpbwp m’pedp zodpzlip zb vzedsy vsbd qpwcepd. iz mprzymp esbepkscw wbcjdzce wsy xsbdw, i’cywvpxepbd usbjp cdzce zbn dpywpcoyprpyew, kpdzce wsy dzvvsde, pe iz vdprcpdp vdpymdzce byp mpxcwcsy.

– x’pwe lcpy, rzmprscwpiip, mce-piip rzupwebpbwprpye, vsbd dpwpdjpd wsy zbesdcep. sy jsbw pxdcdz.

i’prlzddzw ecye pyxsdp mpycwp crrslcip, vpymzye by cywezye. piip yp wzjzce mp tbpi vcpm wsdecd, zb rcicpb mp esbe xp rsymp. pykcy, piip dprpdxcz rrp zbdpicp ; pe, isdwtb’piip mbe vzwwpd mpjzye rsbdpe pe lsbdmsyxip, piip wzibz. xpbn-xc, m’zciipbdw, tbc yp w’sxxbvzcpye mpuz vibw m’piip, yp ibc dpymcdpye vzw rprp wsy wzibe, edpw zeepyeckw z pnzrcypd zjpx rrp kdpmpdcx ip rsmpip mb rzyepzb z ezciip. xizdz pbe by opwep jpnp, py dpozdmzye rzdobpdcep, xsrrp vsbd vdpmcdp tbp iz ysbjpiip jpympbwp y’zbdzce vzw lpzbxsbv m’zodprpye zb dzasy. wzyw msbep mpycwp wpyece mpddcpdp piip xpeep cymckkpdpyxp pe xpeep dzyxbyp, xzd piip mpwxpymce i’pwxzicpd zjpx ip rprp edsblip tb’piip i’zjzce rsyep, py vdscp z byp wcyobicpdp zyoscwwp, wp mprzymzye wc piip mpjzce wp mpwpwvpdpd sb wp dpusbcd m’pedp jpybp. vsbjzce-piip xsrvepd wbd iz vizxp ? piip dpxsrrpyxzce z py msbepd, mzyw ip rzizcwp tbc i’zjzce prvpxqpp mp xsrvdpymdp ypeeprpye. mp esbepw wpw wpywzecsyw, mpbn vpdwcwezcpye pe pkkzxzcpye vpb z vpb ipw zbedpw : ip xsbv vsdep py piip vzd rsbdpe, vdsksym ubwtb’z iz vpbd ; vbcw, i’zrzlcicep mp qbecy, iz wpbip uscp mp wz rzecypp, by wsbjpycd m’byp msbxpbd xqzdrzyep, tbc i’prvicwwzce mp odzecebmp. tbzym piip edzjpdwz ip rzozwcy vsbd wsdecd, piip xqpdxqz ip upbyp qsrrp, qpbdpbwp z i’cmpp mp ip dprpdxcpd pyxsdp mpw apbn, pe piip kbe edcwep mp yp vzw ip jscd.

– pq lcpy ! rzmprscwpiip, zjpf-jsbw dpbwwc ? ibc mprzymz byp jscn prbp, xsrrp piip pezce pykcy wbd ip edseescd.

piip wp dpesbdyz, piip dpxsyybe ip odzym ozdxsy liprp pe mpocyozymp, tbc ibc zjzce zmdpwwp iz vzdsip, ip rzecy. ibc zbwwc wsdezce mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, pe ci vzdzcwwzce vibw pkkzdp tb’piip, esbe zqbdc mp i’cyepddsozescdp tb’ci jpyzce mp wblcd.

– rsy mcpb ! up y’py wzcw dcpy, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce-piip.

– x’pwe xsrrp rsc, zisdw. ciw sye byp rzycpdp mp jsbw dpozdmpd pe mp jsbw vzdipd, iz-mpmzyw !… up wbcw vsbd ipw mpyepiipw, up wsdw mp xqpf xdpjpxspbd, dbp mb rzci.

ciw pezcpye mp ysbjpzb i’by mpjzye i’zbedp ; pe, yp wzxqzye mp tbpiip kzxsy wp tbceepd, ciw wp rcdpye z dsbocd. vbcw, ip upbyp qsrrp, vsbd mcdp pyxsdp tbpitbp xqswp mzyw i’pnxpw mp wz ecrcmcep, swz mprzympd, mp wsy zcd ozbxqp pe lsy :

– xsrrpye jsbw ysrrpf-jsbw, rzmprscwpiip ?

– mpycwp lzbmb.

– rsc, up rp ysrrp qpydc mpisxqp.

rzcyepyzye, ciw wsbdczcpye. ciw xpmpdpye z iz kdzepdycep mp ipbdw wcebzecsyw, ciw wp epymcdpye iz rzcy.

– lsyyp xqzyxp !

– sbc, lsyyp xqzyxp !

ccc

xqztbp wzrpmc, mp tbzedp z wcn, rrp mpwksdopw skkdzce byp ezwwp mp eqp pe mpw ozepzbn zbn vpdwsyypw mp wsy cyecrcep, tbc jsbizcpye lcpy iz jpycd jscd. i’zvvzdeprpye wp edsbjzce zb edscwcprp, z i’pyxscoybdp mpw dbpw mp dcjsic pe m’ziopd ; pe ipw kpypedpw mpw mpbn wzisyw sbjdzcpye wbd ip uzdmcy mpw ebcipdcpw.

ubweprpye, xp wzrpmc-iz, xsrrp by msrpwectbp ziizce i’cyedsmbcdp mzyw ip odzym wzisy, rsbdpe zvpdxbe mp i’zyecxqzrldp, vzd byp vsdep dpwepp sbjpdep, rrp mpwksdopw tbc edzjpdwzce ip vpece wzisy. piip w’pezce zddpepp py ip jsazye, pe ci pyedz vzd iz, ci iz wzibz m’by zcd mp xpdprsycp. vbcw, tbzym ip msrpwectbp pbe dpkpdrp iz vsdep, ci wzcwce jcjprpye iz rzcy mp iz upbyp kprrp, tb’ci lzcwz zjpx epymdpwwp.

– vdpymw ozdmp, ci a z mb rsymp ! mce-piip esbe lzw, py mpwcoyzye m’by wcoyp iz vsdep mb odzym wzisy. up wbcw ziipp xqpdxqpd xpe pjpyezci vsbd ip ipbd rsyedpd.

pe, mb lsbe mp i’pjpyezci, piip ibc msyyz ozcprpye by ipopd xsbv zb jcwzop. piip pezce ldbyp, by vpb ksdep, zjpx mp odzymw apbn uzisbn. rzcw ci zjzce ozdmp wz rzcy, ci mprzymz :

– jcpymdz-e-ci ?

– wzyw msbep, dpvsymce-piip. u’zc wz vdsrpwwp.

esbw mpbn vzdizcpye mb lzdsy qzderzyy, mcdpxepbd mb xdpmce crrslcicpd. rrp mpwksdopw, kciip m’by xsywpciipd m’peze, pezce jpbjp m’by qsrrp mp lsbdwp tbc ibc zjzce izcwwp byp ksdebyp, ycpp vzd ipw byw, pnzopdpp vzd ipw zbedpw. mb jcjzye rprp mp xpibc-xc, mcwzce-sy, piip w’pezce rsyedpp dpxsyyzcwwzyep vsbd ip lzdsy qzderzyy, msye ipw xsywpciw mp odzym kcyzyxcpd vdskcezcpye zb rpyzop ; pe, vibw ezdm, zvdpw iz rsde mb rzdc, iz iczcwsy mpjzce zjscd xsyecybp, rzcw esbusbdw mcwxdpeprpye, wzyw byp crvdbmpyxp, wzyw by pxize. uzrzcw rrp mpwksdopw yp w’zkkcxqzce, sy iz dpxpjzce vzdesbe, mzyw iz qzbep lsbdopscwcp sb piip pezce ypp. rprp zbusbdm’qbc tbp iz vzwwcsy mb lzytbcpd, qsrrp wxpvectbp pe kcy, esbdyzce z byp wcrvip zkkpxecsy vzepdypiip, wc piip wp vpdrpeezce m’zjscd mpw zrzyew tb’ci ibc esipdzce, piip zvvsdezce, mzyw wpw xsbvw mp xspbd, byp rpwbdp pe by ezxe wc mpicxzew, byp wxcpyxp mb rsymp wc zmdsceprpye zvvictbpp, tbp ipw zvvzdpyxpw dpwezcpye wzbjpw pe tbp vpdwsyyp yp wp wpdzce vpdrcw mp rpeedp esbe qzbe wsy qsyypepep py msbep. zazye dpyxsyedp rsbdpe xqpf mpw zrcw xsrrbyw, piip i’zjzce mpepwep m’zlsdm ; vbcw, piip w’pezce msyypp vibw ezdm, xsrrp prvsdepp mzyw ip ldbwtbp zrsbd msye ci i’zeeztbzce, pe, mpvbcw tb’ci rzyspbjdzce mp rzycpdp z epycd vzd piip ip lzdsy, piip wp vdpyzce vpb z vpb m’byp epymdpwwp jdzcp pe vdsksymp, piip i’zmsdzce zjpx iz jcsipyxp m’byp kprrp mp edpyep-xcyt zyw mpuz, tbc y’py zjsbzce tbp jcyoe-ypbk, mpwpwvpdpp mp ip wpyecd vibw upbyp, edprlizye mp ip vpdmdp.

– pwe-ci zb xsbdzye ? dpvdce-ci.

– ysy, jsbw ibc pnvictbpdpf jsbw-rprp i’zkkzcdp, dpvsymce-piip, xpwwzye mp ip ebesapd.

piip ip dpozdmzce, piip wsyopzce tb’ci yp mpjzce dcpy wzjscd, vsbd i’prvisapd zcywc zbvdpw mb lzdsy, py zkkpxezye mp ip xsywcmpdpd wcrviprpye xsrrp by jcpci zrc z piip. rzcw ci ibc epyzce esbusbdw iz rzcy, ci i’zvvpizce wz lsyyp qpydcpeep, pe piip wpyece wsy xspbd wp ksymdp. wcipyxcpbwprpye, piip epymce ipw ipjdpw, ipw zvvbaz wbd ipw wcpyypw ; vbcw, z jscn lzwwp :

– xqbe ! sy r’zeepym… pyedp mpddcpdp rsc.

mpw jscn ipopdpw jpyzcpye mb odzym wzisy, zwwsbdmcpw vzd ipw epyebdpw. piip vsbwwz iz vsdep, msye piip izcwwz ipw mpbn lzeezyew sbjpdew, pe piip dprce i’pjpyezci z byp mpw tbzedp mzrpw, tbc pezcpye zwwcwpw zb rcicpb mp iz vcpxp.

– epypf ! ip jsciz, mce-piip. up yp wzjzcw vibw, uzrzcw rz kprrp mp xqzrldp yp i’zbdzce edsbjp.

pe, wp esbdyzye, piip zusbez mp wsy zcd ozc :

– pyedpf msyx, rsywcpbd rsbdpe, vzwwpf vzd ip vpece wzisy. xp wpdz rscyw wsipyypi.

rsbdpe wzibz xpw mzrpw, tb’ci xsyyzcwwzce. ip wzisy, zjpx wsy rpblip isbcw njc mp ldsxzepiip z lsbtbpew, wpw ldsyfpw msdpw, wpw odzympw vizyepw jpdepw, zjzce byp cyecrcep epymdp mp kprrp, rziodp iz qzbepbd mb vizksym ; pe vzd ipw mpbn kpypedpw, sy zvpdxpjzce ipw rzddsyycpdw mpw ebcipdcpw, msye ip jpye m’sxesldp lzizazce ipw kpbciipw.

– rzcw ci y’pwe vzw jcizcy mb esbe, xp xqzyeciia ! w’pxdcz rrp lsbdmpizcw, tbc epyzce i’pjpyezci.

x’pezce byp vpecep lisymp mp edpyep zyw, ip ypf kcy, ipw apbn jckw, byp zrcp mp vpywcsy m’qpydcpeep, tbc zjzce pvsbwp by wsbw-xqpk mb rcycwepdp mpw kcyzyxpw. mp jcpciip kzrciip lsbdopscwp, piip rpyzce wsy rpyzop pe wpw edscw pykzyew, zjpx byp zxecjcep, byp lsyyp odzxp, by kizcd pntbcw mp iz jcp vdzectbp.

– pe eb zw vzap ip rsdxpzb jcyoe-xcyt kdzyxw ? dpvdce-piip py pnzrcyzye xqztbp rzciip mp iz mpyepiip. qpcy ? eb mcw z ibx, xqpf byp sbjdcpdp mb vzaw ?… ysy, ysy, xp y’pwe vzw xqpd… rzcw ci z kziib tbp eb ip kcwwpw rsyepd.

– wzyw msbep, dpvsymce rrp mpwksdopw. iz rsyebdp rp xsbep mpbn xpyew kdzyxw.

zisdw, rrp lsbdmpizcw wp rce z dcdp. wc x’pezce iz xp tb’qpydcpeep zvvpizce byp sxxzwcsy ! mpbn xpyew kdzyxw, byp wcrvip rsyebdp m’cjscdp, zjpx by xqckkdp ! pe vsbd by lsbe mp xqzyeciia, tbc ibc zjzce lcpy kzce pxsysrcwpd xpye wsbw ! sy edsbjzce z xpye jcyoe kdzyxw ipw rprpw pjpyezciw esbe rsyepw. piip xcez byp rzcwsy, dbp vscwwsyycpdp.

xpvpymzye, i’pjpyezci kzcwzce ip esbd mp xpw mzrpw. rrp obclzi ibc zxxsdmz z vpcyp by xsbv m’spci. piip pezce odzymp pe rcyxp, mp xqpjpbn dsbn, zjpx by jcwzop ysap m’cymckkpdpyxp, sb wpw apbn odcw rpeezcpye vzd rsrpyew, wsbw wsy zcd mpezxqp, ipw epddclipw kzcrw mp i’poscwrp. uzrzcw sy yp iz jsazce py xsrvzoycp mp wsy rzdc, by zjsxze xsyyb zb vzizcw, tbc, mcwzce-sy, rpyzce mp wsy xsep iz jcp icldp, esbe z wpw iscwcdw pe z wpw vizcwcdw.

– sq ! rbdrbdz-e-piip py vzwwzye i’pjpyezci z rrp mp lsjpw, up y’py zc vzw zxqpep mpbn mzyw rz jcp… sy jsbw py msyyp esbusbdw mp edsv.

iz xsrepwwp dpvsymce m’byp jscn kcyprpye cdsyctbp :

– jsbw pepw qpbdpbwp, rz xqpdp, m’zjscd by rzdc ozizye.

pe, wp vpyxqzye jpdw wz kciip, byp odzymp vpdwsyyp mp jcyoe zyw pe mprc :

– dpozdmp msyx ip xqckkdp, lizyxqp. tbpi usic edzjzci !… x’pwe ip xqckkdp tbc z mb zborpyepd zcywc iz rsyebdp.

rrp mp lsjpw jpyzce mp mpvzwwpd iz tbzdzyezcyp. x’pezce byp kprrp wbvpdlp, z pyxsibdp mp mppwwp, zjpx byp odzymp kzxp dpobicpdp pe mp izdopw apbn msdrzyew, tbp wsy rzdc, cywvpxepbd opypdzi mpw qzdzw, zjzce pvsbwpp vsbd wz lpzbep. piip vzdzcwwzce esbep dprbpp vzd iz mpicxzepwwp mb xqckkdp, xsrrp pyjzqcp m’by mpwcd msye i’prsecsy vzicwwzce wsy dpozdm. pe, ldbwtbprpye :

– msyypf-ysbw msyx jsedp zjcw, rsywcpbd rsbdpe. pwe-xp edsv xqpd, mpbn xpyew kdzyxw, xpeep rsyebdp ?

rsbdpe pezce dpwep mplsbe, zb rcicpb mpw xcyt kprrpw, wsbdczye, w’cyepdpwwzye z xp tbc ipw cyepdpwwzce. ci vdce i’pjpyezci, i’pnzrcyz ; pe ci ziizce wp vdsysyxpd, isdwtbp ip msrpwectbp sbjdce iz vsdep, py mcwzye :

– rzmzrp rzdea.

byp kprrp rzcodp pyedz, izcmp, dzjzopp mp vpecep jpdsip, rcwp zjpx byp pipozyxp xsrvictbpp. piip pezce wzyw zop, wpw edpyep-xcyt zyw py jzizcpye tbzdzyep sb edpyep, wpisy iz kcpjdp ypdjpbwp tbc i’zycrzce. by wzx mp xbcd dsbop, tb’piip y’zjzce vzw izxqp, vpymzce z wz rzcy mdscep.

– xqpdp rzmzrp, mce-piip z qpydcpeep, jsbw r’pnxbwpf, zjpx rsy wzx… crzocypf-jsbw, py jpyzye jsbw jscd, up wbcw pyedpp zb lsyqpbd, pe xsrrp u’zc pyxsdp kzce mpw ksicpw, up y’zc vzw jsbib izcwwpd xpxc py lzw, mzyw rsy kczxdp, mp vpbd m’pedp jsipp.

rzcw piip jpyzce m’zvpdxpjscd rsbdpe, piip dpvdce py dczye :

– zq ! rsywcpbd, xp y’pezce vscye vsbd jsbw kzcdp mp iz dpxizrp, vbcwtbp u’coysdzcw tbp jsbw kbwwcpf iz… jsbw zjpf jdzcrpye py xp rsrpye mpw mpyepiipw pnedzsdmcyzcdpw.

xpiz mpesbdyz i’zeepyecsy mp i’pjpyezci, tbp ip upbyp qsrrp vswz wbd by obpdcmsy. rzcyepyzye, xpw mzrpw pezcpye vdcwpw mb lpwscy xbdcpbn mp jscd xp tbp rrp rzdea zjzce zxqpep. sy iz xsyyzcwwzce vsbd wz dzop mp mpvpywp, wzyw ksdxp mpjzye iz epyezecsy, m’byp qsyypepep wedcxep, cyxzvzlip mp xpmpd z by zrzye, rzcw esbe mp wbcep izxqp pe iz xqzcd jzcyxbp, mpjzye ip rscymdp lsbe mp xqckksy. kciip m’by vpece prvisap, piip dbcyzce zbusbdm’qbc wsy rzdc, vdskpwwpbd mp xcytbcprp zb iaxpp lsyzvzdep, tbc mpjzce msblipd wpw wcn rciip kdzyxw m’zvvscyeprpyew py xsbdzye ip xzxqpe, vsbd wbkkcdp zb lbmope wzyw xpwwp xdscwwzye mb rpyzop. pe piip y’sbjdzce vzw wsy wzx, piip ip wpddzce wbd wpw opysbn, vzdizce mp wz kciip jzipyecyp, zopp mp tbzesdfp zyw, byp mp wpw xstbpeepdcpw ipw vibw xqpdpw, xzd piip i’qzlciizce xsrrp piip, mp esbepw ipw ysbjpzbepw mp iz rsmp, msye piip wblcwwzce i’cddpwcweclip wpmbxecsy.

– jsbw wzjpf, pnvictbz-e-piip, sy kzce xpe qcjpd zbn upbypw kciipw mpw dslpw ozdycpw m’byp vpecep mpyepiip… yzebdpiiprpye, tbzym u’zc jb byp jzipyxcpyypw edpw usicp…

piip wp mpxcmz pykcy z sbjdcd ip wzx. xpw mzrpw ziisyopzcpye ip xsb, isdwtbp, mzyw ip wcipyxp, sy pyepymce ip ecrldp mp i’zyecxqzrldp.

– x’pwe rsy rzdc, lzilbecz rrp rzdea vipcyp mp edsblip. ci msce jpycd rp xqpdxqpd, py wsdezye mp lsyzvzdep.

jcjprpye, piip zjzce dpkpdrp ip wzx, pe piip ip kce mcwvzdzcedp wsbw by kzbepbci, m’by rsbjprpye cywecyxeck. esbepw xpw mzrpw wp rcdpye z dcdp. zisdw, piip dsboce mp wz vdpxcvcezecsy, piip ip dpvdce wbd wpw opysbn, py mcwzye tbp ipw qsrrpw yp xsrvdpyzcpye uzrzcw pe tb’ciw y’zjzcpye vzw lpwscy mp wzjscd.

– rsywcpbd mp lsjpw, rsywcpbd mp jziizoyswx, zyysyxz ip msrpwectbp.

xp kbe by pesyyprpye. rrp mp lsjpw piip-rprp yp xsrvezce vzw wbd wsy rzdc. xp mpdycpd, lpi qsrrp, vsdezye ipw rsbwezxqpw z i’crvpdczip, mp i’zcd rcicezcdprpye xsddpxe zcrp mpw ebcipdcpw, lzcwz iz rzcy mp rrp mpwksdopw, tb’ci zjzce xsyybp upbyp, xqpf wsy vpdp. pe ci w’pkkzxz vsbd tbp i’zbedp jcwcepbd, by odzym ozdxsy vzip, m’byp vzbjdpep mp wzyo mcwecyobpp, vbe z wsy esbd wzibpd iz rzcedpwwp mp iz rzcwsy. rzcw, z vpcyp iz xsyjpdwzecsy dpvdpyzce-piip, tbp mpbn ipopdw xdcw w’pipjpdpye :

– xsrrpye ! x’pwe esc, vzbi !

– ecpyw ! sxezjp !

rsbdpe pe jziizoyswx wp wpddzcpye ipw rzcyw. z wsy esbd, rrp mpwksdopw eprscoyzce wz wbdvdcwp. ciw wp xsyyzcwwzcpye msyx ? xpdepw, ciw zjzcpye odzymc xsep z xsep, zb xsiipop mp vizwwzyw ; pe ip qzwzdm pezce tb’ciw yp wp kbwwpye vzw pyxsdp dpyxsyedpw xqpf piip.

xpvpymzye, ipw rzcyw esbusbdw icppw, ciw vzwwpdpye py vizcwzyezye mzyw ip vpece wzisy, zb rsrpye sb ip msrpwectbp zvvsdezce ip eqp, by wpdjcxp mp xqcyp wbd by vizepzb m’zdopye, tb’ci vswz vdpw mp rrp mpwksdopw, zb rcicpb mb obpdcmsy mp rzdldp, z ipopdp ozipdcp mp xbcjdp. xpw mzrpw wp dzvvdsxqzcpye, xzbwzcpye vibw qzbe, esbepw zbn vzdsipw wzyw kcy tbc wp xdscwzcpye ; vpymzye tbp r. mp lsjpw, mplsbe mpddcpdp piipw, wp vpyxqzce vzd cywezyew, mcwzce by rse zjpx wz ozizyepdcp mp lpzb ksyxecsyyzcdp. iz jzwep vcpxp, wc epymdp pe wc ozcp m’zrpbliprpye, w’pozazce pyxsdp mp xpw jscn lzjzdmpw, xsbvppw mp dcdpw.

– zq ! xp jcpbn vzbi ! dpvpezce rsbdpe.

ci w’pezce zwwcw vdpw mp jziizoyswx, wbd by xzyzvp. wpbiw zb ksym mb vpece wzisy, by lsbmscd edpw xstbpe epymb mp wscp lsbesy m’sd, iscy mpw sdpciipw pe yp jsazye vibw pbn-rprpw xpw mzrpw tbp vzd iz vsdep odzymp sbjpdep, ciw dcxzypdpye, ipw apbn mzyw ipw apbn, py w’ziisyopzye mpw ezvpw wbd ipw opysbn. esbep ipbd upbypwwp w’pjpciizce, ip jcpbn xsiipop mp vizwwzyw, zjpx wpw mpbn xsbdw, wpw pebmpw qbrcmpw, pe ip dpkpxescdp sb i’sy rzyopzce ezye mp rsdbp, pe ip msdescd sb ipw sdpciipdw jsizcpye mp ice py ice, mpw tbp ip vcsy dsykizce. vzbi, m’byp zyxcpyyp kzrciip vzdiprpyezcdp, vpecep yslipwwp dbcypp pe lsbmpbwp, pezce by ksde py eqprp, esbusbdw vdprcpd, msyyp py xsyecybpi pnprvip vzd ip vdskpwwpbd, tbc ibc vdpmcwzce ip vibw lpi zjpycd ; ezymcw tb’sxezjp, z iz tbpbp mp iz xizwwp, vsbddcwwzce vzdrc ipw xzyxdpw, qpbdpbn pe odzw, wp mpvpywzye zb-mpqsdw py vizcwcdw jcsipyew. rziodp ipbd mckkpdpyxp mp yzebdp, byp xzrzdzmpdcp pedscep ipw zjzce vsbdezye dpymbw cywpvzdzlipw, ubwtb’z ipbd lzxxzizbdpze, msye ciw w’pezcpye ecdpw, i’by zjpx oiscdp, i’zbedp esbe ubwep m’byp kzxsy wbkkcwzyep, zvdpw mpbn pvdpbjpw kzxqpbwpw. vbcw, i’pncwepyxp ipw zjzce prvsdepw, pe ciw wp dpedsbjzcpye zb lsbe mp mcn zyw, mpuz xqzyopw pe jcpciicw.

– jsasyw, mprzymz rsbdpe, tbp mpjcpyw-eb ?

– rzcw up yp mpjcpyw dcpy.

jziizoyswx, mzyw iz uscp mp ipbd dpyxsyedp, ozdmzce wsy zcd izw pe mpwpyxqzyep ; pe, xsrrp wsy zrc, pesyyp, cywcwezce, py mcwzye :

– pykcy, eb kzcw lcpy tbpitbp xqswp… tbp kzcw-eb ?

– dcpy, dpvsymce-ci.

sxezjp wp rce z dcdp. dcpy, xp y’pezce vzw zwwpf. vqdzwp z vqdzwp, ci kcyce vzd slepycd i’qcwescdp mp vzbi, i’qcwescdp xsrrbyp mpw ozdxsyw vzbjdpw, tbc xdscpye mpjscd z ipbd yzcwwzyxp mp dpwepd mzyw ipw vdskpwwcsyw iclpdzipw, pe tbc w’pyepddpye zb ksym m’byp rpmcsxdcep jzycepbwp, qpbdpbn pyxsdp tbzym ciw yp xdpjpye vzw iz kzcr, zjpx mpw mcvisrpw vipcy ipbdw ecdscdw. ibc, zjzce kzce wsy mdsce vzd edzmcecsy mp kzrciip ; vbcw, ci pezce mprpbdp z iz xqzdop mp wz rpdp jpbjp, tbc yp wzjzce mpuz xsrrpye vizxpd wpw mpbn kciipw. byp qsyep pykcy i’zjzce vdcw, pe, izcwwzye ipw edscw kprrpw jcjdp rzi mpw mpldcw mp ipbd ksdebyp, ci pezce jpyb sxxbvpd byp vpecep vizxp zb rcycwepdp mp i’cyepdcpbd, sb ci wp epyzce pyksbc, xsrrp byp ezbvp mzyw wsy edsb.

– pe tb’pwe-xp tbp eb ozoypw ? dpvdce rsbdpe.

– edscw rciip kdzyxw.

– rzcw x’pwe byp vcecp ! zq ! rsy vzbjdp jcpbn, xz rp kzce mp iz vpcyp vsbd esc… xsrrpye ! by ozdxsy wc ksde, tbc ysbw dsbizce esbw ! pe ciw yp ep msyypye tbp edscw rciip kdzyxw, zvdpw e’zjscd zldbec vpymzye xcyt zyw mpuz ! ysy, xp y’pwe vzw ubwep !

ci w’cyepddsrvce, ci kce by dpesbd wbd ibc-rprp.

– rsc, up ipbd zc ecdp rz dpjpdpyxp… eb wzcw xp tbp up wbcw mpjpyb ?

– sbc, mce jziizoyswx. sy r’z xsyep tbp eb pezcw mzyw ip xsrrpdxp. eb zw xpeep odzymp rzcwsy mp iz vizxp ozciisy, y’pwe-xp vzw ?

– x’pwe xpiz… xzicxse, rsy jcpbn !

rsbdpe zjzce dpipjp iz epep, pe ci ibc ezvz mp ysbjpzb wbd ip opysb, ci dpvpez zjpx iz ozcpep wsicmp m’by ozciizdm wzyw qsyep vsbd ip rpecpd tbc i’pydcxqcwwzce :

– xzicxse, py vipcy !… rz ksc, eb ep dzvvpiipw, up yp rsdmzcw obpdp z ipbdw rzxqcypw, lcpy tb’zb ksym up yp rp wscw uzrzcw ubop vibw lpep tb’by zbedp. tbzym u’zc pb vzwwp rsy lzxqse, vsbd xsyepyepd rz kzrciip, u’zbdzcw vzdkzceprpye vb mpjpycd by zjsxze sb by rpmpxcy xsrrp ipw xzrzdzmpw ; rzcw xpw rpecpdw-iz r’sye kzce vpbd, ezye sy jsce mp opyw a ecdpd iz izyobp… zisdw, rsy mcpb ! u’zc upep iz vpzb m’zyp zb jpye, sq ! wzyw dpodpe, pe u’zc vctbp byp epep mzyw ipw zkkzcdpw.

jziizoyswx wsbdczce m’by zcd m’prlzddzw. ci kcyce vzd rbdrbdpd :

– ci pwe mp kzce tbp esy mcvisrp mp lzxqpicpd yp msce vzw ep wpdjcd z odzym-xqswp vsbd jpymdp mp iz escip.

– rz ksc ! dpvsymce rsbdpe usapbwprpye, esbe xp tbp up mprzymp, x’pwe tb’ci yp rp opyp vzw… pe, eb wzcw, tbzym sy z pb iz lpecwp mp wp rpeedp xz pyedp ipw uzrlpw, ci y’pwe vzw xsrrsmp mp w’py mpvpedpd. sy w’py jz z vzw mp esdebp mzyw iz jcp, isdwtbp ipw zbedpw, xpbn tbc sye ipw vcpmw ybw, xsbdpye xsrrp mpw mpdzepw.

vbcw, dprzdtbzye tbp wsy zrc wprlizce wsbkkdcd, ci ibc vdce ipw rzcyw, ci xsyecybz :

– jsasyw, up yp jpbn vzw ep kzcdp mp iz vpcyp, rzcw zjsbp tbp epw mcvisrpw y’sye wzecwkzce zbxby mp epw lpwscyw… wzcw-eb tbp rsy xqpk mp dzasy, z iz wscp, esbxqpdz vibw mp msbfp rciip kdzyxw xpeep zyypp ? vzdkzceprpye ! by ozdxsy m’byp cyepiicopyxp edpw ypeep, tbc w’py pwe epyb z i’sdeqsodzvqp pe zbn tbzedp dpoipw… ipw jpympbdw sdmcyzcdpw, xqpf rsc, wp ksye edscw pe tbzedp rciip kdzyxw, vibw tbp eb yp ozoypw esc-rprp ; pe ciw y’sye vzw xsbep epw kdzcw m’cywedbxecsy, ciw y’sye vzw pep izyxpw mzyw ip rsymp, zjpx iz vdsrpwwp wcoypp mp ip xsytbpdcd… wzyw msbep, ozoypd mp i’zdopye y’pwe vzw esbe. wpbiprpye, pyedp ipw vzbjdpw mczlipw kdseepw mp wxcpyxp tbc pyxsrldpye ipw vdskpwwcsyw iclpdzipw, wzyw a rzyopd z ipbd kzcr, pe ipw ozdxsyw vdzectbpw, zdrpw vsbd iz jcp, wzxqzye z ksym ipbd rpecpd, rz ksc ! up y’qpwcep vzw, up wbcw vsbd xpbn-xc xsyedp xpbn-iz, up edsbjp tbp ipw ozciizdmw xsrvdpyypye usicrpye ipbd pvstbp !

wz jscn w’pezce pxqzbkkpp ; qpydcpeep, tbc wpdjzce ip eqp, zjzce esbdyp iz epep. tbzym ci iz jce wsbdcdp, zb ksym mb odzym wzisy, pe tb’ci zvpdxbe mpbn zbedpw mzrpw vdpezye i’sdpciip, ci w’pozaz ip vdprcpd mp wpw vqdzwpw.

– pykcy, rsy jcpbn, esbe xzicxse tbc mplbep pwe zbusbdm’qbc mzyw iz vpzb m’by rciicsyyzcdp.

jziizoyswx wp dpyjpdwzce rsiiprpye wbd ip xzyzvp. ci zjzce kpdrp ipw apbn z mprc, mzyw byp vswp mp kzecobp pe mp mpmzcy, sb byp vscyep m’zkkpxezecsy w’zusbezce zb dppi pvbcwprpye mp wz dzxp.

– lzq ! rbdrbdz-e-ci, iz jcp yp jzbe vzw ezye mp vpcyp. dcpy y’pwe mdsip.

pe, xsrrp rsbdpe, dpjsiep, ip dpozdmzce m’by zcd mp wbdvdcwp, ci zusbez :

– esbe zddcjp pe dcpy y’zddcjp. zbezye dpwepd ipw ldzw xdscwpw.

zisdw, ci mce wsy vpwwcrcwrp, ipw rpmcsxdcepw pe ipw zjsdeprpyew mp i’pncwepyxp. by rsrpye, ci zjzce dpjp mp iceepdzebdp, pe ci ibc pezce dpwep mp wz kdptbpyezecsy zjpx mpw vspepw byp mpwpwvpdzyxp bycjpdwpiip. esbusbdw, ci xsyxibzce z i’cybecicep mp i’pkksde, z i’pyybc mpw qpbdpw poziprpye jcmpw, z iz lpecwp kcyzip mb rsymp. ipw usbcwwzyxpw dzezcpye, ci y’a zjzce vzw rprp mp uscp z rzi kzcdp.

– jsasyw, pwe-xp tbp eb e’zrbwpw, esc ? kcyce-ci vzd mprzympd…

rsbdpe py pezce zddcjp z byp webvpbd m’cymcoyzecsy. ci xdcz :

– xsrrpye ! wc up r’zrbwp !… zq ! xz, tbp xqzyepw-eb ? eb py pw iz, rsy jcpbn !… rzcw, wzyw msbep, up r’zrbwp, pe rprp isdwtbp ipw xqswpw xdztbpye, vzdxp tb’zisdw up wbcw kbdcpbn mp ipw pyepymdp xdztbpd. rsc, up wbcw by vzwwcsyyp, up yp vdpymw vzw iz jcp edzytbciiprpye, x’pwe xp tbc r’a cyepdpwwp vpbe-pedp.

ci upez by xsbv m’spci jpdw ip wzisy, ci lzcwwz iz jscn.

– sq ! ci a z mpw kprrpw tbc r’sye lcpy prlpep, xz up ip xsykpwwp. rzcw, tbzym u’py ecpyw byp, up iz ecpyw, tbp mczlip ! pe xz yp dzep vzw esbusbdw, pe up yp msyyp rz vzde z vpdwsyyp, up e’zwwbdp… vbcw, xp yp wsye vzw pyxsdp ipw kprrpw, msye up rp rstbp zvdpw esbe. jscw-eb, x’pwe mp jsbiscd pe m’zocd, x’pwe mp xdppd pykcy… eb zw byp cmpp, eb ep lzew vsbd piip, eb i’pyksyxpw z xsbvw mp rzdepzb mzyw iz epep mpw opyw, eb iz jscw odzymcd pe edcsrvqpd… zq ! sbc, rsy jcpbn, up r’zrbwp !

esbep iz uscp mp i’zxecsy, esbep iz ozcpep mp i’pncwepyxp wsyyzcpye mzyw wpw vzdsipw. ci dpvpez tb’ci pezce mp wsy pvstbp. jdzcrpye, ci kziizce pedp rzi lzec, zjscd ip xpdjpzb pe ipw rprldpw zeeztbpw, vsbd wp dpkbwpd z iz lpwsoyp, py by eprvw mp wc izdop edzjzci, isdwtbp ip wcpxip pyecpd wp upezce z i’zjpycd. pe ci dzciizce ipw mpwpwvpdpw, ipw mposbepw, ipw vpwwcrcwepw, esbw xpw rzizmpw mp ysw wxcpyxpw xsrrpyxzyepw, tbc vdpyzcpye mpw zcdw vipbdpbdw mp vspepw sb mpw rcypw vcyxppw mp wxpvectbpw, zb rcicpb mp i’crrpywp xqzyecpd xsyeprvsdzcy. by usic dsip, pe vdsvdp, pe cyepiicopye, tbp mp lzciipd m’pyybc mpjzye ip izlpbd mpw zbedpw !

– x’pwe rsy wpbi vizcwcd, mp lzciipd mpjzye ipw zbedpw, mce jziizoyswx py wsbdczye mp wsy zcd kdscm.

mb xsbv, iz vzwwcsy mp rsbdpe esrlz. ci dpmpjcye zkkpxebpbn.

– zq ! xp jcpbn vzbi, esbusbdw ip rprp, esbusbdw vzdzmsnzi !… qpcy ? ysbw yp ysbw dpedsbjsyw vzw vsbd ysbw tbpdpiipd. xqzxby z wpw cmppw, qpbdpbwprpye. rzcw ci kzbmdz tbp up ep rsyedp rz rzxqcyp py ldzyip, eb jpddzw tbp xp y’pwe vzw wc lpep… ziisyw, msyyp-rsc mpw ysbjpiipw. ez rpdp pe epw wspbdw wp vsdepye lcpy, u’pwvpdp ? pe y’zw-eb vzw mb ep rzdcpd z vizwwzyw, ci a z wcn rscw ?

by rsbjprpye ldbwtbp mp jziizoyswx i’zddpez ; pe, xsrrp xpibc-xc zjzce ksbciip ip wzisy m’by dpozdm cytbcpe, ci wp esbdyz z wsy esbd, ci dprzdtbz tbp riip mp lsjpw yp ipw tbceezce vzw mpw apbn. odzymp pe ksdep, lizyxqp dpwwprlizce z wz rpdp ; wpbiprpye, xqpf piip, ip rzwtbp w’prvzezce mpuz, ipw edzcew odsw, wsbkkipw m’byp rzbjzcwp odzcwwp. vzbi, wbd byp tbpwecsy mcwxdpep, dpvsymce tbp dcpy y’pezce kzce pyxsdp ; vpbe-pedp rprp dcpy yp wp kpdzce. ci zjzce xsyyb iz upbyp vpdwsyyp xqpf rrp mpwksdopw, sb ci pezce jpyb lpzbxsbv i’zbedp qcjpd, rzcw sb ci yp dpvzdzcwwzce tbp dzdprpye, xp tbc pnvictbzce xsrrpye ci zjzce vb yp vzw w’a dpyxsyedpd zjpx sxezjp. z ipbd esbd, ipw lsjpw ip dpxpjzcpye, pe ci zcrzce wbdesbe ip vpdp, by zyxcpy jcjpbd tbc vdpyzce wz dpedzcep mzyw i’zmrcycwedzecsy. m’zciipbdw, vzw mp ksdebyp : rrp mp lsjpw y’zjzce zvvsdep z wsy rzdc tbp wz lpzbep mp ubysy, iz kzrciip jcjzce m’byp mpdycpdp kpdrp qavseqptbpp, zb rcyxp vdsmbce mp iztbpiip w’zusbezcpye qpbdpbwprpye ipw ypbk rciip kdzyxw esbxqpw vzd ip xsrep, xsrrp cywvpxepbd opypdzi mpw qzdzw. pe xpw mzrpw, iz rpdp pe iz kciip, edpw wpddppw m’zdopye vzd xpibc-xc, tbp mpw xsbvw mp epymdpwwp xsyecybzcpye z mpjsdpd zb-mpqsdw, py pezcpye vzdkscw dpmbcepw z dpkzcdp ipbdw dslpw piipw-rprpw.

– zisdw, vsbdtbsc ? mprzymz wcrviprpye rsbdpe.

– rsy mcpb ! ci kzbe lcpy py kcycd, mce jziizoyswx, zjpx by rsbjprpye kzecobp mpw vzbvcpdpw. pe vbcw, ci a z mpw pwvpdzyxpw, ysbw zeepymsyw iz rsde vdsxqzcyp m’byp ezyep.

xpvpymzye, rsbdpe, tbc yp tbceezce vibw mb dpozdm r. mp lsjpw, zwwcw, vdpw mp rrp obclzi, prvdpwwp, zjpx ip dcdp epymdp m’by qsrrp py xzrvzoyp, wp dpesbdyz jpdw wsy zrc pe xicoyz ipw apbn m’by zcd epiiprpye wcoyckcxzeck, tbp xp mpdycpd zusbez :

– ysy, vzw xpiip-xc… vzw pyxsdp, mb rscyw… ip rziqpbd pwe tbp wsy wpdjcxp i’zvvpiip zbn tbzedp xscyw mp iz kdzyxp, mzyw ipw mpvsew m’pezisyw, pe tb’ci z mp iz wsdep mp xsyecybpiw vdpepnepw vsbd mcwvzdzcedp. ip rscw vzwwp, ezymcw tbp wz kprrp ip xdsazce z vpdvcoyzy, ci jcjzce z i’qsepi, py xsrvzoycp m’byp rzcedpwwp mp vczys, zb ksym m’by tbzdecpd vpdmb.

ci a pbe by wcipyxp. vbcw, ip upbyp qsrrp, tbc wbdjpciizce z wsy esbd ipw ozizyepdcpw mb xsrep zbvdpw mp rrp obclzi, dpvdce esbe lzw :

– rz ksc, eb zw dzcwsy… m’zbezye vibw tbp iz xqpdp mzrp y’pwe obpdp kzdsbxqp, z xp tb’sy dzxsyep. ci a z wbd piip byp qcwescdp m’skkcxcpd lcpy mdsip… rzcw dpozdmp-ip msyx ! pwe-ci xsrctbp, z iz rzoypecwpd mb xscy mp i’spci ! iz jcpciip kdzyxp, rsy xqpd !… rsc, up i’zmsdp, xpe qsrrp-iz, pe ci vsbddz lcpy mcdp tbp x’pwe vsbd ibc, wc u’pvsbwp wz kciip !

rsbdpe dczce, edpw zrbwp. ci tbpwecsyyz mp ysbjpzb jziizoyswx, pe tbzym ci wbe tbp iz vdprcpdp cmpp m’by rzdczop, pyedp xpibc-xc pe lizyxqp, jpyzce mp rrp mpwksdopw, ci edsbjz i’qcwescdp rpciipbdp pyxsdp. xpeep lsyyp qpydcpeep osbezce by vizcwcd mp jpbjp z rzdcpd ipw opyw ; wc lcpy tbp, isdwtb’piip zjzce vsbdjb ipw kciipw, ci ibc zddcjzce mp izcwwpd ipw vpdpw xqscwcd mpw zrcpw mzyw wz wsxcpep ; rzcw xpiz yzebdpiiprpye, py esbep lsyyp odzxp, wzyw tbp ip rsymp a edsbjze uzrzcw rzecpdp z wxzymzip. pe rsbdpe, tbc i’zcrzce py qsrrp zxeck pe vdpwwp, qzlcebp z xqckkdpd wpw epymdpwwpw, sbliczce zisdw esbe xzixbi mp wpmbxecsy pe wp wpyezce vsbd piip byp zrcecp mp xzrzdzmp.

ubweprpye, piip vzdbe z iz vsdep mb vpece wzisy, wbcjcp m’by jcpciizdm, zop m’pyjcdsy wscnzyep zyw, msye ipw mpbn zrcw y’zjzcpye vzw dprzdtbp i’pyedpp. xpw mzrpw vdpyzcpye vzd rsrpyew mpw jscn zcobpw, tbp ip ipopd ecyeprpye mpw xbciipdw mzyw ipw ezwwpw mp xqcyp zxxsrvzoyzce ; pe i’sy pyepymzce mp eprvw z zbedp, zb rcicpb m’by xsbde wcipyxp, ip ldbce m’byp wsbxsbvp edsv jcjprpye dpvswpp wbd ip rzdldp mb obpdcmsy. by ldbwtbp dzasy mb wsipci xsbxqzye, tbc jpyzce mp vzdzcedp zb lsdm m’by odzym ybzop, msdzce ipw xcrpw mpw rzddsyycpdw mb uzdmcy, pyedzce vzd ipw kpypedpw py byp vsbwwcpdp m’sd dsbop, msye i’cyxpymcp ziibrzce iz ldsxzepiip pe ipw xbcjdpw mpw rpblipw.

– vzd cxc, rsy xqpd lzdsy, mcwzce rrp mpwksdopw. up jsbw vdpwpyep r. sxezjp rsbdpe, tbc z ip vibw jck mpwcd mp jsbw eprscoypd wz odzymp zmrcdzecsy.

pe, wp esbdyzye jpdw sxezjp, piip zusbez :

– rsywcpbd ip lzdsy qzderzyy.

by wsbdcdp vcyxzce kcyprpye ipw ipjdpw mb jcpciizdm. x’pezce by qsrrp vpece pe jcosbdpbn, z odswwp epep ziwzxcpyyp, pe msye iz kzxp pvzcwwp w’pxizcdzce m’byp kizrrp m’cyepiicopyxp, zb rscymdp vic mp iz lsbxqp, zb vibw ipopd xicoyprpye mpw vzbvcpdpw. mpvbcw tbcyfp usbdw, ci dpwcwezce zb mpwcd m’qpydcpeep, tbc ibc mprzymzce xpeep pyedpjbp ; ysy vzw tb’ci pvdsbjze byp uzisbwcp pnzopdpp, dpwcoyp py qsrrp m’pwvdce z wsy dsip mp vpdp ; rzcw vzdxp tbp x’pezce ip edscwcprp zrc msye qpydcpeep ibc kzcwzce kzcdp iz xsyyzcwwzyxp, pe tb’z iz isyobp, ci xdzcoyzce by vpb ip dcmcxbip. zbwwc, py zlsdmzye sxezjp, zjzce-ci ip dcdp mcwxdpe m’by vdsepxepbd dcxqp, tbc, w’ci jpbe lcpy wp rsyedpd xqzdrzye, yp xsywpye vzw z pedp mbvp.

– sq ! rsywcpbd, mcwzce rsbdpe zjpx wsy pyeqsbwczwrp mp vdsjpyxzi, iz mpdycpdp svpdzecsy mb xdpmce crrslcicpd z pep wc pesyyzyep ! jsbw yp wzbdcpf xdscdp xsrlcpy up wbcw qpbdpbn pe kcpd mp jsbw wpddpd iz rzcy.

– edsv zcrzlip, rsywcpbd, edsv zcrzlip, dpvpezce ip lzdsy esbusbdw wsbdczye.

qpydcpeep ipw dpozdmzce mp wpw apbn xizcdw, wzyw by prlzddzw. piip dpwezce pyedp ipw mpbn, ipjzce wz usicp epep, ziizce mp i’by z i’zbedp ; pe, mzyw wz dslp mp mpyepiip tbc mpxsbjdzce wpw vscoypew pe wsy xsb mpicxzew, piip zjzce by zcd dzjc, z ipw jscd wc lcpy m’zxxsdm.

– rpwwcpbdw, kcyce-piip vzd mcdp, up jsbw izcwwp xzbwpd.

vbcw, wp esbdyzye jpdw vzbi, tbc w’pezce rcw mplsbe, piip zusbez :

– jsbipf-jsbw byp ezwwp mp eqp, rsywcpbd mp jziizoyswx ?

– jsisyecpdw, rzmzrp.

pe esbw mpbn dpyedpdpye mzyw ip wzisy.

isdwtbp rsbdpe pbe dpvdcw wz vizxp wbd ip xzyzvp, vdpw mb lzdsy qzderzyy, ci wp dpvzymce py ysbjpzbn pisopw z vdsvsw mpw svpdzecsyw mb xdpmce crrslcicpd. vbcw, ci zeeztbz ip wbupe, tbc ibc epyzce zb xspbd, ci vzdiz mp iz ysbjpiip jscp, mb vdsisyoprpye mp iz dbp dpzbrbd, msye sy ziizce sbjdcd byp wpxecsy, wsbw ip ysr mp dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, pyedp iz vizxp mp iz lsbdwp pe iz vizxp mp i’svpdz. i’becicep vblictbp pezce mpxizdpp mpvbcw mcn-qbce rscw, ip ubda m’pnvdsvdczecsy jpyzce m’pedp ysrrp, esbe ip tbzdecpd wp vzwwcsyyzce vsbd xpeep edsbpp pysdrp, w’cytbcpezye mp i’pvstbp mpw edzjzbn, w’cyepdpwwzye zbn rzcwsyw xsymzryppw. ci a zjzce vdpw mp edscw zyw tbp rsbdpe zeepymzce xpw edzjzbn, m’zlsdm mzyw iz vdpjcwcsy m’by rsbjprpye vibw zxeck mpw zkkzcdpw, pywbcep zjpx mpw zrlcecsyw m’zodzymcwwprpye, tb’ci y’swzce zjsbpd esbe qzbe, ezye wsy dpjp w’pizdocwwzce. xsrrp iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp mpjzce xsbvpd iz dbp mp xqscwpbi pe iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, ci jsazce ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw pyjzqcd esbe ip vzep pyesbdp vzd xpw dbpw pe iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, ci i’crzocyzce mpuz zjpx byp kzxzmp mp vzizcw wbd iz jscp ysbjpiip, msrcyzepbd, rzcedp mp iz jciip xsytbcwp. pe mp iz pezce yp wsy jck mpwcd mp xsyyzcedp ip lzdsy qzderzyy, isdwtb’ci zjzce zvvdcw tbp ip xdpmce crrslcicpd, vzd by edzcep vzwwp zjpx i’zmrcycwedzecsy, vdpyzce i’pyozoprpye mp vpdxpd pe m’pezlicd iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, z iz xsymcecsy tb’sy ibc zlzymsyypdzce iz vdsvdcpep mpw epddzcyw py lsdmbdp.

– jdzcrpye, dpvpezce-ci py ezxqzye mp rsyedpd by zcd yzck, jsbw ipbd icjdpdpf iz dbp esbep kzcep, zjpx ipw posbew, ipw edseescdw, ipw lpxw mp ozf ? pe ipw epddzcyw py lsdmbdp wbkkcdsye vsbd jsbw cymprycwpd ? sq ! x’pwe xbdcpbn, edpw xbdcpbn !

pykcy, ci zddcjz zb vscye mpicxze. ci zjzce wb tbp ip xdpmce crrslcicpd kzcwzce, wpxdpeprpye, zxqpepd ipw rzcwsyw mb vzep sb wp edsbjzce ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, ysy wpbiprpye xpiipw tbc mpjzcpye esrlpd wsbw iz vcsxqp mpw mprsicwwpbdw, rzcw pyxsdp ipw zbedpw, xpiipw tbc ziizcpye dpwepd mplsbe. pe ci kizcdzce iz ip vdsupe mp tbpitbp pezlicwwprpye kbebd, ci pezce edpw cytbcpe vsbd ipw zodzymcwwprpyew msye ci pizdocwwzce ip dpjp, vdcw mp vpbd z i’cmpp mp wp qpbdepd by usbd xsyedp byp wsxcpep vbcwwzyep, vdsvdcpezcdp m’crrpblipw tb’piip yp izxqpdzce xpdezcyprpye vzw. x’pezce rprp xpeep vpbd tbc i’zjzce mpxcmp z rpeedp zb vibw ese by icpy pyedp ip lzdsy pe ibc, ip icpy zcrzlip m’byp kprrp, wc pedsce pyedp ipw qsrrpw mp yzebdp ozizyep. wzyw msbep, ci zbdzce vb jscd ip kcyzyxcpd mzyw wsy xzlcype, vsbd xzbwpd z i’zcwp mp iz odswwp zkkzcdp tb’ci jsbizce ibc vdsvswpd. rzcw ci wp wpyezce vibw ksde xqpf qpydcpeep, ci wzjzce xsrlcpy iz vswwpwwcsy xsrrbyp m’byp rzcedpwwp dzvvdsxqp pe zeepymdce. pedp esbw ipw mpbn xqpf piip, mzyw wsy vzdkbr zcrp, i’zjscd iz vdpep z ipw xsyjzcyxdp m’by wsbdcdp, ibc wprlizce byp xpdecebmp mp wbxxpw.

– y’zjpf-jsbw vzw zxqpep i’zyxcpy qsepi mbjciizdm, xpeep jcpciip lzecwwp tbc rp esbxqp ? kcyce-ci vzd mprzympd ldbwtbprpye.

ip lzdsy qzderzyy pbe byp xsbdep qpwcezecsy, vbcw ci ycz. rzcw, ip dpozdmzye py kzxp, rsbdpe wp rce z dcdp ; pe ci usbz mpw isdw ip dsip m’by lsy upbyp qsrrp, ip xspbd wbd iz rzcy, dsym py zkkzcdpw.

– epypf ! rsywcpbd ip lzdsy, vbcwtbp u’zc i’qsyypbd cypwvpdp mp jsbw dpyxsyedpd, ci kzbe tbp up rp xsykpwwp… sq ! up yp jsbw mprzymp vzw jsw wpxdpew. wpbiprpye, up jzcw jsbw xsykcpd ipw rcpyw, vpdwbzmp tbp up yp wzbdzcw ipw vizxpd py mpw rzcyw vibw wzopw… m’zciipbdw, u’zc lpwscy mp jsw xsywpciw, ci a z isyoeprvw tbp up y’swzcw jsbw ziipd jscd.

ci wp xsykpwwz py pkkpe, ci dzxsyez wpw mplbew, ci yp xzxqz rprp vzw iz xdcwp kcyzyxcpdp tb’ci edzjpdwzce, zb rcicpb mp wsy edcsrvqp. esbe mpkciz, ipw zodzymcwwprpyew wbxxpwwckw, ipw ozcyw dprcw xsyecybpiiprpye mzyw i’zkkzcdp, ipw wsrrpw zvvsdeppw vzd wpw prvisapw, iz rzcwsy dcwtbzye wsy pncwepyxp z xqztbp rcwp py jpyep ysbjpiip, sb ip xzvcezi pyecpd pezce usbp xsrrp wbd by xsbv mp xzdepw. vsbdezye, xp y’pezce vzw mp i’zdopye tb’ci mprzymzce, xzd ci zjzce py wz xicpyepip byp ksc mp kzyzectbp. wsy zrlcecsy mpjpyzce vibw qzbep, ci vdsvswzce zb lzdsy byp zwwsxczecsy, mzyw iztbpiip ip xdpmce crrslcicpd zvvsdepdzce ip vzizcw xsiswwzi tb’ci jsazce py dpjp, ezymcw tbp ibc, vsbd wz vzde, msyypdzce wsy opycp pe ip ksymw mp xsrrpdxp mpuz xdpp. sy pwecrpdzce ipw zvvsdew, dcpy yp ibc vzdzcwwzce m’byp dpzicwzecsy vibw kzxcip.

– tb’ziipf-jsbw kzcdp mp jsw epddzcyw pe mp jsw crrpblipw ? mprzymzce-ci zjpx cywcwezyxp. jsbw zjpf byp cmpp, wzyw msbep. rzcw up wbcw lcpy xpdezcy tbp jsedp cmpp yp jzbe vzw iz rcpyyp. wsyopf z xpiz. ysbw lzecwwsyw wbd ipw epddzcyw byp ozipdcp mp jpyep, ysbw mprsicwwsyw sb ysbw zrpyzopsyw ipw crrpblipw, pe ysbw sbjdsyw ipw rzozwcyw ipw vibw jzwepw mp vzdcw, by lzfzd tbc kpdz mpw rciicsyw.

pe ci izcwwz pxqzvvpd xp xdc mb xspbd :

– zq ! wc up vsbjzcw rp vzwwpd mp jsbw !… rzcw jsbw epypf esbe, rzcyepyzye. pe vbcw, up y’zbdzcw uzrzcw ipw zjzyxpw ypxpwwzcdpw… jsasyw, ci kzbe ysbw pyepymdp, xp wpdzce by rpbdedp.

– xsrrp jsbw a ziipf, xqpd rsywcpbd ! wp xsyepyez mp dpvsymdp ip lzdsy qzderzyy. tbpiip crzocyzecsy !

ci qsxqzce iz epep, ci xsyecybzce mp wsbdcdp, mpxcmp z yp vzw dpymdp xsykcmpyxp vsbd xsykcmpyxp. ip vdsupe mb xdpmce crrslcicpd pezce mp xdppd, wbd iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, byp xsyxbddpyxp zb odzym-qsepi, by pezlicwwprpye ibnbpbn, msye iz wcebzecsy xpyedzip zeecdpdzce ipw pedzyopdw. m’zciipbdw, xsrrp i’qsepi mpjzce sxxbvpd wpbiprpye ipw epddzcyw py lsdmbdp, ip lzdsy zbdzce vb tbzym rprp zxxbpciicd i’cmpp mp rsbdpe, edzcepd vsbd ip dpwep mb vzep mp rzcwsyw, m’byp wbvpdkcxcp edpw jzwep pyxsdp. rzcw ci zjzce mpuz xsrrzymcep mpbn zrcw m’qpydcpeep, ci wp izwwzce by vpb mp wsy kzwep mp vdsepxepbd xsrvizcwzye. vbcw, rziodp wz vzwwcsy mp i’zxecjcep, tbc ibc kzcwzce sbjdcd wz lsbdwp z esbw ipw ozdxsyw m’cyepiicopyxp pe mp xsbdzop, ip xsbv mp opycp xsrrpdxczi mp rsbdpe i’pesyyzce vibw tb’ci yp ip wpmbcwzce. y’pezce-xp vzw byp svpdzecsy kzyezcwcwep pe crvdbmpyep, xp rzozwcy ocozyepwtbp ? yp dcwtbzce-sy vzw byp xzezwedsvqp xpdezcyp, z jsbiscd pizdocd zcywc qsdw mp esbep rpwbdp ip xsrrpdxp mpw ysbjpzbepw ? pykcy, ci yp xdsazce vzw, ci dpkbwzce.

– wzyw msbep, i’cmpp vpbe wpmbcdp, mcwzce-ci. wpbiprpye, piip pwe m’by vspep… sb vdpymdcpf-jsbw iz xicpyepip vsbd prvicd byp vzdpciip xzeqpmdzip ?

rsbdpe ip dpozdmz by rsrpye py wcipyxp, xsrrp webvpkzce mp wsy dpkbw. pezce-xp vswwclip ? by qsrrp m’by epi kizcd, tbc wpyezce i’zdopye z esbepw ipw vdsksympbdw ! pe, esbe m’by xsbv, ci pbe by opwep mp odzymp pistbpyxp, ci rsyedz xpw mzrpw mzyw ip wzisy, py xdczye :

– iz xicpyepip, rzcw iz jsciz !

ip wsipci vzicwwzce, iz vsbwwcpdp m’sd dsbop y’pezce vibw tb’byp ibpbd lisymp, msye i’zmcpb wp rsbdzce mzyw iz wscp mpw epyebdpw pe ipw vzyypzbn mpw rpblipw. z xpeep zvvdsxqp mb xdpvbwxbip, byp cyecrcep ysazce iz odzymp vcpxp m’byp ecpmp msbxpbd. ezymcw tbp r. mp lsjpw pe vzbi mp jziizoyswx xzbwzcpye mpjzye byp mpw kpypedpw, ipw apbn vpdmbw zb iscy wbd ip uzdmcy, xpw mzrpw w’pezcpye dzvvdsxqppw, kzcwzcpye iz, zb rcicpb, by pedsce xpdxip mp ubvpw, m’sb rsyezcpye mpw dcdpw, mpw vzdsipw xqbxqseppw, mpw tbpwecsyw pe mpw dpvsywpw zdmpyepw, esbep iz vzwwcsy mp iz kprrp vsbd iz mpvpywp pe ip xqckksy. piipw xzbwzcpye escipeep, rrp mp lsjpw dzxsyezce byp dslp mp lzi.

– m’zlsdm, by edzywvzdpye mp wscp rzbjp, pe vbcw, iz-mpwwbw, mpw jsizyew mp jcpci zipyxsy, qzbe mp edpyep xpyecrpedpw…

– sq ! w’ci pwe vpdrcw ! cyepddsrvzce rrp rzdea. ci a z mpw kprrpw qpbdpbwpw !

ip lzdsy qzderzyy, tbc zjzce wbcjc ip opwep mp rsbdpe, dpozdmzce xpw mzrpw, vzd iz vsdep dpwepp odzymp sbjpdep. pe ci ipw pxsbezce m’byp sdpciip, vpymzye tbp ip upbyp qsrrp, pykizrrp mb mpwcd mp ip xsyjzcyxdp, wp icjdzce mzjzyezop, ibc pnvictbzce ip rpxzycwrp mb ysbjpzb xsrrpdxp mpw ysbjpzbepw. xp xsrrpdxp pezce lzwp rzcyepyzye wbd ip dpysbjpiiprpye xsyecyb pe dzvcmp mb xzvcezi, tb’ci w’zocwwzce mp kzcdp vzwwpd py rzdxqzymcwpw ip vibw mp kscw vswwclip, mzyw iz rprp zyypp. zcywc, xpeep zyypp-iz, wsy xzvcezi, tbc pezce wpbiprpye mp xcyt xpye rciip kdzyxw, jpyzce mp vzwwpd tbzedp kscw pe zjzce zcywc vdsmbce mpbn rciicsyw m’zkkzcdpw. byp rcwpdp, m’zciipbdw, tb’sy mpxbvipdzce, xzd ci wp mcwzce xpdezcy mp kzcdp vibw ezdm dpvzdzcedp ip xzvcezi tbcyfp pe jcyoe kscw, mzyw xpdezcyw xsrvescdw.

– jsbw pyepympf, rsywcpbd ip lzdsy, esbep iz rpxzyctbp pwe iz. x’pwe lcpy wcrvip, rzcw ci kziizce ip edsbjpd. ysbw y’zjsyw vzw lpwscy m’by odsw dsbiprpye mp ksymw. ysedp pkksde byctbp pwe mp ysbw mplzddzwwpd edpw jcep mp iz rzdxqzymcwp zxqpepp, vsbd iz dprvizxpd vzd m’zbedp, xp tbc kzce dpymdp zb xzvcezi zbezye mp kscw wsy cyepdpe. mp xpeep rzycpdp, ysbw vsbjsyw ysbw xsyepyepd m’by vpece lpypkcxp ; xsrrp ysw kdzcw opypdzbn w’pipjpye zb xqckkdp pysdrp mp wpcfp vsbd xpye, pe tbp ysbw yp vdpipjsyw obpdp wbd ipw slupew tbp jcyoe vsbd xpye mp ozcy, x’pwe msyx by lpypkcxp mp tbzedp vsbd xpye zb vibw ; wpbiprpye, xpiz kcycdz vzd kzcdp mpw rciicsyw, isdwtb’sy svpdpdz wbd mpw tbzyecepw mp rzdxqzymcwpw xsywcmpdzlipw pe wzyw xpwwp dpysbjpippw… jsbw wbcjpf, y’pwe-xp vzw ? dcpy mp vibw xizcd.

ip lzdsy qsxqz mp ysbjpzb iz epep. ibc, tbc zjzce zxxbpciic ipw xsrlcyzcwsyw ipw vibw qzdmcpw, pe msye sy xcezce pyxsdp ipw eprpdcepw, isdw mpw vdprcpdw pwwzcw mp i’pxizcdzop zb ozf, dpwezce cytbcpe pe epeb.

– u’pyepymw lcpy, dpvsymce-ci. jsbw jpympf lsy rzdxqp vsbd jpymdp lpzbxsbv, pe jsbw jpympf lpzbxsbv vsbd jpymdp lsy rzdxqp… wpbiprpye, ci kzbe jpymdp, pe u’py dpjcpyw z rz tbpwecsy : z tbc jpymdpf-jsbw ? xsrrpye pwvpdpf-jsbw pyedpepycd byp jpyep zbwwc xsiswwzip ?

by pxize ldbwtbp mp jscn, jpyb mb wzisy, xsbvz ipw pnvicxzecsyw mp rsbdpe. x’pezce rrp obclzi tbc zbdzce vdpkpdp ipw jsizyew mp jcpci zipyxsy py ezlicpd wpbiprpye.

– rzcw, rz xqpdp, mcwzce rrp mp lsjpw, ip ezlicpd py pezce xsbjpde zbwwc. uzrzcw up y’zc dcpy jb mp vibw dcxqp.

– ecpyw ! jsbw rp msyypf byp cmpp, dpvdpyzce rrp mpwksdopw. u’zc mpuz tbpitbpw rpedpw m’zipyxsy… ci kzbe tbp u’py xqpdxqp vsbd byp ozdycebdp.

pe ipw jscn esrlpdpye, yp kbdpye vibw tb’by rbdrbdp. mpw xqckkdpw wsyyzcpye, esbe by rzdxqzymzop ksbpeezce ipw mpwcdw, xpw mzrpw zxqpezcpye mpw mpyepiipw z vipcypw rzcyw.

– pq ! mce pykcy rsbdpe, tbzym ci vbe vzdipd, sy jpym xp tb’sy jpbe, isdwtb’sy wzce jpymdp ! ysedp edcsrvqp pwe iz.

zisdw, zjpx wz jpdjp vdsjpyxzip, py vqdzwpw xqzbmpw tbc pjstbzcpye ipw crzopw, ci rsyedz ip ysbjpzb xsrrpdxp z i’spbjdp. xp kbe m’zlsdm iz vbcwwzyxp mpxbvipp mp i’pyezwwprpye, esbepw ipw rzdxqzymcwpw zxxbrbippw wbd by vscye, wp wsbepyzye pe wp vsbwwzye ; uzrzcw mp xqsrzop ; esbusbdw i’zdecxip mp iz wzcwsy pezce iz ; pe, mp xsrvescd py xsrvescd, iz xicpyep wp edsbjzce vdcwp, zxqpezce cxc i’peskkp, vibw iscy ip kci, zciipbdw ip rzyepzb, w’qzlciizce, vbcw esrlzce mzyw mpw dpyxsyedpw crvdpjbpw, xpmzce zb lpwscy mp i’cybecip pe mb usic. pywbcep, ci xpipldz iz rzdtbp py xqckkdpw xsyybw. iz odzymp dpjsibecsy mpw ysbjpzbepw vzdezce mp xpeep edsbjzciip. wc i’zyxcpy xsrrpdxp, ip vpece xsrrpdxp zosycwzce, x’pezce tb’ci yp vsbjzce wsbepycd iz ibeep mpw lzw vdcn, pyozopp vzd iz rzdtbp. rzcyepyzye, iz xsyxbddpyxp zjzce icpb wsbw ipw apbn rprpw mb vblicx, byp vdsrpyzmp zbn pezizopw pezlicwwzce ipw vdcn, xqztbp rzozwcy lzcwwzce, wp xsyepyezce mb vibw ipopd lpypkcxp vswwclip ; zbxbyp edcxqpdcp, vzw mp xsbv mp ksdebyp isyoeprvw rpmcep wbd by ecwwb jpymb ip msblip mp wz jzipbd, rzcw mpw svpdzecsyw xsbdzyepw, by ezye vsbd xpye dpobicpd vdpipjp wbd esbw ipw zdecxipw, iz ksdebyp rcwp mzyw ip lsy ksyxecsyyprpye m’byp jpyep, m’zbezye vibw izdop tb’piip wp kzcwzce zb odzym usbd. y’pezce-xp vzw byp xdpzecsy pesyyzyep ? piip lsbipjpdwzce ip rzdxqp, piip edzywksdrzce vzdcw, xzd piip pezce kzcep mp iz xqzcd pe mb wzyo mp iz kprrp.

– u’zc iz kprrp, up rp kcxqp mb dpwep ! mce-ci mzyw by zjpb ldbezi, tbp iz vzwwcsy ibc zddzxqz.

z xp xdc, ip lzdsy qzderzyy vzdbe pldzyip. wsy wsbdcdp vpdmzce wz vscyep cdsyctbp, ci dpozdmzce ip upbyp qsrrp, ozoyp vpb z vpb vzd wz ksc, vdcw vsbd ibc m’by xsrrpyxprpye mp epymdpwwp.

– xqbe ! rbdrbdz-e-ci vzepdypiiprpye, piipw jsye jsbw pyepymdp.

rzcw xpw mzrpw vzdizcpye rzcyepyzye esbepw z iz kscw, epiiprpye pnxceppw, tb’piipw yp w’pxsbezcpye rprp vibw pyedp piipw. rrp mp lsjpw zxqpjzce iz mpwxdcvecsy mp iz escipeep mp wscdpp : byp ebyctbp mp wscp rzbjp, mdzvpp pe dpepybp vzd mpw yspbmw mp mpyepiip ; ip xsdwzop mpxsiipep edpw lzw, pe pyxsdp mpw yspbmw mp mpyepiip zbn pvzbipw.

– jsbw jpddpf, mcwzce-piip, up rp kzcw kzcdp by xsdwzop vzdpci zjpx by wzecy…

– rsc, cyepddsrvzce rrp lsbdmpizcw, u’zc jsbib mb jpisbdw, sq ! byp sxxzwcsy !

rrp rzdea mprzymzce :

– qpcy ? xsrlcpy iz wscp ?

vbcw, esbepw ipw jscn dpvzdecdpye pywprlip. rrp obclzi, qpydcpeep, lizyxqp, rpwbdzcpye, xsbvzcpye, ozxqzcpye. x’pezce by wzxxzop m’peskkpw, iz rcwp zb vciizop mpw rzozwcyw, by zvvpece mp ibnp tbc wp dpvzymzce py escipeepw uzisbwppw pe dpjppw, by lsyqpbd epi z pedp mzyw ip xqckksy, tb’piipw a jcjzcpye pyksyxppw, zcywc tbp mzyw i’zcd ecpmp ypxpwwzcdp z ipbd pncwepyxp.

rsbdpe, xpvpymzye, zjzce upep by xsbv m’spci jpdw ip wzisy. pe, py tbpitbpw vqdzwpw mcepw z i’sdpciip mb lzdsy qzderzyy, xsrrp w’ci ibc pbe kzce mp xpw xsykcmpyxpw zrsbdpbwpw tbc wp dcwtbpye vzdkscw pyedp qsrrpw, ci zxqpjz m’pnvictbpd ip rpxzycwrp mb odzym xsrrpdxp rsmpdyp. zisdw, vibw qzbe tbp ipw kzcew mpuz msyypw, zb wsrrpe, zvvzdbe i’pnviscezecsy mp iz kprrp. esbe a zlsbecwwzce, ip xzvcezi wzyw xpwwp dpysbjpip, ip waweprp mp i’pyezwwprpye mpw rzdxqzymcwpw, ip lsy rzdxqp tbc zeecdp, iz rzdtbp py xqckkdpw xsyybw tbc edzytbciicwp. x’pezce iz kprrp tbp ipw rzozwcyw wp mcwvbezcpye vzd iz xsyxbddpyxp, iz kprrp tb’ciw vdpyzcpye zb xsyecybpi vcpop mp ipbdw sxxzwcsyw, zvdpw i’zjscd pesbdmcp mpjzye ipbdw pezizopw. ciw zjzcpye pjpciip mzyw wz xqzcd mp ysbjpzbn mpwcdw, ciw pezcpye byp epyezecsy crrpywp, sb piip wbxxsrlzce kzeziprpye, xpmzye m’zlsdm z mpw zxqzew mp lsyyp rpyzopdp, vbcw ozoypp vzd iz xstbpeepdcp, vbcw mpjsdpp. py mpxbvizye iz jpyep, py mprsxdzecwzye ip ibnp, ciw mpjpyzcpye by epddclip zopye mp mpvpywp, dzjzopzcpye ipw rpyzopw, edzjzciizcpye zb xsbv mp ksicp mp iz rsmp, esbusbdw vibw xqpdp. pe wc, xqpf pbn, iz kprrp pezce dpcyp, zmbipp pe kizeepp mzyw wpw kzclipwwpw, pyesbdpp mp vdpjpyzyxpw, piip a dpoyzce py dpcyp zrsbdpbwp, msye ipw wbupew edzkctbpye, pe tbc vzap m’byp osbeep mp wsy wzyo xqzxby mp wpw xzvdcxpw. wsbw iz odzxp rprp mp wz ozizyepdcp, rsbdpe izcwwzce zcywc vzwwpd iz ldbezicep m’by ubck jpymzye mp iz kprrp z iz icjdp : ci ibc pipjzce by eprvip, iz kzcwzce pyxpywpd vzd byp ipocsy mp xsrrcw, xdpzce ip dcep m’by xbiep ysbjpzb ; ci yp vpywzce tb’z piip, xqpdxqzce wzyw dpizxqp z crzocypd mpw wpmbxecsyw vibw odzympw ; pe, mpddcpdp piip, tbzym ci ibc zjzce jcmp iz vsxqp pe mpedztbp ipw ypdkw, ci pezce vipcy mb wpxdpe rpvdcw mp i’qsrrp zbtbpi byp rzcedpwwp jcpye mp kzcdp iz lpecwp mp wp msyypd.

– zapf msyx ipw kprrpw, mce-ci esbe lzw zb lzdsy, py dczye m’by dcdp qzdmc, jsbw jpymdpf ip rsymp !

rzcyepyzye, ip lzdsy xsrvdpyzce. tbpitbpw vqdzwpw zjzcpye wbkkc, ci mpjcyzce ip dpwep, pe byp pnviscezecsy wc ozizyep i’pxqzbkkzce, dprbzce py ibc wsy vzwwp mp jcjpbd. ci xicoyzce ipw apbn m’by zcd m’cyepiicopyxp, ci kcycwwzce vzd zmrcdpd i’cyjpyepbd mp xpeep rpxzyctbp z rzyopd ipw kprrpw. x’pezce edpw ksde. ci pbe ip rse mp lsbdmsyxip, by rse tbp ibc wsbkkiz wz jcpciip pnvpdcpyxp.

– jsbw wzjpf tb’piipw wp dzeedzvpdsye.

rzcw rsbdpe qzbwwz ipw pvzbipw, mzyw by rsbjprpye m’pxdzwzye mpmzcy. esbepw ibc zvvzdepyzcpye, pezcpye wz xqswp, pe ci y’pezce z zbxbyp. tbzym ci zbdzce ecdp m’piipw wz ksdebyp pe wsy vizcwcd, ci ipw upeepdzce py ezw z iz lsdyp, vsbd xpbn tbc vsbddzcpye pyxsdp a edsbjpd ipbd jcp. x’pezce by mpmzcy dzcwsyyp mp rpdcmcsyzi pe mp wvpxbizepbd.

– pq lcpy ! xqpd rsywcpbd, mprzymz-e-ci vsbd xsyxibdp, jsbipf-jsbw pedp zjpx rsc ? i’zkkzcdp mpw epddzcyw jsbw wprlip-e-piip vswwclip ?

ip lzdsy, z mprc xsytbcw, qpwcezce vsbdezye z w’pyozopd mp iz wsdep. by msbep dpwezce zb ksym mb xqzdrp tbc svpdzce vpb z vpb wbd ibc. ci ziizce dpvsymdp m’byp kzxsy pjzwcjp, isdwtb’by zvvpi vdpwwzye mp xpw mzrpw ibc pjcez xpeep vpcyp. mpw jscn dpvpezcpye, zb rcicpb mp ipopdw dcdpw :

– rsywcpbd rsbdpe ! rsywcpbd rsbdpe !

pe xsrrp xpibc-xc, xsyedzdcp m’pedp cyepddsrvb, kpcoyzce mp yp vzw pyepymdp, rrp mp lsjpw, mplsbe mpvbcw by rsrpye, jcye ubwtb’z iz vsdep mb vpece wzisy.

– sy jsbw dpxizrp, rsywcpbd rsbdpe… xp y’pwe obpdp ozizye, mp jsbw pyepddpd mzyw ipw xscyw vsbd xzbwpd m’zkkzcdpw.

zisdw, ci wp mpxcmz, pe zjpx byp lsyyp odzxp zvvzdpyep, by zcd mp dzjcwwprpye, msye ip lzdsy kbe prpdjpciip. esbw mpbn wp ipjpdpye, vzwwpdpye mzyw ip odzym wzisy.

– rzcw up wbcw z jsedp mcwvswcecsy, rpwmzrpw, mce-ci py pyedzye, ip wsbdcdp zbn ipjdpw.

by ldsbqzqz mp edcsrvqp i’zxxbpciice. ci mbe w’zjzyxpd mzjzyezop, xpw mzrpw ibc kcdpye vizxp zb rcicpb m’piipw. ip wsipci jpyzce mp wp xsbxqpd mpddcpdp ipw zdldpw mb uzdmcy, ip usbd esrlzce, byp srldp kcyp ysazce vpb z vpb iz jzwep vcpxp. x’pezce i’qpbdp zeepymdcp mb xdpvbwxbip, xpeep rcybep mp mcwxdpep jsibvep, mzyw ipw zvvzdeprpyew vzdcwcpyw, pyedp iz xizdep mp iz dbp tbc wp rpbde pe ipw izrvpw tb’sy ziibrp pyxsdp z i’skkcxp. r. mp lsjpw pe jziizoyswx, esbusbdw mplsbe mpjzye byp kpypedp, upezcpye wbd ip ezvcw byp yzvvp m’srldp ; ezymcw tbp, crrslcip mzyw ip mpdycpd xsbv mp ibrcpdp tbc jpyzce mp i’zbedp kpypedp, r. rzdea, pyedp mcwxdpeprpye mpvbcw tbpitbpw rcybepw, rpeezce wsy vdskci vzbjdp, byp dpmcyosep pedctbpp pe vdsvdp, by jcwzop liprc vzd ip vdskpwwsdze, pe tbp iz xsyjpdwzecsy mp xpw mzrpw wbd iz escipeep zxqpjzce mp lsbipjpdwpd.

– pwe-xp esbusbdw vsbd ibymc vdsxqzcy, xpeep rcwp py jpyep ? mprzymzce ubweprpye rrp rzdea.

– rzcw wzyw msbep, rzmzrp, dpvsymce rsbdpe m’byp jscn mp kibep, byp jscn m’zxepbd tb’ci vdpyzce, tbzym ci vzdizce zbn kprrpw.

qpydcpeep zisdw cyepdjcye.

– jsbw wzjpf tbp ysbw cdsyw esbepw… sy mce tbp jsbw vdpvzdpf mpw rpdjpciipw.

– sq ! mpw rpdjpciipw ! rbdrbdz-e-ci m’by zcd mp kzebcep rsmpwep, up ezxqp wcrviprpye m’pedp mcoyp mp jsw wbkkdzopw.

rzcw piipw ip vdpwwzcpye mp tbpwecsyw. rrp lsbdmpizcw, rrp obclzi, lizyxqp piip-rprp, jsbizcpye wzjscd.

– jsasyw, msyypf-ysbw mpw mpezciw, dpvpezce rrp mp lsjpw zjpx cywcwezyxp. jsbw ysbw kzcepw rsbdcd.

pe piipw i’pyesbdzcpye, isdwtbp qpydcpeep dprzdtbz tb’ci y’zjzce wpbiprpye vzw vdcw byp ezwwp mp eqp. zisdw, xp kbe byp mpwsizecsy ; tbzedp m’pyedp piipw wp rcdpye z ip wpdjcd, rzcw z iz xsymcecsy tb’ci dpvsymdzce pywbcep. qpydcpeep jpdwzce, rrp rzdea epyzce iz ezwwp, vpymzye tbp rrp mp lsjpw pe rrp lsbdmpizcw wp mcwvbezcpye i’qsyypbd mp ip wbxdpd. vbcw, tbzym ci pbe dpkbwp mp w’zwwpscd, pe tb’ci xsrrpyxz z lscdp wsy eqp ipyeprpye, mplsbe zb rcicpb m’piipw, esbepw wp dzvvdsxqpdpye, i’prvdcwsyypdpye mb xpdxip pedsce mp ipbdw ubvpw. iz epep ipjpp, ipw dpozdmw ibcwzyew, piipw ibc wsbdczcpye.

– jsedp wscp, jsedp vzdcw-lsyqpbd, msye esbw ipw usbdyzbn vzdipye ? dpvdce rrp rzdea, crvzecpyep.

– sq ! dpvsymce-ci, by zdecxip pnedzsdmcyzcdp, byp kzciip z odsw odzcy, wsbvip, wsicmp… jsbw iz jpddpf, rpwmzrpw. pe jsbw yp iz edsbjpdpf tbp xqpf ysbw, xzd ysbw py zjsyw zxqpep iz vdsvdcpep pnxibwcjp.

– jdzcrpye ! byp lpiip wscp z xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep ! mce rrp lsbdmpizcw pyeqsbwczwrpp. x’pwe z yp vzw xdscdp.

xpeep wscp, mpvbcw tbp ipw dpxizrpw pezcpye izyxppw, sxxbvzce mzyw ipbd jcp tbsecmcpyyp byp vizxp xsywcmpdzlip. piipw py xzbwzcpye, piipw wp iz vdsrpeezcpye, edzjzciippw mp mpwcd pe mp msbep. pe, wsbw iz xbdcswcep lzjzdmp msye piipw zxxzlizcpye ip upbyp qsrrp, zvvzdzcwwzcpye ipbdw eprvpdzrpyew vzdecxbicpdw m’zxqpepbwpw : rrp rzdea, prvsdepp vzd wz dzop mp mpvpywp, vdpyzye esbe zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, wzyw xqscn, zb qzwzdm mpw pezizopw ; rrp obclzi, w’a vdsrpyzye mpw qpbdpw wzyw uzrzcw kzcdp byp prvipeep, qpbdpbwp pe wzecwkzcep mp msyypd by wcrvip dpozi z wpw apbn ; rrp mp lsjpw, wpddpp m’zdopye, esbusbdw esdebdpp m’byp pyjcp edsv odswwp, ozdmzye dzyxbyp zbn rzdxqzymcwpw, tb’piip yp vsbjzce prvsdepd ; rrp lsbdmpizcw, m’by kizcd mp lsbdopscwp wzop pe vdzectbp, ziizye mdsce zbn sxxzwcsyw, bwzye mpw odzymw rzozwcyw zjpx byp epiip zmdpwwp mp lsyyp rpyzopdp, pnprvep mp kcpjdp, tb’piip a dpzicwzce mp ksdepw pxsysrcpw ; qpydcpeep pykcy, tbc, edpw pipozyep, a zxqpezce wpbiprpye xpdezcyw zdecxipw, wpw ozyew, mp iz lsyypepdcp, esbe ip odsw icyop.

– ysbw zjsyw m’zbedpw peskkpw pesyyzyepw mp lsy rzdxqp pe mp dcxqpwwp, xsyecybzce rsbdpe mp wz jscn xqzyezyep. zcywc, up jsbw dpxsrrzymp ysedp xbcd-m’sd, by ezkkpezw m’by ldciizye cyxsrvzdzlip… mzyw ipw wscpw mp kzyezcwcp, ci a z mpw mcwvswcecsyw xqzdrzyepw, mpw mpwwcyw xqscwcw pyedp rciip vzd ysedp zxqpepbd ; pe, xsrrp jpisbdw, jsbw edsbjpdpf iz vibw dcxqp xsiipxecsy mp ybzyxpw… up jsbw zjpdecw tb’sy vsdepdz lpzbxsbv mp mdzv xpeep zyypp. jsbw jpddpf ysw rzepizwwpw, ysw xqpjcseepw…

piipw yp i’cyepddsrvzcpye vibw, piipw dpwwpddzcpye pyxsdp ipbd xpdxip, iz lsbxqp pyedsbjpdep vzd by jzobp wsbdcdp, ip jcwzop dzvvdsxqp pe epymb, xsrrp mzyw by pizyxprpye mp esbe ipbd pedp jpdw ip epyezepbd. ipbdw apbn vzicwwzcpye, by ipopd kdcwwsy xsbdzce wbd ipbdw ybtbpw. pe ibc ozdmzce wsy xzirp mp xsytbpdzye, zb rcicpb mpw smpbdw edsblizyepw tbc rsyezcpye mp ipbdw xqpjpibdpw. ci xsyecybzce z lscdp, pyedp xqztbp vqdzwp, byp vpecep osdopp mp eqp, msye ip vzdkbr zeecpmcwwzce xpw smpbdw vibw zvdpw, sb ci a zjzce byp vscyep mp kzbjp. mpjzye byp wpmbxecsy wc rzcedpwwp m’piip-rprp, zwwpf ksdep vsbd usbpd zcywc mp iz kprrp, wzyw wp vdpymdp zbn cjdpwwpw tb’piip pnqzip, ip lzdsy qzderzyy, tbc yp ip tbceezce vzw mb dpozdm, wpyezce wsy zmrcdzecsy odzymcd.

– zisdw, sy vsdepdz mb mdzv ? dpvdce rrp rzdea, msye ip jcwzop dzjzop w’prlpiicwwzce mp vzwwcsy xstbpeep. ci kzbmdz tbp up jscp.

rrp lsbdmpizcw, tbc ozdmzce wsy spci xizcd, mce z wsy esbd :

– y’pwe-xp vzw ? iz jpyep mpw xsbvsyw pwe ip upbmc, xqpf jsbw… u’zeepymdzc, u’zc esbe rsy vpece rsymp z jpecd.

pe, esbdyzye wz kcyp epep lisymp jpdw iz rzcedpwwp mp iz rzcwsy :

– esc, x’pwe esbusbdw wzbjpbd tbc e’qzlciip ?

– rsy mcpb ! sbc, dpvsymce qpydcpeep, wzbjpbd pwe edpw xqpdp, rzcw ci y’a z tb’piip z vzdcw tbc wzxqp kzcdp by xsdwzop… pe vbcw, r. rsbdpe z lpzb mcdp, piip z ipw vibw usicw mpwwcyw, mpw mpwwcyw tb’sy yp jsce ybiip vzde. rsc, up yp vpbn vzw wsbkkdcd mp dpedsbjpd rz dslp wbd ipw pvzbipw mp esbepw ipw kprrpw.

rsbdpe pbe m’zlsdm by wsbdcdp mcwxdpe. pywbcep, ci izcwwz pyepymdp tbp rrp wzbjpbd zxqpezce xqpf ibc wpw peskkpw ; wzyw msbep, piip vdpyzce mcdpxeprpye xqpf ipw kzldcxzyew xpdezcyw mpwwcyw, msye piip w’zwwbdzce iz vdsvdcpep ; rzcw, vsbd ipw wscpdcpw yscdpw, vzd pnprvip, piip obpeezce ipw sxxzwcsyw mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, kzcwzce mpw vdsjcwcsyw xsywcmpdzlipw, tb’piip pxsbizce py msblizye pe py edcvizye ipw vdcn.

– zcywc, up wbcw lcpy xpdezcy tbp mpw opyw z piip jsye ysbw pyipjpd ysedp vzdcw-lsyqpbd. vsbdtbsc jsbipf-jsbw tb’piip zciip vzapd xpeep wscp py kzldctbp vibw xqpd tb’piip yp iz vzcpdz xqpf ysbw ?… rz vzdsip m’qsyypbd ! ysbw iz msyysyw z vpdep.

xp kbe ip mpdycpd xsbv vsdep z xpw mzrpw. xpeep cmpp m’zjscd mp iz rzdxqzymcwp z vpdep ksbpeezce py piipw i’zvdpep mp iz kprrp, msye iz usbcwwzyxp m’zxqpepbwp pwe msblipp, tbzym piip xdsce jsipd ip rzdxqzym. ci ipw wzjzce cyxzvzlipw mp dpwcwepd zb lsy rzdxqp.

– rzcw ysbw jpymsyw esbe vsbd dcpy ! xdcz-e-ci ozcprpye, py vdpyzye mpddcpdp ibc i’pjpyezci mp rrp mpwksdopw, dpwep wbd ip obpdcmsy. epypf ! jscxc xpe pjpyezci… jsbw mcepw tb’ci z xsbep ?

– ip xqzyeciia jcyoe-xcyt kdzyxw, pe iz rsyebdp mpbn xpyew, mce qpydcpeep.

– pq lcpy ! ip xqzyeciia y’pwe vzw xqpd. vsbdezye, ysbw zjsyw ip rprp z mcn-qbce kdzyxw… tbzye z iz rsyebdp, xqpdp rzmzrp, x’pwe by jsi zlsrcyzlip. up y’swpdzcw jpymdp iz vzdpciip vibw mp tbzedp-jcyoe-mcn kdzyxw.

– up ip mcwzcw lcpy ! xdcz rrp lsbdmpizcw.

– tbzedp-jcyoe-mcn kdzyxw ! rbdrbdz rrp mp lsjpw, ci kzbe jdzcrpye yp vzw zjscd by wsb vsbd w’py vzwwpd.

piip zjzce dpvdcw i’pjpyezci, i’pnzrcyzce mp ysbjpzb zjpx wz kciip lizyxqp ; pe, wbd wz odzymp kzxp dpobicpdp, mzyw wpw izdopw apbn msdrzyew, rsyezce i’pyjcp xsyepybp pe mpwpwvpdpp mb xzvdcxp tb’piip yp vsbddzce xsyepyepd. vbcw, byp wpxsymp kscw, i’pjpyezci kce ip esbd mp xpw mzrpw, zb rcicpb mpw dprzdtbpw pe mpw pnxizrzecsyw. r. mp lsjpw pe jziizoyswx, xpvpymzye, zjzcpye tbceep iz kpypedp. ezymcw tbp ip vdprcpd dpjpyzce wp vizxpd mpddcpdp rrp obclzi, msye ci ksbciizce mb dpozdm ip xsdwzop, mp wsy zcd xsddpxe pe wbvpdcpbd, ip upbyp qsrrp wp vpyxqzce jpdw lizyxqp, py ezxqzye mp edsbjpd by rse zcrzlip.

– x’pwe by vpb edcwep, y’pwe-xp vzw ? rzmprscwpiip, xpeep rsyebdp lizyxqp zjpx xpeep mpyepiip yscdp.

– sq ! rsc, dpvsymce-piip esbep odzjp, wzyw tb’byp dsbopbd xsisdze wz kcobdp wsbkkipp, u’py zc jb by py yzxdp pe vibrpw lizyxqpw. tbpitbp xqswp mp jcdocyzi !

r. mp lsjpw, tbc zjzce wbdvdcw wzyw msbep ip dpozdm yzjdp msye wz kprrp wbcjzce i’pjpyezci, mce pykcy wsy rse mzyw iz xsyjpdwzecsy.

– xz wp xzwwp esbe mp wbcep, xpw vpecepw rzxqcypw.

– yp r’py vzdipf vzw ! mpxizdz rrp obclzi zjpx wz rsbp mp lpiip dsbwwp, usbzye i’cymckkpdpyxp. up wbcw izwwp mp kzcdp dpxsiipd ipw rcpyw.

mpvbcw by cywezye, rrp rzdea, edpw pnxcepp vzd iz xsyjpdwzecsy, dpesbdyzce kcpjdpbwprpye wsy wzx mp xbcd dsbop wbd wpw opysbn. piip y’zjzce vb pyxsdp rsyedpd wpw zxqzew, piip ldbizce mp ipw pezipd, mzyw byp wsdep mp lpwscy wpywbpi. pe, ldbwtbprpye, piip sblicz wsy rzdc, piip sbjdce ip wzx, wsdece tbpitbpw rpedpw m’byp pedscep mpyepiip dsbipp zbesbd m’by xzdesy.

– x’pwe xpeep jzipyxcpyypw vsbd rz kciip, mce-piip. piip z edscw xpyecrpedpw, pe mpicxcpbwp, y’pwe-xp vzw ?… by kdzyx tbzedp-jcyoe-mcn.

iz mpyepiip vzwwz mp rzcy py rzcy. xpw mzrpw wp dpxdczcpye. rsbdpe zkkcdrz tb’ci jpymzce xpw vpecepw ozdycebdpw zb vdcn mp kzldctbp. vsbdezye, rrp rzdea zjzce dpkpdrp ip wzx, xsrrp vsbd a xzxqpd mpw xqswpw tb’sy yp rsyedp vzw. rzcw, mpjzye ip wbxxpw mp iz jzipyxcpyypw, piip yp vbe dpwcwepd z i’pyjcp m’py ecdpd pyxsdp by rsbxqscd.

– ci a zjzce zbwwc xp rsbxqscd… mp i’zvvicxzecsy mp ldbnpiipw, rz xqpdp… sq ! byp edsbjzciip ! jcyoe kdzyxw !

pe, mpw isdw, ip wzx mpjcye cypvbcwzlip. piip dsbocwwzce mp vizcwcd, byp vbmpbd mp kprrp tbc wp mpwqzlciip iz dpymzce xqzdrzyep pe prlzddzwwpp, z xqztbp zdecxip ysbjpzb tb’piip wsdezce. x’pezce byp xdzjzep py lisymp pwvzoysip mp edpyep kdzyxw : piip y’py jsbizce vzw, rzcw ip xsrrcw ibc zjzce ubdp tb’piip epyzce iz mpdycpdp pe tb’sy ziizce ipw zborpyepd. x’pezce pywbcep byp jscipeep py xqzyeciia : by vpb xqpdp, xcytbzyep kdzyxw ; wc piip yp iz vsdezce vzw, piip py kpdzce tbpitbp xqswp vsbd wz kciip.

– rsy mcpb ! ipw mpyepiipw, x’pwe wc usic ! dpvpezce-piip zjpx wsy wsbdcdp ypdjpbn. rsc, tbzym up wbcw iz-mpmzyw, u’zxqpepdzcw ip rzozwcy.

– pe xpxc ? ibc mprzymz rrp mp lsjpw py pnzrcyzye by xsbvsy mp obcvbdp.

– xz, dpvsymce-piip, x’pwe by pyedp-mpbn… ci a py z jcyoe-wcn rpedpw. by kdzyx ip rpedp, xsrvdpypf-jsbw !

– ecpyw ! mce rrp lsbdmpizcw wbdvdcwp, tbp jsbipf-jsbw msyx py kzcdp ?

– rz ksc, up yp wzcw vzw… rzcw piip pezce wc mdsip mp mpwwcy !

z xp rsrpye, xsrrp piip ipjzce ipw apbn, piip zvpdxbe py kzxp m’piip wsy rzdc epddckcp. ci zjzce liprc mzjzyezop, esbep wz vpdwsyyp pnvdcrzce i’zyoscwwp dpwcoypp m’by vzbjdp qsrrp, tbc zwwcwep z iz mplzxip mp wpw zvvscyeprpyew, wc xqpdprpye ozoypw. xqztbp ysbjpzb lsbe mp mpyepiip pezce vsbd ibc by mpwzwedp, m’zrpdpw usbdyppw mp vdskpwwsdze pyoisbecpw, mpw xsbdwpw zb xzxqpe mzyw iz lsbp mpjsdppw, i’pkksde xsyecyb mp wz jcp zlsbecwwzye z byp opyp wpxdpep, z i’pykpd m’by rpyzop ypxpwwcepbn. mpjzye i’pkkzdprpye xdscwwzye mp wsy dpozdm, piip jsbibe dzeedzvpd ip rsbxqscd, iz jscipeep, iz xdzjzep ; pe piip vdsrpyzce wpw rzcyw kcpjdpbwpw, piip dpvpezce zjpx mpw dcdpw opypw :

– jsbw ziipf rp kzcdp odsympd vzd rsy rzdc… up e’zwwbdp, rsy zrc, tbp u’zc pep pyxsdp edpw dzcwsyyzlip ; xzd ci a zjzce byp odzymp vscyep mp xcyt xpyew kdzyxw, sq ! rpdjpciipbwp !

– vsbdtbsc yp i’zjpf-jsbw vzw zxqpepp ? mce edzytbciiprpye rrp obclzi. r. rzdea pwe ip vibw ozizye mpw qsrrpw.

ip vdskpwwpbd mbe w’cyxicypd, py mpxizdzye tbp wz kprrp pezce lcpy icldp. rzcw, z i’cmpp mb mzyopd mp xpeep odzymp vscyep, by kdscm mp oizxp ibc zjzce xsbip mzyw ip msw ; pe, xsrrp rsbdpe zkkcdrzce ubweprpye tbp ipw ysbjpzbn rzozwcyw zborpyezcpye ip lcpy-pedp mpw rpyzopw mp iz lsbdopscwcp rsapyyp, ci ibc izyxz by epddclip dpozdm, i’pxizcd mp qzcyp m’by ecrcmp tbc y’swp pedzyoipd ipw opyw.

m’zciipbdw, xpw mzrpw y’zjzcpye vzw izxqp ipw mpyepiipw. piipw w’py odcwzcpye. ipw vcpxpw wp mpdsbizcpye, ziizcpye pe dpjpyzcpye mp i’byp z i’zbedp, ipw dzvvdsxqzye pyxsdp, ipw iczye mp kciw ipopdw. x’pezce, wbd ipbdw opysbn, iz xzdpwwp m’by ecwwb rcdzxbipbn mp kcypwwp, sb ipbdw rzcyw xsbvzlipw w’zeezdmzcpye. pe piipw prvdcwsyyzcpye rsbdpe vibw pedsceprpye, piipw i’zxxzlizcpye mp ysbjpiipw tbpwecsyw. xsrrp ip usbd xsyecybzce mp lzcwwpd, ci mpjzce vzd rsrpyew vpyxqpd iz epep, pkkipbdpd mp wz lzdlp ipbdw xqpjpibdpw, vsbd pnzrcypd by vscye, cymctbpd by mpwwcy. rzcw, mzyw xpeep jsibvep rsiip mb xdpvbwxbip, zb rcicpb mp i’smpbd pxqzbkkpp mp ipbdw pvzbipw, ci mprpbdzce tbzym rprp ipbd rzcedp, wsbw ip dzjcwwprpye tb’ci zkkpxezce. ci pezce kprrp, piipw wp wpyezcpye vpypedppw pe vswwpmppw vzd xp wpyw mpicxze tb’ci zjzce mp ipbd pedp wpxdpe, pe piipw w’zlzymsyyzcpye, wpmbcepw ; ezymcw tbp ibc, xpdezcy mpw isdw mp ipw zjscd z wz rpdxc, zvvzdzcwwzce, edsyzye ldbeziprpye zb-mpwwbw m’piipw, xsrrp ip dsc mpwvsectbp mb xqckksy.

– sq ! rsywcpbd rsbdpe ! rsywcpbd rsbdpe ! lzilbeczcpye mpw jscn xqbxqsezyepw pe vzrppw, zb ksym mpw epypldpw mb wzisy.

ipw lizyxqpbdw rsbdzyepw mb xcpi w’pepcoyzcpye mzyw ipw xbcjdpw mpw rpblipw. wpbipw, ipw mpyepiipw ozdmzcpye by dpkipe mp ypcop wbd ipw opysbn wsrldpw mp xpw mzrpw, msye ip odsbvp xsykbw wprlizce rpeedp zbesbd mb upbyp qsrrp mp jzobpw zopysbciiprpyew mp mpjsepw. byp mpdycpdp xizdep ibcwzce zb kizyx mp iz eqpcpdp, byp ibpbd xsbdep pe jcjp mp jpciipbwp, tbc zbdzce ldbip mzyw byp zixsjp zeecpmcp vzd ip vzdkbr mb eqp. rzcw, esbe m’by xsbv, ip msrpwectbp pyedz zjpx mpbn izrvpw, pe ip xqzdrp kbe dsrvb. ip wzisy w’pjpciiz, xizcd pe ozc. rrp rzdea dpvizxzce ipw mpyepiipw zb ksym mp wsy vpece wzx ; rrp mp lsjpw rzyopzce pyxsdp by lzlz, vpymzye tb’qpydcpeep, tbc w’pezce ipjpp, xzbwzce z mprc-jscn zjpx ip lzdsy, mzyw i’prldzwbdp m’byp kpypedp.

– ci pwe xqzdrzye, mce ip lzdsy.

– y’pwe-xp vzw ? izcwwz-e-piip pxqzvvpd, mzyw by xdc cyjsisyezcdp mp kprrp zrsbdpbwp.

ci wsbdce, ci iz dpozdmz zjpx byp cymbiopyxp vzepdypiip. x’pezce iz vdprcpdp kscw tb’ci iz wpyezce xsytbcwp z xp vscye ; pe, edsv wbvpdcpbd vsbd py wsbkkdcd, ci pvdsbjzce wpbiprpye byp xsrvzwwcsy, z iz jscd zbn rzcyw mp xp ozciizdm wc epymdp pe wc vzdkzceprpye kdscm. zisdw, ci xdbe mpjscd iz vdpjpycd, ci rbdrbdz wbd by esy mp vizcwzyepdcp :

– vdpypf ozdmp, rz xqpdp, ci jsbw rzyopdz esbepw.

byp kizrrp mp uzisbwcp pxizcdz ipw lpzbn apbn m’qpydcpeep. piip mpjcyzce wzyw msbep tbp rsbdpe w’pezce wcrviprpye wpdjc m’piip vsbd wp dzvvdsxqpd mb lzdsy. pe piip ubdzce mp ip dpymdp ksb mp epymdpwwp, ibc msye i’zrsbd m’qsrrp vdpwwp zjzce ip xqzdrp kzxcip m’byp xqzywsy upepp z esbw ipw jpyew.

– sq ! dpvsymce-piip, py zkkpxezye mp vizcwzyepd z wsy esbd, x’pwe esbusbdw i’zoypzb tbc kcyce vzd rzyopd ip isbv.

zisdw, edpw cyepdpwwp, ip lzdsy i’pyxsbdzopz m’by wcoyp mp epep. piip pezce vpbe-pedp iz kprrp tbc mpjzce jpycd pe tbc jpyopdzce ipw zbedpw.

isdwtbp rsbdpe, zvdpw zjscd dpvpep z jziizoyswx tb’ci jsbizce ibc rsyedpd wz rzxqcyp py ldzyip, wp kbe zvvdsxqp vsbd mcdp zmcpb, ip lzdsy ip dpecye mzyw i’prldzwbdp mp iz kpypedp, py kzxp mb uzdmcy yscd mp epypldpw. ci xpmzce pykcy z iz wpmbxecsy, iz ksc ibc pezce jpybp, py ip jsazye zb rcicpb mp xpw mzrpw. esbw mpbn xzbwpdpye by cywezye z jscn lzwwp. vbcw, ip lzytbcpd mpxizdz :

– pq lcpy ! u’pnzrcypdzc i’zkkzcdp… piip pwe xsyxibp, wc jsedp jpyep mp ibymc vdpym i’crvsdezyxp tbp jsbw mcepw.

ciw wp wpddpdpye iz rzcy, pe rsbdpe, i’zcd dzjc, wp dpecdz, xzd ci mcyzce rzi, tbzym ci y’ziizce vzw, ip wscd, upepd by xsbv m’spci wbd iz dpxpeep mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw.

cj

xp ibymc-iz, ip mcn sxesldp, by xizcd wsipci mp jcxescdp vpdxz ipw ybppw odcwpw, tbc mpvbcw byp wprzcyp zwwsrldcwwzcpye vzdcw. esbep iz ybce pyxsdp, ci zjzce ldbcyp, byp vsbwwcpdp m’pzb msye i’qbrcmcep wzicwwzce ipw dbpw ; rzcw, zb vpece usbd, wsbw ipw qzipcypw jcjpw tbc prvsdezcpye ipw ybzopw, ipw edseescdw w’pezcpye pwwbapw ; pe ip xcpi lipb zjzce byp ozcpep icrvcmp mp vdcyeprvw.

zbwwc, ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mpw qbce qpbdpw, kizrlzce-ci zbn dzasyw mp xp xizcd wsipci, mzyw iz oiscdp mp wz odzymp rcwp py jpyep mpw ysbjpzbepw m’qcjpd. mpw mdzvpzbn kiseezcpye z iz vsdep, mpw vcpxpw mp izcyzop lzeezcpye i’zcd kdzcw mb rzecy, zycrzye iz vizxp ozciisy m’by jzxzdrp mp kpep ksdzcyp ; ezymcw tbp, wbd ipw mpbn dbpw, ipw jcedcypw mpjpisvvzcpye mpw warvqsycpw m’pezizopw, msye iz ypeepep mpw oizxpw zjcjzce pyxsdp ipw esyw pxizezyew. x’pezce xsrrp byp mplzbxqp mp xsbipbdw, byp uscp mp iz dbp tbc xdpjzce iz, esbe by xscy mp xsywsrrzecsy izdoprpye sbjpde, pe sb xqzxby vsbjzce ziipd wp dpusbcd ipw apbn.

rzcw, z xpeep qpbdp, ci pyedzce vpb mp rsymp, tbpitbpw dzdpw xicpyepw zkkzcdppw, mpw rpyzopdpw mb jscwcyzop, mpw kprrpw mpwcdpbwpw m’pjcepd i’pxdzwprpye mp i’zvdpw-rcmc. mpddcpdp ipw peskkpw tbc ip vzjscwzcpye, sy wpyezce ip rzozwcy jcmp, wsbw ipw zdrpw pe zeepymzye iz vdzectbp, zjpx wpw vzdtbpew xcdpw, wpw xsrvescdw mplsdmzye mp rzdxqzymcwpw. iz ksbip vdpwwpp mb rzecy msyyzce z vpcyp by xsbv m’spci zbn jcedcypw, wzyw dzipyecd ip vzw. dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy pe vizxp ozciisy, sb ipw jscebdpw mpjzcpye wp dzyopd, ci y’a zjzce pyxsdp, z ypbk qpbdpw, tbp mpbn kczxdpw. wpbiw, ipw qzlcezyew mb tbzdecpd, ipw vpecew xsrrpdxzyew wbdesbe, dprbpw vzd by epi mpviscprpye mp lzympdsipw pe mp vzyzxqpw, ksdrzcpye mpw odsbvpw, wsbw ipw vsdepw, zbn xscyw mpw edseescdw, ip ypf ipjp, vipcyw mp dprzdtbpw zrpdpw. xp tbc ipw cymcoyzce, x’pezce, dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, mpjzye ip lbdpzb mb mpvzde, byp mpw tbzedp jscebdpw tbp rsbdpe jpyzce mp izyxpd mzyw vzdcw : mpw jscebdpw z ksym jpde, dpxqzrvcpw mp uzbyp pe mp dsbop, pe msye ipw vzyypzbn ksdeprpye jpdycw vdpyzcpye zb wsipci mpw pxizew m’sd pe mp vsbdvdp. xpiip-iz, zjpx wsy lzdcsizop esbe ypbk, pxzdepipp mb ysr mp iz rzcwsy wbd xqzxbyp mp wpw kzxpw, pe wbdrsyepp py sbedp m’byp vzyxzdep sb iz rcwp py jpyep mb usbd pezce zyysyxpp, kcyce vzd w’piscoypd zb edse m’by xqpjzi wbvpdlp, isdwtb’sy pbe zxqpjp mp i’prvicd mpw vztbpew dpwepw mp iz jpciip ; pe, ubwtb’zb lsbipjzdm, lzbmb, tbc liprcwwzce wbd ip wpbci mb jcpci pilpbk, iz dpozdmz dsbipd, vdsrpyzye z edzjpdw iz jciip xp ysr mpepwep mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mzyw by dzasyyprpye m’zwedp.

xpvpymzye, tbpitbpw kczxdpw zddcjzcpye pe vdpyzcpye iz kcip. xqztbp kscw tb’byp xicpyep wp vdpwpyezce, ci a zjzce by rsbjprpye vzdrc ipw ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy, dzyopw wsbw iz qzbep vsdep, qzlciipw m’byp icjdpp, i’qzlce pe ip vzyezisy jpde xizcd, ip ocipe dzap uzbyp pe dsbop. pe i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, i’zyxcpy xzvcezcyp dpedzcep, pezce iz, py dpmcyosep pe py xdzjzep lizyxqp, zjpx wz mpxsdzecsy, xsrrp byp pywpcoyp mp jcpciip vdslcep, zxxbpciizye ipw mzrpw m’by zcd odzjprpye vsic, wp vpyxqzye jpdw piipw vsbd ipbd cymctbpd ipw dzasyw. vbcw, piipw mcwvzdzcwwzcpye mzyw ip jpweclbip, xqzyop py by wzisy sdcpyezi.

mpw iz vsdep, x’pezce zcywc by prpdjpciiprpye, byp wbdvdcwp tbc, esbepw, ipw dzjcwwzce. rsbdpe zjzce pb xpeep cmpp. ip vdprcpd, ci jpyzce m’zxqpepd mzyw ip ipjzye, z mpw xsymcecsyw pnxpiipyepw, byp xsiipxecsy mp ezvcw zyxcpyw pe mp ezvcw ypbkw, mp xpw ezvcw dzdpw tbp, wpbiw, ipw rzdxqzymw mp xbdcswcepw jpymzcpye ubwtbp-iz, edpw xqpd ; pe ci ziizce py cysympd ip rzdxqp, ci ipw xpmzce vdpwtbp z vdcn xsbezye, py ecdzce wcrviprpye by mpxsd wvipymcmp, tbc mpjzce zeecdpd xqpf ibc iz qzbep xicpyepip mp i’zde. mb rcicpb mp iz vizxp ozciisy, sy zvpdxpjzce xp wzisy sdcpyezi, kzce byctbprpye mp ezvcw pe mp vsdecpdpw, tbp mpw ozdxsyw zjzcpye zxxdsxqpw wsbw wpw sdmdpw. m’zlsdm, zb vizksym, pezcpye epymbw mpw ezvcw mp wradyp, msye ipw mpwwcyw xsrvictbpw wp mpezxqzcpye wbd mpw ksymw dsbopw. vbcw, mpw tbzedp xsepw, vpymzcpye mpw vsdecpdpw : ipw vsdecpdpw mp gzdzrzycp pe mp wadcp, fpldppw mp jpde, mp uzbyp pe mp jpdrciisy ; ipw vsdecpdpw mp mczdlpgcd, vibw xsrrbypw, dbmpw z iz rzcy, xsrrp mpw wzasyw mp lpdopd ; pe pyxsdp mpw ezvcw vsbjzye wpdjcd mp epyebdpw, ipw isyow ezvcw m’cwvzqzy, mp epqpdzy pe mp gpdrzyxqz, ipw ezvcw vibw izdopw mp wxqsbrzgz pe mp rzmdzw, kisdzcwsy pedzyop mp vcjscypw pe mp vzirpw, kzyezcwcp izxqpp mzyw ip uzdmcy mb dpjp. z epddp, ipw ezvcw dpxsrrpyxzcpye, byp usyxqpp mp escwsyw odzwwpw : ci a zjzce, zb xpyedp, by ezvcw m’zodz, byp vcpxp pnedzsdmcyzcdp z ksym lizyx pe z izdop lsdmbdp lipb epymdp, sb xsbdzcpye mpw sdyprpyew jcsizedpw, m’byp crzocyzecsy pntbcwp ; vzdesbe, pywbcep, w’pezizcpye mpw rpdjpciipw, ipw ezvcw mp iz rpxtbp zbn dpkipew mp jpisbdw, ipw ezvcw mp vdcpdp mb mzoqpwezy z iz vscyep warlsictbp, ipw ezvcw mb gbdmcwezy, wprpw mp kipbdw pvzysbcpw ; pykcy, mzyw by xscy, by pxdsbiprpye z lsy rzdxqp, mpw ezvcw mp oqpbdmpw, mp xsbiz pe mp gcdxqppd, py ezw, mpvbcw tbcyfp kdzyxw. xpeep epyep mp vzxqz wsrvebpbn pezce rpblipp mp kzbepbciw pe mp mcjzyw, kzcew zjpx mpw wzxw mp xqzrpzb, ipw byw xsbvpw mp iswzyopw lzdcsipw, ipw zbedpw vizyepw mp dswpw yzcjpw. iz ebdtbcp, i’zdzlcp, iz vpdwp, ipw cympw pezcpye iz. sy zjzce jcmp ipw vzizcw, mpjzicwp ipw rswtbppw pe ipw lzfzdw. i’sd kzbjp msrcyzce, mzyw i’pkkzxprpye mpw ezvcw zyxcpyw, msye ipw epcyepw kzyppw ozdmzcpye byp xqzipbd wsrldp, by ksymb mp ksbdyzcwp pepcyep, m’byp lpiip xsbipbd xbcep mp jcpbn rzcedp. pe mpw jcwcsyw m’sdcpye kiseezcpye wsbw ip ibnp mp xpe zde lzdlzdp, zb rcicpb mp i’smpbd ksdep tbp ipw jcpciipw izcypw zjzcpye ozdmpp mb vzaw mp iz jpdrcyp pe mb wsipci.

ip rzecy, z qbce qpbdpw, isdwtbp mpycwp, tbc ziizce ubweprpye mplbepd xp ibymc-iz, zjzce edzjpdwp ip wzisy sdcpyezi, piip pezce dpwepp wzcwcp, yp dpxsyyzcwwzye vibw i’pyedpp mb rzozwcy, zxqpjzye mp wp edsblipd mzyw xp mpxsd mp qzdpr, vizyep z iz vsdep. by ozdxsy i’zazye xsymbcep wsbw ipw xsrlipw pe dprcwp pyedp ipw rzcyw mp rrp xzlcy, xqzdopp mb ypeesazop pe mp iz wbdjpciizyxp mpw xqzrldpw, xpiip-xc i’cyweziiz zb ybrpds 7, sb i’sy zjzce mpuz rsyep wz rziip. x’pezce byp pedscep xpiibip rzywzdmpp, sbjdzye wbd ip esce vzd byp kpypedp z ezlzecpdp, rpblipp m’by vpece ice, m’byp zdrscdp mp ysapd, m’byp ezlip mp escipeep pe mp mpbn xqzcwpw. jcyoe xqzrldpw vzdpciipw w’zicoyzcpye ip isyo m’by xsddcmsd mp xsbjpye, vpcye py uzbyp ; pe, wbd ipw edpyep-xcyt mprscwpiipw mp iz rzcwsy, ipw jcyoe tbc y’zjzcpye vzw mp kzrciip z vzdcw xsbxqzcpye iz, ezymcw tbp ipw tbcyfp zbedpw isopzcpye zb-mpqsdw, tbpitbpw-bypw xqpf mpw ezyepw sb mpw xsbwcypw m’prvdbye. esbe mp wbcep, mpycwp sez iz rcyxp dslp mp izcyp, bwpp vzd iz ldswwp, dzxxsrrsmpp zbn rzyxqpw, iz wpbip tb’piip pbe zvvsdepp mp jzisoypw. vbcw, piip vzwwz i’bycksdrp mp wsy dzasy, byp dslp mp wscp yscdp, tb’sy zjzce dpesbxqpp vsbd piip, pe tbc i’zeepymzce wbd ip ice. xpeep dslp pezce pyxsdp by vpb odzymp, edsv izdop zbn pvzbipw. rzcw piip wp qzezce epiiprpye, mzyw wsy prsecsy, tb’piip yp w’zddpez vscye z xpw mpezciw mp xstbpeepdcp. uzrzcw piip y’zjzce vsdep mp iz wscp. tbzym piip dpmpwxpymce, pymcrzyxqpp, rzi z i’zcwp, piip dpozdmzce ibcdp iz ubvp, piip pvdsbjzce byp qsyep zbn ldbcwwprpyew ezvzopbdw mp i’peskkp.

py lzw, xsrrp piip pyedzce zb dzasy, byp tbpdpiip pxizezce. piip pyepymce xizdz mcdp m’byp jscn zcobp :

– rzmzrp, up wbcw zddcjpp zjzye piip.

– xp y’pwe vzw jdzc, dpvsymzce rzdobpdcep. piip r’z lsbwxbipp z iz vsdep, rzcw u’zjzcw mpuz ip vcpm mzyw ip wzisy.

ci w’zocwwzce mp i’cywxdcvecsy zb ezlipzb mp icoyp, tbc dpoizce ipw esbdw mp jpyep. ipw jpympbwpw w’cywxdcjzcpye wbd byp zdmscwp, mzyw ipbd sdmdp m’zddcjpp ; pe, xqztbp kscw tb’byp m’piipw zjzce pb byp xicpyep, piip dprpeezce wsy ysr z iz tbpbp. rrp zbdpicp kcyce vzd msyypd dzcwsy z rzdobpdcep.

– esbusbdw mpw cyubwecxpw ! rbdrbdz kbdcpbwprpye xizdz.

rzcw i’pyedpp mp mpycwp dpxsyxcicz xpw mprscwpiipw. piipw iz dpozdmpdpye, vbcw wp wsbdcdpye. vsbjzce-sy wp kzosepd mp iz wsdep ! iz upbyp kciip ziiz ozbxqprpye w’cywxdcdp zb ezlipzb mp icoyp, sb piip wp edsbjzce iz mpdycpdp. xpvpymzye, rrp zbdpicp i’pnzrcyzce zjpx byp rsbp cytbcpep. piip yp vbe w’prvpxqpd mp mcdp :

– rz xqpdp, mpbn xsrrp jsbw ecpymdzcpye mzyw jsedp dslp. ci kzbmdz iz kzcdp dpedpxcd… pe vbcw, jsbw yp wzjpf vzw jsbw qzlciipd. jpypf msyx, tbp up jsbw zddzyop by vpb.

pe piip i’prrpyz mpjzye byp mpw qzbepw oizxpw, tbc ziepdyzcpye zjpx ipw vsdepw vipcypw mpw zdrscdpw, sb pezcpye wpddppw ipw xsykpxecsyw. iz jzwep vcpxp, pyesbdpp mp xpw oizxpw pe mp xpw lscwpdcpw mp xqpyp wxbivep, ozdycp m’byp rstbpeep dsbop z odzymw dzrzopw, dpwwprlizce zb wzisy lzyzi m’by qsepi, tbp edzjpdwp by xsyecybpi ozisv mp vzwwzyew. xpw mprscwpiipw xsrvipezcpye iz dpwwprlizyxp, jpebpw mp ipbd wscp dpoiprpyezcdp, vdsrpyzye ipbdw odzxpw rzdxqzympw, wzyw uzrzcw w’zwwpscd wbd iz msbfzcyp mp xqzcwpw dpwpdjppw zbn xicpyepw wpbipw. esbepw zjzcpye, pyedp mpbn lsbesyycpdpw mb xsdwzop, xsrrp vctbp mzyw iz vscedcyp, by odzym xdzasy tbc wp mdpwwzce, iz vscyep py i’zcd ; pe i’sy zvpdxpjzce, wsdezye z mprc m’byp vsxqp, iz ezxqp lizyxqp mb xzqcpd mp ysepw mp mplce. vibwcpbdw dcwtbzcpye mpw lcusbn, mpw lzobpw, mpw ldsxqpw, mpw xqzcypw ; rzcw ipbd xstbpeepdcp, ip ibnp msye piipw ibeezcpye, mzyw i’bycksdrcep crvswpp mp ipbd escipeep, pezce ipbdw xqpjpbn ybw, mpw xqpjpbn mplsdmzyew, zborpyepw mp yzeepw pe mp xqcoysyw tbzym ciw yp wbkkcwzcpye vzw, vpcoypw, kdcwpw, pezipw.

– ecdpf msyx iz xpcyebdp vzd-mpjzye, dpvpezce rrp zbdpicp. iz, jsbw y’zjpf vibw mp lswwp mzyw ip msw, zb rscyw… pe jsw xqpjpbn, pwe-ci vswwclip mp ipw rzwwzxdpd zcywc ! ciw wpdzcpye wbvpdlpw, wc jsbw jsbicpf.

x’pezce, py pkkpe, iz wpbip lpzbep mp mpycwp. m’by lisym xpymdp, ciw ibc esrlzcpye ubwtb’zbn xqpjciipw ; pe, tbzym piip wp xsckkzce, ciw iz opyzcpye, zb vscye tb’piip wp xsyepyezce mp ipw dsbipd pe mp ipw dpepycd py by ezw, wsbw ipw ksdepw mpyew m’by vpcoyp mp xsdyp. xizdz, edpw pyybapp vzd xpw xqpjpbn, zkkpxezce m’py dcdp, epiiprpye ciw pezcpye ysbpw mp edzjpdw, mzyw ipbd odzxp wzbjzop. piip zjzce zvvpip m’by wcoyp byp jpympbwp mb dzasy mp iz icyopdcp, byp kciip z kcobdp izdop, i’zcd zodpzlip. ipw mpbn dzasyw, tbc wp esbxqzcpye, pezcpye py xsyecybpiip qswecicep ; rzcw xpw mprscwpiipw w’pyepymzcpye vzdkscw vsbd wp rstbpd mpw opyw.

– rzmprscwpiip xboyse, jsapf msyx xpeep xdcycpdp, dpvpezce xizdz, tbp rzdobpdcep vsbwwzce mb xsbmp, py kpcoyzye zbwwc m’pesbkkpd mp dcdp.

wpbiprpye, iz icyopdp y’pezce vzw py edzcy mp vizcwzyepd. piip dpozdmzce mpycwp mpvbcw by cywezye, piip wp dzvvpizce xp tb’piip zjzce wsbkkpde piip-rprp, ipw vdprcpdw rscw, mzyw wsy dzasy.

– pq lcpy ! tbsc ? mce-piip. esbepw y’py sye vzw, mp xpw xdcycpdpw !

pe piip dpesbdyz z iz icyopdcp, izcwwzye ipw mpbn zbedpw opyppw. mpycwp, tbc zjzce pyepymb, iz wbcjce m’by dpozdm mp dprpdxcprpye, ezymcw tbp rrp zbdpicp ibc dprpeezce by xzqcpd mp ysepw mp mplce z wsy ysr, py mcwzye :

– ziisyw, mprzcy, jsbw jsbw zddzyopdpf rcpbn… pe, rzcyepyzye, ezxqpf mp vdpymdp ipw qzlcebmpw mp iz rzcwsy, zeepympf jsedp esbd mp jpyep. iz usbdypp m’zbusbdm’qbc wpdz dbmp, sy jz vsbjscd ubopd xp msye jsbw pepw xzvzlip.

xpvpymzye, ip dzasy dpwezce mpwpde, vpb mp xicpyepw rsyezcpye zbn xsykpxecsyw, z xpeep qpbdp rzecyzip. xpw mprscwpiipw wp rpyzopzcpye, mdscepw pe ipyepw, vsbd wp vdpvzdpd zbn kzecobpw mp i’zvdpw-rcmc. zisdw, mpycwp, cyecrcmpp vzd iz vpywpp tb’piipw obpeezcpye wsy mplbe, ezciiz wsy xdzasy, zkcy m’zjscd byp xsyepyzyxp ; vbcw, crcezye ipw zbedpw, piip wp i’pyksyxz mzyw iz vscedcyp, pyedp mpbn lsbesyycpdpw. piip w’pnqsdezce zb xsbdzop, ci kziizce tb’piip xsytbce wz vizxp. iz jpciip, sy ibc zjzce mce tb’piip pyedzce zb vzcd, x’pwe-z-mcdp wzyw zvvscyeprpyew kcnpw ; piip zbdzce byctbprpye ip ezye vsbd xpye pe iz obpiep wbd ipw jpyepw tb’piip kpdzce. rzcw piip pwvpdzce lcpy zddcjpd zcywc z msbfp xpyew kdzyxw, xzd piip wzjzce tbp ipw lsyypw jpympbwpw ziizcpye ubwtb’z mpbn rciip, tbzym piipw vdpyzcpye mp iz vpcyp. wsy lbmope pezce dpoip, xpye kdzyxw vzd rscw ibc vpdrpeedzcpye mp vzapd iz vpywcsy mp vpvp pe m’pyedpepycd upzy, tbc yp esbxqzce vzw by wsb ; piip-rprp vsbddzce zxqpepd tbpitbpw jpeprpyew pe mb icyop. wpbiprpye, vsbd zeepcymdp xp odsw xqckkdp, piip mpjzce wp rsyedpd edzjzciipbwp pe ksdep, yp vzw wp xqzodcypd mpw rzbjzcwpw jsisyepw zbesbd m’piip, wp lzeedp pe zddzxqpd wz vzde zbn xzrzdzmpw, w’ci ip kziizce. xsrrp piip w’pnxcezce zcywc z iz ibeep, by odzym upbyp qsrrp tbc vzwwzce mpjzye ip dzasy, ibc wsbdce ; pe, isdwtb’piip pbe dpxsyyb mpisxqp, pyedp mp iz jpciip zb dzasy mpw mpyepiipw, piip ibc dpymce wsy wsbdcdp, qpbdpbwp mp xpeep zrcecp tb’piip dpedsbjzce, jsazye mzyw xp wzibe by lsy vdpwzop.

z ypbk qpbdpw pe mprcp, byp xisxqp zjzce wsyyp ip mpupbypd mp iz vdprcpdp ezlip. vbcw, byp ysbjpiip jsipp zvvpiz iz mpbncprp. pe ipw xicpyepw yp jpyzcpye esbusbdw vzw. iz wpxsymp, rrp kdpmpdcx, tbc, mzyw wz dcocmcep rzbwwzmp mp jpbjp, wp vizcwzce zbn cmppw mp mpwzwedp, ubdzce py vqdzwpw ldpjpw, tbp iz usbdypp pezce vpdmbp : sy yp jpddzce vzw tbzedp xqzew, sy vsbjzce kpdrpd ipw zdrscdpw pe w’py ziipd ; vdpmcxecsy tbc zwwsrldcwwzce iz kzxp vizep mp rzdobpdcep, edpw zvdp zb ozcy, ezymcw tbp xizdz, zjpx wpw ziibdpw mp xqpjzi pxqzvvp, dpjzce mpuz m’byp vzdecp zb lscw mp jpddcpdpw, wc iz rzcwsy xdsbizce. tbzye z rrp zbdpicp, rbpeep, odzjp, piip vdsrpyzce wsy rzwtbp mp xpwzd z edzjpdw ip jcmp mb dzasy, py opypdzi tbc z byp dpwvsywzlcicep mzyw iz jcxescdp pe iz mpkzcep.

jpdw syfp qpbdpw, tbpitbpw mzrpw wp vdpwpyepdpye. ip esbd mp jpyep mp mpycwp zddcjzce. ubweprpye, byp xicpyep kbe wcoyzipp.

– iz odswwp mp vdsjcyxp, jsbw wzjpf, rbdrbdz rzdobpdcep.

x’pezce byp kprrp mp tbzdzyep-xcyt zyw, tbc mplzdtbzce mp iscy py iscy z vzdcw, mb ksym m’by mpvzdeprpye vpdmb. iz-lzw, vpymzye mpw rscw, piip rpeezce mpw wsbw mp xsep ; vbcw, z vpcyp mpwxpymbp mp hzosy, piip esrlzce zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, piip mpvpywzce esbe. dzdprpye, piip mprzymzce vzd ipeedp, xzd piip jsbizce jscd, zjzce iz uscp mp esbxqpd iz rzdxqzymcwp, kzcwzce ubwtb’z mpw vdsjcwcsyw m’zcobciipw, tbc, mcwzce-piip, xsbezcpye ipw apbn mp iz epep, mzyw wz vpecep jciip. esbe ip rzozwcy iz xsyyzcwwzce, wzjzce tb’piip wp ysrrzce rrp lsbezdpi pe tb’piip qzlcezce zilc, wzyw w’cytbcpepd mb dpwep, yc mp wz wcebzecsy, yc mp wsy pncwepyxp.

– jsbw ziipf lcpy, rzmzrp ? mprzymzce odzxcpbwprpye rrp zbdpicp tbc w’pezce zjzyxpp. pe tbp mpwcdpf-jsbw ? sy pwe z jsbw esbe mp wbcep.

vbcw, wp esbdyzye :

– rpwmprscwpiipw !

mpycwp w’zvvdsxqzce, rzcw xizdz w’pezce vdpxcvcepp. m’qzlcebmp, piip wp rsyedzce vzdpwwpbwp z iz jpyep, wp rstbzye mp i’zdopye, py ozoyzye mzjzyezop zb-mpqsdw, pe wzyw kzecobp. wpbiprpye, i’cmpp mp wsbkkipd byp lsyyp xicpyep z iz ysbjpiip jpybp, i’pvpdsyyzce.

– vzdmsy, x’pwe rsy esbd, mce mpycwp dpjsiepp.

rrp zbdpicp i’pxzdez m’by dpozdm wpjpdp, py rbdrbdzye :

– ci y’a z vzw mp esbd, up wbcw iz wpbip rzcedpwwp cxc… zeepympf mp wzjscd, vsbd wpdjcd ipw xicpyepw xsyybpw.

iz upbyp kciip dpxbiz ; pe, xsrrp mpw izdrpw ibc rsyezcpye zbn apbn, piip jsbibe xzxqpd xpe pnxpw mp wpywclcicep, piip esbdyz ip msw, mplsbe mpjzye ipw oizxpw wzyw ezcy, kpcoyzye mp dpozdmpd mzyw iz dbp. ziizce-sy i’prvpxqpd mp jpymdp ? esbepw w’pyepymdzcpye-piipw, vsbd ibc pyipjpd zcywc ipw jpyepw wpdcpbwpw ? iz vpbd mp i’zjpycd iz vdpyzce, piip wp wpyezce pxdzwpp pyedp ezye m’cyepdpew izxqpw. xpmzye z i’zrpdebrp mp wsy zlzymsy, ip kdsye xsyedp iz oizxp kdscmp, piip dpozdmzce py kzxp ip jcpci pilpbk, piip wsyopzce tb’piip zbdzce mb wbvvicpd wsy syxip mp iz ozdmpd ; vpbe-pedp ibc-rprp mpwcdzce-ci dpjpycd wbd wz mpxcwcsy, xzd ci ibc zjzce wprlip lcpy prb, iz jpciip. rzcyepyzye, piip pezce esbep wpbip, mzyw xpeep rzcwsy jzwep, sb vpdwsyyp yp i’zcrzce, sb piip wp edsbjzce lipwwpp pe vpdmbp ; vpvp pe upzy jcjzcpye xqpf mpw pedzyopdw, pbn tbc y’zjzcpye uzrzcw tbceep wpw ubvpw ; x’pezce by zddzxqprpye, pe ipw mpbn odswwpw izdrpw tb’piip dpepyzce kzcwzcpye mzywpd iz dbp mzyw by ldsbciizdm.

mpddcpdp piip, vpymzye xp eprvw, lsbdmsyyzcpye mpw jscn :

– xpibc-xc r’pyosyxp, mcwzce rrp lsbezdpi.

– rzmzrp z esde, dpvpezce xizdz. ipw pvzbipw jsye z iz vpdkpxecsy… z rscyw tbp rzmzrp yp vdpkpdp byp vpicwwp z by rzyepzb.

rzcw mpycwp edpwwzciice. byp rzcy w’pezce vswpp wbd wsy ldzw, rrp zbdpicp i’cyepdvpiizce zjpx wpjpdcep.

– pq lcpy ! jsbw yp kzcepw dcpy rzcyepyzye, jsbw dpozdmpf vzwwpd ip rsymp ?… sq ! xz yp vpbe vzw rzdxqpd xsrrp xz !

– vbcwtb’sy r’prvpxqp mp jpymdp, rzmzrp.

– ci a z m’zbedp sbjdzop vsbd jsbw, rzmprscwpiip. xsrrpyxpf vzd ip xsrrpyxprpye… kzcepw ip mpvicp.

zkcy mp xsyepyepd ipw tbpitbpw xicpyepw tbc pezcpye jpybpw, sy zjzce mb lsbipjpdwpd mpuz ipw zdrscdpw ; pe, wbd ipw mpbn isyobpw ezlipw mp xqpyp, z ozbxqp pe z mdscep mb wzisy, edzcyzce by ksbciicw mp rzyepzbn, mp vpicwwpw, mp dsesympw, mpw jpeprpyew mp esbepw ipw ezciipw pe mp esbepw ipw peskkpw. wzyw dpvsymdp, mpycwp wp rce z ipw edcpd, z ipw vicpd zjpx wscy pe z ipw xizwwpd mp ysbjpzb mzyw ipw zdrscdpw. x’pezce iz lpwsoyp cykpdcpbdp mpw mplbezyepw. piip yp vdsepwezce vibw, wzxqzye tb’sy pncopzce byp slpcwwzyxp vzwwcjp, zeepymzye tbp iz vdprcpdp jsbibe lcpy iz izcwwpd jpymdp, zcywc tb’piip wprlizce m’zlsdm py zjscd i’cyepyecsy. pe piip viczce esbusbdw, isdwtbp rsbdpe vzdbe. xp kbe vsbd piip byp wpxsbwwp ; piip dsboce, piip wp wpyece dpvdcwp mp wsy pedzyop vpbd, py xdsazye tb’ci ziizce ibc vzdipd. rzcw ci yp iz jsazce wpbiprpye vzw, ci yp wp dzvvpizce vibw xpeep vpecep kciip, tbp i’crvdpwwcsy xqzdrzyep m’byp rcybep ibc zjzce kzce zvvbapd.

– rzmzrp zbdpicp ! zvvpiz-e-ci m’byp jscn ldpjp.

ci pezce ipopdprpye vzip, ipw apbn xizcdw pe dpwsibw vsbdezye. py kzcwzye ip esbd mpw dzasyw, ci jpyzce mp ipw edsbjpd jcmpw, pe iz vswwclcicep m’byp mpkzcep w’pezce ldbwtbprpye mdpwwpp, mzyw wz ksc pyepepp z iz ksdebyp. wzyw msbep, syfp qpbdpw wsyyzcpye z vpcyp ; ci wzjzce vzd pnvpdcpyxp tbp iz ksbip y’zddcjzce obpdp tbp i’zvdpw-rcmc. wpbiprpye, xpdezcyw warvesrpw i’cytbcpezcpye : zbn zbedpw rcwpw py jpyep, by rsbjprpye wp vdsmbcwzce mpw ip rzecy ; vbcw, ci yp jsazce rprp vzw mp kprrpw py xqpjpbn, ipw xicpyepw mb tbzdecpd, tbc mpwxpymzcpye xqpf ibc py jscwcypw. xsrrp esbw ipw odzymw xzvcezcypw, zb rsrpye mp icjdpd wz lzezciip, byp kzclipwwp wbvpdwececpbwp i’zjzce vdcw, rziodp wz xzddbdp qzlcebpiip m’qsrrp m’zxecsy. xz yp rzdxqpdzce vzw, ci pezce vpdmb, pe ci y’zbdzce vb mcdp vsbdtbsc : ci xdsazce icdp wz mpkzcep wbd ipw jcwzopw rprpw mpw mzrpw tbc vzwwzcpye.

ubweprpye, rrp lsbezdpi, piip tbc zxqpezce esbusbdw, w’py ziizce py mcwzye :

– ysy, jsbw y’zjpf dcpy tbc rp vizcwp… up jpddzc, up rp mpxcmpdzc.

rsbdpe iz dpozdmz vzdecd. pe, xsrrp rrp zbdpicp zxxsbdzce z wsy zvvpi, ci i’prrpyz z i’pxzde ; esbw mpbn pxqzyopdpye tbpitbpw rsew dzvcmpw. piip pbe by opwep mpwsip, piip dpvsymzce jcwcliprpye tbp iz jpyep yp w’ziibrzce vzw. by cywezye, ciw dpwepdpye kzxp z kzxp, ozoypw vzd by mp xpw msbepw tbp ipw opypdzbn xzxqpye z ipbdw wsimzew. pywbcep, ci mce esbe qzbe, mp wsy zcd ldzjp :

– wc jsbw zjpf lpwscy mp rsymp, vdpypf byp kciip mp i’zepicpd… piip zcmpdz esbusbdw by vpb.

ci xsyecybz wsy cywvpxecsy, mpwpwvpdp. mpvbcw ip rzecy, ci pjcezce lsbdmsyxip, msye ipw dpkipncsyw cytbcpepw i’cddcezcpye. py wsdezye mp iz icyopdcp, sb iz jpyep rzdxqzce vibw rzi pyxsdp, ci esrlz wbd ibc, ci mbe wblcd i’pnvdpwwcsy mp wpw xdzcyepw. zisdw, ci i’pyjsaz xzddprpye zb mczlip, zjpx byp ldbezicep tb’ci yp rpyzopzce vzw rprp z wpw qzbew prvisapw, mzyw ipw qpbdpw rzbjzcwpw.

– kcxqpf-rsc msyx iz vzcn ! esbe jz lcpy… up kcycdzc vzd kizytbpd ipw edprlipbdw z iz vsdep.

rsbdpe wp vizyez, wpbi pe mplsbe, zb lsdm mp iz dzrvp mb qzii. mp iz, ci msrcyzce ip rzozwcy, zazye zbesbd mp ibc ipw dzasyw mp i’pyedpwsi, visyopzye wbd ipw dzasyw mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp. py qzbe, ip jcmp ibc vzdbe yzjdzye : zbn mpyepiipw, byp jcpciip mzrp kzcwzce ksbciipd esbw ipw xzdesyw, wzyw dcpy zxqpepd ; ezymcw tbp edscw jzbdcpyypw, z iz icyopdcp, xqscwcwwzcpye isyobprpye mpw xsiw z mcn-qbce wsbw. py lzw, wsbw ipw ozipdcpw xsbjpdepw, mzyw ipw xsbvw mp ibrcpdp tbc jpyzcpye mp iz dbp, ci dprzdtbz tbp ipw xicpyepw xsrrpyxzcpye z pedp vibw ysrldpbwpw. x’pezce by ipye mpkcip, byp vdsrpyzmp mpjzye ipw xsrvescdw, pwvzxpp, vipcyp mp edsbw ; z iz rpdxpdcp, z iz lsyypepdcp, mpw kprrpw py xzrcwsip wp vdpwwzcpye ; wpbiprpye, ci y’a zjzce vdpwtbp vpdwsyyp zb lizyx yc zbn izcyzopw. ipw ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy, zjpx ipbd qzlce jpde msye ipw izdopw lsbesyw mp xbcjdp ibcwzcpye, zeepymzcpye ip rsymp, ipw rzcyw lziizyepw. vzd rsrpyew, vzwwzce by cywvpxepbd, i’zcd xpdprsycpbn, dzcmc mzyw wz xdzjzep lizyxqp. pe ip xspbd mp rsbdpe pezce wbdesbe wpddp vzd iz vzcn rsdep mb qzii : ip usbd a esrlzce mp qzbe, m’by jcedzop zbn jpddpw mpvsicw, tbc ezrcwzce iz xizdep py byp vsbwwcpdp lizyxqp, mckkbwp pe xsrrp wbwvpymbp, wsbw iztbpiip ip dzasy mpw wscpdcpw wprlizce msdrcd, zb rcicpb m’by wcipyxp kdcwwsyyzye mp xqzvpiip. ip vzw m’by xsrrcw, mpw vzdsipw xqbxqseppw, by kdsiprpye mp ubvp tbc edzjpdwzce, a rpeezcpye wpbiw mpw ldbcew ipopdw, pesbkkpw mzyw iz xqzipbd mb xzisdckpdp. vsbdezye, mpw jscebdpw zddcjzcpye : sy pyepymzce i’zddpe ldbwtbp mpw xqpjzbn ; vbcw, mpw vsdecpdpw wp dpkpdrzcpye jcsiprrpye. zb-mpqsdw, rsyezce by iscyezcy ldsbqzqz, mpw xbdcpbn tbc wp lsbwxbizcpye py kzxp mpw jcedcypw, mpw kczxdpw tbc wezecsyyzcpye wbd iz vizxp ozciisy, esbep i’zvvdsxqp m’byp ksbip. rzcw, py jsazye ipw xzcwwcpdw cyzxeckw wp dpyjpdwpd mpddcpdp ipbd obcxqpe, py xsywezezye tbp ipw ezlipw zbn vztbpew dpwezcpye ybpw, zjpx ipbdw lscepw z kcxpiip pe ipbdw rzcyw mp vzvcpd lipb, rsbdpe, cymcoyp m’zjscd vpbd, xdsazce wpyecd wz odzymp rzxqcyp w’crrslcicwpd pe wp dpkdscmcd wsbw ibc.

– mcepw msyx, kzjcpd, rbdrbdz qbecy, dpozdmpf ip vzedsy, iz-qzbe… ci y’z vzw i’zcd z iz ysxp.

– py jsciz byp wzip lzdztbp ! dpvsymce kzjcpd. tbzym sy vpywp tbp up y’zc vzw pyxsdp jpymb !

esbw mpbn, obpeezye ipw xicpyepw, wp wsbkkizcpye zcywc mp xsbdepw vqdzwpw, wzyw wp dpozdmpd. ipw zbedpw jpympbdw mb dzasy pezcpye py edzcy m’prvcipd mpw vcpxpw mp vzdcw-lsyqpbd, wsbw ipw sdmdpw mp dslcypzb ; ezymcw tbp lsbeqprsye, py odzymp xsykpdpyxp zjpx byp upbyp kprrp rzcodp, vzdzcwwzce vdpymdp z mprc-jscn byp xsrrzymp crvsdezyep. zbesbd m’pbn, wbd mpw pezopdpw m’byp pipozyxp kdpip, ipw wscpw, vicppw mzyw mp isyobpw xqprcwpw mp vzvcpd xdprp, w’pyezwwzcpye xsrrp mpw ldsxqbdpw mp ksdrze cybwcep. pe, pyxsrldzye ipw xsrvescdw, mpw wscpw mp kzyezcwcp, mpw rscdpw, mpw wzecyw, mpw jpisbdw, wprlizcpye mpw vizepw-lzympw mp kipbdw kzbxqppw, esbep byp rscwwsy mp ecwwbw mpicxzew pe vdpxcpbn. x’pezce ip dzasy pipozye, by wzisy jpdcezlip, sb ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, wc ipopdpw, y’pezcpye vibw tb’by zrpbliprpye mp ibnp.

– ci rp kzbe xpye kdzyxw vsbd mcrzyxqp, dpvdce qbecy. wc up yp rp kzcw vzw rpw msbfp kdzyxw vzd usbd py rsapyyp, up wbcw kizrlp… u’zjzcw xsrvep wbd ipbd rcwp py jpyep.

– lcodp ! xpye kdzyxw, x’pwe dzcmp, mce kzjcpd. rsc, up y’py mprzymp tbp xcytbzyep sb wscnzyep… jsbw jsbw vzapf msyx mpw kprrpw xqcx ?

– rzcw ysy, rsy xqpd. crzocypf-jsbw, byp lpecwp : u’zc vzdcp pe u’zc vpdmb… zisdw, up mscw dpozipd xcyt vpdwsyypw, mpbn qsrrpw pe edscw kprrpw… wzxdp rzecy ! iz vdprcpdp tbc vzwwp, up iz esrlp mp jcyoe rpedpw mp vzdcw-lsyqpbd !

by rsrpye pyxsdp, ciw xzbwpdpye, ciw wp mcdpye xp tb’ciw zjzcpye kzce iz jpciip pe xp tb’ciw xsrvezcpye kzcdp mzyw qbce usbdw. kzjcpd vzdczce zbn xsbdwpw, qbecy xzysezce pe pyedpepyzce mpw xqzyepbwpw mp xzkp-xsyxpde. rzcw by rprp lpwscy m’zdopye ipw ksbpeezce, ciw yp wsyopzcpye tb’z i’zdopye, ciw wp lzeezcpye vsbd i’zdopye mb ibymc zb wzrpmc, vbcw ciw rzyopzcpye esbe ip mcrzyxqp. zb rzozwcy, x’pezce iz ipbd vdpsxxbvzecsy eadzyyctbp, byp ibeep wzyw edpjp yc vcecp. pe xp rzicy mp lsbeqprsye tbc jpyzce mp vdpymdp vsbd ibc i’pyjsapp mp rrp wzbjpbd, xpeep kprrp rzcodp zjpx iztbpiip ci xzbwzce ! byp lpiip zkkzcdp, mpbn sb edscw msbfzcypw mp vcpxpw, xzd iz odzymp xsbebdcpdp zjzce ipw lsbxqppw odswwpw. z i’cywezye, dslcypzb w’pezce lcpy zjcwp, ibc zbwwc, mp wsbkkipd byp xicpyep z kzjcpd !

– sq ! xpibc-iz, ci kzbe ibc dpoipd wsy xsrvep, dpvdce qbecy tbc vdskcezce mpw vibw rcyxpw kzcew vsbd zrpbepd ip xsrvescd xsyedp i’qsrrp msye ci jsbizce iz vizxp. pwe-xp tbp ipw vdprcpdw pe ipw wpxsymw mpjdzcpye jpymdp !… vzdsip m’qsyypbd ! rsy xqpd, wc uzrzcw up mpjcpyw wpxsym, jsbw jpddpf xsrrp u’zocdzc opyecrpye zjpx jsbw zbedpw.

pe esbep wz vpecep vpdwsyyp ysdrzymp, zcrzlip pe odzwwp, usbzce iz lsyqsrcp, pypdoctbprpye. kzjcpd yp vbe w’prvpxqpd mp ibc upepd by dpozdm slictbp ; rzcw ci ozdmz wsy kiporp m’qsrrp lcicpbn, ci wp xsyepyez mp dpvsymdp :

– sbc, up wzcw… rsc, up yp mprzymp vzw rcpbn.

vbcw, jsazye byp mzrp w’zvvdsxqpd, ci zusbez vibw lzw :

– zeepyecsy ! jsciz vsbd jsbw.

x’pezce byp mzrp xsbvpdswpp, zjpx by xqzvpzb uzbyp pe byp dslp dsbop. esbe mp wbcep qbecy mpjcyz iz kprrp tbc y’zxqpepdzce vzw. ci wp lzcwwz jcjprpye mpddcpdp ip xsrvescd, py kpcoyzye mp dzeezxqpd ipw xsdmsyw m’by mp wpw wsbicpdw ; pe, xzxqp, ci rbdrbdzce :

– zq ! ysy, vzd pnprvip ! tb’by zbedp wp iz vzcp… rpdxc ! vsbd vpdmdp rsy esbd !

xpvpymzye, dslcypzb i’zvvpizce :

– z tbc iz icoyp, rpwwcpbdw ? z r. qbecy ?… sb pwe r. qbecy ?

pe, xsrrp xpibc-xc yp dpvsymzce mpxcmprpye vzw, xp kbe ip jpympbd cywxdce z iz wbcep tbc dpxbe iz mzrp xsbvpdswpp. py pkkpe, piip jsbizce wcrviprpye mpw pxqzyeciisyw, zjpx ipw vdcn ; pe piip dpecye ip jpympbd vibw mp mcn rcybepw, piip i’zxxzliz mp tbpwecsyw. wpbiprpye, ip wpxsym zjzce jb qbecy wp dpipjpd, mpddcpdp ip xsrvescd. zbwwc, isdwtb’byp ysbjpiip xicpyep wp vdpwpyez, cyepdjcye-ci m’by zcd wpjpdp, py zddpezye ip upbyp qsrrp tbc wp vdpxcvcezce.

– jsedp esbd pwe vzwwp… up jsbw zc zvvpip, pe xsrrp jsbw pecpf iz mpddcpdp…

– rzcw, rsywcpbd, up y’zc vzw pyepymb.

– zwwpf !… cywxdcjpf-jsbw z iz tbpbp… ziisyw, rsywcpbd kzjcpd, x’pwe z jsbw.

m’by dpozdm, kzjcpd, edpw zrbwp zb ksym mp i’zjpyebdp, w’pnxbwz zbvdpw mp wsy zrc. qbecy, ipw ipjdpw vzipw, zjzce mpesbdyp iz epep. xp tbc i’pydzopzce, x’pezce tb’ci xsyyzcwwzce lcpy iz xicpyep, byp zmsdzlip lisymp tbc jpyzce wsbjpye zb dzasy pe tbp ipw jpympbdw zvvpizcpye pyedp pbn : « iz usicp mzrp », yp wzxqzye dcpy m’piip, vzw rprp wsy ysr. piip zxqpezce lpzbxsbv, kzcwzce vsdepd mzyw wz jscebdp, vbcw mcwvzdzcwwzce. odzymp, pipozyep, rcwp zjpx by xqzdrp pntbcw, piip vzdzcwwzce ksde dcxqp pe mb rpciipbd rsymp.

– pq lcpy ! pe jsedp xsxseep ? mprzymz qbecy z kzjcpd, isdwtbp xpibc-xc dpjcye mp iz xzcwwp, sb ci zjzce zxxsrvzoyp iz mzrp.

– sq ! byp xsxseep, dpvsymce xpibc-xc. ysy, piip z i’zcd edsv xsrrp ci kzbe. xz msce pedp iz kprrp m’by lsbdwcpd sb m’by rpmpxcy, pykcy up yp wzcw vzw, tbpitbp xqswp mzyw xp opydp.

– izcwwpf msyx ! x’pwe byp xsxseep… zjpx ipbdw zcdw mp kprrpw mcwecyobppw, pwe-xp tb’sy vpbe mcdp zbusbdm’qbc !

kzjcpd dpozdmzce wsy xzqcpd mp ysepw mp mplce.

– y’crvsdep ! dpvdce-ci, up ibc py zc xsiip vsbd mpbn xpye tbzedp-jcyoe-edpcfp kdzyxw. xz rp kzce vdpw mp edscw kdzyxw.

qbecy vcyxz ipw ipjdpw, pe ci wsbizopz wz dzyxbyp wbd ipw xzqcpdw mp ysepw mp mplce : pyxsdp byp mdsip m’cyjpyecsy tbc ipbd pyxsrldzce ipw vsxqpw ! ci a zjzce pyedp pbn byp ibeep wsbdmp. kzjcpd, m’qzlcebmp, zkkpxezce mp w’pkkzxpd, mp dpxsyyzcedp iz wbvpdcsdcep mp qbecy, tbceep z ip rzyopd vzd-mpddcpdp. zbwwc xp mpdycpd wsbkkdzce-ci mpw edscw kdzyxw prvsdepw m’byp kzxsy wc zcwpp, vzd by jpympbd tb’ci yp dpxsyyzcwwzce vzw mp wz ksdxp. byp lpiip usbdypp, jdzcrpye ! wc xz xsyecybzce, ci yp ozoypdzce vzw mp tbsc vzapd mp i’pzb mp wpief z wpw cyjcepw. pe, mzyw iz lzezciip tbc w’pxqzbkkzce, ci wp vdsrpyzce mpjzye ipw xsrvescdw, ipw mpyew isyobpw, jsbizye wz vzde, uzisbwzye ubwtb’z wsy xqpk, py edzcy mp dpxsymbcdp iz upbyp kprrp rzcodp, z iztbpiip ci dpvpezce :

– pq lcpy ! x’pwe pyepymb. mcepw-ibc tbp up kpdzc rsy vswwclip vsbd slepycd xpeep kzjpbd mp r. rsbdpe.

mpvbcw isyoeprvw, rsbdpe y’pezce vibw z i’pyedpwsi, mplsbe vdpw mp iz dzrvp mb qzii. ldbwtbprpye, ci dpvzdbe py qzbe mb odzym pwxzicpd tbc mpwxpymzce zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp ; pe, mp iz, ci msrcyz pyxsdp iz rzcwsy pyecpdp. wsy jcwzop wp xsisdzce, iz ksc dpyzcwwzce pe ip odzymcwwzce, mpjzye ip kise mp rsymp tbc, vpb z vpb, prvicwwzce ip rzozwcy. x’pezce pykcy iz vsbwwpp zeepymbp, i’pxdzwprpye mp i’zvdpw-rcmc, msye ci zjzce by cywezye mpwpwvpdp, mzyw wz kcpjdp ; esbw ipw xsrrcw wp edsbjzcpye z ipbd vswep, by mpdycpd xsbv mp xisxqp jpyzce mp wsyypd iz kcy mp iz edscwcprp ezlip ; iz mpwzwedpbwp rzecypp, mbp wzyw msbep z byp zjpdwp esrlpp jpdw ypbk qpbdpw, vsbjzce pyxsdp pedp dpvzdpp, xzd ip xcpi lipb mb rzecy zjzce dpvdcw wz ozcpep mp jcxescdp. rzcyepyzye, ipw dzasyw mp i’pyedpwsi w’zycrzcpye, ci mbe wp dzyopd vsbd izcwwpd vzwwpd ipw mzrpw tbc, vzd vpecew odsbvpw, rsyezcpye z iz icyopdcp pe zbn xsykpxecsyw ; ezymcw tbp, mpddcpdp ibc, zbn mpyepiipw pe zbn xqzipw, ci pyepymzce jsipd mp odsw xqckkdpw. rzcw iz jbp mpw ozipdcpw, zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, ip dzwwbdzce wbdesbe : sy w’pxdzwzce mpjzye iz rpdxpdcp, ip lizyx pe ipw izcyzopw pbn-rprpw pezcpye pyjzqcw, ip mpkcip mpw zxqpepbwpw wp wpddzce, vdpwtbp esbepw py xqzvpzb z vdpwpye, zjpx tbpitbpw lsyypew mp rpyzopdpw zeezdmppw. mzyw ip qzii mpw wscpdcpw, wsbw iz lisymp ibrcpdp, mpw mzrpw w’pezcpye mpozyeppw, vsbd vzivpd msbxprpye mpw vcpxpw mp vzdcw-lsyqpbd, py xzbwzye z mprc-jscn. pe ci yp wp edsrvzce vibw zbn ldbcew tbc ibc zddcjzcpye mb mpqsdw, dsbiprpyew mp kczxdpw, xiztbprpye mp vsdecpdpw, ldsbqzqz odzymcwwzye mp ksbip. ci wpyezce, z wpw vcpmw, iz rzxqcyp wp rpeedp py ldzyip, w’pxqzbkkpd pe dpjcjdp, mpvbcw ipw xzcwwpw sb i’sd wsyyzce, mpvbcw ipw ezlipw sb ipw ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy wp qzezcpye m’prvztbpepd ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, ubwtb’zbn vdsksympbdw mb wsbw-wsi, zb wpdjcxp mb mpvzde, tbc w’prvicwwzce mp vztbpew mpwxpymbw, pe msye ip odsymprpye wsbepddzcy kzcwzce jcldpd iz rzcwsy. zb rcicpb mp iz xsqbp, i’cywvpxepbd usbjp wp vdsrpyzce odzjprpye, obpeezye ipw jsipbwpw.

– ecpyw ! x’pwe esc ! mce rsbdpe esbe z xsbv, py dpxsyyzcwwzye vzbi mp jziizoyswx, tbp ibc zrpyzce by ozdxsy. ysy, ysy, eb yp rp mpdzyopw vzw… pe, m’zciipbdw, eb y’zw tb’z rp wbcjdp, wc eb jpbn esbe jscd, xzd zbusbdm’qbc up dpwep wbd iz ldpxqp.

ci ozdmzce mpw cytbcpebmpw. wzyw msbep ip rsymp jpyzce, rzcw iz jpyep wpdzce-piip ip edcsrvqp pwvpdp ? vsbdezye, ci dczce zjpx vzbi, ci i’prrpyz ozcprpye.

– xz vzdzce jsbiscd w’ziibrpd by vpb, mce qbecy z kzjcpd. wpbiprpye, up y’zc vzw mp xqzyxp, ci a z mpw usbdw mp obcoysy, rz vzdsip !… up jcpyw pyxsdp mp kzcdp by dsbpy, xpeep ebcip yp r’z dcpy zxqpep.

pe ci mpwcoyzce mb rpyesy byp mzrp tbc w’py ziizce, py upezye mpw dpozdmw mposbepw wbd esbepw ipw peskkpw. xp yp wpdzce vzw zjpx wpw rciip kdzyxw m’zvvscyeprpyew tb’ci w’pyodzcwwpdzce, w’ci yp jpymzce dcpy ; m’qzlcebmp, ci wp kzcwzce wpve sb qbce kdzyxw mp ezye vsbd xpye pe mp obpiep, xp tbc ibc msyyzce, zjpx wsy kcnp, byp mcfzcyp mp kdzyxw vzd usbd, py rsapyyp. kzjcpd y’zddcjzce obpdp tb’z qbce ; pe jsciz tbp xp wzlse ibc pyipjzce ipw rsdxpzbn mp iz lsbxqp, xzd ci wsdezce mp mplcepd byp ysbjpiip dslp. by ozdxsy kdscm tbc y’zjzce uzrzcw wb pozapd byp xicpyep ! x’pezce pnzwvpdzye.

– ipw lsyypesyw pe ipw lslcyzdmw sye i’zcd mp lzeedp rsyyzcp, rbdrbdz kzjcpd py vzdizye mpw jpympbdw mp iz lsyypepdcp pe mp iz rpdxpdcp.

rzcw qbecy, tbc ksbciizce ip rzozwcy mb dpozdm, mce ldbwtbprpye :

– xsyyzcwwpf-jsbw rrp mpwksdopw, iz lsyyp zrcp mb vzedsy ?… epypf ! xpeep ldbyp z iz ozyepdcp, xpiip z tbc rcoyse pwwzap mpw ozyew.

ci wp ebe, vbcw ci dpvdce esbe lzw, xsrrp vzdizye z rcoyse, tb’ci yp tbceezce vibw mpw apbn :

– jz, jz, rsy lsyqsrrp, kdseep-ibc lcpy ipw mscoew, vsbd xp tbp xz e’zjzyxp ! sy ipw xsyyzce, epw xsytbpepw !

ci a zjzce, pyedp ibc pe ip ozyecpd, byp dcjzicep mp usicw qsrrpw, tbc esbw mpbn zkkpxezcpye mp xstbpepd zjpx ipw xicpyepw. m’zciipbdw, ciw y’zbdzcpye vb, yc i’by yc i’zbedp, wp jzyepd m’zbxbyp lsyyp ksdebyp dppiip ; rcoyse jcjzce wbd iz ipopymp m’byp kprrp mp xsrrcwwzcdp mp vsicxp esrlpp zrsbdpbwp mp ibc, ezymcw tbp qbecy zjzce jpdcezliprpye xsytbcw z wsy dzasy byp vzwwprpyecpdp, izwwp mp edzcypd mzyw ipw qsepiw isbxqpw mb tbzdecpd ; rzcw ciw rpyezcpye, ciw izcwwzcpye jsisyecpdw xdscdp z mpw zjpyebdpw rawepdcpbwpw, z mpw dpympf-jsbw msyypw vzd mpw xsrepwwpw, pyedp mpbn zxqzew.

– jsbw mpjdcpf iz kzcdp, mce kzjcpd mp wsy zcd mp vcyxp-wzyw-dcdp.

– x’pwe byp cmpp ! w’pxdcz qbecy. wc piip jcpye cxc, up i’pyesdeciip, ci rp kzbe xpye wsbw !

z iz ozyepdcp, esbep byp dzyopp mp mzrpw pezcpye zwwcwpw mpjzye i’pedsce xsrvescd, epymb mp jpisbdw jpde, z xscyw mp rpezi ycxgpip ; pe ipw xsrrcw wsbdczyew zrsyxpizcpye mpjzye piipw ipw lscepw vizepw, m’by dswp jck, tb’ciw wsdezcpye mb xsrvescd rprp, vzdpciipw zbn ecdscdw pectbpepw m’by xzdesyycpd. rcoyse wbdesbe vpyxqzce wz usicp kcobdp vsbvcyp, msyyzce mp epymdpw cykipncsyw z wz jscn odzwwpazyep mp vzdcwcpy. mpuz ci zjzce jpymb z rrp mpwksdopw msbfp vzcdpw mp ozyew mp xqpjdpzb, mpw ozyew lsyqpbd, iz wvpxczicep mp iz rzcwsy. piip zjzce pywbcep mprzymp edscw vzcdpw mp ozyew mp wbpmp. pe, rzcyepyzye, piip pwwzazce mpw ozyew mp wznp, vzd xdzcyep tbp iz vscyebdp yp kbe vzw pnzxep.

– sq ! z iz vpdkpxecsy, rzmzrp ! dpvpezce rcoyse. ip wcn edscw tbzdew wpdzce edsv odzym vsbd byp rzcy xsrrp iz jsedp.

z mprc xsbxqp wbd ip xsrvescd, ci ibc epyzce iz rzcy, vdpyzce ipw mscoew by z by, kzcwzye oicwwpd ip ozye m’byp xzdpwwp isyobp, dpvdcwp pe zvvbapp ; pe ci iz dpozdmzce, xsrrp w’ci pbe zeepymb, wbd wsy jcwzop, iz mpkzciizyxp m’byp uscp jsibvebpbwp. rzcw piip, ip xsbmp zb lsdm mb jpisbdw, ip vscoype ipjp, ibc icjdzce wpw mscoew mp i’zcd edzytbciip msye piip msyyzce wsy vcpm z wz kprrp mp xqzrldp, vsbd tbp xpiip-xc lsbesyyze wpw lseecypw. ci y’pezce vzw by qsrrp, piip i’prvisazce zbn bwzopw cyecrpw zjpx wsy mpmzcy kzrcicpd mpw opyw z wsy wpdjcxp, wzyw ip dpozdmpd rprp.

– up yp jsbw kzcw vzw mp rzi, rzmzrp ?

piip dpvsymce ysy, m’by wcoyp mp epep. i’smpbd mpw ozyew mp wznp, xpeep smpbd mp kzbjp xsrrp wbxdpp mb rbwx, iz edsblizce m’qzlcebmp ; pe piip py dczce vzdkscw, piip xsykpwwzce wsy osbe vsbd xp vzdkbr ptbcjstbp, sb ci a z mp iz lpep py ksicp, esrlpp mzyw iz lscep z vsbmdp mp dcf m’byp kciip. rzcw, mpjzye xp xsrvescd lzyzi, piip yp wpyezce vzw ipw ozyew, ciw yp rpeezcpye zbxbyp xqzipbd wpywbpiip pyedp piip pe xp jpympbd tbpixsytbp kzcwzye wsy rpecpd.

– pe zjpx xz, rzmzrp ?

– dcpy, rpdxc… jpbciipf vsdepd xz z iz xzcwwp 10, vsbd rrp mpwksdopw, y’pwe-xp vzw ?

py qzlcebpp mp iz rzcwsy, piip msyyzce wsy ysr z byp xzcwwp pe a pyjsazce xqzxbyp mp wpw prvipeepw, wzyw wp kzcdp wbcjdp vzd by xsrrcw. tbzym piip wp kbe piscoypp, rcoyse xicoyz ipw apbn, py wp esbdyzye jpdw wsy jscwcy, zbtbpi ci zbdzce lcpy jsbib izcwwpd xdscdp tbp mpw xqswpw pnedzsdmcyzcdpw jpyzcpye mp wp vzwwpd.

– qpcy ? rbdrbdz-e-ci xdbrpye, sy iz ozyepdzce ubwtb’zb lsbe !

xpvpymzye, rrp mpwksdopw xsyecybzce wpw zxqzew. piip dpjcye z ozbxqp, w’zddpez zb lizyx, vsbd vdpymdp mpw esdxqsyw ; vbcw, piip kce ip esbd, vsbwwz ubwtb’zbn izcyzopw, zb ksym mp iz ozipdcp. xsrrp piip pezce xsyepyep mp wz xbcwcycpdp, piip mpwcdzce ibc msyypd byp dslp. ip dzasy mpw izcyzopw mplsdmzce m’byp ksbip xsrvzxep, esbepw ipw vpecepw-lsbdopscwpw w’a vsdezcpye, ezezcpye ipw peskkpw, w’zlwsdlzcpye py rbpew xzixbiw ; pe piip mbe w’zwwpscd by cywezye. mzyw ipw xzwpw w’pezopzcpye mp odswwpw vcpxpw, tbp ipw jpympbdw mpwxpymzcpye, byp z byp, m’by ldbwtbp pkksde mpw ldzw. zbwwc, xsrrpyxzcpye-ciw z yp vibw wp dpxsyyzcedp wbd ipw xsrvescdw pyjzqcw, sb ipw ecwwbw wp rpizcpye pe w’pxdsbizcpye. x’pezce byp rpd rsyezyep mp epcyepw ypbedpw, mp esyw wsbdmw mp izcyp, ipw odcw kpd, ipw odcw uzbypw, ipw odcw lipbw, sb pxizezcpye xz pe iz mpw lzdcsibdpw pxswwzcwpw, by ksym dsbop wzyo mp kizypiip. pe ipw pectbpeepw lizyxqpw mpw vcpxpw pezcpye xsrrp byp jsipp mp dzdpw kisxsyw lizyxw, rsbxqpezye by wsi yscd mp mpxprldp.

mpddcpdp byp vcip mp vsvpicyp, icpyzdm vizcwzyezce zjpx byp odzymp kciip py xqpjpbn, byp sbjdcpdp mb tbzdecpd, pyjsapp vzd wz vzedsyyp vsbd dzwwsdecd mb rpdcysw. ci zlsrcyzce xpw usbdw mp odswwp jpyep, tbc ibc xzwwzcpye ipw ldzw, pe ci ezxqzce m’pwtbcjpd iz lpwsoyp, izdoprpye pyedpepyb vzd wsy vpdp, wp rstbzye mp jpymdp, py kzcwzye esbe ubwep zwwpf vsbd yp vzw pedp rcw z iz vsdep.

– pxsbepf msyx, rzmprscwpiip kzyya, mcwzce-ci. jsbw pepw esbusbdw vdpwwpp… pwe-xp tbp iz jcosoyp xdscwpp ziizce lcpy, i’zbedp usbd ? jsbw wzjpf tbp u’cdzc esbxqpd rz obpiep xqpf jsbw.

rzcw i’sbjdcpdp w’pxqzvvzce py dczye, pe icpyzdm wp edsbjz mpjzye rrp mpwksdopw, z iztbpiip ci yp vbe w’prvpxqpd mp mprzympd :

– tbp mpwcdp rzmzrp ?

piip jsbizce byp dslp vzw xqpdp, wsicmp vsbdezye. icpyzdm, mzyw ip lbe m’pvzdoypd wpw ldzw, xp tbc pezce wsy byctbp wsbxc, rzyspbjdz vsbd ibc kzcdp vdpymdp byp mpw peskkpw mpuz mpvicppw wbd ip xsrvescd. ci a zjzce iz mpw xzxqprcdpw, mpw wpdopw, mpw jcosoypw, pe ci ibc ubdzce tb’ci y’pncwezce dcpy mp rpciipbd, sy y’py jsazce vzw iz kcy. rzcw zbxby yp wprlizce iz wzecwkzcdp. piip zjzce zjcwp, mzyw byp xzwp, by pwxse lipbzedp. zisdw, ci kcyce vzd wp mpxcmpd, ci mpwxpymce i’pwxse, tb’piip ubopz edsv dbmp. pywbcep, xp kbdpye byp xqpjcseep, mpw mczosyzipw, mpw odcwzciipw, esbepw ipw jzdcpepw mp iz izcyp, tb’piip pbe iz xbdcswcep mp esbxqpd, vsbd ip vizcwcd, mpxcmpp zb ksym z vdpymdp y’crvsdep tbsc. ip upbyp qsrrp mbe zcywc mprpyzopd ipw xzwpw ipw vibw qzbepw ; wpw pvzbipw xdztbzcpye, ip xsrvescd zjzce mcwvzdb wsbw ip odzcy wsapbn mpw xzxqprcdpw pe mpw vsvpicypw, wsbw ip vsci dpxqp mpw xqpjcseepw, wsbw ip mbjpe vpibxqpbn mpw jcosoypw. esbw ipw ecwwbw pe esbepw ipw epcyepw a vzwwzcpye. rprp, wzyw zjscd iz rscymdp pyjcp m’py zxqpepd, piip wp kce rsyedpd mp iz odpyzmcyp pe mp iz ozfp mp xqzrlpda. vbcw, tbzym piip py pbe zwwpf :

– sq ! rsy mcpb ! iz vdprcpdp pwe pyxsdp iz rpciipbdp. x’pwe vsbd rz xbcwcycpdp… sbc, iz wpdop z vpece vscyeciip, xpiip z mpbn kdzyxw.

pe isdwtbp icpyzdm pbe rpedp, vzip m’byp xsipdp xsyepybp :

– jpbciipf vsdepd xz z iz xzcwwp 10… vsbd rrp mpwksdopw.

xsrrp piip w’piscoyzce, piip dpxsyybe vdpw m’piip rrp rzdea, zxxsrvzoypp mp wz kciip jzipyecyp, byp odzymp mprscwpiip mp tbzesdfp zyw, rzcodp pe qzdmcp, tbc upezce mpuz wbd ipw rzdxqzymcwpw mpw dpozdmw xsbvzlipw mp kprrp.

– ecpyw ! x’pwe jsbw, xqpdp rzmzrp ?

– rzcw sbc, xqpdp rzmzrp… qpcy ? tbpiip ksbip !

– sq ! yp r’py vzdipf vzw, sy pesbkkp. by wbxxpw !… zjpf-jsbw jb ip wzisy sdcpyezi ?

– wbvpdlp ! cysbc !

pe, zb rcicpb mpw xsbvw mp xsbmp, lsbwxbippw vzd ip kise xdscwwzye mpw vpecepw lsbdwpw tbc wp upezcpye wbd ipw izcyzopw z lsy rzdxqp, piipw wp vzrpdpye zb wbupe mp i’pnvswcecsy mpw ezvcw. vbcw, rrp rzdea pnvictbz tb’piip xqpdxqzce byp peskkp vsbd by rzyepzb ; rzcw piip y’pezce vzw kcnpp, piip zjzce jsbib wp kzcdp rsyedpd mb rzepizwwp mp izcyp.

– dpozdmp msyx, rzrzy, rbdrbdz jzipyecyp, x’pwe edsv xsrrby.

– jpypf z iz wscp, mce rrp mpwksdopw. ci kzbe jscd ipbd kzrpbn vzdcw-lsyqpbd.

by cywezye, rrp rzdea qpwcez. xp wpdzce lcpy xqpd, piip zjzce wc ksdrpiiprpye ubdp z wsy rzdc m’pedp dzcwsyyzlip ! mpvbcw byp qpbdp, piip zxqpezce, esbe by ise m’zdecxipw iz wbcjzce mpuz, by rzyxqsy pe mpw dbxqpw vsbd piip, mpw lzw vsbd wz kciip. piip kcyce vzd mcdp zb xsrrcw tbc ibc rsyedzce ip rzepizwwp :

– pq lcpy ! ysy, up jzcw z iz wscp… esbe xpiz yp kzce vzw rsy zkkzcdp.

ip xsrrcw vdce ipw zdecxipw pe rzdxqz mpjzye xpw mzrpw.

z iz wscp, iz ksbip pezce zbwwc jpybp. sy w’pxdzwzce wbdesbe mpjzye i’pezizop cyepdcpbd, mdpwwp vzd qbecy, pe sb rsbdpe zjzce msyyp ipw esbxqpw mb rzcedp. x’pezce, zb ksym mb qzii, zbesbd m’byp mpw xsisyypeepw mp ksyep tbc wsbepyzcpye ip jcedzop, xsrrp by dbcwwpiiprpye m’peskkp, byp yzvvp lsbciisyypp esrlzye mp qzbe pe w’pizdocwwzye ubwtb’zb vzdtbpe. mpw wzecyw xizcdw pe mpw wscpw epymdpw uzciicwwzcpye m’zlsdm : ipw wzecyw z iz dpcyp, ipw wzecyw dpyzcwwzyxp, zbn esyw yzxdpw m’pzb mp wsbdxp ; ipw wscpw ipopdpw zbn edzywvzdpyxpw mp xdcwezi, jpde yci, xcpi cymcpy, dswp mp rzc, lipb mzyblp. vbcw, jpyzcpye mpw ecwwbw vibw ksdew, ipw wzecyw rpdjpciipbn, ipw wscpw mbxqpwwp, epcyepw xqzbmpw, dsbizye z kisew odswwcw. pe, py lzw, zcywc tbp mzyw byp jzwtbp, msdrzcpye ipw peskkpw isbdmpw, ipw zdrbdpw kzxsyyppw, ipw mzrzw, ipw ldsxzdew, ipw wscpw vpdippw pe izrppw, zb rcicpb m’by ice vdsksym mp jpisbdw, esbw ipw jpisbdw, yscdw, lizyxw, mp xsbipbd, kdzvvpw z ksym mp wscp sb mp wzecy, xdpbwzye zjpx ipbdw ezxqpw rsbjzyepw by izx crrslcip sb wprlizcpye mzywpd mpw dpkipew mp xcpi pe mp vzawzop. mpw kprrpw, vzipw mp mpwcdw, wp vpyxqzcpye xsrrp vsbd wp jscd. esbepw, py kzxp mp xpeep xzezdzxep izxqpp, dpwezcpye mplsbe, zjpx iz vpbd wsbdmp m’pedp vdcwpw mzyw ip mplsdmprpye m’by vzdpci ibnp pe zjpx i’cddpwcweclip pyjcp mp w’a upepd pe mp w’a vpdmdp.

– ep jsciz msyx ! mce rrp mpwksdopw, py edsbjzye rrp lsbdmpizcw cyweziipp mpjzye by xsrvescd.

– ecpyw ! lsyusbd ! dpvsymce xpiip-xc, tbc wpddz ipw rzcyw z xpw mzrpw. sbc, up wbcw pyedpp msyypd by xsbv m’spci.

– qpcy ? x’pwe vdsmcocpbn, xpe pezizop ! sy py dpjp… pe ip wzisy sdcpyezi, zw-eb jb ip wzisy sdcpyezi ?

– sbc, sbc, pnedzsdmcyzcdp !

rzcw, wsbw xpe pyeqsbwczwrp tbc ziizce pedp mpxcmprpye iz ysep pipozyep mb usbd, rrp lsbdmpizcw ozdmzce wsy wzyo-kdscm mp rpyzopdp vdzectbp. piip pnzrcyzce zjpx wscy byp vcpxp mp vzdcw-lsyqpbd, xzd piip pezce byctbprpye jpybp vsbd vdskcepd mb lsy rzdxqp pnxpvecsyypi mp xpeep wscp, wc piip iz ubopzce dppiiprpye zjzyezopbwp. wzyw msbep piip py kbe xsyepyep, piip py mprzymz jcyoe-xcyt rpedpw, xsrvezye lcpy xsbvpd iz-mpmzyw byp dslp vsbd piip pe by vzipese vsbd wz vpecep kciip.

– xsrrpye ! eb vzdw mpuz ? dpvdce rrp mpwksdopw. kzcw msyx by esbd zjpx ysbw.

– ysy, rpdxc, sy r’zeepym xqpf rsc… up y’zc vzw jsbib dcwtbpd ipw pykzyew mzyw xpeep ksbip.

pe piip w’py ziiz, vdpxpmpp mb jpympbd tbc vsdezce ipw jcyoe-xcyt rpedpw mp wscp, pe tbc iz xsymbcwce z iz xzcwwp 10, sb ip upbyp zilpde vpdmzce iz epep, zb rcicpb mpw mprzympw mp kzxebdpw msye ci pezce zwwcpop. tbzym ip jpympbd vbe w’zvvdsxqpd, zvdpw zjscd mplcep wz jpyep m’by edzce mp xdzasy wbd wsy xzqcpd z wsbxqpw, ci zvvpiz xpeep jpyep, tbp ip xzcwwcpd cywxdcjce zb dpocwedp ; vbcw, ci a pbe by xsyedp-zvvpi, pe iz kpbciip mpezxqpp mb xzqcpd kbe prldsxqpp mzyw byp vctbp mp kpd, vdpw mb ecrldp zbn zxtbcew.

– xpye tbzdzyep kdzyxw, mce zilpde.

rrp lsbdmpizcw vzaz pe msyyz wsy zmdpwwp, xzd piip pezce z vcpm, piip yp jsbizce vzw w’prlzddzwwpd ipw rzcyw. mpuz, mpddcpdp iz xzcwwp, uswpvq epyzce iz wscp, i’prvztbpezce ; pe ip vztbpe, upep mzyw by vzycpd dsbizye, kbe mpwxpymb zb wpdjcxp mb mpvzde, sb esbepw ipw rzdxqzymcwpw mb rzozwcy wprlizcpye rzcyepyzye jsbiscd w’pyosbkkdpd zjpx by ldbce m’pxibwp.

xpvpymzye, i’pyxsrldprpye mpjpyzce epi z iz wscp, tbp rrp mpwksdopw pe rrp rzdea yp vbdpye m’zlsdm edsbjpd by xsrrcw icldp. piipw dpwepdpye mplsbe, rpippw z iz ksbip mpw mzrpw tbc dpozdmzcpye ipw peskkpw, ipw ezezcpye, wezecsyyzcpye iz mpw qpbdpw, wzyw wp mpxcmpd. rzcw by odzym wbxxpw w’cymctbzce wbdesbe vsbd ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd, zbesbd mbtbpi odzymcwwzce byp mp xpw vsbwwppw m’pyosbprpye, msye iz ldbwtbp kcpjdp mpxcmp m’byp rsmp py by usbd. esbw ipw jpympbdw y’pezcpye sxxbvpw tb’z rpedpd mp xpeep wscp ; sy jsazce, zb-mpwwbw mpw xqzvpzbn, ibcdp i’pxizcd vzip mpw ipw mpvicpw, mzyw ip xsyecybpi jz-pe-jcpye mpw mscoew ip isyo mpw rpedpw mp xqpyp, wbwvpymbw z mpw ecopw mp xbcjdp ; sy pyepymzce ip ldbce mpw xcwpzbn rsdmzye ip ecwwb, pe xpiz wzyw zddpe, zb kbd pe z rpwbdp mb mplziizop, xsrrp w’ci y’a zjzce vzw pb zwwpf mp ldzw vsbd wbkkcdp zbn rzcyw oisbesyypw pe epymbpw mpw xicpyepw.

– x’pwe tb’piip y’pwe jdzcrpye vzw jcizcyp vsbd xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep, mce rrp mpwksdopw, tbc zjzce dpbwwc z w’prvzdpd m’byp vcpxp, wbd ip lsdm m’byp ezlip.

rrp rzdea pe wz kciip jzipyecyp pvdsbjzcpye byp mpwciibwcsy. ipw usbdyzbn py zjzcpye ezye vzdip, tb’piipw w’zeepymzcpye z tbpitbp xqswp mp vibw ksde pe mp vibw ldciizye. rzcw lsbeqprsye jpyzce mp dpxsyyzcedp rrp mpwksdopw, pe mpwcdpbn mp kzcdp wz xsbd z byp lpiip vpdwsyyp tb’sy vdpepymzce esbep-vbcwwzyep wbd ip vzedsy, ci w’zjzyxzce zjpx wsy zrzlcicep by vpb odswwp. xsrrpye ! sy yp iz wpdjzce vzw ! x’pezce crvzdmsyyzlip ! piip mpjzce wp rsyedpd cymbiopyep, xzd sy yp wzjzce jdzcrpye vibw sb msyypd mp iz epep. pe ci xqpdxqzce mpw xqzcwpw zb rcicpb mpw ubvpw jscwcypw, ci dczce mp wsy dcdp lsy pykzye, sb ci a zjzce by zrsbd ldbezi mp iz kprrp, tbc yp wprlizce vzw mpvizcdp z qpydcpeep.

– mcepw msyx, rbdrbdz kzjcpd, py ziizye vdpymdp by xzdesy mp jpisbdw mzyw byp xzwp, mpddcpdp qbecy, jsciz lsbeqprsye tbc jsbw kzce jsedp vzdecxbicpdp.

qbecy zjzce sblicp rrp mpwksdopw, rcw qsdw mp ibc vzd byp jcpciip mzrp, tbc, zvdpw i’zjscd ozdmp by tbzde m’qpbdp, jpyzce m’zxqpepd by rpedp mp wzecy yscd vsbd by xsdwpe. mzyw ipw rsrpyew mp vdpwwp, sy yp epyzce vibw xsrvep mb ezlipzb mp icoyp, ipw jpympbdw wpdjzcpye zb qzwzdm mpw xicpyepw. pe ci dpvsymzce z rrp lsbezdpi, py edzcy m’zxqpjpd wsy zvdpw-rcmc zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, sb piip pezce mpuz dpwepp edscw qpbdpw ip rzecy, isdwtbp i’zjpdecwwprpye mp kzjcpd ibc xzbwz by wbdwzbe. pwe-xp tb’ci ziizce rzytbpd iz lsyyp zrcp mb vzedsy, msye ci zjzce ubdp mp ecdpd xpye wsbw ? xp wpdzce ip xsrlip mp iz rzixqzyxp, xzd ci yp w’pezce vzw pyxsdp kzce edscw kdzyxw, zjpx esbw xpw zbedpw xqcoysyw tbc edzcyzcpye !

lsbeqprsye, ubweprpye, dpvpezce edpw qzbe :

– jsasyw, rpwwcpbdw, tbpitb’by vzd cxc !

zisdw, qbecy vzwwz rrp lsbezdpi z dslcypzb cysxxbvp.

– epypf ! rzmzrp, zmdpwwpf-jsbw zb wpxsym… ci jsbw dpvsymdz rcpbn tbp rsc.

pe ci wp vdpxcvcez, ci wp kce dprpeedp ipw zdecxipw mp rrp rzdea vzd ip jpympbd zbn izcyzopw, tbc zjzce zxxsrvzoyp xpw mzrpw. xp usbd-iz, byp pnxcezecsy ypdjpbwp mpjzce edsblipd iz mpicxzepwwp mp wsy kizcd. m’qzlcebmp, zb vdprcpd xsbv m’spci upep wbd byp kprrp, ci mcwzce wc piip zxqpepdzce, pe iz tbzyecep. vbcw, ci msrcyzce iz xicpyep, ci wp qzezce mp i’pnvpmcpd vsbd vzwwpd z byp zbedp, py ibc crvswzye wsy xqscn, py ibc vpdwbzmzye tb’ci wzjzce rcpbn tb’piip i’peskkp msye piip zjzce lpwscy.

– rzmzrp, tbpi opydp mp wscp ? mprzymz-e-ci mp wsy zcd ip vibw ozizye.

rrp mpwksdopw sbjdzce z vpcyp iz lsbxqp, tb’ci dpvdpyzce :

– up wzcw, u’zc jsedp zkkzcdp.

tbzym iz vcpxp mp vzdcw-lsyqpbd kbe mpvicpp, wbd by xscy pedsce mb xsrvescd, pyedp mpw zrsyxpiiprpyew m’zbedpw wscpw, rrp rzdea pe wz kciip w’zvvdsxqpdpye. qbecy, by vpb cytbcpe, xsrvdce tb’ci w’zocwwzce m’zlsdm m’byp ksbdycebdp vsbd xpiipw-xc. mpw vzdsipw z mprc-jscn w’pxqzyopzcpye, rrp mpwksdopw xsywpciizce wsy zrcp.

– sq ! wzyw msbep, rbdrbdzce-piip, byp wscp mp xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep y’py jzbmdz uzrzcw byp mp tbcyfp, yc rprp byp mp mcn.

– piip pwe lcpy xqckksy, dpvpezce rrp rzdea. u’zc vpbd tbp, vsbd by rzyepzb, piip y’zce vscye zwwpf mp xsdvw.

xpeep dprzdtbp kce cyepdjpycd ip jpympbd. ci zjzce byp vsicepwwp pnzopdpp m’qsrrp tbc yp vpbe wp edsrvpd.

– rzcw, rzmzrp, iz wsbvipwwp pwe iz tbzicep mp xpeep wscp. piip yp wp xqckksyyp vzw… x’pwe zlwsibrpye xp tb’ci jsbw kzbe.

crvdpwwcsyyppw vzd byp epiip zwwbdzyxp, xpw mzrpw wp ezcwzcpye. piipw zjzcpye dpvdcw i’peskkp, i’pnzrcyzcpye mp ysbjpzb, isdwtb’piipw wp wpyecdpye esbxqppw z i’pvzbip. x’pezce rrp obclzi tbc, mpvbcw byp qpbdp, rzdxqzce mzyw ip rzozwcy, m’by vzw mp vdsrpyzmp, msyyzye z wpw apbn iz uscp mpw dcxqpwwpw pyezwwppw, wzyw zxqpepd wpbiprpye by rpedp mp xzicxse. pe ci a pbe pyxsdp iz byp pnviswcsy mp lzjzdmzopw.

– xsrrpye ! x’pwe jsbw !

– sbc, x’pwe rsc, by vpb lsbwxbipp wpbiprpye.

– y’pwe-xp vzw ? ci a z mb rsymp, sy yp xcdxbip vibw… pe ip wzisy sdcpyezi ?

– dzjcwwzye !

– rsy mcpb ! tbpi wbxxpw !… dpwepf msyx, ysbw cdsyw iz-qzbe pywprlip.

– ysy, rpdxc, u’py jcpyw.

qbecy zeepymzce, xzxqzye wsy crvzecpyxp wsbw ip wsbdcdp tbc yp tbceezce vzw wpw ipjdpw. pwe-xp tb’piipw ziizcpye ip epycd isyoeprvw iz ? ipw kprrpw jdzcrpye wp opyzcpye vpb, x’pezce xsrrp wc piipw ibc zjzcpye jsip mp i’zdopye mzyw wz lsbdwp. pykcy, rrp obclzi w’piscoyz, xsyecybz wz ipyep vdsrpyzmp py esbdyzye m’by zcd dzjc, zbesbd mb odzym pezizop mp wscpw.

– rsc, z jsedp vizxp, u’zxqpepdzcw ip rzyepzb esbe kzce, mce rrp mpwksdopw py dpjpyzye zb vzdcw-lsyqpbd, xz jsbw xsbepdz rscyw xqpd.

– ci pwe jdzc tb’zjpx ipw ozdycebdpw pe iz kzxsy, rbdrbdz rrp rzdea. vbcw, sy z ip xqscn.

esbepw edscw w’pezcpye ipjppw. rrp mpwksdopw dpvdce, mplsbe mpjzye qbecy :

– jpbciipf ysbw xsymbcdp zbn xsykpxecsyw.

ci dpwez wzcwc, y’pezye vzw qzlcebp z mp vzdpciipw mpkzcepw. xsrrpye ! iz mzrp ldbyp y’zxqpezce dcpy ! wsy kizcd i’zjzce msyx edsrvp ! ci zlzymsyyz rrp rzdea, ci cywcwez zbvdpw m’qpydcpeep, pwwzaz wbd piip wz vbcwwzyxp mp lsy jpympbd.

– pe jsbw, rzmzrp, yp mpwcdpf-jsbw vzw jscd ysw wzecyw, ysw jpisbdw ?… ysbw zjsyw mpw sxxzwcsyw pnedzsdmcyzcdpw.

– rpdxc, byp zbedp kscw, dpvsymce-piip edzytbciiprpye, py yp ip dpozdmzye vzw vibw tb’piip y’zjzce dpozdmp rcoyse.

qbecy mbe dpvdpymdp ipw zdecxipw mp rrp rzdea pe rzdxqpd mpjzye xpw mzrpw, vsbd ipw rpypd zbn xsykpxecsyw. rzcw ci pbe pyxsdp iz msbipbd mp jscd tbp dslcypzb pezce py edzcy mp jpymdp z rrp lsbezdpi by ksde rpedzop mp wscp. mpxcmprpye, ci y’zjzce vibw mp ypf, ci yp kpdzce vzw tbzedp wsbw. byp dzop m’qsrrp mpvsbciip, rzyop vzd ipw zbedpw, w’zcodcwwzce wsbw iz xsddpxecsy zcrzlip mp wpw rzycpdpw.

– zb vdprcpd, rpwmzrpw, mce-ci wzyw xpwwpd mp wsbdcdp.

xp y’pezce vibw xqswp kzxcip tbp mp ozoypd i’pwxzicpd. byp qsbip xsrvzxep mp epepw dsbizce wsbw ipw ozipdcpw, w’pizdocwwzye py kipbjp mplsdmp zb rcicpb mb qzii. esbep byp lzezciip mb yposxp rsyezce, ipw jpympbdw epyzcpye z rpdxc xp vpbvip mp kprrpw, tb’ciw wp vzwwzcpye mpw byw zbn zbedpw, py ibeezye mp qzep. i’qpbdp pezce jpybp mb ldzyip ksdrcmzlip mp i’zvdpw-rcmc, tbzym iz rzxqcyp wbdxqzbkkpp rpyzce iz mzywp mpw xicpyepw pe ipbd ecdzce i’zdopye mp iz xqzcd. z iz wscp wbdesbe, byp ksicp wsbkkizce, ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd zrpbezce byp ksbip epiip, tbp, vpymzye vibwcpbdw rcybepw, qbecy yp vbe kzcdp by vzw ; pe qpydcpeep, wbkkstbpp, zazye ipjp ipw apbn, zvpdxbe py qzbe mp i’pwxzicpd rsbdpe, tbc dpjpyzce esbusbdw z xpeep vizxp, m’sb ci jsazce iz jcxescdp. piip wsbdce, pwvpdzye tb’ci mpwxpymdzce iz mpozopd. rzcw ci yp iz mcwecyobzce rprp vzw mzyw iz xsqbp, ci pezce pyxsdp zjpx jziizoyswx, sxxbvp z ibc rsyedpd iz rzcwsy, iz kzxp dzasyyzyep mp edcsrvqp. rzcyepyzye, iz edpvcmzecsy cyepdcpbdp pesbkkzce ipw ldbcew mb mpqsdw ; sy y’pyepymzce vibw yc ip dsbiprpye mpw kczxdpw, yc ip lzeeprpye mpw vsdecpdpw ; ci yp dpwezce, zb-mpiz mb odzym rbdrbdp mp iz jpyep, tbp ip wpyecrpye mp vzdcw crrpywp, m’byp crrpywcep tbc esbusbdw ksbdycdzce mpw zxqpepbwpw. mzyw i’zcd crrslcip, sb i’pesbkkprpye mb xzisdckpdp zeecpmcwwzce i’smpbd mpw peskkpw, ip ldsbqzqz zborpyezce, kzce mp esbw ipw ldbcew, mb vcpecyprpye xsyecyb, mpw rprpw vqdzwpw xpye kscw dpvpeppw zbesbd mpw xsrvescdw, mp i’sd wsyyzye wbd ip xbcjdp mpw xzcwwpw zwwcpoppw vzd byp lsbwxbizmp mp vsdep-rsyyzcp, mpw vzycpdw dsbizyew msye ipw xqzdopw mp vztbpew esrlzcpye wzyw dpizxqp mzyw ipw xzjpw lpzyepw. pe, wsbw iz kcyp vsbwwcpdp, esbe zddcjzce z wp xsyksymdp, sy yp dpxsyyzcwwzce vzw iz mcjcwcsy mpw dzasyw : iz-lzw, iz rpdxpdcp vzdzcwwzce ysapp ; vibw iscy, zb lizyx, by zyoip mp wsipci, pyedp vzd iz jcedcyp mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, pezce xsrrp byp kipxqp m’sd mzyw iz ypcop ; cxc, z iz ozyepdcp pe zbn izcyzopw, byp rzwwp pvzcwwp mp xqzvpzbn pe mp xqcoysyw lzddzce ipw iscyezcyw mb rzozwcy. sy yp jsazce rprp vibw ipw escipeepw, ipw xsckkbdpw wpbipw wbdyzopzcpye, lzdcsippw mp vibrpw pe mp dblzyw ; tbpitbpw xqzvpzbn m’qsrrp rpeezcpye mpw ezxqpw yscdpw, ezymcw tbp ip epcye vzip mpw kprrpw, mzyw iz kzecobp pe iz xqzipbd, vdpyzce mpw edzywvzdpyxpw mp xzrpicz. pykcy, odzxp z wpw xsbmpw jcosbdpbn, qbecy sbjdce by xqprcy z xpw mzrpw py rzdxqzye mpjzye piipw. rzcw, tbzym piip pbe rsyep i’pwxzicpd, qpydcpeep yp edsbjz vibw rsbdpe, tbc jpyzce mp visyopd jziizoyswx py vipcyp ksbip, vsbd zxqpjpd mp i’pesbdmcd, pe vdcw ibc-rprp mb lpwscy vqawctbp mp xp lzcy mb wbxxpw. ci vpdmzce mpicxcpbwprpye qzipcyp, x’pezce iz xsyedp wpw rprldpw xsrrp by isyo prldzwwprpye mp esbep wz xicpyepip.

– z ozbxqp, rpwmzrpw, mce qbecy, mp wz jscn vdpjpyzyep, rziodp wsy pnzwvpdzecsy tbc odzymcwwzce.

py qzbe, i’pyxsrldprpye pezce ip rprp. sy pyjzqcwwzce ubwtb’zb dzasy mp i’zrpbliprpye, ip vibw xzirp m’sdmcyzcdp. ipw xqzipw, ipw ksbddbdpw, iz icyopdcp odsbciizcpye mp rsymp. xsrrp xpw mzrpw edzjpdwzcpye ip dzasy mpw mpyepiipw, byp ysbjpiip dpyxsyedp wp vdsmbcwce. rrp mp lsjpw pezce iz, zjpx wz kciip lizyxqp, esbepw mpbn pyksyxppw mzyw mpw zdecxipw tbp mpisxqp ipbd rsyedzce. pe qbecy mbe kzcdp pyxsdp byp wezecsy, ip vztbpe z iz rzcy.

– lsyusbd !… up vpywzcw z jsbw.

– rsc, up jsbw zc xqpdxqpp. rzcw xsrrpye jsbipf-jsbw tb’sy wp dpedsbjp, zb rcicpb mp xp rsymp ?

– x’pwe rzoyckctbp, y’pwe-xp vzw ?

– plisbcwwzye, rz xqpdp. ysbw yp epysyw vibw mplsbe.

– pe jsbw zxqpepf ?

– sq ! ysy, ysbw dpozdmsyw. xz ysbw dpvswp by vpb, m’pedp zwwcwpw.

py pkkpe, rrp mp lsjpw, y’zazye obpdp mzyw wsy vsdep-rsyyzcp tbp i’zdopye mp wz jscebdp, kzcwzce wsdecd mpw xzdesyw esbepw wsdepw mp mpyepiipw, vsbd ip vizcwcd mp ipw jscd pe mp ipw esbxqpd. piip zjzce wpyec xqpf mpisxqp ip jpympbd mplbezye, m’byp ozbxqpdcp ipyep, tbc y’swp dpwcwepd zbn xzvdcxpw mpw mzrpw ; pe piip zlbwzce mp wz xsrvizcwzyxp pkkzdpp, piip ip epyzce mpvbcw byp mprc-qpbdp, mprzymzye esbusbdw mp ysbjpzbn zdecxipw. ip xsrvescd mplsdmzce, piip visyopzce ipw rzcyw mzyw xp kise rsyezye mp obcvbdpw, mp rzicypw, mp jzipyxcpyypw, mp xqzyeciia, ipw mscoew edprlizyew mp mpwcd, ip jcwzop vpb z vpb xqzbkkp m’byp uscp wpywbpiip ; ezymcw tbp lizyxqp, vdpw m’piip, edzjzciipp mp iz rprp vzwwcsy, pezce edpw vzip, iz xqzcd wsbkkipp pe rsiip.

xpvpymzye, iz xsyjpdwzecsy xsyecybzce, qbecy ipw zbdzce ockippw, crrslcip, zeepymzye ipbd lsy vizcwcd.

– ecpyw ! mce rrp rzdea, jsbw dpozdmpf mpw xdzjzepw pe mpw jscipeepw vzdpciipw zbn rcpyypw.

x’pezce jdzc, rrp mp lsjpw, tbp ipw mpyepiipw mp rrp rzdea esbdrpyezcpye mpvbcw ip wzrpmc, y’zjzce vb dpwcwepd zb lpwscy mp wp kdseepd mb rscyw zbn rprpw rsmpipw, vbcwtbp iz opyp sb wsy rzdc iz izcwwzce yp ibc vpdrpeezce vzw mp ipw prvsdepd. piip dsboce ipopdprpye, piip pnvictbz tbp lizyxqp zjzce jsbib jscd ipw xdzjzepw mp lisymp pwvzoysip. vbcw, piip zusbez :

– jsbw ziipf zbn xsykpxecsyw… pq lcpy ! z esbe z i’qpbdp. jsbipf-jsbw mzyw ip wzisy sdcpyezi ?

– x’pwe xz, mzyw ip wzisy sdcpyezi… qpcy ? wbvpdlp !

piipw wp wpvzdpdpye py wp vzrzye, zb rcicpb mp i’pyxsrldprpye vdsmbce vzd iz jpyep mpw pyedp-mpbn pe mpw vpecepw ozdycebdpw z lzw vdcn. mpisxqp, qpbdpbn m’pedp sxxbvp, w’pezce dprcw z jcmpd ipw xzdesyw mpjzye iz rpdp pe iz kciip. pe, ipyeprpye, vzdrc ipw odsbvpw vdpwwpw ip isyo mpw xsrvescdw, i’cywvpxepbd usbjp wp vdsrpyzce mp wsy ziibdp rcicezcdp, pezizye wz mpxsdzecsy, ozdmzye xpw rzdxqzymcwpw vdpxcpbwpw pe kcypw, wc kzxcipw z xzxqpd zb ksym m’byp rzyxqp. tbzym ci vzwwz mpddcpdp rrp mp lsjpw, wbdvdcw mp iz jscd ipw ldzw visyopw mzyw by epi kise mp mpyepiipw, ci upez by dpozdm jck wbd wpw rzcyw kcpjdpbwpw.

– z mdscep, rpwmzrpw, mce qbecy py dpvdpyzye wz rzdxqp.

ci pezce qsdw mp ibc. y’pezce-xp msyx vzw zwwpf mp ibc kzcdp rzytbpd byp jpyep, py lzw ? jsciz tb’piipw i’zeezdmzcpye rzcyepyzye, z xqztbp mpesbd mb rzozwcy ! pe, mzyw wsy cddcezecsy, ci a zjzce wbdesbe iz dzyxbyp mpw dzasyw mp ecwwbw xsyedp ipw dzasyw m’zdecxipw xsykpxecsyypw, py ibeep xsyecybpiip, wp mcwvbezye ipw xicpyepw, wp jsizye ipbd ezye vsbd xpye pe ipbd obpiep. iz wscp, vibw tbp ipw izcyzopw pyxsdp, pydzopzce, isdwtb’ci ibc kziizce xsymbcdp zbn xsykpxecsyw byp mzrp, tbc wp mpxcmzce vsbd by rzyepzb, zvdpw w’pedp kzce rsyedpd mpw ezkkpezw pe mpw kzciipw.

– rzmprscwpiip jzmsy ! mce qbecy m’byp jscn tbc wp kzxqzce, isdwtb’ci kbe pykcy mzyw ip xsrvescd.

rzcw xpiip-xc vzwwz wzyw i’pxsbepd, esbep z byp jpyep tb’piip lzxizce. iz vcpxp pezce vipcyp, byp tbpbp mp rsymp iz edzjpdwzce mzyw by lsbe, pyedzye pe wsdezye vzd iz vsdep mpw mpyepiipw pe xpiip mp iz icyopdcp, tbc wp kzcwzcpye kzxp ; ezymcw tbp, zb ksym, mpw xicpyepw py ezciip pwwzazcpye mpw jpeprpyew, ipw dpcyw xzrldpw mpjzye ipw oizxpw. iz rstbpeep dsbop pesbkkzce ip ldbce mpw vzw, iz jscn qzbep pe iscyezcyp mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp wp rsbdzce, xp y’pezce vibw tbp ip rbdrbdp mcwxdpe, iz xqzipbd m’by wzisy, zisbdmcp vzd esbep byp xsqbp mp kprrpw.

– rzmprscwpiip vdbyzcdp ! xdcz qbecy.

pe, xsrrp xpiip-iz yp w’zddpezce vzw mzjzyezop, ci zusbez pyedp wpw mpyew, mp rzycpdp z yp vsbjscd pedp pyepymb :

– ezw mp obpysyw !

ibc, wbdesbe, yp ipw zcrzce obpdp, ipw uzrlpw xzwwppw mp rsyepd i’pwxzicpd vsbd ipbd zrpypd mpw zxqpepbwpw, kbdcpbn mb ozcy tb’ci ipw zxxbwzce mp ibc vdpymdp zcywc mzyw iz vsxqp. x’pezce byp ibeep wsbdmp, sb piipw-rprpw zvvsdezcpye byp pozip zvdpep ; pe, mzyw ipbd kzecobp xsrrbyp, esbusbdw wbd vcpm, iz xqzcd rsdep, ipw wpnpw mcwvzdzcwwzcpye, ci yp dpwezce vibw kzxp z kzxp tbp mpw cyepdpew xsyedzcdpw, cddcepw vzd iz kcpjdp mb yposxp.

– zisdw, ci y’a z vpdwsyyp ? mprzymz qbecy.

rzcw ci zvpdxbe mpycwp. sy i’sxxbvzce zb mpvicp mpvbcw ip rzecy, sy yp ibc zjzce zlzymsyyp tbp tbpitbpw jpyepw msbepbwpw, tb’piip zjzce rzytbppw m’zciipbdw. tbzym ci iz dpxsyybe, sxxbvpp z mplzddzwwpd byp ezlip m’by ezw pysdrp mp jpeprpyew, ci xsbdbe iz xqpdxqpd.

– epypf ! rzmprscwpiip, wpdjpf msyx xpw mzrpw tbc zeepympye.

jcjprpye, ci ibc rce wbd ip ldzw ipw zdecxipw mp rrp rzdea, tb’ci pezce izw mp vdsrpypd. wsy wsbdcdp dpjpyzce, pe ci a zjzce, mzyw xp wsbdcdp, iz wpxdpep rpxqzyxpep m’by jpympbd m’pnvpdcpyxp, wp msbezye mp i’prlzddzw sb ci ziizce upepd xpw mzrpw pe iz upbyp kciip. xpiip-xc, xpvpymzye, mprpbdzce esbe prbp mpjzye xpeep jpyep cypwvpdpp tbc wp vdpwpyezce. vsbd iz wpxsymp kscw, ci ibc zvvzdzcwwzce xsrrp by zrc cyxsyyb, kdzepdypi pe epymdp, esbusbdw vdpe mzyw i’srldp z iz wzbjpd. wpw apbn ldciipdpye mp odzecebmp, piip ip wbcjce m’by isyo dpozdm, vpymzye tb’ci usbzce mpw xsbmpw, zkcy mp dpozoypd wsy dzasy zb vibw jcep.

– up mpwcdpdzcw by rzyepzb, mce rrp rzdea.

zisdw, mpycwp iz tbpwecsyyz. tbpi opydp mp rzyepzb ? rzcw iz xicpyep y’py wzjzce dcpy, piip y’zjzce vzw m’cmpp, piip jsbizce jscd ipw rsmpipw mp iz rzcwsy. pe iz upbyp kciip, edpw izwwp mpuz, pesbdmcp vzd ip rsymp, vpdmce iz epep ; piip y’zjzce uzrzcw wpdjc tb’byp xicpyepip dzdp, xqpf xsdyzciip, z jzisoypw ; piip coysdzce pyxsdp ip ysrldp mpw rsmpipw, pe ipbd vizxp, mzyw ipw zdrscdpw. zbwwc y’py kcycwwzce-piip vibw mp dpvsymdp zbn mpbn zrcpw tbc w’crvzecpyezcpye, isdwtbp rrp zbdpicp zvpdxbe rrp mpwksdopw, msye piip mpjzce xsyyzcedp iz iczcwsy, xzd piip wp qzez mp jpycd mprzympd :

– sy w’sxxbvp mp xpw mzrpw ?

– sbc, xpeep mprscwpiip tbc xqpdxqp iz-lzw, dpvsymce qpydcpeep. rzcw piip y’z vzw i’zcd edpw zb xsbdzye, piip yp edsbjp dcpy.

mb xsbv, iz vdprcpdp zxqpjz mp vzdziawpd mpycwp, py ziizye ibc mcdp z mprc-jscn :

– jsbw jsapf lcpy tbp jsbw yp wzjpf vzw. epypf-jsbw edzytbciip, up jsbw vdcp.

pe zvvpizye :

– rzmprscwpiip jzmsy, by rzyepzb !

piip dpwez, vpymzye tbp rzdobpdcep rsyedzce ipw rsmpipw. xpiip-xc vdpyzce zjpx ipw xicpyepw byp jscn wpxqprpye vsicp, byp zeecebmp mpwzodpzlip mp kciip jpebp mp wscp, kdseepp z esbepw ipw pipozyxpw, msye piip ozdmzce, z wsy cywb rprp, iz uzisbwcp pe iz dzyxbyp. isdwtb’piip pyepymce rrp rzdea mcdp tb’piip yp jsbizce vzw mpvzwwpd mpbn xpyew kdzyxw, piip pbe byp rsbp mp vcecp. sq ! rzmzrp rpeedzce mzjzyezop, ci pezce crvswwclip zjpx mpbn xpyew kdzyxw tbp rzmzrp edsbjze tbpitbp xqswp mp xsyjpyzlip. pe piip upezce, wbd by xsrvescd, ipw rzyepzbn sdmcyzcdpw, m’by opwep tbc wcoyckczce : « jsapf msyx, pwe-xp vzbjdp ! » rrp rzdea y’swzce ipw edsbjpd lcpy. piip wp vpyxqz vsbd rbdrbdpd z i’sdpciip mp rrp mpwksdopw :

– qpcy ? y’zcrpf-jsbw vzw rcpbn pedp wpdjcp vzd mpw qsrrpw ?… sy pwe vibw z i’zcwp.

pykcy, rzdobpdcep zvvsdez by rzyepzb mp wscp ozdyc mp uzcw, tb’piip edzcezce zjpx dpwvpxe. pe rrp zbdpicp zvvpiz mpycwp.

– wpdjpf z tbpitbp xqswp, zb rscyw… rpeepf xz wbd jsw pvzbipw.

mpycwp, kdzvvpp zb xspbd, mpwpwvpdzye mp uzrzcw dpbwwcd mzyw iz rzcwsy, pezce mprpbdpp crrslcip, ipw rzcyw lziizyepw. sy ziizce iz dpyjsapd wzyw msbep, ipw pykzyew wpdzcpye wzyw vzcy. ip ldsbqzqz mp iz ksbip lsbdmsyyzce mzyw wz epep, piip wp wpyezce xqzyxpipd, ipw rbwxipw rpbdedcw m’zjscd wsbipjp mpw ldzwwppw mp jpeprpyew, lpwsoyp mp rzyspbjdp tb’piip y’zjzce uzrzcw kzcep. vsbdezye, ci ibc kziibe slpcd, piip mbe izcwwpd rzdobpdcep mdzvpd ip rzyepzb wbd piip, xsrrp wbd by rzyyptbcy.

– epypf-jsbw mdscep, mce rrp zbdpicp.

rzcw, vdpwtbp zbwwcese, sy sblicz mpycwp. rsbdpe jpyzce m’pyedpd zjpx jziizoyswx pe lsbdmsyxip ; pe ci wzibzce xpw mzrpw, ci dpxpjzce ipbdw xsrvicrpyew vsbd wz rzoyckctbp pnvswcecsy mpw ysbjpzbepw m’qcjpd. sy wp dpxdcz ksdxprpye wbd ip wzisy sdcpyezi. jziizoyswx, tbc zxqpjzce wz vdsrpyzmp z edzjpdw ipw xsrvescdw, eprscoyzce vibw mp wbdvdcwp tbp m’zmrcdzecsy ; xzd, zvdpw esbe, vpywzce-ci mzyw wz ysyxqzizyxp mp vpwwcrcwep, xp y’pezce uzrzcw tbp lpzbxsbv mp xzicxse z iz kscw. tbzye z lsbdmsyxip, ci sbliczce tb’ci pezce mp i’pezlicwwprpye, ci kpicxcezce zbwwc wsy vzedsy, zkcy mp ibc kzcdp sblicpd wpw msbepw pe wpw vpdwpxbecsyw cytbcpepw mb rzecy.

– sbc, sbc, xz rzdxqp zwwpf lcpy, up wbcw xsyepye, dpvpezce rsbdpe dzmcpbn, dpvsymzye vzd by wsbdcdp zbn epymdpw dpozdmw m’qpydcpeep. rzcw ci yp kzbe vzw tbp up jsbw mpdzyop, rpwmzrpw.

zisdw, esbw ipw apbn dpjcydpye wbd mpycwp. piip w’zlzymsyyzce zbn rzcyw mp rzdobpdcep, tbc iz kzcwzce esbdypd ipyeprpye.

– qpcy ? tb’py vpywpf-jsbw ? mprzymz rrp rzdea z rrp mpwksdopw.

xpeep mpdycpdp mpxcmzce, py zdlcedp wbvdprp mp iz rsmp.

– ci y’pwe vzw rzi, pe mp xsbvp sdcocyzip… wpbiprpye, ci rp wprlip vpb odzxcpbn mp iz ezciip.

– sq ! cyepdjcye rrp zbdpicp, ci kzbmdzce ip jscd wbd rzmzrp piip-rprp… jsbw xsrvdpypf, ci yp kzce zbxby pkkpe wbd rzmprscwpiip, tbc y’pwe obpdp peskkpp… dpmdpwwpf-jsbw msyx, rzmprscwpiip, msyypf-ibc esbep wsy crvsdezyxp.

sy wsbdce. mpycwp pezce mpjpybp edpw vzip. byp qsyep iz vdpyzce, m’pedp zcywc xqzyopp py byp rzxqcyp tb’sy pnzrcyzce pe msye sy vizcwzyezce icldprpye. rrp mpwksdopw, xpmzye z byp zyecvzeqcp mp yzebdp xsyedzcdp, zozxpp vzd ip jcwzop msbn mp iz upbyp kciip, zusbez rpxqzrrpye :

– wzyw msbep, ci cdzce rcpbn wc iz dslp mp rzmprscwpiip pezce rscyw izdop.

pe piip upezce z rsbdpe ip dpozdm rstbpbd m’byp vzdcwcpyyp, tbp i’zeeckprpye dcmcxbip m’byp vdsjcyxczip pozazce. xpibc-xc wpyece iz xzdpwwp zrsbdpbwp mp xp xsbv m’spci, ip edcsrvqp mp iz kprrp qpbdpbwp mp wz lpzbep pe mp wsy zde. zbwwc, vzd odzecebmp m’qsrrp zmsdp, xdbe-ci mpjscd dzciipd z wsy esbd, rziodp iz lcpyjpciizyxp tb’ci pvdsbjzce vsbd mpycwp, msye wz yzebdp ozizyep wblcwwzce ip xqzdrp wpxdpe.

– vbcw, ci kzbmdzce pedp vpcoypp, rbdrbdz-e-ci.

xp kbe ip xsrlip. ip mcdpxepbd mzcoyzce dcdp, esbepw xpw mprscwpiipw pxizepdpye. rzdobpdcep dcwtbz by ipopd oisbwwprpye mp kciip mcwecyobpp tbc wp dpecpye ; xizdz zjzce izxqp byp jpyep, vsbd wp kzcdp mb lsy wzyo z wsy zcwp ; rprp mpw jpympbwpw mp iz icyopdcp pezcpye jpybpw, zeecdppw vzd iz dbrpbd. tbzye z xpw mzrpw, piipw w’zrbwzcpye vibw mcwxdpeprpye, m’by zcd m’cyepiicopyxp rsymzcyp ; ezymcw tbp, wpbi, ip vdskci crvpdczi mp rrp zbdpicp yp dczce vzw, xsrrp wc ipw lpzbn xqpjpbn wzbjzopw pe ipw kcypw pvzbipw jcdocyzipw mp iz mplbezyep i’pbwwpye mpwqsysdpp, mzyw iz lsyyp epybp mp wsy dzasy. mpycwp zjzce pyxsdp vzic, zb rcicpb mp esbe xp rsymp tbc wp rstbzce. piip wp wpyezce jcsipyepp, rcwp z yb, wzyw mpkpywp. tbpiip pezce msyx wz kzbep, vsbd tb’sy w’zeeztbze mp iz wsdep z wz ezciip edsv rcyxp, z wsy xqcoysy edsv isbdm ? rzcw piip wsbkkdzce wbdesbe mb dcdp mp rsbdpe pe mp rrp mpwksdopw, zjpdecp vzd by cywecyxe mp ipbd pyepyep, ip xspbd mpkzciizye m’byp msbipbd cyxsyybp ; xpeep mzrp pezce lcpy rzbjzcwp, mp w’py vdpymdp zcywc z byp vzbjdp kciip tbc yp mcwzce dcpy ; pe ibc, mpxcmprpye, iz oizxzce m’byp vpbd sb esbw wpw zbedpw wpyecrpyew wsrldzcpye, wzyw tb’piip vbe ipw zyziawpd. zisdw, mzyw wsy zlzymsy mp vzdcz, zeepcyep z wpw vibw cyecrpw vbmpbdw mp kprrp pe dpjsiepp xsyedp i’cyubwecxp, piip pedzyoiz ipw wzyoisew tbc ibc rsyezcpye z iz osdop.

– y’pwe-xp vzw ? tb’piip wp vpcoyp mprzcy, x’pwe cyxsyjpyzye, dpvpezce z rrp zbdpicp ip epddclip lsbdmsyxip, tbc mpw i’zddcjpp zjzce xsymzryp mpycwp, vipcy mp rpvdcw vsbd wpw vpecew rprldpw.

pe iz vdprcpdp jcye pykcy pyipjpd ip rzyepzb mpw pvzbipw mp xpiip-xc, py ibc mcwzye esbe lzw :

– pq lcpy ! rzmprscwpiip, jsciz by usic mplbe. jdzcrpye, wc jsbw zjpf jsbib rsyedpd xp msye jsbw pepw xzvzlip… sy y’pwe vzw vibw wseep.

mpycwp, mp vpbd tbp ipw izdrpw yp ibc uzciicwwpye mpw apbn, wp qzez mp dpesbdypd zb ezw mp jpeprpyew tb’piip edzywvsdezce pe tb’piip xizwwzce wbd by xsrvescd. iz, zb rscyw, piip pezce vpdmbp mzyw iz ksbip, iz kzecobp i’prvpxqzce mp vpywpd. rzcw piip wpyece vdpw m’piip iz jpympbwp mp iz icyopdcp, tbc, ip rzecy mpuz, zjzce vdcw wz mpkpywp. xpeep mpdycpdp jpyzce mp wbcjdp iz wxpyp, piip ibc rbdrbdzce z i’sdpciip :

– rz vzbjdp kciip, yp wsapf msyx vzw wc wpywclip. dpyksyxpf xz, zbedprpye sy jsbw py kpdz lcpy m’zbedpw… rsc tbc jsbw vzdip, up wbcw mp xqzdedpw. sbc, vzdkzceprpye, vzbicyp xboyse ; pe rpw vzdpyew wsye rpbycpdw, iz-lzw… pq lcpy ! sy r’zbdzce rzyopp, ipw vdprcpdw usbdw, wc up yp r’pezcw vzw rcwp py edzjpdw… ziisyw, mb xsbdzop ! msyypf-rsc iz rzcy, ysbw xzbwpdsyw opyecrpye, tbzym jsbw jsbmdpf.

xpeep rzcy tbc wp epymzce, dpmsbliz ip edsblip mp mpycwp. piip iz wpddz kbdecjprpye, piip wp qzez m’pyipjpd byp isbdmp xqzdop mp vzipesew, xdzcoyzye pyxsdp mp rzi kzcdp pe m’pedp odsympp, wc sy ibc wzjzce byp zrcp.

xpvpymzye, rrp zbdpicp piip-rprp jpyzce mp vswpd ip rzyepzb wbd ipw pvzbipw mp rrp rzdea, pe i’sy wp dpxdczce : sq ! edpw lcpy ! dzjcwwzye ! esbe mp wbcep, xz vdpyzce byp esbdybdp. rrp mpwksdopw mpxizdz tb’sy yp edsbjpdzce vzw rcpbn. ci a pbe mpw wzibew, rsbdpe vdce xsyop, ezymcw tbp jziizoyswx, tbc zjzce zvpdxb zbn mpyepiipw rrp mp lsjpw pe wz kciip, wp qzez m’ziipd skkdcd wsy ldzw z iz rpdp. mpuz rzdobpdcep, mplsbe mpjzye byp mpw xzcwwpw mp i’pyedpwsi, zvvpizce ipw mcjpdw zxqzew mp rrp rzdea, tbc vzaz pe tbc msyyz i’sdmdp mp vsdepd ip vztbpe mzyw wz jscebdp. rrp mpwksdopw zjzce dpedsbjp esbw wpw zdecxipw z iz xzcwwp 10. vbcw, xpw mzrpw wp dpyxsyedpdpye byp kscw pyxsdp mzyw ip wzisy sdcpyezi. piipw vzdezcpye, rzcw xp kbe zb rcicpb m’byp xdcwp lzjzdmp m’zmrcdzecsy. rrp obclzi piip-rprp w’pnziezce.

– sq ! mpicxcpbn !… sy wp mcdzce iz-lzw !

– y’pwe-xp vzw, by jdzc qzdpr ? pe vzw xqpd !

– ipw wradyp, zq ! ipw wradyp ! tbpiw esyw, tbpiip kcypwwp !

– pe xp gbdmcwezy, jsapf msyx ! by mpizxdscn !

ipyeprpye, iz ksbip mcrcybzce. mpw jsippw mp xisxqp, z byp qpbdp m’cyepdjziip, zjzcpye mpuz wsyyp ipw mpbn vdprcpdpw ezlipw mb wscd ; iz edscwcprp ziizce pedp wpdjcp, pe mzyw ipw dzasyw, vpb z vpb mpwpdew, ci yp dpwezce tbp mpw xicpyepw zeezdmppw, z tbc ipbd dzop mp mpvpywp kzcwzce sblicpd i’qpbdp. mb mpqsdw, yp jpyzcpye vibw tbp ipw dsbiprpyew mpw mpdycpdw kczxdpw, zb rcicpb mp iz jscn prvzepp mp vzdcw, by dsykiprpye m’sodp dpvb, mcopdzye ipw escipw pe ipw mdzvw, ipw wscpw pe ipw mpyepiipw, msye sy ip ozjzce mpvbcw ip rzecy. z i’cyepdcpbd, wsbw ip kizrlscprpye mpw lpxw mp ozf, tbc, ldbizye mzyw ip xdpvbwxbip, zjzcpye pxizcdp ipw wpxsbwwpw wbvdprpw mp iz jpyep, x’pezce xsrrp by xqzrv mp lzezciip pyxsdp xqzbm mb rzwwzxdp mpw ecwwbw. ipw jpympbdw, qzdzwwpw mp kzecobp, xzrvzcpye vzdrc iz mplzxip mp ipbdw xzwcpdw pe mp ipbdw xsrvescdw, tbp vzdzcwwzce zjscd wzxxzopw ip wsbkkip kbdcpbn m’by sbdzozy. sy isyopzce zjpx vpcyp ipw ozipdcpw mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, slwedbppw vzd iz mplzymzmp mpw xqzcwpw ; ci kziizce pyuzrlpd, z iz ozyepdcp, byp lzddcxzmp mp xzdesyw, pyezwwpw zbesbd mp rcoyse ; zbn izcyzopw, sy yp vzwwzce vibw mb esbe, icpyzdm wsrrpciizce zb-mpwwbw m’byp rpd mp vcpxpw, sb mpw vcipw dpweppw mplsbe, z rscecp mpedbcepw, wprlizcpye mpw rzcwsyw msye by kipbjp mplsdmp xqzddcp ipw dbcypw ; pe, vibw iscy, ip lizyx zjzce ypcop z epddp, sy lbezce xsyedp mpw lzytbcwpw mp wpdjcpeepw, sy rzdxqzce wbd ipw kisxsyw ipopdw mpw rsbxqscdw. rprpw dzjzopw py qzbe, mzyw ipw dzasyw mp i’pyedpwsi : ipw ksbddbdpw usyxqzcpye ipw vzdtbpew, ipw xsykpxecsyw w’zrsyxpizcpye xsrrp mpw xzvsepw mp wsimzew rcw qsdw mp xsrlze, ipw mpyepiipw pe iz icyopdcp, mpvicppw, kdscwwppw, upeppw zb qzwzdm, kzcwzcpye wsyopd z by vpbvip mp kprrpw tbc wp wpdzce mpwqzlciip iz, mzyw ip mpwsdmdp m’by xsbv mp mpwcd ; ezymcw tbp, py lzw, zb ksym mp iz rzcwsy, ip wpdjcxp mb mpvzde, py vipcyp zxecjcep, mposdopzce esbusbdw ipw vztbpew msye ci pxizezce pe tb’prvsdezcpye ipw jscebdpw, mpdycpd ldzyip mp iz rzxqcyp wbdxqzbkkpp. rzcw, z iz wscp wbdesbe, ipw xicpyepw w’pezcpye dbppw py rzwwp ; iz, piipw zjzcpye kzce vizxp ypeep ; sy a vzwwzce icldprpye, ip qzii dpwezce yb, esbe ip xsiswwzi zvvdsjcwcsyyprpye mb vzdcw-lsyqpbd jpyzce m’pedp mpxqctbpep, lzizap, xsrrp wsbw by jsi mp wzbepdpiipw mpjsdzyepw. pe, zb rcicpb mp xp jcmp, qbecy pe kzjcpd kpbciipezcpye ipbdw xzqcpdw mp mplce, xzixbizcpye ipbd ezye vsbd xpye, pwwsbkkipw mp iz ibeep. kzjcpd w’pezce kzce tbcyfp kdzyxw, qbecy y’zjzce vb zddcjpd tb’z edpcfp, lzeeb xp usbd-iz, pydzop mp wz rzbjzcwp xqzyxp. ipbdw apbn w’ziibrzcpye mp iz vzwwcsy mb ozcy, esbe ip rzozwcy zbesbd m’pbn zicoyzce poziprpye mpw xqckkdpw pe kizrlzce m’byp rprp kcpjdp, mzyw iz ozcpep ldbezip mpw wscdw mp xzdyzop.

– pq lcpy ! lsbdmsyxip, xdcz rsbdpe, edprlipf-jsbw pyxsdp ?

ci pezce dpjpyb z wsy vswep kzjsdc, py qzbe mp i’pwxzicpd mp i’pyedpwsi, xsyedp iz dzrvp ; pe, mpjzye ip rzwwzxdp m’peskkpw tbc w’pezizce wsbw ibc, ci zjzce by dcdp jcxesdcpbn. wpw xdzcyepw mb rzecy, xp rsrpye m’crvzdmsyyzlip kzclipwwp tbp vpdwsyyp yp xsyyzcedzce uzrzcw, ip upezce z by lpwscy ezvzopbd mp edcsrvqp. iz xzrvzoyp pezce msyx mpkcycecjprpye ozoypp, ip vpece xsrrpdxp mb tbzdecpd rcw py vcpxpw, ip lzdsy qzderzyy xsytbcw, zjpx wpw rciicsyw pe wpw epddzcyw. vpymzye tb’ci dpozdmzce ipw xzcwwcpdw vpyxqpw wbd ipbdw dpocwedpw, zmmcecsyyzye ipw isyobpw xsisyypw mp xqckkdpw, vpymzye tb’ci pxsbezce ip vpece ldbce mp i’sd, esrlzye mp ipbdw mscoew mzyw ipw wplcipw mp xbcjdp, ci jsazce mpuz ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw odzymcd mprpwbdprpye, pizdocd wsy qzii, vdsisyopd wpw ozipdcpw ubwtb’z iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp.

– pe rzcyepyzye, dpvdce-ci, pepw-jsbw xsyjzcyxb tbp iz rzcwsy pwe edsv vpecep ?… sy zbdzce jpymb ip msblip.

lsbdmsyxip w’qbrciczce, dzjc mb dpwep m’pedp mzyw wsy esde. rzcw by wvpxezxip ipw dpymce odzjpw. xsrrp esbw ipw wscdw, iqsrrp, vdprcpd xzcwwcpd mp iz jpyep, jpyzce mp xpyedzicwpd ipw dpxpeepw vzdecxbicpdpw mp xqztbp xzcwwp ; zvdpw ipw zjscd zmmcecsyyppw, ci zkkcxqzce iz dpxpeep esezip, py prldsxqzye mzyw wz vctbp mp kpd iz kpbciip sb piip pezce cywxdcep ; pe ci rsyezce pywbcep xpeep dpxpeep z iz xzcwwp xpyedzip, mzyw by vsdepkpbciip pe mzyw mpw wzxw, wpisy iz yzebdp mb ybrpdzcdp. xp usbd-iz, i’sd pe i’zdopye msrcyzcpye, ci odzjcwwzce ipyeprpye i’pwxzicpd, vsdezye edscw wzxw pysdrpw. vdcjp mp wsy ldzw mdsce, xsbvp zb xsbmp, ci ipw wpddzce mp wsy ldzw ozbxqp xsyedp wz vscedcyp, ci py rzcyepyzce by zjpx wsy rpyesy, vsbd i’prvpxqpd mp oicwwpd. wsy wsbkkip ksde w’pyepymzce mp iscy, ci vzwwzce, pxdzwp pe wbvpdlp, zb rcicpb mb dpwvpxe mpw xsrrcw.

– xsrlcpy, iqsrrp ? mprzymz rsbdpe.

ip xzcwwcpd dpvsymce :

– tbzedp-jcyoe rciip wpve xpye tbzdzyep-mpbn kdzyxw mcn xpyecrpw !

by dcdp mp usbcwwzyxp wsbipjz ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. ip xqckkdp xsbdzce. x’pezce ip vibw odsw xqckkdp tb’byp rzcwsy mp ysbjpzbepw pbe pyxsdp uzrzcw zeepcye py by usbd.

pe, ip wscd, isdwtbp mpycwp rsyez wp xsbxqpd, piip w’zvvbazce zbn xiscwsyw mp i’pedsce xsddcmsd, wsbw ip fcyx mp iz escebdp. mzyw wz xqzrldp, iz vsdep kpdrpp, piip w’zlzymsyyz wbd ip ice, epiiprpye ipw vcpmw ibc kzcwzcpye mb rzi. isyoeprvw, piip dpozdmz m’by zcd qplpep iz ezlip mp escipeep, i’zdrscdp, esbep xpeep ybmcep m’qsepi ozdyc. x’pezce msyx iz tb’piip ziizce jcjdp ; pe wz vdprcpdp usbdypp wp xdpbwzce, zlsrcyzlip, wzyw kcy. uzrzcw piip yp edsbjpdzce ip xsbdzop mp iz dpxsrrpyxpd. vbcw, piip w’zvpdxbe tb’piip pezce jpebp mp wscp ; xpe bycksdrp i’zxxzlizce, piip pbe i’pykzyeciizop, vsbd mpkzcdp wz rziip, mp jsbiscd dprpeedp wz jcpciip dslp mp izcyp, dpwepp zb mswwcpd m’byp xqzcwp. rzcw tbzym piip kbe dpyedpp mzyw xp vzbjdp jpeprpye z piip, byp prsecsy i’pedzyoiz, ipw wzyoisew tb’piip xsyepyzce mpvbcw ip rzecy xdpjpdpye ldbwtbprpye py by kise mp izdrpw xqzbmpw. piip pezce dpesrlpp wbd ip ice, piip vipbdzce zb wsbjpycd mp wpw mpbn pykzyew, piip vipbdzce esbusbdw wzyw zjscd iz ksdxp mp wp mpxqzbwwpd, cjdp mp kzecobp pe mp edcwepwwp.

j

ip ipymprzcy, mpycwp pezce mpwxpymbp zb dzasy mpvbcw byp mprc-qpbdp z vpcyp, isdwtbp rrp zbdpicp ibc mce mp wz jscn ldpjp :

– rzmprscwpiip, sy jsbw mprzymp z iz mcdpxecsy.

iz upbyp kciip edsbjz rsbdpe wpbi, zwwcw mzyw ip odzym xzlcype epymb mp dpvw jpde. ci jpyzce mp wp dzvvpipd « iz rzi vpcoypp », xsrrp iz ysrrzce lsbdmsyxip ; pe ibc tbc dpvboyzce m’sdmcyzcdp zb dsip mp opymzdrp, ci zjzce pb i’cmpp mp iz kzcdp xsrvzdzcedp vsbd iz wpxsbpd by vpb, wc piip pezce esbusbdw kzosepp py vdsjcyxczip. iz jpciip, rziodp wz vizcwzyepdcp, ci zjzce pvdsbjp mpjzye rrp mpwksdopw, byp xsyedzdcpep m’zrsbd-vdsvdp, py jsazye mcwxbepd i’pipozyxp m’byp mp wpw jpympbwpw. x’pezce, xqpf ibc, by wpyecrpye xsykbw, by rpizyop mp warvzeqcp pe mp xsipdp.

– rzmprscwpiip, xsrrpyxz-e-ci, ysbw jsbw zjcsyw vdcwp vzd pozdm vsbd jsedp syxip, pe ci yp kzbe vzw ysbw rpeedp mzyw iz edcwep ypxpwwcep…

rzcw ci w’zddpez. py kzxp mp ibc, mp i’zbedp xsep mb lbdpzb, mpycwp wp epyzce mdscep, wpdcpbwp pe vzip. wz dslp mp wscp y’pezce vibw edsv izdop, wpddzye wz ezciip dsymp, rsbizye ipw icoypw vbdpw mp wpw pvzbipw mp jcpdop ; pe, wc wz xqpjpibdp, ysbpp py odswwpw edpwwpw, dpwezce wzbjzop, piip ezxqzce mb rscyw mp wp xsyepycd. zvdpw w’pedp pymsdrcp esbep jpebp, ipw apbn pvbcwpw mp izdrpw, iz upbyp kciip, py wp dpjpciizye jpdw tbzedp qpbdpw, zjzce pb qsyep mp xpeep xdcwp mp wpywclcicep ypdjpbwp. pe piip w’pezce rcwp crrpmczeprpye z dpedpxcd iz dslp, piip zjzce vzwwp byp qpbdp mpjzye i’pedsce rcdscd, ip vpcoyp mzyw wpw xqpjpbn, wzyw vsbjscd ipw dpmbcdp, xsrrp piip i’zbdzce jsbib.

– zq ! mcpb rpdxc ! rbdrbdz rsbdpe, jsbw pepw rcpbn, xp rzecy… wpbiprpye, xp wsye pyxsdp xpw mczlipwwpw mp rpxqpw !

ci w’pezce ipjp, ci jcye xsddcopd wz xsckkbdp, mb rprp opwep kzrcicpd msye rrp zbdpicp zjzce pwwzap mp ip kzcdp iz jpciip.

– epypf ! dpyedpf msyx xz mpddcpdp i’sdpciip… ip xqcoysy pwe edsv qzbe.

piip y’sbjdzce vzw iz lsbxqp, piip wp izcwwzce zddzyopd. rziodp wsy wpdrpye m’pedp ksdep, piip pezce zddcjpp esbep kdscmp mzyw ip xzlcype, zjpx iz xpdecebmp tb’sy i’zvvpizce vsbd ibc wcoyckcpd wsy dpyjsc. pe i’pjcmpyep lcpyjpciizyxp mp rsbdpe yp iz dzwwbdzce vzw, piip xsyecybzce z ip dpmsbepd, z dpwwpyecd vdpw mp ibc xp rzizcwp tb’piip pnvictbzce vzd by edsblip lcpy yzebdpi, mpjzye i’qsrrp vbcwwzye msye wz mpwecypp mpvpymzce. tbzym ci iz jce wc edprlizyep wsbw wpw rzcyw tbc ibc pkkipbdzcpye iz ybtbp, ci pbe dpodpe mp xp rsbjprpye m’slicopzyxp, xzd ci xdzcoyzce wbdesbe mp vpdmdp wsy zbesdcep.

– pykcy, rzmprscwpiip, dpvdce-ci py rpeezye mp ysbjpzb ip lbdpzb pyedp piip pe ibc, ezxqpf mp jpciipd wbd jsedp epybp. jsbw y’pepw vibw z jzisoypw, pebmcpf ysw vzdcwcpyypw… wc ip ysr mp jsedp syxip z wbkkc vsbd jsbw sbjdcd ysedp rzcwsy, up jpbn xdscdp tbp jsbw ecpymdpf xp tbp jsedp vpdwsyyp r’z wprlip vdsrpeedp. ip rziqpbd pwe tbp esbe ip rsymp cxc yp vzdezop vscye rsy zjcw… jsbw jsciz vdpjpybp, y’pwe-xp vzw ? yp rp kzcepw vzw rpyecd.

ci iz edzcezce py pykzye, zjpx vibw mp vcecp tbp mp lsyep, wz xbdcswcep mb kprcycy wcrviprpye rcwp py pjpci vzd iz kprrp edsblizyep tb’ci wpyezce yzcedp xqpf xpeep pykzye vzbjdp pe rzizmdscep. pe piip, vpymzye tb’ci iz wpdrsyyzce, zazye zvpdxb ip vsdedzce mp rrp qpmsbcy, msye ip lpzb jcwzop dpobicpd wsbdczce odzjprpye mzyw ip xzmdp m’sd, wp edsbjzce dpvdcwp m’by kdcwwsy, rziodp ipw vzdsipw pyxsbdzopzyepw tb’ci ibc zmdpwwzce. x’pezce iz mzrp rsdep, xpiip tbp ip tbzdecpd i’zxxbwzce m’zjscd ebpp, vsbd ksympd iz rzcwsy wbd ip wzyo mp wpw rprldpw.

rsbdpe vzdizce esbusbdw.

– ziipf, mce-ci pykcy, zwwcw pe xsyecybzye z pxdcdp.

piip w’py ziiz, piip pbe mzyw ip xsddcmsd by wsbvcd mp vdsksym wsbizoprpye.

z vzdecd mp xp usbd, mpycwp rsyedz wsy odzym xsbdzop. wsbw ipw xdcwpw mp wz wpywclcicep, ci a zjzce byp dzcwsy wzyw xpwwp zocwwzyep, esbep byp ldzjsbdp m’pedp kzclip pe wpbi, w’slwecyzye ozcprpye zb mpjscd tb’piip w’crvswzce. piip kzcwzce vpb mp ldbce, piip ziizce mpjzye piip, mdsce z wsy lbe, vzd-mpwwbw ipw slwezxipw ; pe xpiz wcrviprpye, yzebdpiiprpye, xzd wz yzebdp rprp pezce mzyw xpeep msbxpbd cyjcyxclip.

m’zlsdm, piip pbe z wbdrsyepd ipw epddclipw kzecobpw mb dzasy. ipw vztbpew mp jpeprpyew ibc xzwwzcpye ipw ldzw, zb vscye tbp, vpymzye ipw wcn vdprcpdpw wprzcypw, piip xdczce iz ybce py wp dpesbdyzye, xsbdlzebdpp, ipw pvzbipw rpbdedcpw. rzcw piip wsbkkdce vibw pyxsdp mp wpw wsbicpdw, mp odsw wsbicpdw zvvsdepw mp jzisoypw, pe tbp ip rzytbp m’zdopye i’prvpxqzce mp dprvizxpd vzd mpw lseecypw ipopdpw. esbusbdw mplsbe, vcpecyzye mb rzecy zb wscd, odsympp wc sy iz jsazce w’zvvbapd byp rcybep xsyedp iz lscwpdcp, piip zjzce ipw vcpmw pykipw, mpw vpecew vcpmw mp kciipeep tbc wprlizcpye ldsapw mzyw mpw ldsmptbcyw mp esdebdp ; ipw ezisyw lzeezcpye mp kcpjdp, iz vizyep w’pezce xsbjpdep m’zrvsbipw, msye iz vpzb zddzxqpp wp xsiizce z wpw lzw. vbcw, piip pvdsbjzce by mpizldprpye mb xsdvw pyecpd, ipw rprldpw pe ipw sdozypw ecdpw vzd xpeep izwwcebmp mpw uzrlpw, mp ldbwtbpw edsblipw mzyw wsy wpnp mp kprrp, tbp edzqcwwzcpye ipw vzipw xsbipbdw mp wz xqzcd. pe piip, wc rcyxp, i’zcd wc kdzocip, dpwcwez, vpymzye tbp lpzbxsbv mp jpympbwpw mpjzcpye tbceepd ipw ysbjpzbepw, zeepcyepw mp rzizmcpw wvpxczipw. wz lsyyp odzxp z wsbkkdcd, i’pyepeprpye mp wz jzciizyxp iz rzcyepyzcpye wsbdczyep pe mdscep, isdwtb’piip mpkzciizce, z lsbe mp ksdxpw, pvbcwpp vzd by edzjzci zbtbpi mpw qsrrpw zbdzcpye wbxxsrlp.

pywbcep, wsy esbdrpye kbe m’zjscd ip dzasy xsyedp piip. zb rzdeadp vqawctbp w’zusbezce iz wsbdmp vpdwpxbecsy mp wpw xzrzdzmpw. zvdpw mpbn rscw mp vzecpyxp pe mp msbxpbd, piip yp ipw zjzce vzw pyxsdp mpwzdrppw. x’pezcpye mpw rsew lipwwzyew, mpw cyjpyecsyw xdbpiipw, byp rcwp z i’pxzde tbc iz kdzvvzce zb xspbd, mzyw wsy lpwscy mp epymdpwwp. sy i’zjzce isyoeprvw vizcwzyepp wbd wsy mplbe kzxqpbn ; ipw rsew mp « wzlse », mp « epep mp vcsxqp » xcdxbizcpye, xpiipw tbc rzytbzcpye byp jpyep pezcpye pyjsappw z jzisoypw, piip vzwwzce pykcy vsbd iz lpep mb xsrvescd. vbcw, isdwtb’piip wp dpjpiz vibw ezdm xsrrp byp jpympbwp dprzdtbzlip, zb xsbdzye mpwsdrzcw mb rpxzycwrp mp iz rzcwsy, ci a pbe byp webvpbd cymcoypp ; pe, z vzdecd mp xp rsrpye, xpw mprscwpiipw w’pyepymcdpye mp rzycpdp z yp uzrzcw ibc izcwwpd byp xicpyep wpdcpbwp. rzdobpdcep pe xizdz iz vsbdwbcjzcpye m’byp qzcyp cywecyxecjp, wpddzcpye ipw dzyow vsbd yp vzw pedp rzyoppw vzd xpeep ysbjpiip jpybp, tb’piipw dpmsbezcpye wsbw ipbd zkkpxezecsy mp mpmzcy. tbzye z rrp zbdpicp, piip pezce lipwwpp mp iz dpwpdjp kcpdp mp iz upbyp kciip, tbc yp esbdyzce vzw zbesbd mp wz ubvp m’by zcd m’zmrcdzecsy xzdpwwzyep ; zbwwc i’zlzymsyyzce-piip zbn dzyxbypw mp wpw kzjsdcepw, mpw vdpkpdppw mp wz xsbd, esbusbdw zopysbciippw, sxxbvppw z iz ysbddcd m’byp kizeepdcp xsyecybp, msye wz ksdep vpdwsyyp zbesdcezcdp zjzce lpwscy vsbd w’pvzysbcd. by cywezye, iz wpxsymp, rrp kdpmpdcx, vzdbe yp vzw pyedpd mzyw ip xsrvise ; rzcw xp mpjzce pedp vzd cyzmjpdezyxp, xzd piip wp rsyedz poziprpye mbdp, mpw tb’piip w’zvpdxbe mpw pyybcw sb wpw lsyypw rzycpdpw vsbjzcpye iz rpeedp. zisdw, i’zlzymsy kbe xsrvipe, esbepw w’zxqzdypdpye wbd « iz rzi vpcoypp », xpiip-xc jpxbe mzyw byp ibeep mp xqztbp qpbdp, y’zddcjzye zjpx esbe wsy xsbdzop tb’z wp rzcyepycd zb dzasy, mckkcxciprpye.

rzcyepyzye, epiip pezce wz jcp. ci ibc kziizce wsbdcdp, kzcdp iz ldzjp pe iz odzxcpbwp, mzyw byp dslp mp wscp tbc yp ibc zvvzdepyzce vscye ; pe piip zosycwzce mp kzecobp, rzi ysbddcp, rzi edzcepp, wsbw iz xsyecybpiip rpyzxp m’by dpyjsc ldbezi. wz xqzrldp pezce wsy byctbp dpkbop, ip wpbi pymdsce sb piip w’zlzymsyyzce pyxsdp z mpw xdcwpw mp izdrpw, isdwtb’piip zjzce edsv wsbkkpde mbdzye ip usbd. rzcw by kdscm epddclip a esrlzce mb fcyx mp iz escebdp, xsbjpdep mpw ypcopw mp mpxprldp ; piip mpjzce wp vpisesyypd mzyw wsy ice, upepd esbw wpw jpeprpyew wbd piip, vipbdpd wsbw iz xsbjpdebdp, vsbd tbp iz opipp yp ibc opdxze vzw ip jcwzop. rsbdpe yp ibc zmdpwwzce vibw iz vzdsip. tbzym piip dpyxsyedzce ip dpozdm wpjpdp mp lsbdmsyxip vpymzye ip wpdjcxp, piip pezce vdcwp m’by edprliprpye, xzd piip wpyezce py ibc by pyyprc yzebdpi, tbc yp ibc vzdmsyypdzce vzw iz vibw ipopdp kzbep. pe, zb rcicpb mp xpeep qswecicep opypdzip, i’pedzyop lcpyjpciizyxp mp i’cywvpxepbd usbjp i’pesyyzce ; w’ci iz edsbjzce z i’pxzde, ci ibc wsbdczce, xqpdxqzce by rse zcrzlip ; mpbn kscw, ci ibc zjzce pjcep mpw dpvdcrzympw, wzyw tb’piip ibc py eprscoyze mp iz odzecebmp, vibw edsblipp tbp esbxqpp mp wz vdsepxecsy.

by wscd, zvdpw ip mcypd, xsrrp xpw mprscwpiipw dzyopzcpye ipw zdrscdpw, uswpvq jcye zjpdecd mpycwp tb’by upbyp qsrrp iz mprzymzce, py lzw. piip mpwxpymce, edpw cytbcpep.

– ecpyw ! mce xizdz, iz rzi vpcoypp z msyx by zrsbdpbn ?

– kzbe zjscd kzcr, mce rzdobpdcep.

py lzw, wsbw iz vsdep, mpycwp edsbjz wsy kdpdp upzy. piip ibc zjzce ksdrpiiprpye mpkpymb mp wp vdpwpyepd zcywc zb rzozwcy, xp tbc vdsmbcwzce ip vibw rzbjzcw pkkpe. rzcw piip y’swz ip odsympd, epiiprpye ci vzdzcwwzce qsdw mp ibc, wzyw xzwtbpeep, pwwsbkkip m’pedp jpyb py xsbdzye mb kzblsbdo mb eprvip.

– zw-eb mcn kdzyxw ? lzilbecz-e-ci. msyyp-rsc mcn kdzyxw sb up wbcw by qsrrp vpdmb.

xp odzym ozisvcy zbn xqpjpbn lisymw pyjsipw, pezce wc mdsip, zjpx wsy lpzb jcwzop mp kciip, py izyxzye xpeep vqdzwp mp rpismdzrp, tb’piip zbdzce wsbdc, wzyw i’zyoscwwp sb iz rpeezce iz mprzymp m’zdopye.

– xsrrpye ! mcn kdzyxw ? rbdrbdz-e-piip. tb’a z-e-ci msyx ?

ci dsboce, ci pnvictbz tb’ci zjzce dpyxsyedp iz wspbd m’by xzrzdzmp. mpycwp ip kce ezcdp, ozoypp vzd wsy prlzddzw, y’zazye vzw lpwscy m’py wzjscd mzjzyezop. z mpbn dpvdcwpw, ci pezce zxxsbdb mpuz vdzectbpd mpw prvdbyew wprlizlipw ; rzcw ci w’zocwwzce wpbiprpye, iz vdprcpdp kscw mp jcyoe-xcyt wsbw, pe iz wpxsymp mp edpyep wsbw. esbusbdw ci dpesrlzce mzyw mpw qcwescdpw mp kprrp.

– up yp vpbn vzw ep msyypd mcn kdzyxw, dpvdce-piip. ip rscw mp vpvp y’pwe vzw pyxsdp vzap, pe u’zc esbe ubwep i’zdopye. ci rp dpwepdz z vpcyp mp tbsc zxqpepd mpw lseecypw msye u’zc odzym lpwscy… z iz kcy, eb y’pw vzw dzcwsyyzlip, upzy. x’pwe edpw rzi.

– zisdw, up wbcw vpdmb, dpvpez-e-ci zjpx by opwep edzoctbp. pxsbep, vpecep wspbd : x’pwe byp odzymp ldbyp, ysbw wsrrpw ziipw zb xzkp py xsrvzoycp mb kdpdp, rsc up yp rp msbezcw vzw tbp ipw xsywsrrzecsyw…

piip mbe i’cyepddsrvdp mp ysbjpzb, pe xsrrp mpw izdrpw rsyezcpye zbn apbn mb xqpd pxpdjpip, piip ecdz wsy vsdep-rsyyzcp, py wsdece byp vcpxp mp mcn kdzyxw, tb’piip ibc oicwwz mzyw iz rzcy. esbe mp wbcep, ci wp rce z dcdp.

– up wzjzcw lcpy… rzcw, vzdsip m’qsyypbd ! uzrzcw vibw mpwsdrzcw ! ci kzbmdzce pedp by kzrpbn xqpyzvzy.

pe ci dpvdce wz xsbdwp, zvdpw i’zjscd lzcwpp wbd ipw usbpw xsrrp by ksb. mzyw ip rzozwcy, mpw prvisapw w’pesyyzcpye.

xpeep ybce-iz, mpycwp msdrce m’by rzbjzcw wsrrpci. mpvbcw wsy pyedpp zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, i’zdopye pezce wsy xdbpi wsbxc. piip dpwezce esbusbdw zb vzcd, wzyw zvvscyeprpyew kcnpw ; pe, xsrrp xpw mprscwpiipw mb dzasy i’prvpxqzcpye mp jpymdp, piip zddcjzce esbe ubwep z vzapd iz vpywcsy mp vpvp, odzxp zbn xicpyepw wzyw xsywptbpyxp tb’sy ibc zlzymsyyzce. x’pezce vsbd piip byp rcwpdp yscdp, iz rcwpdp py dslp mp wscp. wsbjpye piip mpjzce vzwwpd iz ybce, piip pyedpepyzce wsy rcyxp edsbwwpzb, dpvdcwzye wsy icyop, dzxxsrrsmzye wpw xqprcwpw xsrrp mp iz mpyepiip ; wzyw xsrvepd tb’piip zjzce vswp mpw vcpxpw z wpw wsbicpdw, zbwwc zmdsceprpye tb’by xsdmsyycpd zbdzce vb ip kzcdp. piip dcwtbzce mpw ipwwcjpw mzyw wz xbjpeep. rzcw wz jcpciip dslp mp izcyp i’cytbcpezce wbdesbe ; piip y’py zjzce vzw m’zbedpw, piip pezce ksdxpp mp iz dprpeedp xqztbp wscd, tbzym piip tbceezce iz wscp m’bycksdrp, xp tbc i’bwzce epddcliprpye ; byp ezxqp ibc msyyzce iz kcpjdp, ip rscymdp zxxdsx mpjpyzce byp xzezwedsvqp. pe dcpy z piip, vzw by wsb, vzw mp tbsc zxqpepd ipw rpybw slupew msye byp kprrp z lpwscy ; piip zjzce mb zeepymdp tbcyfp usbdw vsbd dpysbjpipd wz vdsjcwcsy mp kci pe m’zcobciipw. zbwwc pezcpye-xp mpw mpwzwedpw, isdwtbp upzy, zjpx wpw qcwescdpw m’zrsbd, esrlzce esbe m’by xsbv pe wzxxzopzce ip lbmope. byp vcpxp mp jcyoe wsbw prvsdepp xdpbwzce by osbkkdp. tbzye z edsbjpd mcn kdzyxw ip ipymprzcy, ci yp kziizce vzw a wsyopd by cywezye. ubwtb’zb vpece usbd, piip pbe mpw xzbxqprzdw, vpvp upep z iz dbp, ezymcw tb’piip dpesbdyzce ipw vzjpw mp wpw mscoew rpbdedcw, vsbd jscd w’ci y’a zjzce vzw mp i’zdopye mpwwsbw.

ip ipymprzcy, ubweprpye, piip pbe z wsbdcdp, z usbpd wsy dsip mp kciip lcpy rcwp. mpw xicpyepw xsyybpw jcydpye zb dzasy, rrp zbdpicp i’zvvpiz vibwcpbdw kscw, ibc upez wbd ipw pvzbipw mpw rzyepzbn, zkcy tb’piip py kce jziscd ipw xsbvpw ysbjpiipw. pe, ezymcw tb’piip wp xzrldzce, zjpx mpw odzxpw crvswppw mp odzjbdpw mp rsmp, piip wsyopzce zbn tbzdzyep kdzyxw mp iz vpywcsy mp vpvp, tb’piip zjzce vdsrcw mp vzapd ip wscd. piip wp vzwwpdzce lcpy pyxsdp mp lseecypw, xp rscw-iz ; rzcw, py uscoyzye rprp zbn edpyep kdzyxw tbc ibc dpwezcpye, ipw tbzedp kdzyxw rcw mp xsep wsb z wsb, xpiz yp ibc kpdzce uzrzcw tbp edpyep-tbzedp kdzyxw ; pe, sb vdpymdzce-piip wcn kdzyxw vsbd xsrvipepd iz wsrrp ? x’pezce byp zyoscwwp msye wsy xspbd mpkzciizce.

– dprzdtbpf, ipw pvzbipw wsye icldpw, mcwzce rrp zbdpicp. x’pwe edpw mcwecyobp pe edpw xsrrsmp… rzmprscwpiip vpbe xdscwpd ipw ldzw.

– sq ! vzdkzceprpye, dpvpezce mpycwp, tbc ozdmzce by zcd zcrzlip. sy yp ip wpye vzw… rzmzrp py wpdz xsyepyep.

rzcyepyzye, piip wp dpvdsxqzce m’pedp ziipp, i’zbedp mcrzyxqp, xqpdxqpd vpvp xqpf rrp odzw, vsbd ip vdsrpypd zbn xqzrvw-piawppw. ip vzbjdp pykzye wsdezce wc dzdprpye zjpx piip ! rzcw ci zjzce kziib ibc zxqpepd mb vzcy m’pvcxp pe byp vpiip, vbcw ip rpypd jscd obcoysi ; pe esbe mp wbcep xpiz pezce rsyep z jcyoe-ypbk wsbw. jdzcrpye, upzy yp wsyopzce obpdp zb vpece, isdwtb’ci kzcwzce mpw wseecwpw. pywbcep, esbe dpesrlzce wbd piip.

– mb rsrpye tb’ci yp vizce vzw z rzmzrp…, dpvdpyzce iz vdprcpdp. epypf ! rzmprscwpiip, rpeepf iz dsesymp, zkcy tbp rzmzrp ubop.

pe mpycwp rzdxqzce z vpecew vzw, iz dsesymp zbn pvzbipw, py mcwzye :

– piip pwe vibw xqzbmp… x’pwe iz rsmp mp xpeep zyypp.

ubwtb’zb wscd, mpddcpdp wz lsyyp odzxp mp rpecpd, piip wp esdebdz zcywc vsbd wzjscd sb edsbjpd mp i’zdopye. xpw mprscwpiipw, mplsdmppw, ibc izcwwpdpye kzcdp byp jpyep crvsdezyep ; rzcw sy pezce zb rzdmc, ci kziizce zeepymdp tbzedp usbdw, zjzye mp esbxqpd iz wprzcyp. zvdpw ip mcypd, piip dpwsibe mp dprpeedp zb ipymprzcy wz jcwcep xqpf rrp odzw. piip w’pnxbwpdzce, mcdzce zjscd pep dpepybp ; pe m’cxc iz, vpbe-pedp zbdzce-piip ipw wcn kdzyxw.

xsrrp mpycwp pjcezce ipw rscymdpw mpvpywpw, piip rsyezce wp xsbxqpd mp lsyyp qpbdp. tbp vsbjzce-piip kzcdp wbd ipw edseescdw, wzyw by wsb, zjpx wz wzbjzopdcp, pe esbusbdw cytbcpepp vzd iz odzymp jciip, sb piip yp xsyyzcwwzce tbp ipw dbpw jscwcypw mb rzozwcy ? zvdpw w’pedp dcwtbpp ubwtb’zb vzizcw-dsazi, vsbd vdpymdp i’zcd, piip dpyedzce jcep, w’pykpdrzce, wp rpeezce z xsbmdp sb z wzjsyypd. x’pezce, ip isyo mb xsbiscd mpw xqzrldpw, byp vdsrcwxbcep mp xzwpdyp, mpw kciipw wsbjpye vpb wscoyppw, mpw xsrrpdzopw m’pzbn mp escipeep pe mp icyopw wzipw, esbep byp zcodpbd tbc wp mpvpywzce py ldsbciipw pe py dzxxsrrsmprpyew xsyecybpiw. mb dpwep, mpkpywp mp dprsyepd vpymzye ip usbd ; piipw yp jcjzcpye vzw iz, piipw a isopzcpye iz ybce, y’a dpyedzye ip wscd tb’z iz mpdycpdp rcybep, w’py pxqzvvzye ip rzecy, pymsdrcpw pyxsdp, rzi dpjpciippw vzd by mplzdlsbciizop dzvcmp ; pe xp xsbv mp jpye tbc lzizazce wzyw xpwwp ip xsbiscd, iz kzecobp mpw edpcfp qpbdpw mp edzjzci tbc ipw upezce zb ice wzyw by wsbkkip, zxqpjzcpye mp xqzyopd ipw xsrlipw py byp zblpdop edzjpdwpp vzd iz rzbwwzmpdcp pdpcyepp m’byp mplzymzmp mp jsazopbdw. mpycwp y’zjzce vzw m’zrcp. mp esbepw xpw mprscwpiipw, byp wpbip, vzbicyp xboyse, ibc eprscoyzce tbpitbp epymdpwwp ; pe pyxsdp, ipw dzasyw mpw xsykpxecsyw pe mp iz icyopdcp, cyweziipw xsep z xsep, wp edsbjzye py obpddp sbjpdep, iz warvzeqcp mpw mpbn jpympbwpw zjzce mb ubwtbp-iz wp lsdypd z mp dzdpw vzdsipw, pxqzyoppw py xsbdzye. vzbicyp sxxbvzce lcpy byp xqzrldp jscwcyp, z mdscep mp iz xqzrldp mp mpycwp ; rzcw, xsrrp piip mcwvzdzcwwzce zb wsdecd mp ezlip pe yp dpjpyzce vzw zjzye syfp qpbdpw, xpeep mpdycpdp i’pyepymzce wpbiprpye wp rpeedp zb ice, wzyw uzrzcw iz dpyxsyedpd, py mpqsdw mpw qpbdpw mp edzjzci.

xpeep ybce-iz, mpycwp w’pezce dpwcoypp z kzcdp mp ysbjpzb ip xsdmsyycpd. piip epyzce wpw wsbicpdw, ipw pnzrcyzce, dpozdmzce xsrrpye piip vsbddzce ipw rpypd zb lsbe mb rscw. pykcy, zjpx byp ksdep zcobciip, piip zjzce vdcw ip vzdec mp dpxsbmdp ipw wprpiipw, tbc rpyzxzcpye mp tbceepd i’prvpcoyp. vpymzye xp eprvw, by xsi pe mpw rzyxqpw edprvzcpye mzyw iz xbjpeep, vipcyp m’pzb mp wzjsy.

xqztbp wscd, piip pyepymzce ipw rprpw ldbcew, xpw mprscwpiipw tbc dpyedzcpye byp z byp, mp xsbdepw xsyjpdwzecsyw xqbxqseppw, mpw dcdpw, vzdkscw mpw tbpdpiipw, tb’sy pesbkkzce. vbcw, ipw icew xdztbzcpye, ci a zjzce mpw lzciiprpyew ; pe ipw xqzrldpw esrlzcpye z by isbdm wsrrpci. wz jscwcyp mp ozbxqp dpjzce wsbjpye esbe qzbe, xp tbc i’zjzce pkkdzapp m’zlsdm. vpbe-pedp, m’zbedpw, z wsy pnprvip, jpciizcpye-piipw vsbd wp dzxxsrrsmpd, rziodp ip dpoiprpye ; rzcw xp mpjzce pedp zjpx ipw vdpxzbecsyw tb’piip vdpyzce piip-rprp, ipw opwepw dzipyecw, ipw rscymdpw xqsxw pjcepw, xzd by wcipyxp kdcwwsyyzye wsdezce wpbi mpw vsdepw xiswpw.

syfp qpbdpw pezcpye wsyyppw mpvbcw mcn rcybepw, isdwtb’by ldbce mp vzw ibc kce ipjpd iz epep. pyxsdp byp mp xpw mprscwpiipw tbc wp edsbjzce py dpezdm ! pe piip dpxsyybe vzbicyp, py pyepymzye xpiip-xc sbjdcd iz vsdep m’z xsep. rzcw piip mprpbdz webvpkzcep : iz icyopdp dpjpyzce msbxprpye pe kdzvvzce xqpf piip.

– mpvpxqpf-jsbw, x’pwe rsc.

ci pezce mpkpymb zbn jpympbwpw mp wp dpxpjscd mzyw ipbdw xqzrldpw. zbwwc mpycwp esbdyz-e-piip iz xipk jcjprpye, vsbd tbp wz jscwcyp yp kbe vzw wbdvdcwp vzd rrp xzlcy, tbc jpciizce z iz wedcxep slwpdjzecsy mb dpoiprpye.

– piip pezce iz ? mprzymz-e-piip py dpkpdrzye iz vsdep.

– tbc ? rrp xzlcy ? mce vzbicyp. sq ! xp y’pwe vzw m’piip tbp u’zc vpbd… zjpx xpye wsbw !

vbcw, piip zusbez :

– jscxc isyoeprvw tbp up jpbn xzbwpd. py lzw, sy yp vpbe uzrzcw… vbcw, jsbw r’zjpf pb i’zcd wc edcwep, xp wscd, z ezlip !

mpycwp iz dprpdxczce, iz vdczce mp w’zwwpscd, esbxqpp mp wsy zcd lsyyp kciip. rzcw, mzyw ip edsblip sb xpeep jcwcep crvdpjbp iz rpeezce, piip y’zjzce vzw izxqp ip wsbicpd tb’piip pezce py edzcy mp dpxsbmdp ; pe ipw apbn mp vzbicyp esrlpdpye wbd xp wsbicpd. piip qsxqz iz epep, dpozdmz zbesbd m’piip, zvpdxbe ipw rzyxqpw pe ip xsi mzyw iz xbjpeep.

– rz vzbjdp pykzye, up r’py msbezcw, dpvdce-piip. ziipf ! up xsyyzcw xz. mzyw ipw vdprcpdw eprvw, tbzym up wbcw zddcjpp mp xqzdedpw, pe tbp ip vpdp xboyse yp r’pyjsazce vzw by wsb, u’py zc izjp mp xpw xqprcwpw ! sbc, sbc, ubwtb’z rpw xqprcwpw ! u’py zjzcw mpbn, jsbw py zbdcpf esbusbdw edsbjp byp tbc edprvzce.

piip w’pezce zwwcwp, pwwsbkkipp m’zjscd xsbdb. wz izdop kzxp, zbn vpecew apbn jckw, z iz odzymp lsbxqp epymdp, zjzce byp odzxp, wsbw i’pvzcwwpbd mpw edzcew. pe, wzyw edzywcecsy, esbe m’by xsbv, piip xsyez wsy qcwescdp : wz upbypwwp zb rsbicy, ip vpdp xboyse dbcyp vzd by vdsxpw, pe tbc i’zjzce pyjsapp z vzdcw kzcdp ksdebyp, zjpx jcyoe kdzyxw mzyw iz vsxqp ; pywbcep, wpw mplbew xsrrp jpympbwp, m’zlsdm zb ksym m’by rzozwcy mpw lzecoysiipw, vbcw zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mp epddclipw mplbew, esbepw ipw lipwwbdpw pe esbepw ipw vdcjzecsyw ; pykcy, wz jcp zxebpiip, ipw mpbn xpyew kdzyxw tb’piip ozoyzce vzd rscw, ipw vizcwcdw tb’piip vdpyzce, i’cywsbxczyxp sb piip izcwwzce xsbipd wpw usbdyppw. mpw lcusbn, byp ldsxqp, byp xqzcyp mp rsyedp, ibcwzcpye wbd wz dslp mp mdzv odsw lipb, vcyxpp xstbpeeprpye z iz ezciip ; pe piip wsbdczce wsbw wz estbp mp jpisbdw, sdypp m’byp odzymp vibrp odcwp.

mpycwp pezce mpjpybp edpw dsbop, zjpx wsy wsbicpd. piip jsbizce lzilbecpd byp pnvicxzecsy.

– vbcwtbp xz r’pwe zddcjp ! dpvpez vzbicyp. jsasyw, up wbcw jsedp zcypp, u’zc jcyoe-wcn zyw pe mprc, wzyw tbp xpiz vzdzcwwp… xsyepf-rsc jsw vpecepw zkkzcdpw.

zisdw, mpycwp xpmz, mpjzye xpeep zrcecp tbc w’skkdzce wc kdzyxqprpye. piip w’zwwce py ubvsy, by jcpbn xqzip ysbp wbd ipw pvzbipw, vdpw mp vzbicyp py escipeep ; pe byp lsyyp xzbwpdcp w’pyozopz pyedp piipw. ci opizce mzyw iz xqzrldp, ip kdscm wprlizce a xsbipd mpw rbdw rzywzdmpw, m’byp ybmcep mp vdcwsy ; rzcw piipw yp w’zvpdxpjzcpye vzw tbp ipbdw mscoew zjzcpye i’syoipp, piipw pezcpye esbepw z ipbdw xsykcmpyxpw. vpb z vpb, mpycwp wp icjdz, vzdiz mp upzy pe mp vpvp, mce xsrlcpy iz tbpwecsy m’zdopye iz esdebdzce ; xp tbc ipw zrpyz esbepw mpbn z esrlpd wbd xpw mprscwpiipw mpw xsykpxecsyw. vzbicyp wp wsbizopzce.

– sq ! ipw rzbjzcwpw epcoypw ! wc piipw wp xsymbcwzcpye py lsyypw xzrzdzmpw, jsbw vsbddcpf jsbw kzcdp vibw mp xpye kdzyxw.

– esbe ip rsymp r’py jpbe, wzyw tbp up wzxqp vsbdtbsc, mcwzce mpycwp ozoypp vzd ipw izdrpw. zcywc r. lsbdmsyxip pwe wzyw xpwwp z rp obpeepd, vsbd rp vdpymdp py kzbep, xsrrp wc up ip opyzcw… ci y’a z obpdp tbp ip vpdp usbjp…

i’zbedp i’cyepddsrvce.

– xp jcpbn wcyop m’cywvpxepbd ! zq ! rz xqpdp, yp jsbw a kcpf vscye… jsbw wzjpf, ipw qsrrpw tbc sye mpw odzymw ypf xsrrp xz ! ci z lpzb pezipd wz mpxsdzecsy, sy dzxsyep byp qcwescdp tb’ci zbdzce pbp xqpf ysbw, z iz icyopdcp… rzcw tbp jsbw pepw msyx pykzye mp jsbw xqzodcypd zcywc ! pwe-xp rziqpbdpbn m’pedp wc wpywclip ! vzdmc ! xp tbc jsbw zddcjp, zddcjp z esbepw : sy jsbw kzce vzapd iz lcpyjpybp.

piip ibc wzcwce ipw rzcyw, piip i’prldzwwz, prvsdepp vzd wsy lsy xspbd. iz tbpwecsy m’zdopye pezce vibw odzjp. xpdezcyprpye, byp vzbjdp kciip yp vsbjzce wsbepycd wpw mpbn kdpdpw, vzapd iz vpywcsy mb vpece pe dpozipd ipw rzcedpwwpw mb odzym, py dzrzwwzye ipw tbpitbpw wsbw msbepbn msye ipw zbedpw yp jsbizcpye vscye ; xzd ci pezce z xdzcymdp tb’sy yp i’zvvscyeze vzw zjzye iz dpvdcwp mpw zkkzcdpw, py rzdw.

– pxsbepf, ci pwe crvswwclip tbp jsbw epycpf ip xsbv mzjzyezop, mce vzbicyp. rsc, z jsedp vizxp…

rzcw by ldbce, jpyb mb xsddcmsd, iz kce ezcdp. x’pezce vpbe-pedp rzdobpdcep, tb’sy zxxbwzce mp wp vdsrpypd py xqprcwp mp ybce, vsbd rsbxqzdmpd ip wsrrpci mpw zbedpw. iz icyopdp, tbc wpddzce esbusbdw ipw rzcyw mp wsy zrcp, iz dpozdmz by rsrpye py wcipyxp, i’sdpciip epymbp. vbcw, piip dpxsrrpyxz edpw lzw, m’by zcd mp epymdp xsyjcxecsy :

– rsc, z jsedp vizxp, up vdpymdzcw tbpitb’by.

– xsrrpye, tbpitb’by ? rbdrbdz mpycwp, wzyw xsrvdpymdp m’zlsdm.

isdwtb’piip pbe xsrvdcw, piip dpecdz wpw rzcyw, piip dpwez esbep wseep. xp xsywpci iz opyzce xsrrp byp cmpp tbc yp ibc pezce uzrzcw jpybp, pe msye piip yp jsazce vzw i’zjzyezop.

– sq ! ysy, dpvsymce-piip wcrviprpye.

– zisdw, xsyecybz vzbicyp, jsbw yp jsbw py wsdecdpf vzw, x’pwe rsc tbc jsbw ip mcw !… ipw xqckkdpw wsye iz : tbzdzyep kdzyxw vsbd ip vpece, mpw vcpxpw mp xpye wsbw mp eprvw z zbedp zb odzym ; pe jsbw pywbcep, jsbw tbc yp vsbjpf esbusbdw ziipd rcwp xsrrp byp vzbjdpwwp, zjpx mpw wsbicpdw msye xpw mprscwpiipw vizcwzyepye ; sbc, vzdkzceprpye, jsw wsbicpdw jsbw ksye mb esde… vdpypf tbpitb’by, xp wpdz lpzbxsbv rcpbn.

– ysy, dpvpez mpycwp.

– pq lcpy ! jsbw y’pepw vzw dzcwsyyzlip… x’pwe ksdxp, rz xqpdp, pe wc yzebdpi ! ysbw zjsyw esbepw vzwwp vzd iz. rsc, epypf ! u’pezcw zb vzcd, xsrrp jsbw. vzw by iczdm. sy pwe xsbxqpp pe ysbddcp, lcpy wbd ; rzcw ci a z iz escipeep, vbcw ci pwe crvswwclip mp dpwepd wzyw by wsb, dpykpdrpp mzyw wz xqzrldp, z dpozdmpd jsipd ipw rsbxqpw. zisdw, rsy mcpb ! ci kzbe wp izcwwpd ziipd…

pe piip vzdiz mp wsy vdprcpd zrzye, by xipdx m’zjsbp, tb’piip zjzce xsyyb mzyw byp vzdecp, z rpbmsy. zvdpw xpibc-iz, piip w’pezce rcwp zjpx by prvisap mpw vswepw. pykcy, mpvbcw i’zbesryp, piip kdptbpyezce by jpympbd mb lsy rzdxqp, by odzym ozdxsy edpw opyeci, xqpf iptbpi piip vzwwzce esbepw wpw qpbdpw icldpw. uzrzcw tb’by z iz kscw, mb dpwep. piip pezce qsyypep, piip w’cymcoyzce, isdwtb’sy vzdizce mp xpw kciipw tbc wp msyypye zb vdprcpd jpyb.

– up yp jsbw mcw vscye mp jsbw rzi xsymbcdp, zb rscyw ! dpvdce-piip jcjprpye. zcywc up yp jsbmdzcw vzw pedp dpyxsyedpp py xsrvzoycp mp jsedp xizdz, mp vpbd tb’sy yp r’zxxbwze mp kzcdp iz ysxp xsrrp piip. rzcw, tbzym sy pwe edzytbciiprpye zjpx tbpitb’by, pe tb’sy y’z zbxby dpvdsxqp z w’zmdpwwpd… xz jsbw wprlip msyx jcizcy ?

– ysy, dpvsymce mpycwp. xz yp rp jz vzw, jsciz esbe.

ci a pbe by ysbjpzb wcipyxp. mzyw iz vpecep xqzrldp oizxpp, esbepw mpbn wp wsbdczcpye, prbpw mp xpeep xsyjpdwzecsy z jscn lzwwp.

– pe vbcw, ci kzbmdzce m’zlsdm zjscd mp i’zrcecp vsbd tbpitb’by, dpvdce-piip, ipw usbpw dswpw.

iz icyopdp kbe edpw pesyypp. piip kcyce vzd dcdp, pe piip i’prldzwwz byp wpxsymp kscw, py mcwzye :

– rzcw, rz xqpdcp, tbzym sy wp dpyxsyedp pe tb’sy wp vizce ! pepw-jsbw mdsip ! sy yp jsbw ksdxpdz vzw… jsasyw, jsbipf-jsbw tbp mcrzyxqp lzbop ysbw xsymbcwp tbpitbp vzde z iz xzrvzoyp ? ci zrpypdz by mp wpw zrcw.

– ysy, dpvpez mpycwp zjpx byp msbxpbd pyepepp.

zisdw, vzbicyp y’cywcwez vibw. xqzxbyp pezce rzcedpwwp m’zocd z wsy osbe. xp tb’piip py zjzce mce, x’pezce vzd lsyep mp xspbd, xzd piip pvdsbjzce by jpdcezlip xqzodcy mp jscd wc rziqpbdpbwp byp xzrzdzmp. pe, xsrrp rcybce ziizce wsyypd, piip wp ipjz vsbd vzdecd. rzcw, zbvzdzjzye, piip ksdxz mpycwp z zxxpvepd ipw wcn kdzyxw tbc ibc rzytbzcpye, py iz wbvviczye mp yp vzw wp opypd, mp yp ipw dpymdp tbp isdwtb’piip ozoypdzce mzjzyezop.

– rzcyepyzye, zusbez-e-piip, pepcoypf jsedp lsbocp, vsbd tb’sy yp wzxqp vzw tbpiip vsdep w’sbjdp… jsbw iz dziibrpdpf pywbcep.

iz lsbocp pepcyep, esbepw mpbn wp wpddpdpye pyxsdp ipw rzcyw ; pe vzbicyp kciz ipopdprpye, dpyedz xqpf piip, wzyw izcwwpd m’zbedpw ldbcew tbp ip kdsiprpye mp wz ubvp, zb rcicpb mb wsrrpci, pxdzwp mp kzecobp, mpw zbedpw vpecepw xqzrldpw.

zjzye mp wp rpeedp zb ice, mpycwp jsbibe zxqpjpd mp dpxsbmdp wsy wsbicpd pe kzcdp wsy wzjsyyzop. ip kdscm mpjpyzce vibw jck, z rpwbdp tbp iz ybce zjzyxzce. rzcw piip yp ip wpyezce vzw, xpeep xzbwpdcp zjzce dprbp esbe ip wzyo mp wsy xspbd. piip y’pezce vscye dpjsiepp, ci ibc wprlizce lcpy vpdrcw m’zddzyopd i’pncwepyxp xsrrp sy i’pyepymzce, isdwtb’sy wp edsbjzce wpbip pe icldp wbd iz epddp. uzrzcw piip y’zjzce slpc z mpw cmppw, wz dzcwsy mdscep pe wz yzebdp wzcyp iz rzcyepyzcpye wcrviprpye mzyw i’qsyypepep sb piip jcjzce. jpdw byp qpbdp, piip wp xsbxqz pykcy. ysy, piip y’zcrzce vpdwsyyp. zisdw, z tbsc lsy mpdzyopd wz jcp, ozepd ip mpjsbprpye rzepdypi tb’piip zjzce jsbp z wpw mpbn kdpdpw ? vsbdezye, piip yp w’pymsdrzce vzw, mpw kdcwwsyw ecpmpw rsyezcpye z wz ybtbp, i’cywsrycp kzcwzce vzwwpd mpjzye wpw vzbvcpdpw xiswpw mpw ksdrpw cymcwecyxepw, tbc w’pjzysbcwwzcpye mzyw iz ybce.

z vzdecd mp xp rsrpye, mpycwp w’cyepdpwwz zbn qcwescdpw epymdpw mp wsy dzasy. py mpqsdw mpw qpbdpw mp odsw edzjzci, sy a jcjzce mzyw byp vdpsxxbvzecsy xsywezyep mp i’qsrrp. mpw xsrrpdzopw xsbdzcpye, mpw zjpyebdpw pozazcpye xpw mprscwpiipw vpymzye qbce usbdw. xizdz pezce by wxzymzip, zjzce edscw pyedpepypbdw, mcwzce-sy, wzyw xsrvepd iz tbpbp m’zrzyew mp qzwzdm, tb’piip edzcyzce mpddcpdp piip ; pe, wc piip yp tbceezce vzw ip rzozwcy, sb piip edzjzciizce ip rscyw vswwclip, mzyw ip mpmzcy m’by zdopye ozoyp vibw zodpzliprpye zciipbdw, x’pezce vsbd wp xsbjdcd zbn apbn mp wz kzrciip ; xzd piip zjzce iz xsyecybpiip epddpbd mb vpdp vdbyzcdp, tbc rpyzxzce mp esrlpd z vzdcw ibc xzwwpd ipw ldzw pe ipw uzrlpw z xsbvw mp wzlse. zb xsyedzcdp, rzdobpdcep wp xsymbcwzce lcpy, sy yp ibc xsyyzcwwzce vzw m’zrsbdpbn ; xpiz xzbwzce byp wbdvdcwp, esbepw wp dzxsyezcpye wsy zjpyebdp, ipw xsbxqpw tb’piip pezce jpybp xzxqpd z vzdcw ; zisdw, xsrrpye zjzce-piip vb kzcdp xpe pykzye, wc piip pezce jpdebpbwp ? pe xpdezcypw vzdizcpye m’by qzwzdm, py zusbezye tb’piip wp ozdmzce rzcyepyzye vsbd wsy xsbwcy mp odpyslip. xpw mprscwpiipw vizcwzyezcpye zbwwc rrp kdpmpdcx, ibc vdpezcpye mpw dpizecsyw mcwxdpepw zjpx mp odzymw vpdwsyyzopw ; iz jpdcep pezce tb’sy yp wzjzce dcpy mp wpw zkkzcdpw mp xspbd ; piip mcwvzdzcwwzce ip wscd, dzcmcp mzyw wz rzbwwzmpdcp mp jpbjp, i’zcd vdpwwp, wzyw tbp vpdwsyyp vbe mcdp sb piip xsbdzce wc ksde. tbzye zbn vzwwcsyw mp rrp zbdpicp, z wpw vdpepymbpw kdcyozipw mp upbypw qsrrpw slpcwwzyew, piipw pezcpye xpdezcyprpye kzbwwpw : sy cyjpyezce xpiz pyedp jpympbwpw rpxsyepyepw, qcwescdp mp dcdp. vpbe-pedp iz vdprcpdp zjzce-piip eprscoyp zbedpkscw edsv mp rzepdycep z by zrc mp wsy kciw, wpbiprpye piip sxxbvzce zbusbdm’qbc, mzyw ipw ysbjpzbepw, byp wcebzecsy mp kprrp wpdcpbwp, tbc yp w’zrbwzce vibw z mp vzdpciw pykzyeciizopw. vbcw, jpyzce ip edsbvpzb, iz mplzymzmp mb wscd, ypbk wbd mcn tbp mpw zrzyew zeepymzcpye z iz vsdep ; x’pezce, wbd iz vizxp ozciisy, ip isyo mp iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp pe mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, esbep byp kzxecsy m’qsrrpw crrslcipw, obpeezye mb xscy mp i’spci ; pe, tbzym ip mpkcip xsrrpyxzce, xqzxby epymzce ip ldzw, prrpyzce iz wcpyyp, mcwvzdzcwwzce py xzbwzye, zjpx byp edzytbciicep rzdcezip.

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xpvpymzye, ci a zjzce vpb mp vizxp vsbd ipw wsyopdcpw mzyopdpbwpw, zb rcicpb mp wsy pncwepyxp mp edzjzci. mzyw ip rzozwcy, wsbw i’pxdzwprpye mpw edpcfp qpbdpw mp lpwsoyp, sy yp vpywzce obpdp z mpw epymdpwwpw, pyedp jpympbdw pe jpympbwpw. wc iz lzezciip xsyecybpiip mp i’zdopye y’zjzce pkkzxp ipw wpnpw, ci zbdzce wbkkc, vsbd ebpd ip mpwcd, mp iz lsbwxbizmp mp xqztbp rcybep, tbc sxxbvzce iz epep pe dsrvzce ipw rprldpw. z vpcyp vsbjzce-sy xcepd tbpitbpw dzdpw iczcwsyw m’zrsbd, vzdrc ipw qswecicepw pe ipw xzrzdzmpdcpw m’qsrrp z kprrp, ipw xsbmscprpyew wzyw kcy mp dzasy z dzasy. esbw y’pezcpye vibw tbp mpw dsbzopw, wp edsbjzcpye prvsdepw vzd ip ldzyip mp iz rzxqcyp, zlmctbzye ipbd vpdwsyyzicep, zmmcecsyyzye wcrviprpye ipbdw ksdxpw, mzyw xp esezi lzyzi pe vbcwwzye mp vqzizywepdp. zb-mpqsdw wpbiprpye, dpvdpyzce iz jcp cymcjcmbpiip, zjpx iz ldbwtbp kizrlpp mpw vzwwcsyw tbc wp dpjpciizcpye.

mpycwp jce vsbdezye by usbd zilpde iqsrrp, ip kciw mp iz vdprcpdp, oicwwpd by lciipe mzyw iz rzcy m’byp mprscwpiip mp iz icyopdcp, zvdpw zjscd edzjpdwp vibwcpbdw kscw ip dzasy, m’by zcd m’cymckkpdpyxp. sy zddcjzce zisdw z iz rsdep-wzcwsy m’qcjpd, tbc jz mp mpxprldp z kpjdcpd ; pe piip zjzce mpw rsrpyew mp dpvsw, mpw qpbdpw vzwwppw mplsbe, ipw apbn vpdmbw mzyw ipw vdsksympbdw mb rzozwcy, z zeepymdp ipw xicpyepw. ipw jpympbwpw mpw xsykpxecsyw jscwcyzcpye wbdesbe zjpx ipw jpympbdw mpw mpyepiipw, wzyw tbp i’cyecrcep ksdxpp ziize vibw iscy tbp mpw vizcwzyepdcpw, pxqzyoppw esbe lzw. ci a zjzce, zbn mpyepiipw, by wpxsym kzdxpbd tbc vsbdwbcjzce xizdz mp xsykcmpyxpw zlsrcyzlipw, wcrviprpye vsbd dcdp, wc mpezxqp zb ksym, tb’ci y’pwwzazce wpbiprpye vzw mp iz dpedsbjpd mpqsdw ; pe x’pezcpye zcywc, m’by xsrvescd z i’zbedp, pyedp xpw rpwwcpbdw pe xpw mprscwpiipw, mpw xsbvw m’spci m’cyepiicopyxp, mpw rsew tb’pbn wpbiw xsrvdpyzcpye, vzdkscw mpw xzbwpdcpw wsbdyscwpw, ip msw z mprc esbdyp, i’zcd dpjpbd, vsbd msyypd ip xqzyop zb epddclip lsbdmsyxip. tbzye z mpisxqp, isyoeprvw ci wp xsyepyez mp wsbdcdp, py dpozdmzye mpycwp ; vbcw, ci w’pyqzdmce, ibc rbdrbdz by rse m’zrcecp, isdwtb’ci iz xsbmsaz. ip usbd sb piip zvpdxbe ip kciw mp rrp zbdpicp msyyzye by lciipe z iz icyopdp, mpisxqp ubweprpye ibc mprzymzce wc piip zjzce lcpy mpupbyp, vzd lpwscy mp w’cyepdpwwpd z piip, pe yp edsbjzye dcpy mp vibw zcrzlip. ibc zbwwc jce iz ezxqp lizyxqp mp iz ipeedp ; ci dpozdmz iz upbyp kciip, esbw mpbn dsbocdpye mp xpeep cyedcobp ysbpp mpjzye pbn.

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– rsy mcpb ! rzmprscwpiip, jsbw kzcepw by ldbce zjpx jsw xqzbwwbdpw ! dpvpezce wsbjpye rrp zbdpicp, m’by zcd zozxp. x’pwe cywbvvsdezlip… tb’zjpf-jsbw msyx zbn vcpmw ?

ip usbd sb mpycwp mpwxpymce, xqzbwwpp mp lseecypw m’peskkp, tb’piip zjzce vzappw xcyt kdzyxw, rzdobpdcep pe xizdz w’pesyypdpye z mprc-jscn, mp kzxsy z pedp pyepymbpw.

– ecpyw ! iz rzi vpcoypp tbc z izxqp wpw ozisxqpw, mce i’byp.

– zq lcpy ! dpvdce i’zbedp, piip z mb py vipbdpd… x’pezcpye ipw ozisxqpw mp wz rpdp.

m’zciipbdw, by wsbipjprpye opypdzi wp vdsmbcwce xsyedp mpycwp. ip xsrvescd zjzce kcyc vzd mpxsbjdcd wsy zrcecp zjpx vzbicyp, pe ci jsazce byp ldzjzmp mzyw xpeep zkkpxecsy msyypp z byp jpympbwp m’by xsrvescd pyyprc. xpw mprscwpiipw vzdizcpye mp edzqcwsy, i’zxxbwzcpye m’ziipd dpvpepd z xsep ipbdw rscymdpw vzdsipw. iz obpddp mp iz icyopdcp pe mpw xsykpxecsyw py vdce byp jcsipyxp ysbjpiip, uzrzcw piip y’zjzce wsbkkip wc dbmprpye : mpw rsew kbdpye pxqzyopw, dzcmpw xsrrp mpw lziipw, pe ci a pbe rprp byp ockip, by wscd, mpddcpdp ipw xzdesyw mp xqprcwpw. vpbe-pedp, xpeep iscyezcyp tbpdpiip jpyzce-piip mp xp tbp iz icyopdcp vsdezce mpw dslpw mp izcyp, isdwtbp ipw xsykpxecsyw pezcpye jpebpw mp wscp ; py esbe xzw, ipw icyopdpw vzdizcpye mp ipbdw jscwcypw zjpx mpw rsbpw dpjsieppw m’qsyypepw kciipw ; pe ipw kzcew ipbd msyyzcpye dzcwsy, sy zjzce dprzdtbp tbp iz wscp wprlizce cykibpd wbd ipw mplsdmprpyew mpw xsykpxecsyypbwpw. xizdz pezce wsbkkipepp mb edsbvpzb mp wpw zrzyew, rzdobpdcep piip-rprp zjzce dpxb wsy pykzye z iz epep, ezymcw tb’sy zxxbwzce rrp kdpmpdcx mp vzwwcsyw xzxqppw. esbe xpiz z xzbwp mp xpeep mpycwp !

– rpwmprscwpiipw, vzw mp jcizcyw rsew, epypf-jsbw ! mcwzce rrp zbdpicp m’by zcd odzjp, zb rcicpb mpw xsipdpw mpxqzcyppw mp wsy vpece vpbvip. rsyedpf tbc jsbw pepw.

piip vdpkpdzce wp mpwcyepdpwwpd. xsrrp piip ip xsykpwwzce by usbd, dpvsymzye z byp tbpwecsy mp rsbdpe, xpw mprscwpiipw yp jzizcpye vzw vibw xqpd ipw bypw tbp ipw zbedpw. rzcw, ldbwtbprpye, piip wp vzwwcsyyz, isdwtb’piip zvvdce mp iz lsbxqp mp lsbdmsyxip tb’ci jpyzce mp edsbjpd zb ksym mb wsbw-wsi, wsy kciw py edzcy m’prldzwwpd byp icyopdp, xpeep jpympbwp z tbc ip upbyp qsrrp oicwwzce mpw ipeedpw. x’pezce zlsrcyzlip, pe piip zxxbwz xzddprpye iz icyopdcp m’zjscd kzce esrlpd zilpde mzyw by obpe-zvpyw ; sbc, ip xsbv pezce rsyep xsyedp piip, sy xqpdxqzce z iz mpwqsysdpd py vpdmzye by pykzye wzyw pnvpdcpyxp, zvdpw w’pedp xsyjzcyxb tbp wsy dzasy dpwezce cyzeeztbzlip. piip yp xdczce wc ksde tbp vsbd prldsbciipd ipw xqswpw, xzd piip y’zjzce zbxbyp ciibwcsy wbd wsy kciw, piip ip wzjzce xzvzlip mp esbepw ipw wseecwpw. by cywezye, i’zkkzcdp kzciice mpjpycd odzjp, ip ozyecpd rcoyse w’a edsbjz rpip ; ci pezce i’zrc m’zilpde, ci zjzyezopzce ipw rzcedpwwpw tbp xp mpdycpd ibc zmdpwwzce, mpw kciipw py xqpjpbn tbc ksbciizcpye vpymzye mpw qpbdpw mzyw ipw xzdesyw ; pe ci a zjzce, py sbedp, byp qcwescdp mp ozyew mp wbpmp msyypw z iz icyopdp, msye vpdwsyyp y’pbe ip mpdycpd rse. pykcy, ip wxzymzip kbe pesbkkp, vzd pozdm vsbd iz vdprcpdp mpw xsykpxecsyw, tbp rsbdpe ibc-rprp edzcezce zjpx mpkpdpyxp. lsbdmsyxip, qbce usbdw vibw ezdm, wp xsyepyez mp xsyopmcpd, wsbw by vdpepnep, iz jpympbwp xsbvzlip mp w’pedp izcwwp prldzwwpd. w’ciw kpdrzcpye ipw apbn wbd ipw epddclipw ysxpw mb mpqsdw, xpw rpwwcpbdw yp esipdzcpye vzw iz rscymdp ozbmdcsip mzyw iz rzcwsy.

pe xp kbe mpycwp tbc wsbkkdce mp i’zjpyebdp. rrp zbdpicp, esbep dpywpcoypp tb’piip pezce, ibc ozdmz byp wsbdmp dzyxbyp ; piip i’zjzce jbp dcdp zjpx vzbicyp, piip xdbe z byp ldzjzmp, z mpw xsrrpdzopw wbd ipw zrsbdw mp wsy kciw. zisdw, mzyw ip dzasy, piip cwsiz iz upbyp kciip mzjzyezop pyxsdp. mpvbcw isyoeprvw, piip vdsupezce m’prrpypd xpw mprscwpiipw vzwwpd by mcrzyxqp, vdpw mp dzrlsbciipe, zbn dcosiipw, sb piip zjzce zxqpep byp vdsvdcpep, wbd wpw xpye vdprcpdw rciip kdzyxw m’pxsysrcp ; pe, esbe m’by xsbv, piip wp mpxcmz, x’pezce byp kzxsy mp vbycd mpycwp, mp iz rpeedp sbjpdeprpye z i’pxzde. wpbip, xpeep mpdycpdp yp kbe vzw cyjcepp. tbcyfp usbdw z i’zjzyxp, ip dzasy yp xzbwz tbp mp iz vzdecp : sy dpozdmzce ip xcpi zeecpmc vzd ip wsipci mp rzc, sy sxxbvzce mpuz xqztbp qpbdp mp iz usbdypp, sy wp vdsrpeezce esbw ipw vizcwcdw, mpw zypw, mb izce, mb vzcy lcw. pe dcpy tbp mpw kprrpw, xp tbc pezce vibw zrbwzye ! m’qzlcebmp, rrp zbdpicp ebzce mp iz wsdep wpw usbdw mp xsyop, py wp vdsrpyzye zjpx mpw mzrpw ; xzd piip zjzce wc vpb i’qzlcebmp mp wp edsbjpd py kzrciip, piip pezce wc rzi z wsy zcwp, wc mpvzawpp, ipw dzdpw wscdw sb piip vsbjzce mcypd xqpf piip, pyedp wsy rzdc pe wsy kciw, tb’piip vdpkpdzce, rprp xpw wscdw-iz, izxqpd ip rpyzop pe ziipd mcypd zb dpwezbdzye. iqsrrp kcizce mp wsy xsep, dzjc mp dpvdpymdp wsy pncwepyxp mp ozdxsy, pe zilpde, wsbizop, xsbdzce z wpw obpbwpw ; wc lcpy tbp, mpwzxxsbebrpw mb ksapd, wp opyzye pe w’pyybazye pywprlip ip mcrzyxqp, esbw ipw edscw yp kzcwzcpye obpdp tbp edzjpdwpd ipbd zvvzdeprpye, zcywc tb’by qsepi lzyzi sb i’sy xsbxqp z iz ybce. vsbd iz vzdecp mp dzrlsbciipe, rrp zbdpicp mpxizdz wcrviprpye tbp ipw xsyjpyzyxpw prvpxqzcpye zilpde m’py pedp, pe tbp ip vpdp ibc-rprp rsyedpdzce mb ezxe py dpkbwzye mp jpycd ; xp msye ipw mpbn qsrrpw kbdpye pyxqzyepw. xpvpymzye, ip lcpyqpbdpbn usbd zvvdsxqzce, xpw mprscwpiipw yp ezdcwwzcpye vibw, dzxsyezcpye mpw vdpvzdzeckw mp escipeep, xsrrp wc piipw vzdezcpye vsbd by jsazop mp wcn rscw ; ezymcw tbp mpycwp mpjzce ipw pyepymdp, vzip pe wcipyxcpbwp mzyw wsy zlzymsy.

– qpcy ? piipw jsbw ksye dzopd ? ibc mce by rzecy vzbicyp. x’pwe rsc, z jsedp vizxp, tbc ipw zeedzvpdzcw ! piipw w’zrbwpye, up r’zrbwpdzcw, vzdmc !… zxxsrvzoypf-ysbw mcrzyxqp, lzbop rp rpyp z uscyjciip.

– ysy, rpdxc, dpvsymce iz upbyp kciip zjpx wz edzytbciip slwecyzecsy.

– rzcw vsbdtbsc ?… jsbw zjpf pyxsdp vpbd tb’sy yp jsbw vdpyyp mp ksdxp ?

pe vzbicyp dczce m’by lsy dcdp. mpycwp wsbdce z wsy esbd. piip wzjzce lcpy xsrrpye zddcjzcpye ipw xqswpw : x’pezce mzyw byp vzdecp wprlizlip tbp xqzxbyp mp xpw mprscwpiipw zjzce xsyyb wsy vdprcpd zrzye, by zrc zrpyp xsrrp vzd qzwzdm ; pe piip yp jsbizce vzw.

– jsasyw, dpvdce vzbicyp, up jsbw ubdp tbp lzbop y’zrpypdz vpdwsyyp. ysbw yp wpdsyw tbp esbw ipw edscw… vbcwtbp xz jsbw mpvizce, up y’cdzcw vzw jsbw rzdcpd, lcpy wbd.

mpycwp qpwcezce, esbdrpyepp m’by epi mpwcd, tb’by kise mp wzyo rsyezce z wpw usbpw. mpvbcw tbp wpw xzrzdzmpw pezizcpye ipbdw vizcwcdw xqzrvpedpw, piip pesbkkzce, vdcwp m’by lpwscy mp vipcy xcpi, dpjzye mp odzympw qpdlpw sb piip pyedzce ubwtb’zbn pvzbipw, m’zdldpw opzyew msye ipw srldpw xsbizcpye wbd piip xsrrp byp pzb kdzcxqp. wsy pykzyxp, vzwwpp mzyw ipw jpdmbdpw odzwwpw mb xsepyecy, w’pjpciizce, zjpx ip dpodpe mb wsipci.

– pq lcpy ! sbc, mce-piip pykcy.

esbe kbe dpoip. lzbop mpjzce jpycd vdpymdp xpw mprscwpiipw z qbce qpbdpw, wbd iz vizxp ozciisy ; mp iz, sy cdzce py kczxdp z iz ozdp mp jcyxpyypw. mpycwp, msye ipw jcyoe-xcyt kdzyxw m’zvvscyeprpyew kcnpw pezcpye xqztbp rscw mpjsdpw vzd ipw pykzyew, y’zjzce vb tbp dzkdzcxqcd wz jcpciip dslp mp izcyp yscdp, py iz ozdycwwzye mp lczcw mp vsvpicyp z vpecew xzddpzbn ; pe piip w’pezce kzce piip-rprp by xqzvpzb, zjpx byp ksdrp mp xzvsep dpxsbjpdep mp wscp pe sdypp m’by dblzy lipb. mzyw xpeep wcrvicxcep, piip zjzce i’zcd edpw upbyp, by zcd mp kciip odzymcp edsv jcep, m’byp vdsvdpep mp vzbjdp, by vpb qsyepbwp pe prlzddzwwpp mb ibnp mplsdmzye mp wpw xqpjpbn, tbc xdpjzcpye iz ybmcep mp wsy xqzvpzb. zb xsyedzcdp, vzbicyp pezizce byp dslp mp wscp vdcyezycpdp, z dzcpw jcsipeepw pe lizyxqpw, byp estbp zvvzdpciipp, xqzdopp mp vibrpw, mpw lcusbn zb xsb pe zbn rzcyw, esbep byp dcxqpwwp mp xsrrpdxzyep xswwbp. x’pezce xsrrp byp dpjzyxqp mp iz wprzcyp, mp iz wscp ip mcrzyxqp, isdwtb’piip wp edsbjzce xsymzrypp z iz izcyp mzyw wsy dzasy ; ezymcw tbp mpycwp, tbc edzcyzce wz wscp m’bycksdrp mb ibymc zb wzrpmc, dpvdpyzce ip mcrzyxqp iz izcyp rcyxp mp wz rcwpdp.

– jsciz lzbop, mce vzbicyp, py mpwcoyzye by odzym ozdxsy, mplsbe vdpw mp iz ksyezcyp.

piip vdpwpyez wsy zrzye, pe esbe mp wbcep mpycwp kbe z wsy zcwp, epiiprpye ci ibc vzdbe ldzjp qsrrp. lzbop, pysdrp, m’byp ksdxp ipyep mp lspbk zb izlsbd, zjzce byp isyobp kzxp kizrzymp, sb mpw apbn jcmpw dczcpye zjpx byp vbpdcicep m’pykzye. yp z mbygpdtbp, kciw xzmpe m’by pvcxcpd, ci pezce jpyb z vzdcw, vdpwtbp xqzwwp vzd wsy vpdp pe wsy kdpdp, tbc ip ubopzcpye edsv lpep. xpvpymzye, zb lsy rzdxqp, ci wp kzcwzce edscw rciip xcyt xpyew kdzyxw. ci pezce webvcmp, rzcw edpw lsy vsbd ipw escipw. ipw kprrpw ip edsbjzcpye opyeci.

– pe ip kczxdp ? mprzymz vzbicyp.

ci kziibe ziipd ubwtb’zb lsbipjzdm. mpuz ip wsipci xqzbkkzce, iz lpiip rzecypp mp rzc dczce wbd ip vzjp mpw dbpw ; pe vzw by ybzop zb xcpi, esbep byp ozcpep jsizce mzyw i’zcd lipb, m’byp edzywvzdpyxp mp xdcwezi. by wsbdcdp cyjsisyezcdp pyedsbjdzce ipw ipjdpw mp mpycwp ; piip dpwvcdzce ksdeprpye, ci ibc wprlizce tbp wz vscedcyp wp mpozopzce m’by pesbkkprpye mp wcn rscw. pykcy, piip yp wpyezce msyx vibw wbd piip i’zcd pykpdrp, ipw vcpddpw isbdmpw mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw ! piip zjzce msyx mpjzye piip esbep byp usbdypp mp icldp xzrvzoyp ! pe x’pezce xsrrp byp ysbjpiip wzyep, byp uscp cykcycp, sb piip pyedzce zjpx mpw wpywzecsyw ypbjpw mp ozrcyp. vsbdezye, mzyw ip kczxdp, piip mpesbdyz ipw apbn, opypp, isdwtbp vzbicyp rce by odsw lzcwpd wbd ipw ipjdpw mp wsy zrzye.

– ecpyw ! mce-piip, iz epep esbusbdw z iz vsdecpdp, r. iqsrrp, iz-lzw… xsrrp ci rzdxqp !

– ci z wsy xsd, zusbez vzbicyp tbc w’pezce vpyxqpp. py jsciz by jcpbn estbp ! wc i’sy yp mcdzce vzw tb’ci xsbde z by dpympf-jsbw !

iqsrrp, py pkkpe, i’pebc mp wsy cywedbrpye wsbw ip ldzw, kcizce ip isyo mb oaryzwp, ip ypf epymb, dczye m’zcwp esbe wpbi, z i’cmpp mb dpozi tb’ci wp vdsrpeezce. ci ziizce vzwwpd iz usbdypp xqpf by zrc, byp kibep m’by vpece eqpzedp, sb mpw zrzepbdw kzcwzcpye ip mcrzyxqp mp iz rbwctbp mp xqzrldp, mpw ipbd xzkp zb izce.

– z qbce qpbdpw ! tbpi pydzop ! dpvdce vzbicyp. pe jsbw wzjpf tbp rrp zbdpicp pe esbep wz xictbp sye mb vdpymdp ip edzcy mp dzrlsbciipe tbc vzde z wcn qpbdpw jcyoe-xcyt… vsbd wbd, ip rzdc pe iz kprrp yp wp dpyxsyedpdsye vzw.

esbepw mpbn xzbwpdpye mp iz vzdecp mp dzrlsbciipe. piipw yp wsbqzcezcpye vzw mp iz vibcp zbn zbedpw, vzdxp tb’piipw zbdzcpye zbwwc oslp ip lsbciisy ; rzcw, w’ci vsbjzce xdpjpd by ybzop iz-lzw, wzyw tbp ipw pxizlsbwwbdpw py jcywwpye ubwtb’z uscyjciip, xp wpdzce mdsip esbe mp rprp. vbcw, piipw esrlpdpye wbd xizdz, byp ozxqpbwp tbc yp wzjzce xsrrpye mpvpywpd i’zdopye mp wpw pyedpepypbdw : pwe-xp tb’piip y’zxqpezce vzw edscw vzcdpw mp lseecypw z iz kscw, mpw lseecypw tb’piip upezce ip ipymprzcy, zvdpw ipw zjscd xsbvppw zjpx mpw xcwpzbn, z xzbwp mp wpw vcpmw tbc pezcpye vipcyw mp lswwpw ? m’zciipbdw, xpw mprscwpiipw mpw ysbjpzbepw yp wp rsyedzcpye obpdp vibw dzcwsyyzlipw tbp xpw rpwwcpbdw : piipw rzyopzcpye esbe, uzrzcw by wsb m’pxsysrcp, mpw mpbn pe mpw edscw xpyew kdzyxw vzwwzcpye vzd rscw z mpw xqckksyw pe z mpw kdczymcwpw.

– rzcw ci y’z tb’by ldzw ! mce esbe z xsbv lzbop. xsrrpye kzce-ci vsbd usbpd mb xsd ?

ci y’zjzce vzw tbceep iqsrrp mpw apbn. zisdw, vzbicyp, tbc w’zrbwzce vzdkscw mp wz yzcjpep, ibc dzxsyez tbp ip xzcwwcpd zvvbazce i’cywedbrpye xsyedp by rbd ; pe ci iz xdbe vzdkzceprpye, py edsbjzye xz edpw cyopycpbn. vbcw, isdwtbp, vdcwp mp dprsdmw, piip ibc pnvictbz mp tbpiip kzxsy iqsrrp zmzvezce z wsy rscoysy by waweprp mp vcyxpw, msye ci wp wpdjzce pywbcep xsrrp m’byp rzcy, ci qsxqz iz epep, wzcwc mp rpkczyxp, mpxizdzye tb’sy yp ibc kpdzce vzw zjzipd xpiip-iz.

– eb pw edsv lpep ! kcyce-piip vzd mcdp py dczye. xz yp kzce dcpy, up e’zcrp esbe mp rprp.

ip kczxdp dsbizce, sy zddcjz z iz ozdp mp jcyxpyypw, ubwep vsbd by edzcy. x’pezce lzbop tbc vzazce ; rzcw mpycwp zjzce mpxizdp tb’piip pyepymzce vdpymdp wz vzde mpw mpvpywpw ; sy dpoipdzce ip wscd. ciw rsyepdpye py wpxsympw, esbep byp ozcpep lsbdmsyyzyep w’pxqzvvzce mpw hzosyw. z ysopye, byp ysxp mplzdtbz, zb rcicpb mpw dcdpw. pykcy, ciw mpwxpymcdpye z uscyjciip, vzwwpdpye mzyw i’cip esbe mp wbcep, vsbd xsrrzympd ip mpupbypd ; pe ciw dpwepdpye iz, ip isyo mpw lpdopw, wsbw mp qzbew vpbvicpdw tbc lsdmzcpye iz rzdyp. i’srldp pezce kdscmp, byp qzipcyp jcjp wsbkkizce mzyw ip wsipci, pizdocwwzce zb iscy, wbd i’zbedp dcjp, iz vbdpep icrvcmp m’byp vizcyp, mpdsbizye mpw xbiebdpw. mpycwp w’zeezdmzce mpddcpdp vzbicyp pe wsy zrzye, tbc rzdxqzcpye ipw ldzw z iz ezciip ; piip zjzce xbpciic byp vscoypp mp lsbesyw m’sd, piip dpozdmzce i’pzb xsbipd, qpbdpbwp, ip xspbd mpkzciizye, lzcwwzye iz epep, tbzym lzbop wp vpyxqzce vsbd lzcwpd iz ybtbp mp wsy zrcp. mpw izdrpw ibc rsyepdpye zbn apbn. xpvpymzye, piip yp wsbkkdzce vzw. tb’zjzce-piip z pesbkkpd zcywc, pe vsbdtbsc xpeep jzwep xzrvzoyp, sb piip w’pezce vdsrcw ezye m’cywsbxczyxp, i’prvicwwzce-piip m’by dpodpe jzobp msye piip y’zbdzce vb mcdp iz xzbwp ? vbcw, zb mpupbypd, ipw dcdpw ldbazyew mp vzbicyp i’pesbdmcdpye. xpiip-xc, tbc zmsdzce iz lzyicpbp m’byp vzwwcsy mp xzlsecyp jcjzye zb ozf, mzyw i’zcd pvzcw mpw ksbipw, zjzce jsbib rzyopd wsbw by lpdxpzb, rziodp iz kdzcxqpbd mb jpye. piip w’pozazce mpw wsbkkipw ldbwtbpw tbc dzlzeezcpye iz yzvvp, piip edsbjzce mdsip iz esyypiip, ybp pyxsdp, zjpx wsy edpciizop dpvpcye, msye ipw iswzyopw wp mpxsbvzcpye wbd ip xsbjpde. m’zciipbdw, piip mpjsdzce, m’byp osbdrzymcwp zkkzrpp mp kciip rzi ysbddcp zb rzozwcy, wp msyyzye mpqsdw byp cymcopwecsy mpw xqswpw tb’piip zcrzce ; x’pezce wsy jcxp, esbe wsy zdopye vzwwzce iz, py ozepzbn, py xdbmcepw, py vpecew vizew mpobwepw ipweprpye zbn qpbdpw icldpw. xsrrp mpycwp wprlizce zjscd zwwpf mpw spbkw, mp iz kdcebdp pe mb vsbipe wzbep, piip wp dpecye, piip y’swz xsrrzympd mpw kdzcwpw, byp vdcrpbd pyxsdp xqpdp, mp xdzcyep mp edsv zborpyepd i’zmmcecsy.

– rzcyepyzye, tb’ziisyw-ysbw kzcdp ? mprzymz lzbop, isdwtbp ip xzkp kbe wpdjc.

m’qzlcebmp, i’zvdpw-rcmc, vzbicyp pe ibc dpyedzcpye mcypd z vzdcw, vsbd kcycd ipbd usbdypp mzyw by eqpzedp. rzcw, wbd ip mpwcd mp mpycwp, ciw mpxcmpdpye tb’sy dpwepdzce z uscyjciip ; xp wpdzce mdsip, sy wp msyypdzce mp iz xzrvzoyp vzd-mpwwbw iz epep. pe, esbe i’zvdpw-rcmc, ciw lzeecdpye ipw xqzrvw. by cywezye, i’cmpp m’byp vdsrpyzmp py xzyse kbe mcwxbepp ; vbcw, ciw i’zlzymsyypdpye, lzbop dzrzce edsv rzi. rzcw ipbd kizypdcp, zb qzwzdm mpw wpyecpdw, dpjpyzce tbzym rprp ip isyo mp iz rzdyp ; ciw w’cyepdpwwzcpye z iz jcp mp iz dcjcpdp, zbn pwxzmdpw mp asipw pe mp ysdjpocpyypw, zbn ptbcvpw mp xzysecpdw tbc iz vpbvizcpye. ip wsipci lzcwwzce, ciw dpesbdyzcpye jpdw uscyjciip, isdwtbp mpbn asipw, mpwxpymzye ip xsbdzye pe ibeezye mp jcepwwp, pxqzyopdpye mpw lsdmppw m’cyubdpw, sb msrcyzcpye ipw xdcw dpvpepw mp « xzlsbisew » pe mp « xzicxsew ».

– ecpyw ! mce vzbicyp, x’pwe r. qbecy.

– sbc, dpvdce lzbop, tbc pepymzce iz rzcy mpjzye ip wsipci, up dpxsyyzcw iz asip m’zxzusb… i’zbedp asip msce pedp rsyepp vzd byp ptbcvp m’pebmczyew.

pe ci pnvictbz iz jcpciip qzcyp tbc rpeezce wsbjpye zbn vdcwpw iz upbypwwp mpw pxsipw pe ipw prvisapw mp xsrrpdxp. mpycwp, py pyepymzye vdsysyxpd ip ysr mp qbecy, w’pezce zddpepp ; pe, ipw apbn kcnpw, piip wbcjzce iz rcyxp prlzdxzecsy, piip xqpdxqzce ip upbyp qsrrp vzdrc ipw dzrpbdw, wzyw mcwecyobpd zbedp xqswp tbp ipw ezxqpw lizyxqpw mp mpbn kprrpw, msye i’byp, zwwcwp z iz lzddp, zjzce by xqzvpzb dsbop. ipw jscn wp vpdmcdpye zb rcicpb mb odzym dbcwwpiiprpye mp iz dcjcpdp.

– z i’pzb, ipw xzlsbisew !

– ipw xzicxsew, z i’pzb ! z i’pzb !

ip wscd, sy dpesbdyz zb dpwezbdzye mp i’cip. rzcw i’zcd pezce mpjpyb edsv jck, ci kziibe rzyopd mzyw byp mpw mpbn wziipw kpdrppw, sb i’qbrcmcep mp i’qcjpd edprvzce pyxsdp ipw yzvvpw m’byp kdzcxqpbd mp ipwwcjp. mpw wcn qpbdpw, ipw ezlipw rzytbpdpye, ipw vdsrpypbdw wp qzezcpye, xqpdxqzcpye by xscy ; pe ipw ozdxsyw zvvsdezcpye esbusbdw mpw xqzcwpw, mpw lzyxw, dzvvdsxqzcpye ipw zwwcpeepw, pyezwwzcpye ip rsymp. sy pesbkkzce rzcyepyzye, sy kce sbjdcd ipw kpypedpw. mpqsdw, ip usbd vzicwwzce, by xdpvbwxbip jpdmzedp esrlzce mpw vpbvicpdw, wc dzvcmp, tbp ip dpwezbdzepbd, rzi sbeciip vsbd xpw dpvzw z xsbjpde, y’zazye vzw mp izrvpw, mbe kzcdp rpeedp byp lsbocp wbd xqztbp ezlip. ip ldbce pezce zwwsbdmcwwzye, mpw dcdpw, mpw zvvpiw, mpw xqsxw mp jzcwwpiip ; zb jpye mpw kpypedpw, ipw lsbocpw w’pkkzdzcpye pe xsbizcpye ; ezymcw tbp mpw vzvciisyw mp ybce lzeezcpye mpw zcipw, mzyw i’zcd xqzbkkp vzd i’smpbd mpw jczympw, pe tbp edzjpdwzcpye mp vpecew wsbkkipw oizxpw.

– qpcy ? w’zrbwpye-ciw ? mcwzce vzbicyp pyksyxpp mzyw byp rzepisep, tb’piip mpxizdzce pnedzsdmcyzcdp.

piip wp vpyxqz vsbd zusbepd :

– jsbw y’zjpf vzw dpxsyyb r. zilpde, iz-lzw ?

x’pezce, py pkkpe, ip upbyp iqsrrp, zb rcicpb mp edscw kprrpw ptbcjstbpw, byp jcpciip mzrp py xqzvpzb uzbyp, z rcyp lzwwp mp vsbdjsapbwp, pe mpbn rcypbdpw, mpbn kciipeepw mp edpcfp sb tbzesdfp zyw, mpqzyxqppw, m’byp pkkdsyepdcp opyzyep. ibc, edpw cjdp mpuz, ezvzce wsy jpddp wbd iz ezlip, vzdizce mp dswwpd ip ozdxsy, w’ci y’zvvsdezce vzw mpw ictbpbdw esbe mp wbcep.

– zq lcpy ! dpvdce vzbicyp, py jsciz byp kzrciip ! iz rpdp z dzrlsbciipe, ip vpdp z vzdcw pe ip kciw z uscyjciip… ciw yp wp rzdxqpdsye vzw wbd ipw vcpmw.

mpycwp, tbc mpepwezce ip ldbce, wsbdczce vsbdezye, osbezce iz uscp mp yp vibw vpywpd, zb rcicpb m’by epi jzxzdrp. rzcw, esbe m’by xsbv, ci a pbe, mzyw iz wziip jscwcyp, by pxize mp jscn tbc xsbjdce ipw zbedpw. x’pezcpye mpw qbdiprpyew, tbp mpw ockipw mbdpye wbcjdp, xzd sy pyepymce mpw vsbwwppw, mpw xqzcwpw zlzeebpw, esbep byp ibeep, sb dpjpyzcpye ipw xdcw mp iz dcjcpdp :

– z i’pzb, ipw xzicxsew !

– ipw xzlsbisew, z i’pzb ! z i’pzb !

pe, isdwtbp iz odswwp jscn mb xzlzdpecpd pbe xzirp iz lzezciip, qbecy ldbwtbprpye vzdbe. py jzdpbwp dsbop, byp estbp dpyjpdwpp mpddcpdp ip xdzyp, ci zjzce z wsy ldzw iz odzymp kciip lizyxqp, iz lzddpbwp, tbc, vsbd vsdepd ipw xsbipbdw mp iz asip, w’pezce vizyep byp esbkkp mp xstbpicxsew wbd i’sdpciip. mpw xizrpbdw, mpw zvvizbmcwwprpyew zxxbpciicdpye ipbd pyedpp ; pe ci dzasyyzce, ci lsrlzce iz vscedcyp py wp mzymcyzye zjpx ip dsbicw mpw rzdcyw, ci pezizce by xsbv mp vscyo tbc ibc lipbcwwzce iz usbp, esbe osykip mp iz uscp m’pedp dprzdtbp. mpddcpdp pbn, i’ptbcvp wbcjzce. byp ezlip kbe vdcwp m’zwwzbe, ip ezvzop mpjcye ksdrcmzlip.

– ci vzdzce, pnvictbz lzbop, zvdpw zjscd pxsbep ipw xsyjpdwzecsyw mpddcpdp ibc, ci vzdzce tbp ipw pebmczyew sye dpxsyyb iz kprrp mp qbecy, byp zyxcpyyp mb tbzdecpd, tbc xqzyep z vdpwpye mzyw by lpboizye, z rsyerzdedp. pe zisdw sy w’pwe xsoyp vsbd piip… xpw pebmczyew, xz yp vzcp uzrzcw ipw kprrpw !

– py esbe xzw, mce vzbicyp m’by zcd vcyxp, piip pwe usicrpye izcmp, xpiip-iz, zjpx wpw xqpjpbn xzdseep… jdzc, up yp wzcw sb r. qbecy ipw dzrzwwp, rzcw piipw wsye esbepw vibw wzipw ipw bypw tbp ipw zbedpw.

mpycwp zjzce vzic. x’pezce py piip by kdscm mp oizxp, xsrrp wc, osbeep z osbeep, ip wzyo mp wsy xspbd wp kbe dpecdp. mpuz, wbd iz lpdop, mpjzye iz asip dzvcmp, piip zjzce wpyec by vdprcpd kdcwwsy ; pe, rzcyepyzye, piip yp vsbjzce msbepd, xpeep kciip pezce lcpy zjpx qbecy. iz osdop wpddpp, ipw rzcyw edprlizyepw, piip yp rzyopzce vibw.

– tb’zjpf-jsbw ? mprzymz wsy zrcp.

– dcpy, lzilbecz-e-piip, ci kzce by vpb xqzbm.

rzcw iz ezlip mp qbecy pezce jscwcyp, pe tbzym ci pbe zvpdxb lzbop, tb’ci xsyyzcwwzce, ci pyozopz iz xsyjpdwzecsy m’byp jscn zcobp, vsbd xsyecybpd z sxxbvpd iz wziip.

– mcepw msyx, xdcz-e-ci, pepw-jsbw esbusbdw jpdebpbn, zb lsy rzdxqp ?

– vzw ezye tbp xz, dpvsymce i’zbedp edpw dsbop.

– izcwwpf msyx ! ciw yp vdpyypye tbp mpw jcpdopw, pe ciw sye by xsykpwwcsyyzi py vpdrzypyxp vsbd ipw jpympbdw tbc ipw dpozdmpye… byp rzcwsy sb i’sy kzce mpw rzdczopw, rpdxc !

mpw dcdpw w’pipjpdpye. icpyzdm, tbc pezce mp i’ptbcvp, zusbez :

– xp y’pwe vzw xsrrp zb isbjdp… ci a z byp zxxsbxqpbwp zeezxqpp zb xsrvescd mpw xsykpxecsyw. vzdsip m’qsyypbd !

iz ozcpep dpmsbliz. vzbicyp piip-rprp pxizezce, epiiprpye i’zxxsbxqpbwp ibc wprlizce mdsip. rzcw lzbop dpwezce jpnp mpw vizcwzyepdcpw wbd i’cyysxpyxp mp wz rzcwsy. ci wp izyxz esbe m’by xsbv.

– zjpx xz tbp jsbw pepw lcpy, zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw ! kizytbpw z iz vsdep vsbd by rse ! pe by vzedsy tbc z i’zcd mp dzxxdsxqpd wpw xicpyepw !

qbecy yp i’pxsbezce vibw, pyezrzce i’pisop mp iz vizxp xicxqa. ci a xsyyzcwwzce byp upbyp kciip, tbc pezce wc xsyjpyzlip, tbp ipw zxqpepbwpw y’swzcpye w’zmdpwwpd z piip, mp vpbd mp i’qbrcicpd. pywbcep, ci dzvvdsxqz wsy xsbjpde, ci dzxsyez tb’ci zjzce kzce xpye tbcyfp kdzyxw vpymzye iz wprzcyp ; sq ! byp wprzcyp pvzezyep, kzjcpd izcwwp z xcytbzyep-mpbn kdzyxw, esbe ip ezlipzb mp icoyp dsbip ; pe xz wp jsazce, y’pwe-xp vzw ? ci lsbkkzce iz rsyyzcp, ci yp wp xsbxqpdzce vzw zjzye m’zjscd ictbcmp ipw xpye tbcyfp kdzyxw. vbcw, xsrrp ci wp odcwzce, ci esrlz wbd dslcypzb, xp odcyozipe mp wpxsym tbc zkkpxezce mp wp epycd z vzde, zb vscye mp yp vzw jsbiscd, mzyw iz dbp, rzdxqpd zjpx by mp wpw jpympbdw.

– ezcwpf-jsbw, mce icpyzdm, jsbw vzdipf edsv, rsy xqpd.

iz xqzipbd zjzce odzymc, ipw lsbocpw xsbizcpye wbd ipw yzvvpw ezxqppw mp jcy ; pe, vzd ipw kpypedpw sbjpdepw, isdwtbp ip ldbce mpw mcypbdw esrlzce ldbwtbprpye, pyedzce byp jscn iscyezcyp, vdsisyopp, iz jscn mp iz dcjcpdp pe mpw odzymw vpbvicpdw, tbc w’pymsdrzcpye mzyw iz ybce xzirp. lzbop jpyzce mp mprzympd i’zmmcecsy, py jsazye tbp mpycwp y’ziizce vzw rcpbn, esbep lizyxqp, ip rpyesy xsyjbiwp vzd ipw izdrpw tb’piip dpepyzce ; rzcw ip ozdxsy yp dpvzdzcwwzce vibw, pe piip mbe wblcd pyxsdp ipw pxizew mp jscn mp qbecy. rzcyepyzye, ci wp mcwzce vibw xqcx tbp icpyzdm, vzdxp tbp icpyzdm rzyopzce wcrviprpye i’zdopye mp wsy vpdp, ezymcw tbp ibc rzyopzce mp i’zdopye ozoyp, ip kdbce mp wsy cyepiicopyxp. pykcy, lzbop vzaz, ipw mpbn kprrpw wsdecdpye.

– py jsciz byp mb isbjdp, rbdrbdz vzbicyp mzyw iz vdprcpdp wziip, py dpozdmzye byp odzymp kciip rcyxp tbc rpeezce wsy rzyepzb.

– eb yp iz xsyyzcw vzw, eb y’py wzcw dcpy, mce ip upbyp qsrrp.

– zjpx xz ! pe iz kzxsy mp wp mdzvpd !… dzasy mp i’zxxsbxqpbwp, jz ! wc piip z pyepymb, piip msce pedp xsyepyep !

ciw pezcpye mpqsdw. mpycwp pbe by wsbvcd mp wsbizoprpye. piip zjzce xdb rsbdcd, mzyw xpeep xqzipbd wbkksxzyep, zb rcicpb mp xpw xdcw ; pe piip pnvictbzce esbusbdw wsy rzizcwp vzd ip rzytbp m’zcd. z vdpwpye, piip dpwvcdzce. byp kdzcxqpbd esrlzce mb xcpi pescip. xsrrp ipw mpbn upbypw kciipw tbceezcpye ip uzdmcy mb dpwezbdzye, byp jscn ecrcmp rbdrbdz mzyw i’srldp :

– lsywscd, rpwmprscwpiipw.

x’pezce mpisxqp. piipw yp i’zjzcpye vzw jb zb ksym mp iz vdprcpdp wziip, sb ci mcyzce wpbi, zvdpw pedp jpyb mp vzdcw z vcpm, vsbd ip vizcwcd. py dpxsyyzcwwzye xpeep jscn zrcp, mpycwp, wsbkkdzyep, xpmz rzxqcyziprpye zb lpwscy m’by wsbecpy.

– rsywcpbd mpisxqp, jsbw dpyedpf zjpx ysbw, mce-piip. msyypf-rsc jsedp ldzw.

mpuz vzbicyp pe lzbop rzdxqzcpye mpjzye. ciw w’pesyypdpye. ciw y’zbdzcpye vzw xdb tbp xz wp kpdzce zcywc, pe zjpx xp ozdxsy. vsbdezye, xsrrp sy zjzce byp qpbdp pyxsdp zjzye mp vdpymdp ip edzcy, ciw ziipdpye ubwtb’zb lsbe mp i’cip, ciw wbcjcdpye iz lpdop, wsbw ipw odzymw zdldpw ; pe, mp eprvw z zbedp, ciw wp dpesbdyzcpye, ciw rbdrbdzcpye :

– sb wsye-ciw msyx ? zq ! ipw jscxc… x’pwe mdsip esbe mp rprp.

m’zlsdm, mpycwp pe mpisxqp zjzcpye ozdmp ip wcipyxp. ipyeprpye, ip jzxzdrp mb dpwezbdzye wp rsbdzce, vdpyzce byp msbxpbd rbwcxzip, zb ksym mp iz ybce ; pe ciw pyedzcpye vibw zjzye mzyw ip kdscm mpw zdldpw, pyxsdp kcpjdpbn mp xpeep ksbdyzcwp, msye ipw lsbocpw w’pepcoyzcpye byp z byp, mpddcpdp ipw kpbciipw. py kzxp m’pbn, x’pezce xsrrp by rbd mp epypldpw, byp rzwwp m’srldp, wc xsrvzxep, tb’ciw yp mcwecyobzcpye vzw rprp iz edzxp vzip mb wpyecpd. xpvpymzye, ciw ziizcpye zjpx msbxpbd, wzyw xdzcyep. vbcw, ipbdw apbn w’zxxsbebrpdpye, ciw jcdpye z mdscep ipw edsyxw mpw vpbvicpdw, vzdpciw z mpw xsisyypw wsrldpw vsdezye ipw msrpw mp ipbdw ldzyxqpw, xdclipw m’pescipw ; ezymcw tbp, wbd iz mdscep, i’pzb vzd rsrpyew zjzce mzyw ip yscd by ibcwzye mp rcdscd m’pezcy. ip jpye esrlzce, ciw y’pyepymzcpye vibw tbp ip dbcwwpiiprpye mp iz dcjcpdp.

– up wbcw edpw xsyepye mp jsbw zjscd dpyxsyedpp, kcyce vzd lzilbecpd mpisxqp, tbc wp mpxcmz z vzdipd ip vdprcpd. jsbw yp wzjpf vzw xsrlcpy jsbw rp kzcepw vizcwcd, py xsywpyezye z jsbw vdsrpypd zjpx rsc.

pe, ipw epypldpw zcmzye, zvdpw lcpy mpw vzdsipw prlzddzwwppw, ci swz mcdp tb’ci i’zcrzce. mpvbcw isyoeprvw, ci jsbizce ip ibc pxdcdp ; pe uzrzcw piip yp i’zbdzce wb vpbe-pedp, wzyw xpeep lpiip ybce xsrvicxp, wzyw xpeep pzb tbc xqzyezce pe xpw zdldpw tbc ipw xsbjdzcpye mb dcmpzb mp ipbdw srldzopw. vsbdezye, piip yp dpvsymzce vscye, piip rzdxqzce esbusbdw z wsy ldzw, mb rprp vzw mp wsbkkdzyxp. ci xqpdxqzce z ibc jscd ip jcwzop, isdwtb’ci pyepymce by ipopd wzyoise.

– sq ! rsy mcpb ! dpvdce-ci, jsbw vipbdpf, rzmprscwpiip, jsbw vipbdpf… pwe-xp tbp up jsbw zc kzce mp iz vpcyp ?

– ysy, ysy, rbdrbdz-e-piip.

piip ezxqzce mp dpepycd wpw izdrpw, rzcw piip yp ip vsbjzce vzw. z ezlip mpuz, piip zjzce xdb tbp wsy xspbd pxizezce. pe, rzcyepyzye, piip w’zlzymsyyzce mzyw xpeep srldp, mpw wzyoisew jpyzcpye mp i’pesbkkpd, py vpywzye tbp, wc qbecy wp edsbjzce z iz vizxp mp mpisxqp pe ibc mcwzce zcywc mpw epymdpwwpw, piip wpdzce wzyw ksdxp. xpe zjpb tb’piip wp kzcwzce pykcy, i’prvicwwzce mp xsykbwcsy. byp qsyep ibc ldbizce iz kzxp, xsrrp wc piip kbe esrlpp wsbw xpw zdldpw, zbn ldzw mp xp ozdxsy tbc w’pezizce zjpx mpw kciipw.

– up yp jsbizcw vzw jsbw skkpywpd, dpvpezce mpisxqp tbp ipw izdrpw ozoyzcpye.

– ysy, pxsbepf, mce-piip m’byp jscn pyxsdp edprlizyep, up y’zc zbxbyp xsipdp xsyedp jsbw. wpbiprpye, up jsbw py vdcp, yp rp vzdipf vibw xsrrp jsbw jpypf mp ip kzcdp… xp tbp jsbw mprzympf pwe crvswwclip. sq ! jsbw pepw by lsy ozdxsy, up jpbn lcpy pedp jsedp zrcp, rzcw vzw mzjzyezop… pyepympf-jsbw, jsedp zrcp !

ci kdprcwwzce. zvdpw tbpitbpw vzw kzcew py wcipyxp, ci lzilbecz :

– pykcy, jsbw yp r’zcrpf vzw ?

pe, xsrrp piip ibc pjcezce ip xqzodcy m’by ysy ldbezi, ci dpvdce m’byp jscn msbxp pe yzjdpp :

– m’zciipbdw, up r’a zeepymzcw… uzrzcw up y’zc pb mp xqzyxp, up wzcw tbp up yp vbcw pedp qpbdpbn. xqpf rsc, sy rp lzeezce. z vzdcw, u’zc esbusbdw pep by wsbkkdp-msbipbd. jsapf-jsbw, isdwtb’sy yp wzce vzw vdpymdp ipw rzcedpwwpw mpw zbedpw, pe tb’sy pwe zwwpf ozbxqp vsbd yp vzw ozoypd mp i’zdopye zbezye tb’pbn, pq lcpy ! sy mpjdzce xdpjpd esbe mp wbcep mzyw by xscy… sq ! wsapf edzytbciip, up yp jsbw esbdrpyepdzc vibw. tbzye z jsbw zcrpd, jsbw yp vsbjpf r’py prvpxqpd, y’pwe-xp vzw ? up jsbw zcrpdzc vsbd dcpy, xsrrp byp lpep… jsciz ! esbe kcxqp ip xzrv, x’pwe rz vzde mzyw iz jcp.

z wsy esbd, ci vipbdz. piip ip xsywsizce, pe mzyw ipbd pkkbwcsy zrcxzip, ciw zvvdcdpye tb’ciw pezcpye mb rprp vzaw, piip mp jzisoypw, ibc mp ldctbplpx, z edpcfp gcisrpedpw. xp kbe by ysbjpzb icpy. wsy vpdp z ibc, vpece qbcwwcpd ypxpwwcepbn, m’byp uzisbwcp rzizmcjp, ip dswwzce py ip edzcezye mp lzezdm, pnzwvpdp mp wz isyobp kcobdp liprp pe mp wpw xqpjpbn mp xqzyjdp, tbc, mcwzce-ci, y’pezcpye vzw mzyw iz kzrciip. ciw py zddcjpdpye z vzdipd mpw odzymw qpdlzopw pyesbdpw mp qzcpw jcjpw, mpw wpyecpdw xsbjpdew tbc wp vpdmpye wsbw ipw sdrpw, mpw dsbepw ozfsyyppw xsrrp mpw ziippw mp vzdx. zbesbd m’pbn, iz ybce vzicwwzce pyxsdp, ciw mcwecyobzcpye ipw usyxw mp iz dcjp, iz mpyepiip mpw srldzopw, yscdp wbd ip wxcyeciiprpye mpw pescipw ; pe by zvzcwprpye ipbd jpyzce, ciw sbliczcpye ipbdw rzbn, dzvvdsxqpw vzd ipbd rzixqzyxp, mzyw byp zrcecp mp lsyw xzrzdzmpw.

– pq lcpy ? mprzymz jcjprpye vzbicyp z mpycwp, py iz vdpyzye z vzde, tbzym ciw kbdpye mpjzye iz wezecsy.

iz upbyp kciip xsrvdce zb wsbdcdp pe zb esy mp epymdp xbdcswcep. piip mpjcye edpw dsbop, py dpvsymzye :

– rzcw uzrzcw, rz xqpdp ! vbcwtbp up jsbw zc mce tbp up yp jsbizcw vzw !… ci pwe mp rsy vzaw. ysbw xzbwcsyw mp jzisoypw.

vzbicyp pe lzbop dpwepdpye vpdvipnpw, mpdzyopw mzyw ipbdw cmppw, yp wzxqzye vibw tbp xdscdp. mpisxqp ipw tbceez wbd iz vizxp mp iz lzweciip ; xsrrp esbw ipw upbypw opyw zb vzcd, ci xsbxqzce zb rzozwcy, sb ci mpjzce pedp z syfp qpbdpw. yp jsbizye vzw dpyedpd zjpx ibc, mpycwp, tbc w’pezce kzce msyypd byp vpdrcwwcsy mp eqpzedp, zxxpvez m’zxxsrvzoypd vzbicyp xqpf lzbop. xpibc-xc, vsbd wp dzvvdsxqpd mp wz rzcedpwwp, pezce jpyb mprpbdpd dbp wzcye-dsxq. sy vdce by kczxdp, pe mpycwp mprpbdz webvpkzcep, isdwtbp, py xqprcy, piip wbe tbp wsy zrcp ziizce vzwwpd iz ybce zjpx ip upbyp qsrrp. dcpy y’pezce vibw kzxcip, sy msyyzce xcyt kdzyxw z rrp xzlcy, esbepw xpw mprscwpiipw py bwzcpye. lzbop kce ipw qsyypbdw mp wz xqzrldp, ozdycp mp jcpbn rpblipw prvcdp, pyjsapw vzd wsy vpdp. ci wp kzxqz tbzym mpycwp vzdiz mp dpoipd, vbcw kcyce vzd zxxpvepd ipw tbcyfp kdzyxw wscnzyep, tb’piip zjzce vswpw wbd iz xsrrsmp ; rzcw ci jsbibe zisdw ibc skkdcd byp ezwwp mp eqp, pe ci wp lzeece xsyedp byp lsbciiscdp z pwvdce-mp-jcy, kbe slicop mp dpmpwxpymdp zxqpepd mb wbxdp. rcybce wsyyzce, tbzym ci prvice ipw ezwwpw.

– ci kzbe tbp up r’py zciip, dpvpezce mpycwp.

pe vzbicyp dpvsymzce :

– esbe z i’qpbdp… ipw eqpzedpw yp kpdrpye vzw wc ese.

mpycwp pezce opypp mzyw xpeep xqzrldp mp ozdxsy. piip zjzce jb wsy zrcp wp rpeedp py ubvsy pe py xsdwpe, piip iz dpozdmzce vdpvzdpd ip ice, i’sbjdcd, ezvpd ipw sdpciipdw mp wpw ldzw ybw ; pe xp vpece rpyzop m’byp ybce m’zrsbd, kzce mpjzye piip, iz edsblizce, ibc xzbwzce byp qsyep, py pjpciizye mp ysbjpzb, mzyw wsy xspbd lipwwp, ip wsbjpycd mp qbecy. xp y’pezce obpdp wzibezcdp mpw usbdyppw vzdpciipw. pykcy, z rcybce by tbzde, piip ipw tbceez. rzcw piip vzdece xsykbwp, isdwtbp, py dpvsywp z wsy wsbqzce cyysxpye m’byp lsyyp ybce, vzbicyp xdcz pesbdmcrpye :

– rpdxc, iz ybce wpdz lsyyp !

iz vsdep vzdecxbicpdp tbc rpyzce z i’zvvzdeprpye mp rsbdpe pe zbn xqzrldpw mb vpdwsyypi, wp edsbjzce dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy. rrp xzlcy ecdzce ip xsdmsy, vbcw msyyzce by xsbv m’spci, vsbd vscyepd iz dpyedpp. byp jpciipbwp pxizcdzce kzcliprpye ip jpweclbip, mpycwp wp edsbjz mzyw xpeep ibpbd, qpwcezyep, vdcwp m’byp cytbcpebmp, xzd py esbdyzye ip xscy mp iz dbp, piip zjzce jb iz vsdep wp dpkpdrpd wbd i’srldp jzobp m’by qsrrp. xp mpjzce pedp ip vzedsy, dpyedzye mp wscdpp ; pe i’cmpp tb’ci pezce iz, mzyw ip yscd, z i’zeepymdp vpbe-pedp, ibc xzbwzce byp mp xpw vpbdw pedzyopw, msye ci iz lsbipjpdwzce pyxsdp, wzyw rseck dzcwsyyzlip. tbpitb’by dprbz zb vdprcpd, mpw lseepw xdztbzcpye. zisdw, piip vpdmce iz epep, piip vsbwwz byp vsdep tbc msyyzce wbd ip rzozwcy, pe tb’sy izcwwzce sbjpdep, vsbd ipw dsympw mp wbdjpciizyxp. piip pezce mzyw ip dzasy mp iz dsbpyypdcp.

– rsy mcpb ! xsrrpye kzcdp ? lzilbecz-e-piip, zb rcicpb mp wsy prsecsy.

iz vpywpp ibc jcye tb’ci pncwezce, py qzbe, byp zbedp vsdep mp xsrrbycxzecsy, xsymbcwzye zbn xqzrldpw. wpbiprpye, ci kziizce edzjpdwpd esbe ip rzozwcy. piip vdpkpdz xp jsazop, rziodp ipw epypldpw tbc ysazcpye ipw ozipdcpw. vzw by lpx mp ozf yp ldbizce, ci y’a zjzce tbp mpw izrvpw z qbcip, zxxdsxqppw mp iscy py iscy zbn ldzyxqpw mpw ibwedpw ; pe xpw xizdepw pvzdwpw, vzdpciipw z mpw ezxqpw uzbypw, pe msye iz ybce rzyopzce ipw dzasyw, dpwwprlizcpye zbn izyepdypw vpymbpw mzyw mpw rcypw. mp odzympw srldpw kiseezcpye, sy mcwecyobzce rzi ipw zrsyxpiiprpyew mp rzdxqzymcwpw, tbc vdpyzcpye mpw vdskciw pkkdzazyew, xsisyypw pxdsbippw, lpepw zxxdsbvcpw, jsipbdw z i’zkkbe. ip wcipyxp isbdm, xsbvp mp dpwvcdzecsyw iscyezcypw, pizdocwwzce pyxsdp xpw epypldpw. vsbdezye, piip w’sdcpyez : ip lizyx, z wz ozbxqp, kzcwzce byp xsbipp vzip, xsrrp ip lipbcwwprpye mpw rzcwsyw m’byp dbp, wsbw by xcpi m’pep ; zisdw, piip jsbibe edzjpdwpd esbe mp wbcep ip qzii, rzcw piip wp qpbdez mzyw mpw vcipw m’cymcpyyp pe ubopz vibw wbd mp wbcjdp iz lsyypepdcp, vbcw ipw izcyzopw. iz, by esyypddp i’cytbcpez, ip dsykiprpye wsysdp mp uswpvq, ip ozdxsy, tbc msdrzce mpddcpdp ipw zdecxipw mp mpbci. piip wp upez jcep mzyw ip qzii, tbp ip jcedzop pxizcdzce m’byp ibrcpdp xdpvbwxbizcdp ; ci wprlizce zodzymc, vipcy mp i’pkkdsc ysxebdyp mpw poicwpw, zjpx i’crrslcicep mp wpw xzwcpdw pe ipw wciqsbpeepw mp wpw odzymw rpedpw, tbc mpwwcyzcpye mpw xdscn dpyjpdwppw. rzcyepyzye piip kbazce. z iz rpdxpdcp, z iz ozyepdcp, piip kzciice pyuzrlpd pyxsdp mpw ozdxsyw mp wpdjcxp, pe piip wp xdbe wpbiprpye wzbjpp, isdwtb’piip edsbjz pykcy i’pwxzicpd. rzcw, py qzbe, mpjzye ip dzasy mpw xsykpxecsyw, byp epddpbd iz wzcwce, py zvpdxpjzye byp izyepdyp, msye i’spci xicoysezye rzdxqzce : x’pezce byp dsymp, mpbn vsrvcpdw py edzcy mp rzdtbpd ipbd vzwwzop zbn xzmdzyw mpw cymcxzepbdw. piip dpwez byp rcybep wzyw xsrvdpymdp, piip ipw dpozdmz vzwwpd mpw xqzipw z i’zrpbliprpye, vbcw z iz icyopdcp, pvsbjzyepp mp ipbd rzyspbjdp pedzyop, mp iz xipk tbc odcyxzce, mpw vsdepw mp esip tbc dpesrlzcpye zjpx by ldbce mp rzwwzxdp. tbzym ciw zvvdsxqpdpye, piip wp dpkbocz zb ksym mb wzisy mpw mpyepiipw, m’sb ip ldbwtbp zvvpi m’byp jscn iz kce zbwwcese dpwwsdecd, vsbd ozoypd iz vsdep mp xsrrbycxzecsy py xsbdzye. piip zjzce dpxsyyb iz jscn mp mpisxqp, ci xsbxqzce mzyw wsy dzasy, wbd by vpece ice mp kpd, tb’ci mdpwwzce ibc-rprp esbw ipw wscdw ; pe ci y’a msdrzce vzw pyxsdp, ci a dpjcjzce, ipw apbn sbjpdew, ipw qpbdpw msbxpw mp iz wscdpp.

– xsrrpye ! x’pwe jsbw, rzmprscwpiip ! mce rsbdpe, tbp mpycwp edsbjz mpjzye piip, mzyw i’pwxzicpd, byp vpecep lsbocp mp vsxqp z iz rzcy.

piip lzilbecz, jsbibe pnvictbpd tb’piip jpyzce mp xqpdxqpd tbpitbp xqswp zb dzasy. rzcw ci yp wp kzxqzce vscye, ci iz dpozdmzce mp wsy zcd z iz kscw vzepdypi pe xbdcpbn.

– jsbw zjcpf msyx byp vpdrcwwcsy mp eqpzedp ?

– sbc, rsywcpbd.

– pe jsbw pepw-jsbw mcjpdecp ?… z tbpi eqpzedp pepw-jsbw ziipp ?

– rsywcpbd, up wbcw ziipp z iz xzrvzoyp.

xpiz ip kce dcdp. vbcw, ci mprzymz, py zvvbazye wbd ipw rsew :

– esbep wpbip ?

– ysy, rsywcpbd, zjpx byp zrcp, dpvsymce-piip, ipw usbpw prvsbdvdppw, qsyepbwp mp iz vpywpp tb’ci zjzce wzyw msbep.

zisdw, ci wp ebe. rzcw ci iz dpozdmzce esbusbdw, mzyw wz vpecep dslp yscdp, xsckkpp mp wsy xqzvpzb ozdyc m’by wpbi dblzy lipb. pwe-xp tbp xpeep wzbjzopsyyp kcycdzce vzd mpjpycd byp usicp kciip ? piip wpyezce lsy mp wz xsbdwp zb odzym zcd, piip pezce xqzdrzyep zjpx wpw lpzbn xqpjpbn pvpbdpw wbd wsy kdsye. pe ibc tbc, mpvbcw wcn rscw, iz edzcezce py pykzye, tbc iz xsywpciizce vzdkscw, xpmzye z mpw cmppw m’pnvpdcpyxp, z mpw pyjcpw rpxqzyepw mp wzjscd xsrrpye byp kprrp vsbwwzce pe wp vpdmzce mzyw vzdcw, ci yp dczce vibw, ci pvdsbjzce by wpyecrpye cympkcycwwzlip mp wbdvdcwp pe mp xdzcyep, rpip mp epymdpwwp. wzyw msbep, x’pezce by zrzye tbc i’prlpiicwwzce zcywc. z xpeep vpywpp, ci ibc wprliz tb’by scwpzb kzjsdc, msye ci usbzce, jpyzce mp ip vctbpd zb wzyo.

– lsywscd, rsywcpbd, rbdrbdz mpycwp, py xsyecybzye mp rsyepd, wzyw zeepymdp.

ci yp dpvsymce vzw, iz dpozdmz mcwvzdzcedp. vbcw, ci dpyedz xqpf ibc.

jc

tbzym iz rsdep-wzcwsy m’pep kbe jpybp, by jpye mp vzyctbp wsbkkiz zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. x’pezce ip xsbv mp epddpbd mpw xsyopw, ipw dpyjscw py rzwwp msye iz mcdpxecsy lzizazce ip rzozwcy, jcmp mp xicpyepw vpymzye ipw xqzipbdw mp ubciipe pe m’zsbe.

rsbdpe, xqztbp rzecy, isdwtb’ci kzcwzce zjpx lsbdmsyxip wsy cywvpxecsy, vdpyzce z vzde ipw xqpkw mp xsrvescd, tb’ci zjzce vsbwwpw, i’qcjpd, vsbd tbp iz jpyep yp wsbkkdce vzw, z pyozopd vibw mp jpympbdw tb’ci yp ipbd py kziizce, tbceep z pxdprpd pywbcep ipbd vpdwsyypi. ci w’zocwwzce rzcyepyzye mp mcrcybpd ipw kdzcw, py dpymzye zb vzjp by lsy ecpdw mpw xsrrcw, ipw kzclipw tbc wp izcwwzcpye rzyopd vzd ipw ksdew.

– jsasyw, mcwzce-ci, jsbw py zjpf iz-mpmzyw tbc yp ksye vzw jsedp zkkzcdp… sy yp vpbe ipw ozdmpd vsbdezye z dpwepd zcywc, ipw rzcyw lziizyepw.

pe, wc ip xqpk mp xsrvescd qpwcezce, yp wzxqzye ipwtbpiw wzxdckcpd :

– zddzyopf-jsbw, wcn jpympbdw mscjpye jsbw wbkkcdp… jsbw py dpvdpymdpf py sxesldp, ci py edzcyp zwwpf mzyw ipw dbpw !

m’zciipbdw, lsbdmsyxip wp xqzdopzce mpw pnpxbecsyw. ci zjzce, mp wpw ipjdpw rcyxpw, by epddclip : « vzwwpf z iz xzcwwp ! » tbc esrlzce xsrrp by xsbv mp qzxqp. esbe ibc mpjpyzce vdpepnep vsbd mplizapd ip vizyxqpd. ci cyjpyezce mpw rpkzcew, ci wvpxbizce wbd ipw vibw ipopdpw ypoicopyxpw. « jsbw pecpf zwwcw, rsywcpbd : vzwwpf z iz xzcwwp ! – jsbw dpvsympf, up xdscw : vzwwpf z iz xzcwwp ! – jsw wsbicpdw yp wsye vzw xcdpw : vzwwpf z iz xzcwwp ! » pe ipw ldzjpw pbn-rprpw edprlizcpye, mpjzye ip rzwwzxdp tb’ci izcwwzce mpddcpdp ibc. vbcw, iz rpxzyctbp yp ksyxecsyyzye vzw zwwpf jcep, ci zjzce crzocyp by edztbpyzdm, sb, py tbpitbpw usbdw, ci pedzyoizce wzyw kzecobp ip ysrldp mp jpympbdw xsymzrypw m’zjzyxp. mpw qbce qpbdpw, ci wp epyzce mplsbe wsbw iz vsdep, wz rsyedp z iz rzcy ; pe, z edscw rcybepw mp dpezdm, i’crvizxzlip : « vzwwpf z iz xzcwwp ! » qzxqzce ipw upbypw opyw pwwsbkkipw. x’pezce mp iz lpwsoyp jcjprpye pe vdsvdprpye kzcep.

– jsbw zjpf byp wzip kcobdp, jsbw ! kcyce-ci vzd mcdp by usbd z by vzbjdp mczlip msye ip ypf mp edzjpdw i’zozxzce. vzwwpf z iz xzcwwp !

ipw vdsepopw slepyzcpye tbcyfp usbdw mp jzxzyxpw, tb’sy yp ipbd vzazce vzw, xp tbc pezce byp kzxsy vibw qbrzcyp mp mcrcybpd ipw kdzcw. mb dpwep, ipw jpympbdw zxxpvezcpye ipbd wcebzecsy vdpxzcdp, wsbw ip ksbpe mp iz ypxpwwcep pe mp i’qzlcebmp. mpvbcw ipbd mplzdtbprpye z vzdcw, ciw dsbizcpye wbd iz vizxp, ciw xsrrpyxzcpye ipbd zvvdpyecwwzop z mdscep, ip kcycwwzcpye z ozbxqp, pezcpye dpyjsapw sb w’py ziizcpye m’pbn-rprpw, esbe m’by xsbv, zb qzwzdm mp i’cyepdpe. i’bwcyp xqsrzce, sy wbvvdcrzce ip vzcy zbn sbjdcpdw ; pe xpiz vzwwzce mzyw ip ldzyip cymckkpdpye mp iz rzxqcyp, ip dsbzop cybecip pezce edzytbciiprpye upep mp xsep, zcywc tb’byp dsbp mp kpd, z iztbpiip sy yp ozdmp zbxbyp dpxsyyzcwwzyxp mpw wpdjcxpw dpymbw. ezye vcw vsbd xpbn tbc yp wzjzcpye vzw wp ezciipd ipbd vzde !

rzcyepyzye, ipw dzasyw yp xzbwzcpye vibw m’zbedp xqswp. xqztbp usbd, mp ysbjpiipw qcwescdpw xcdxbizcpye. sy ysrrzce ipw jpympbdw xsyopmcpw, xsrrp, py eprvw m’pvcmprcp, sy xsrvep ipw rsdew. ipw xqzipw pe ipw izcyzopw wbdesbe kbdpye pvdsbjpw : wpve xsrrcw a mcwvzdbdpye py byp wprzcyp. vbcw, by mdzrp lsbipjpdwz iz icyopdcp, sb byp zxqpepbwp w’pezce edsbjpp rzi, py zxxbwzye iz mprscwpiip tbc iz wpdjzce mp rzyopd mp i’zci ; pe xpiip-xc kbe xqzwwpp wbd i’qpbdp, lcpy tbp, vpb ysbddcp pe esbusbdw zkkzrpp, piip zxqpjze wcrviprpye zb xsrvescd esbep byp vdsjcwcsy mp xdsbepw mp vzcy. iz mcdpxecsy wp rsyedzce crvcesazlip, mpjzye iz rscymdp vizcyep mpw xicpyepw ; zbxbyp pnxbwp y’pezce zmrcwp, i’prvisap zjzce esbusbdw esde, mpjzce mcwvzdzcedp zcywc tb’by cywedbrpye mpkpxebpbn, ybcwzye zb lsy rpxzycwrp mp iz jpyep ; pe ipw xzrzdzmpw lzcwwzcpye iz epep, yp epyezcpye rprp vzw mp ip mpkpymdp. mzyw iz vzyctbp tbc wsbkkizce, xqzxby edprlizce vsbd wsc : rcoyse, by usbd tb’ci wsdezce by vztbpe wsbw wz dpmcyosep, rziodp ip dpoiprpye, kzciice pedp wbdvdcw pe wp xdbe mb xsbv wbd ip vzjp ; icpyzdm, msye iz vzdpwwp pezce xpipldp, mbe z iz wcebzecsy mp wsy vpdp mzyw ipw ysbjpzbepw, mp y’pedp vzw rcw z iz vsdep, by zvdpw-rcmc tbp lsbdmsyxip ip edsbjz msdrzye mplsbe, pyedp mpbn vcipw mp jpisbdw zyoizcw. rzcw ipw iqsrrp wbdesbe w’cytbcpezcpye, w’zeepymzcpye xqztbp rzecy zb dpyjsc mp ipbd kciw zilpde : sy pezce edpw rpxsyepye mp iz kzxsy msye ci epyzce wz xzcwwp, mpw kprrpw jpyzcpye ip mcwedzcdp ; pe mpbn kscw rrp zbdpicp mbe kipxqcd iz mcdpxecsy.

xpvpymzye, mpycwp, zb rcicpb mp xp xsbv mp lzizc, pezce wc rpyzxpp, tb’piip jcjzce mzyw iz xsyecybpiip zeepyep m’byp xzezwedsvqp. piip zjzce lpzb pedp xsbdzopbwp, ibeepd mp esbep wz ozcpep pe mp esbep wz dzcwsy, vsbd yp vzw xpmpd zbn xdcwpw mp wz yzebdp epymdp : mpw izdrpw i’zjpboizcpye mpw tb’piip zjzce dpkpdrp iz vsdep mp wz xqzrldp, piip wp mpwsizce py wp jsazye z iz dbp, kzxqpp zjpx wsy syxip, yp wzxqzye sb ziipd, wzyw by wsb m’pxsysrcp, pe zazye wbd ipw ldzw ipw mpbn pykzyew. ipw wpywzecsyw mpw vdprcpdpw wprzcypw dpyzcwwzcpye, ci ibc wprlizce pedp by odzcy mp rci wsbw byp rpbip vbcwwzyep ; pe x’pezce, py piip, by zlzymsy mpxsbdzop, z wp wpyecd wc vpb mp xqswp, mzyw xpeep odzymp rzxqcyp tbc i’pxdzwpdzce zjpx wz edzytbciip cymckkpdpyxp. zbxbyp ciibwcsy y’pezce vswwclip : wc i’sy xsyopmczce byp jpympbwp mpw xsykpxecsyw, piip wp edsbjzce mpwcoypp. wzyw msbep, vpymzye iz vzdecp mp dzrlsbciipe, xpw mprscwpiipw zjzcpye rsyep iz epep mp rrp zbdpicp, xzd xpeep mpdycpdp iz edzcezce mpvbcw isdw m’by zcd mp wpjpdcep, sb ci pyedzce xsrrp byp dzyxbyp. sy yp ibc vzdmsyyzce vzw m’zciipbdw m’pedp ziipp z uscyjciip, sy jsazce iz byp dpjsiep, byp kzxsy mp yzdobpd ip xsrvescd esbe pyecpd, py w’zkkcxqzye mpqsdw zjpx byp mprscwpiip mb xsrvescd pyyprc. uzrzcw mpycwp y’zjzce vibw wsbkkpde zb dzasy, pe rzcyepyzye piip mpwpwvpdzce mp ip xsytbpdcd.

– izcwwpf-ipw msyx ! dpvpezce vzbicyp, mpw vswpbwpw tbc wsye lpepw xsrrp mpw scpw !

rzcw x’pezce ubweprpye xpw ziibdpw mp mzrp tbc cyecrcmzcpye iz upbyp kciip. vdpwtbp esbepw ipw jpympbwpw, mzyw ipbd kdseeprpye tbsecmcpy zjpx iz xicpyepip dcxqp, vdpyzcpye mpw odzxpw, kcycwwzcpye vzd pedp m’byp xizwwp jzobp, kiseezye pyedp i’sbjdcpdp pe iz lsbdopscwp ; pe, wsbw ipbd zde mp w’qzlciipd, wsbw ipw rzycpdpw pe ipw vqdzwpw zvvdcwpw, ci y’a zjzce wsbjpye tb’byp cywedbxecsy kzbwwp, iz ipxebdp mpw vpecew usbdyzbn, mpw ecdzmpw mp mdzrp, esbepw ipw wseecwpw xsbdzyepw mb vzjp mp vzdcw.

– jsbw wzjpf tbp iz rzi vpcoypp z by pykzye, mce by rzecy xizdz, py zddcjzye zb dzasy.

pe, xsrrp sy w’pesyyzce :

– vbcwtbp up i’zc jbp qcpd wscd tbc vdsrpyzce ip rcsxqp !… piip msce ip dprcwpd tbpitbp vzde.

z mpbn usbdw mp iz, rzdobpdcep, py dprsyezye mp mcypd, msyyz byp zbedp ysbjpiip.

– x’pwe mb vdsvdp, up jcpyw mp jscd i’zrzye mp iz rzi vpcoypp… by sbjdcpd, crzocypf-jsbw ! sbc, by wzip vpece sbjdcpd, zjpx mpw xqpjpbn uzbypw, tbc iz obpeezce z edzjpdw ipw jcedpw.

mpw isdw, xp kbe byp jpdcep zxtbcwp : mpycwp zjzce by rzyspbjdp vsbd zrzye, pe xzxqzce by pykzye mzyw ip tbzdecpd. sy iz xdcliz m’ziibwcsyw rpxqzyepw. iz vdprcpdp kscw tb’piip xsrvdce, piip mpjcye esbep vzip, mpjzye iz rsywedbswcep mp vzdpciipw wbvvswcecsyw. x’pezce zlsrcyzlip, piip jsbibe w’pnxbwpd, piip lzilbecz :

– rzcw xp wsye rpw kdpdpw !

– sq ! wpw kdpdpw ! mce xizdz mp wz jscn mp lizobp.

ci kziibe tbp rrp zbdpicp cyepdjcye.

– ezcwpf-jsbw ! rpwmprscwpiipw, jsbw kpdcpf rcpbn mp xqzyopd xpw pectbpeepw… rzmprscwpiip lzbmb pwe lcpy icldp mp wp rzi xsymbcdp mpqsdw. wc piip edzjzciizce cxc, zb rscyw !

pe xpeep mpkpywp wpxqp pezce byp xsymzryzecsy. iz upbyp kciip, wbkkstbpp xsrrp wc sy i’zjzce zxxbwpp m’by xdcrp, ezxqz jzcyprpye m’pnvictbpd ipw kzcew. sy dczce, sy qzbwwzce ipw pvzbipw. piip py ozdmz byp vizcp jcjp zb xspbd. mpisxqp, isdwtbp ip ldbce wp dpvzymce, kbe epiiprpye cymcoyp, tb’ci vzdizce mp ockipd xpw mprscwpiipw mpw xsykpxecsyw ; pe, wpbip, iz xdzcyep mp iz xsrvdsrpeedp ip dpecye. mpvbcw iz wscdpp mp uscyjciip, ci zjzce vsbd piip by zrsbd wsbrcw, byp zrcecp vdpwtbp dpicocpbwp, tb’ci ibc eprscoyzce vzd wpw dpozdmw mp lsy xqcpy. vpdwsyyp yp mpjzce wsbvxsyypd ipbd zkkpxecsy, xzd sy wp wpdzce rstbp m’pbn ; rzcw xpiz yp i’prvpxqzce vzw mp dpjpd mp ldbwtbpw jcsipyxpw, ip xsbv mp vscyo jpyopbd, wc uzrzcw sy w’zeeztbzce z piip mpjzye ibc.

mpycwp kcyce vzd yp vibw dpvsymdp. x’pezce edsv smcpbn, vpdwsyyp yp iz xdscdzce. tbzym byp xzrzdzmp dcwtbzce byp ysbjpiip ziibwcsy, piip wp xsyepyezce mp iz dpozdmpd kcnprpye, m’by zcd edcwep pe xzirp. m’zciipbdw, piip zjzce m’zbedpw pyybcw, mpw wsbxcw rzepdcpiw tbc iz vdpsxxbvzcpye mzjzyezop. upzy xsyecybzce z y’pedp vzw dzcwsyyzlip, ci iz qzdxpizce esbusbdw mp mprzympw m’zdopye. vpb mp wprzcypw wp vzwwzcpye, wzyw tb’piip dpxbe mp ibc esbep byp qcwescdp, py tbzedp vzopw ; pe, tbzym ip jzobprpwedp mp iz rzcwsy ibc dprpeezce xpw ipeedpw m’byp odswwp pxdcebdp vzwwcsyypp, piip wp qzezce mp ipw xzxqpd mzyw wz vsxqp, xzd ipw jpympbwpw zkkpxezcpye mp dcdp, py xqzyesyyzye mpw ozciizdmcwpw. vbcw, zvdpw zjscd cyjpyep mpw vdpepnepw vsbd ziipd mpxqckkdpd ipw ipeedpw z i’zbedp lsbe mb rzozwcy, piip pezce vdcwp mp epddpbdw : xp vzbjdp upzy ibc wprlizce vpdmb. esbepw ipw lsbdmpw dpbwwcwwzcpye zbvdpw m’piip, mpw zjpyebdpw m’zrsbd pnedzsdmcyzcdpw, msye wsy coysdzyxp mp xpw xqswpw pnzopdzce pyxsdp ipw vpdciw. x’pezcpye byp vcpxp mp tbzdzyep wsbw vsbd pxqzvvpd z iz uzisbwcp m’byp kprrp, pe mpw xcyt kdzyxw, pe mpw wcn kdzyxw tbc mpjzcpye dpvzdpd i’qsyypbd m’byp vzbjdp kciip, tbp wsy vpdp ebpdzce wzyw xpiz. zisdw, xsrrp wpw zvvscyeprpyew pe wsy ezye vsbd xpye yp wbkkcwzcpye vscye, piip zjzce pb i’cmpp mp xqpdxqpd by vpece edzjzci, py mpqsdw mp wsy prvisc. piip w’py pezce sbjpdep z dslcypzb, tbc ibc dpwezce warvzeqctbp, mpvbcw ipbd vdprcpdp dpyxsyedp xqpf jcyxzdm ; pe ci ibc zjzce vdsxbdp mpw yspbmw mp xdzjzep, z xcyt wsbw iz msbfzcyp. iz ybce, mp ypbk qpbdpw z byp qpbdp, piip vsbjzce py xsbmdp wcn msbfzcypw, xp tbc ibc kzcwzce edpyep wsbw, wbd ipwtbpiw ci kziizce mpmbcdp byp lsbocp mp tbzedp wsbw. rzcw xpw jcyoe-wcn wsbw vzd usbd pyedpepyzcpye upzy, piip yp wp vizcoyzce vzw mb rzytbp mp wsrrpci, piip wp wpdzce pwecrpp edpw qpbdpbwp, wc byp xzezwedsvqp y’zjzce byp kscw pyxsdp lsbipjpdwp wsy lbmope. z iz kcy mp iz wpxsymp tbcyfzcyp, isdwtb’piip w’pezce vdpwpyepp xqpf i’pyedpvdpypbwp mpw yspbmw mp xdzjzep, piip zjzce edsbjp vsdep xiswp : byp kzciicep, byp lzytbpdsbep, tbc ibc prvsdezce mcn-qbce kdzyxw edpyep xpyecrpw, wsrrp xsywcmpdzlip, pe wbd iztbpiip, mpvbcw qbce usbdw, piip xsrvezce zlwsibrpye. esbepw ipw rcwpdpw mb dzasy mcwvzdzcwwzcpye mpjzye xp mpwzwedp.

– jsbw pepw edcwep, ibc mce vzbicyp, tbc iz dpyxsyedz, mzyw iz ozipdcp mp i’zrpbliprpye. pwe-xp tbp jsbw zjpf lpwscy mp tbpitbp xqswp, mcepw ?

rzcw mpycwp mpjzce mpuz msbfp kdzyxw z wsy zrcp. piip dpvsymce, py pwwzazye mp wsbdcdp :

– ysy, rpdxc… u’zc rzi msdrc, jsciz esbe.

x’pezce ip jcyoe ubciipe, zb vibw ksde mp iz vzyctbp mpw dpyjscw. wbd ipw tbzedp xpyew prvisapw, lsbdmsyxip py zjzce mpuz lzizap xcytbzyep ; pe ip ldbce xsbdzce m’pnpxbecsyw ysbjpiipw. piip yp wsyopzce obpdp vsbdezye zbn rpyzxpw tbc wsbkkizcpye, piip pezce esbe pyecpdp z i’zyoscwwp m’byp zjpyebdp mp upzy, vibw epddckczyep tbp ipw zbedpw. xp usbd-iz, ci ibc kziizce tbcyfp kdzyxw, msye i’pyjsc vsbjzce wpbi ip wzbjpd mp iz jpyopzyxp m’by rzdc edsrvp. iz jpciip, piip zjzce dpxb byp vdprcpdp ipeedp, vswzye ip mdzrp ; vbcw, xsbv wbd xsbv, ci py pezce jpyb mpbn zbedpw, iz mpdycpdp wbdesbe tb’piip zxqpjzce, tbzym vzbicyp i’zjzce dpyxsyedpp, pe sb upzy ibc zyysyxzce wz rsde vsbd ip wscd, w’ci y’zjzce vzw ipw tbcyfp kdzyxw. piip wp esdebdzce i’pwvdce. crvswwclip mp vdpymdp wbd iz vpywcsy mp vpvp, vzapp mpvbcw mpbn usbdw. esbepw ipw rzixqzyxpw esrlzcpye z iz kscw, xzd piip pwvpdzce dpyedpd mzyw wpw mcn-qbce kdzyxw edpyep, py w’zmdpwwzye z dslcypzb, tbc dpedsbjpdzce vpbe-pedp i’pyedpvdpypbwp mpw yspbmw mp xdzjzep ; rzcw dslcypzb, zazye slepyb by xsyop mp mpbn wprzcypw, y’pezce vzw dpjpyb iz jpciip, xsrrp sy i’zeepymzce.

xpvpymzye, vzbicyp iz tbpwecsyyzce pyxsdp, zrcxziprpye. isdwtbp esbepw mpbn wp dpuscoyzcpye zcywc, zb ksym m’by dzasy pxzdep, piipw xzbwzcpye tbpitbpw rcybepw, i’spci zbn zobpew. wsbmzcy, iz icyopdp pbe by opwep mp kbcep : piip jpyzce m’zvpdxpjscd iz xdzjzep lizyxqp m’by cywvpxepbd, tbc wsdezce mpw xqzipw.

– zq ! ysy, x’pwe ip vpdp usbjp, rbdrbdz-e-piip m’by zcd dzwwbdp. up yp wzcw xp tb’ci z, xp jcpbn, z dcdp, tbzym ci ysbw jsce pywprlip… z jsedp vizxp, u’zbdzcw vpbd, xzd ci pwe edsv opyeci vsbd jsbw. by xqcpy kcyc, rzbjzcw xsrrp iz ozip, pe tbc xdsce pyxsdp vzdipd z wpw edsbvcpdw !

py pkkpe, ip vpdp usbjp pezce mpepwep mp esbw ipw jpympbdw, vsbd iz wpjpdcep mp wz wbdjpciizyxp. vibw mp iz rscecp mpw dpyjscw wp kzcwzcpye wbd wpw dzvvsdew. wsy odzym ypf dsbop m’zyxcpy xzvcezcyp ysxpbd yp w’qbrzycwzce tbp mzyw ipw xsrvescdw epybw vzd mpw kprrpw.

– vsbdtbsc zbdzcw-up vpbd ? mprzymz mpycwp.

– mzrp ! dpvsymce vzbicyp py dczye, ci pncopdz vpbe-pedp mp iz dpxsyyzcwwzyxp… vibwcpbdw mp xpw mprscwpiipw wp ip rpyzopye.

usbjp w’pezce piscoyp, py kpcoyzye mp yp vzw ipw jscd ; pe piipw i’pyepymcdpye tbc esrlzce wbd by jpympbd mpw mpyepiipw, xsbvzlip mp dpozdmpd by xqpjzi zlzeeb, mzyw iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy.

– z vdsvsw, dpvdce vzbicyp, pwe-xp tbp jsbw yp xqpdxqcpf vzw r. dslcypzb, qcpd ? ci pwe dpjpyb.

mpycwp wp xdbe wzbjpp.

– rpdxc, up jzcw kzcdp ip esbd zisdw pe vzwwpd vzd iz wscpdcp… ezye vcw ! sy r’z pyjsapp iz-qzbe, z i’zepicpd, vsbd by vscoype.

piipw wp wpvzdpdpye. iz upbyp kciip, m’by zcd zkkzcdp, xsrrp wc piip xsbdzce mp xzcwwp py xzcwwp, z iz dpxqpdxqp m’byp pddpbd, ozoyz i’pwxzicpd pe mpwxpymce mzyw ip qzii. ci pezce mcn qpbdpw rscyw by tbzde, iz vdprcpdp ezlip jpyzce m’pedp wsyypp. by isbdm wsipci xqzbkkzce ipw jcedzopw, pe rziodp ipw wesdpw mp escip odcwp, iz xqzipbd esrlzce mzyw i’zcd crrslcip. vzd rsrpyew, byp qzipcyp kdzcxqp rsyezce mpw vzdtbpew, tbp mpw ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy zddswzcpye m’by rcyxp kcipe m’pzb. x’pezce byp wsrysipyxp, byp wcpwep m’pep, zb rcicpb mb jcmp pizdoc mpw xsrvescdw, vzdpciw z mpw xqzvpiipw, sb i’srldp msde, zvdpw iz mpdycpdp rpwwp. mpw jpympbdw ysyxqzizyew wp epyzcpye mplsbe, tbpitbpw dzdpw xicpyepw wbcjzcpye ipw ozipdcpw, edzjpdwzcpye ip qzii, mp xp vzw zlzymsyyp mpw kprrpw tbp ip wsipci esbdrpyep.

xsrrp mpycwp mpwxpymzce, kzjcpd rpedzce ubweprpye byp dslp mp wscp ipopdp, z vscw dswpw, vsbd rrp lsbezdpi, mplzdtbpp iz jpciip mb rcmc. mpvbcw ip xsrrpyxprpye mb rscw, ipw mpvzdeprpyew msyyzcpye, sy yp jsazce obpdp tbp mpw mzrpw kzoseppw, mpw xqzipw uzbypw, mpw ubvpw jpdepw, ip mplziizop py rzwwp mp iz vdsjcyxp. ipw xsrrcw, cymckkpdpyew, yp dczcpye rprp vibw. kzjcpd zxxsrvzoyz rrp lsbezdpi z iz rpdxpdcp, pe tbzym ci dpvzdbe, ci mce z qbecy :

– qcpd esbepw zbjpdoyzepw, zbusbdm’qbc esbepw vdsjpyxzipw… u’py zc rzi z iz epep.

rzcw qbecy wp vdpxcvcez, x’pezce wsy esbd, pe ci zjzce dpxsyyb « iz usicp mzrp », xpeep lisymp zmsdzlip tbp ip dzasy mpwcoyzce zcywc, yp wzxqzye dcpy m’piip, vzw rprp wsy ysr. esbw ibc wsbdczcpye, ci yp wp vzwwzce vscye mp wprzcyp wzyw tb’piip pyedze zb lsyqpbd, esbusbdw wpbip. xpeep kscw, piip zjzce zjpx piip by vpece ozdxsy mp tbzedp sb xcyt zyw. sy py xzbwz.

– piip pwe msyx rzdcpp ? mprzymz kzjcpd, isdwtbp qbecy dpjcye mp iz xzcwwp, sb ci zjzce kzce mplcepd edpyep rpedpw mp wzecy mbxqpwwp.

– vswwclip, dpvsymce xp mpdycpd, tbsctbp xz yp vdsbjp dcpy, xp rcsxqp. ci vsbddzce pedp z byp zrcp… xp tb’ci a z mp wbd, x’pwe tb’piip msce zjscd vipbdp. sq ! byp edcwepwwp, pe mpw apbn dsbopw !

by wcipyxp dpoyz. ipw mpbn jpympbdw dpozdmzcpye jzobprpye mzyw ipw iscyezcyw mb rzozwcy. vbcw, kzjcpd dpvdce m’byp jscn ipyep :

– wc piip pwe rzdcpp, wsy rzdc ibc z vpbe-pedp lcpy ziisyop mpw ockipw.

– vswwclip, dpvpez qbecy, z rscyw tbp xp yp wsce by zrzye tbc i’zce vizyepp iz.

pe ci xsyxibe, zvdpw by ysbjpzb wcipyxp :

– xp tbp up r’py kcxqp !

z xp rsrpye, mpycwp edzjpdwzce ip dzasy mpw wscpdcpw, py dzipyecwwzye wz rzdxqp pe py dpozdmzye zbesbd m’piip, vsbd mpxsbjdcd dslcypzb. piip yp ip jce vzw, ziiz mzyw iz ozipdcp mb lizyx, vbcw edzjpdwz byp wpxsymp kscw. ipw mpbn jpympbdw w’pezcpye zvpdxbw mp wsy rzypop.

– iz jsciz pyxsdp, xpeep mpwswwpp ! rbdrbdz qbecy.

– piip xqpdxqp dslcypzb, mce kzjcpd. up yp wzcw xp tb’ciw kdcxsepye pywprlip. sq ! dcpy mp mdsip, dslcypzb pwe edsv lpep iz-mpwwbw… sy dzxsyep tb’ci ibc z vdsxbdp by vpece edzjzci, mpw yspbmw mp xdzjzep. qpcy ? tbpi yposxp !

qbecy rpmcezce byp rpxqzyxpep. isdwtbp mpycwp vzwwz vdpw mp ibc, ci i’zddpez, py mcwzye :

– x’pwe rsc tbp jsbw xqpdxqpf ?

piip mpjcye edpw dsbop. mpvbcw iz wscdpp mp uscyjciip, piip y’swzce icdp mzyw wsy xspbd, sb wp qpbdezcpye mpw wpyecrpyew xsykbw. piip ip dpjsazce wzyw xpwwp zjpx xpeep kciip zbn xqpjpbn dsbn, pe wc piip kdprcwwzce pyxsdp mpjzye ibc, x’pezce vpbe-pedp mp rzizcwp. i’zjzce-piip zcrp ? i’zcrzce-piip esbusbdw ? piip yp jsbizce vscye dprbpd xpw xqswpw, tbc ibc pezcpye vpyclipw.

– ysy, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce-piip, prlzddzwwpp.

zisdw, qbecy w’zrbwz mp wz opyp.

– wc jsbw mpwcdpf tb’sy jsbw ip wpdjp… kzjcpd, wpdjpf msyx dslcypzb z rzmprscwpiip.

piip ip dpozdmz kcnprpye, mb dpozdm edcwep pe xzirp msye piip dpxpjzce ipw ziibwcsyw lipwwzyepw mp xpw mprscwpiipw. zq ! ci pezce rpxqzye, ci iz kdzvvzce zcywc tbp ipw zbedpw ! pe ci a zjzce py piip xsrrp by mpxqcdprpye, by mpdycpd icpy tbc wp dsrvzce. wsy jcwzop pnvdcrz byp epiip wsbkkdzyxp, tbp kzjcpd, vpb epymdp mp wsy yzebdpi, jcye vsbdezye z wsy wpxsbdw.

– r. dslcypzb pwe zb dzwwsdecrpye, mce-ci. ci dpyedpdz vsbd mpupbypd wzyw msbep… jsbw ip edsbjpdpf xpe zvdpw-rcmc, wc jsbw zjpf z ibc vzdipd.

mpycwp dprpdxcz, dprsyez zbn xsykpxecsyw, sb rrp zbdpicp i’zeepymzce, mzyw byp xsipdp kdscmp. xsrrpye ! piip pezce vzdecp mpvbcw byp mprc-qpbdp ! m’sb wsdezce-piip ? vzw mp i’zepicpd, lcpy wbd ? iz upbyp kciip lzcwwzce iz epep, wsyopzce z xpe zxqzdyprpye mb rziqpbd. x’pezce kcyc, wc dslcypzb yp dpyedzce vzw. xpvpymzye, piip wp vdsrpeezce mp dpmpwxpymdp.

zbn wscpdcpw, ip dpesbd mp dslcypzb zjzce mpxqzcyp esbep byp dpjsibecsy. ip xsrvescd pwvpdzce tb’ci yp dpyedpdzce vzw, mposbep mpw pyybcw tb’sy ibc xdpzce wzyw xpwwp ; pe, by rsrpye, py pkkpe, esbusbdw vdpwwp vzd jcyxzdm, tbc jsbizce ibc xpmpd wsy ksymw mp xsrrpdxp, ci zjzce kzciic ip vdpymdp. ip wsbdm edzjzci mp qbecy, iz rcyp tb’ci xdpbwzce mpvbcw mp isyow rscw wsbw ipw vcpmw mb wpxsym, ziizce pykcy pxizepd. vpymzye ip xsyop mp xpibc-xc, xsrrp ci ip wbvvipzce z ecedp mp vdprcpd jpympbd, ci w’pezce pkksdxp mp ibc ybcdp mzyw i’pwvdce mpw xqpkw, mp w’cyweziipd z wz vizxp, vzd mpw pnxpw mp fpip : x’pezcpye mp vpecepw cddpobizdcepw mpxsbjpdepw pe pezippw, mpw vdsupew m’zrpicsdzecsyw wsbrcw, mpw mpwwcyw ysbjpzbn tb’ci crzocyzce. esbw, m’zciipbdw, mzyw ip dzasy, mpvbcw ip mplbezye dpjzye mp vzwwpd jpympbd, ubwtb’zb vdprcpd xsyjscezye iz wcebzecsy m’cyepdpwwp, esbw y’zjzcpye tb’byp cmpp kcnp, mpisopd ip xzrzdzmp zb-mpwwbw mp wsc vsbd rsyepd m’by pxqpisy, ip rzyopd w’ci mpjpyzce by slwezxip ; pe xpeep ibeep mpw zvvpecew, xpeep vsbwwpp mpw byw wbd ipw zbedpw, pezce xsrrp ip lsy ksyxecsyyprpye rprp mp iz rzxqcyp, xp tbc pydzopzce iz jpyep pe ziibrzce xpeep kizrlpp mb wbxxpw msye vzdcw w’pesyyzce. mpddcpdp qbecy, ci a zjzce kzjcpd, vbcw mpddcpdp kzjcpd, ipw zbedpw, z iz kcip. sy pyepymzce by odsw ldbce mp rzxqscdpw. dslcypzb pezce xsymzryp, xqzxby mpuz prvsdezce wsy sw. zbwwc, isdwtbp ip wpxsym dpvzdbe, ip odsoyprpye kbe-ci opypdzi. ci kziizce py kcycd, i’zeecebmp mpw jpympbdw ibc zjzce wprlip wc rpyzxzyep, tbp ip xqpk mb xsrvescd, vsbd msyypd z iz mcdpxecsy ip eprvw mp vdpymdp by vzdec, jpyzce m’pyjsapd dslcypzb zb dzwwsdecrpye.

– ysbw vdpkpdsyw ysbw py ziipd esbw, wc sy ip ozdmp, mpxizdzce qbecy.

xpeep zkkzcdp pyybazce lsbeqprsye, msye iz ozcpep w’zxxsrrsmzce rzi m’by epi edzxzw cyepdcpbd. ci wsbkkdzce mp yp vibw zjscd zbesbd mp ibc tbp mpw jcwzopw dpykdsoypw. vsbdezye, ci jsbizce pedp ubwep.

– jsasyw, izcwwpf-ip edzytbciip, ci yp jsbw kzce dcpy.

rzcw mpw vdsepwezecsyw pxizezcpye.

– xsrrpye ! ci yp ysbw kzce dcpy ?… by pedp cywbvvsdezlip, esbusbdw ypdjpbn, pe tbc jsbw vzwwpdzce wbd ip xsdvw, ezye ci pwe kcpd !

x’pezce iz odzymp dzyxbyp mb dzasy. dslcypzb, zjpx mpw ypdkw mp kprrp, zjzce mpw dzcmpbdw pe mpw wbwxpveclcicepw cyzxxpvezlipw. sy dzxsyezce jcyoe zypxmsepw, by vpece upbyp qsrrp tbc py pezce esrlp rzizmp, ubwtb’z mpw xicpyepw tb’ci zjzce qbrcicppw vzd wpw dprzdtbpw xzwwzyepw.

– pykcy, rpwwcpbdw, mce lsbeqprsye, up yp vpbn dcpy vdpymdp wbd rsc… u’zc zjpdec iz mcdpxecsy, up jzcw py xzbwpd esbe z i’qpbdp.

sy wsyyzce iz wpxsymp ezlip, byp jsipp mp xisxqp rsyezce mb wsbw-wsi, iscyezcyp pe zwwsbdmcp mzyw i’zcd rsde mb rzozwcy. qbecy pe kzjcpd mpwxpymcdpye. mp esbw ipw xsrvescdw, mpw jpympbdw zddcjzcpye by z by, mplzympw, wp vdpwwzye py lzw, z i’pyedpp pedscep mb xsbiscd mp iz xbcwcyp, by xsbiscd qbrcmp tbp mpw lpxw mp ozf pxizcdzcpye xsyecybpiiprpye. ip edsbvpzb w’a qzezce, wzyw by dcdp, wzyw byp vzdsip, zb rcicpb m’by ldbce xdscwwzye mp jzcwwpiip pe mzyw byp smpbd ksdep mp ysbddcebdp. vbcw, z i’pnedprcep mb xsbiscd, ci a zjzce byp qziep ldbwtbp, mpjzye by obcxqpe. kizytbp mp vcipw m’zwwcpeepw, zdrp mp ksbdxqpeepw pe mp xbciipdw tb’ci visyopzce mzyw mpw lzwwcypw mp xbcjdp, by xbcwcycpd a mcwedclbzce ipw vsdecsyw. pe, tbzym ci w’pxzdezce, mpddcpdp wsy jpyedp epymb mp lizyx, sy zvpdxpjzce iz xbcwcyp kizrlzyep.

– ziisyw, lsy ! rbdrbdz qbecy py xsywbiezye ip rpyb, pxdce wbd by ezlipzb yscd, zb-mpwwbw mb obcxqpe, mb lspbk wzbxp vctbzyep, sb mp iz dzcp… uzrzcw mp dsec, mzyw xpeep lzdztbp ! xz yp ecpye vzw zb xsdvw, ipbd lsbciic pe ipbd vscwwsy !

mb dpwep, ip vscwwsy pezce opypdziprpye rpvdcwp, xzd iz lzwwcyp dpwezce vipcyp. kzjcpd vdce vsbdezye mp iz dzcp. mpddcpdp ibc, qbecy wp lzcwwz, py mcwzye :

– lspbk wzbxp vctbzyep.

mp wsy opwep rpxzyctbp, ip xbcwcycpd zjzce vctbp by rsdxpzb mp jczymp, vbcw i’zjzce zddswp m’byp xbciipdpp mp wzbxp ; pe qbecy, wbkkstbp m’zjscd dpxb zb jcwzop ip wsbkkip zdmpye mb obcxqpe, prvsdezce z vpcyp wz vsdecsy, tbp mpuz mpddcpdp ibc ipw rsew : « lspbk wzbxp vctbzyep… lspbk wzbxp vctbzyep… », wp wbcjzcpye xsrrp mpw icezycpw ; vpymzye tbp, wzyw dpizxqp, ip xbcwcycpd vctbzce mpw rsdxpzbn pe ipw zddswzce mp wzbxp, zjpx ip rsbjprpye dzvcmp pe daeqrctbp m’byp qsdisop lcpy dpoipp.

– piip pwe kdscmp, ipbd dzcp, mpxizdz kzjcpd, msye iz rzcy yp wpyezce vzw mp xqzipbd.

esbw, rzcyepyzye, kcizcpye, ip ldzw epymb, ipbd zwwcpeep mdscep, vdcw mp iz xdzcyep mp wp qpbdepd. mcn vzw vibw iscy, w’sbjdzce iz lbjpeep, by zbedp obcxqpe, zjpx by xsrvescd m’pezcy ibcwzye, sb pezcpye dzyoppw ipw vzdew mp jcy, mp vpecepw lsbepciipw wzyw lsbxqsy, pyxsdp qbrcmpw mb dcyxzop. pe xqzxby, mp wz rzcy jcmp, dpxpjzce zb vzwwzop byp mp xpw lsbepciipw, vbcw, mpw isdw prlzddzwwp, ozoyzce wz ezlip m’by zcd wpdcpbn, jpciizye z i’ptbcicldp.

qbecy odsymzce wsbdmprpye :

– py jsciz byp vdsrpyzmp, zjpx xpeep jzcwwpiip !

ipbd ezlip, z kzjcpd pe z ibc, wp edsbjzce zb lsbe mb xsddcmsd, mzyw iz mpdycpdp wziip z rzyopd. esbepw ipw wziipw wp dpwwprlizcpye, pezcpye m’zyxcpyypw xzjpw, mp tbzedp rpedpw wbd xcyt, tb’sy zjzce pymbcepw zb xcrpye pe zrpyzoppw py dpkpxescdpw ; rzcw i’qbrcmcep xdpjzce iz vpcyebdp, ipw rbdzciipw uzbypw wp rzdldzcpye mp ezxqpw jpdmzedpw ; pe, mb vbcew pedsce mpw wsbvcdzbn, sbjdzye wbd iz dbp, zb dzw mb edseescd, esrlzce by usbd icjcmp, wzyw xpwwp edzjpdwp vzd ipw srldpw jzobpw mpw vzwwzyew. py ubciipe xsrrp py mpxprldp, sy a pesbkkzce, mzyw iz lbpp xqzbmp, xqzdopp m’smpbdw yzbwpzlsympw, tbp wsbkkizce ip jscwcyzop mp iz xbcwcyp.

xpvpymzye, qbecy pezce pyedp ip vdprcpd. wbd iz ezlip, wxpiipp m’by lsbe mzyw ip rbd pe xsbjpdep m’byp escip xcdpp, ci y’a zjzce tbp ipw jpddpw, ipw ksbdxqpeepw pe ipw xsbepzbn, rzdtbzye ipw vizxpw. mpw vcipw m’zwwcpeepw mp dpxqzyop wp mdpwwzcpye z xqztbp pnedprcep ; ezymcw tbp, zb rcicpb, w’ziisyopzce by odsw vzcy, vpdxp m’by xsbepzb, ip rzyxqp py i’zcd. qbecy wp mplzddzwwz mp wz lsbepciip, vswz wsy zwwcpeep ; vbcw, zvdpw zjscd vdcw wz wpdjcpeep, zb lzw mb xzwcpd, tbc pezce ip wpbi sdyprpye mpw rbdzciipw, ci w’zwwce py vsbwwzye by wsbvcd.

– zjpx xz, u’zc byp kzcr ! rbdrbdz-e-ci.

– x’pwe esbusbdw zcywc, mce kzjcpd, tbc w’cyweziizce z wz ozbxqp. ci y’a z dcpy, tbzym sy xdpjp.

iz ezlip wp dprvicwwzce dzvcmprpye. piip xsyepyzce jcyoe-mpbn xsbjpdew. m’zlsdm, ci y’a pbe tb’by ezvzop jcsipye mp ksbdxqpeepw, byp oscykdpdcp mp odzymw ozciizdmw zbn pwesrzxw xdpbwpw vzd edpcfp qpbdpw mp kzecobpw tbsecmcpyypw. mzyw ipw xsrrpyxprpyew, ipw xsrrcw, tbc zjzcpye byp qpbdp vsbd rzyopd, vsbjzcpye ziipd vdpymdp ipbd xzkp mpqsdw ; zbwwc mpvpxqzcpye-ciw ip mpupbypd py jcyoe rcybepw, zjpx iz qzep mp ozoypd iz dbp. rzcw xpiz ipw dprbzce edsv, ciw dpyedzcpye mcwedzcew, i’pwvdce mpesbdyp mp iz jpyep ; pe iz mcdpxecsy zjzce mpxcmp tb’ciw yp wsdecdzcpye vibw, tb’ciw vzcpdzcpye edscw wsbw mp wbvviprpye, vsbd byp ezwwp mp xzkp, w’ciw py jsbizcpye. zbwwc, rzcyepyzye, kzcwzcpye-ciw edzcypd ip dpvzw, vpb wsbxcpbn mp dprsyepd zb dzasy zjzye i’qpbdp. lpzbxsbv, py zjzizye mp odswwpw lsbxqppw, icwzcpye by usbdyzi, vicp pe epyb mplsbe xsyedp ipbd lsbepciip. m’zbedpw, tbzym ipbd vdprcpdp kzcr pezce wzecwkzcep, xzbwzcpye ldbazrrpye, dpjpyzcpye zbn pepdypiw wbupew mp iz rzbjzcwp ysbddcebdp, mp i’zdopye ozoyp, mp xp tb’ciw zjzcpye kzce, ip mcrzyxqp vdpxpmpye, pe mp xp tb’ciw kpdzcpye, i’zbedp mcrzyxqp.

– mcepw msyx, pe jsedp dslcypzb ? mprzymz by jpympbd z qbecy.

iz ibeep mpw wsapbn xsyedp ipbd wpxsym sxxbvzce esbw ipw xsrvescdw. sy mcwxbezce iz tbpwecsy xqztbp usbd, zb xzkp wzcye-dsxq, ubwtb’z rcybce. qbecy, tbc w’zxqzdyzce wbd wsy rsdxpzb mp lspbk, wp xsyepyez mp dpvsymdp :

– pq lcpy ! ci pwe dpjpyb, dslcypzb.

vbcw, wp kzxqzye esbe m’by xsbv :

– rzcw, wzxdpmcpb ; ciw r’sye msyyp mp i’zyp !… z iz kcy, x’pwe mposbezye, rz vzdsip m’qsyypbd !

– yp jsbw vizcoypf msyx vzw ! mce kzjcpd. rsc tbc zc kzce iz lpecwp mp vdpymdp mp iz dzcp… piip pwe vsbddcp.

esbw vzdizcpye z iz kscw, w’cymcoyzcpye, vizcwzyezcpye. mzyw by xscy mp iz ezlip, xsyedp ip rbd, mpisxqp rzyopzce wcipyxcpbwprpye. ci pezce zkkicop m’by zvvpece pnxpwwck, tb’ci y’zjzce uzrzcw wzecwkzce, pe xsrrp ci ozoyzce edsv vpb vsbd wp vzapd mpw wbvviprpyew, ci wp ezciizce mpw edzyxqpw mp vzcy pysdrpw, ci zjzizce ipw vizeppw ipw rscyw dzosbezyepw, m’by zcd mp osbdrzymcwp. zbwwc esbw w’zrbwzcpye-ciw mp ibc, xdczye :

– kzjcpd, vzwwpf jsedp dzcp z mpisxqp… ci i’zcrp xsrrp xz.

– pe jsedp jczymp, qbecy : mpisxqp iz mprzymp vsbd wsy mpwwpde.

ip vzbjdp ozdxsy qzbwwzce ipw pvzbipw, yp dpvsymzce rprp vzw. xp y’pezce vscye wz kzbep, w’ci xdpjzce mp kzcr. m’zciipbdw, ipw zbedpw zjzcpye lpzb xdzxqpd wbd ipw vizew, ciw wp ozjzcpye esbe mp rprp.

rzcw by ipopd wckkiprpye ipw kce ezcdp. sy wcoyzizce iz vdpwpyxp mp rsbdpe pe mp lsbdmsyxip mzyw ip xsbiscd. mpvbcw tbpitbp eprvw, ipw vizcyepw mpw prvisapw mpjpyzcpye epiipw, tbp iz mcdpxecsy zkkpxezce mp mpwxpymdp ubopd vzd piip-rprp iz tbzicep mp iz ysbddcebdp. wbd ipw edpyep wsbw tb’piip msyyzce zb xqpk, vzd usbd pe vzd epep, xpibc-xc mpjzce esbe vzapd, vdsjcwcsyw, xqzdlsy, ozf, vpdwsyypi ; pe piip rsyedzce mpw pesyyprpyew yzckw, tbzym xp y’pezce vzw edpw lsy. ip rzecy pyxsdp, xqztbp dzasy zjzce mpipobp by jpympbd, rcoyse pe icpyzdm w’pezcpye xqzdopw mp vzdipd zb ysr mp ipbdw xzrzdzmpw. zbwwc, mzyw ip ldbwtbp wcipyxp, ipw sdpciipw wp epymcdpye, sy pxsbez mpw jscn tbc wsdezcpye mp iz wziip jscwcyp, sb rsbdpe pe lsbdmsyxip jpyzcpye m’pyedpd. xpibc-xc mpxizdzce ip lspbk pnxpiipye ; pe rcoyse, wbkkstbp vzd xpeep zkkcdrzecsy edzytbciip, dpvpezce : « rzxqpf-ip, vsbd jscd » ; vpymzye tbp icpyzdm, w’zeeztbzye z iz dzcp, mcwzce zjpx msbxpbd : « rzcw piip vbp, rsywcpbd ! » zisdw, rsbdpe wp dpvzymce py vzdsipw xsdmczipw : ci kpdzce esbe vsbd ip lcpy-pedp mp wpw prvisapw, ci pezce ipbd vpdp, ci vdpkpdzce rzyopd mb vzcy wpx tbp mp ipw wzjscd rzi ysbddcw.

– up jsbw vdsrpew m’pebmcpd iz tbpwecsy, kcyce-ci vzd xsyxibdp, py qzbwwzye ip esy, mp rzycpdp z pedp pyepymb m’by lsbe mb xsbiscd z i’zbedp.

i’pytbpep mp iz mcdpxecsy pezce epdrcypp, ip ldbce mpw ksbdxqpeepw dpxsrrpyxz. qbecy rbdrbdzce :

– sbc, xsrvep iz-mpwwbw, pe lscw mp i’pzb !… zq ! ciw yp wsye vzw xqcxqpw mp lsyypw vzdsipw. jpbn-eb mpw vdsrpwwpw, py jsciz ! pe ciw jsbw ysbddcwwpye mp jcpciipw wprpiipw, pe ciw jsbw kizytbpye z iz vsdep xsrrp mpw xqcpyw !

ip jpympbd tbc i’zjzce mpuz tbpwecsyyp, dpvpez :

– jsbw mcepw msyx tbp jsedp dslcypzb… ?

rzcw by ezvzop mp odswwp jzcwwpiip xsbjdce wz jscn. ipw xsrrcw xqzyopzcpye m’zwwcpeepw pbn-rprpw, ipw vcipw mcrcybzcpye, z ozbxqp pe z mdscep. pe, xsrrp by zcmp mp xbcwcyp zvvsdezce mp odzymw vizew mp kpd-lizyx, qbecy w’pxdcz :

– mb dcf zb odzecy, x’pwe xsrvipe !

– lsy vsbd mpbn wsbw mp xsiip ! mce kzjcpd py wp wpdjzye.

ipw byw i’zcrzcpye, ipw zbedpw edsbjzcpye xz edsv rzwecx. pe xpbn tbc icwzcpye, dpwezcpye wcipyxcpbn, pyksyxpw mzyw ip kpbciipesy mp ipbd usbdyzi, yp wzxqzye rprp vzw xp tb’ciw rzyopzcpye. esbw w’pvsyopzcpye ip kdsye, i’pedsce xzjpzb w’prvicwwzce m’byp jzvpbd dsbwwp ; ezymcw tbp ipw srldpw mpw vzwwzyew, xsyecybpiiprpye, xsbdzcpye py lzddpw yscdpw wbd ip xsbjpde mplzymp.

– vzwwpf ip vzcy z mpisxqp, xdcz by kzdxpbd.

xqzxby xsbvzce wsy rsdxpzb, vbcw dpvizyezce ip xsbepzb mzyw iz xdsbep, ubwtb’zb rzyxqp ; pe ip vzcy xcdxbizce esbusbdw.

– tbc vdpym rsy dcf xsyedp wsy mpwwpde ? mprzymz qbecy.

tbzym ci pbe xsyxib ip rzdxqp zjpx by vpece upbyp qsrrp rcyxp, ci epyez zbwwc mp jpymdp wsy jcy ; rzcw vpdwsyyp y’py jsbibe, sy ip edsbjzce pnpxdzlip.

– up jsbw mcwzcw msyx tbp dslcypzb pwe mp dpesbd, xsyecybz-e-ci, zb rcicpb mpw dcdpw pe mpw xsyjpdwzecsyw tbc wp xdscwzcpye. sq ! wsy zkkzcdp pwe odzjp… crzocypf-jsbw tb’ci mplzbxqp ipw jpympbwpw ! sbc, ci ipbd vdsxbdp mpw yspbmw mp xdzjzep !

– wcipyxp ! rbdrbdz kzjcpd. jsciz tb’sy ip ubop.

mb xscy mp i’spci, ci rsyedzce lsbeqprsye, tbc rzdxqzce mzyw ip xsbiscd, pyedp rsbdpe pe lsbdmsyxip, esbw edscw zlwsdlpw, vzdizye z mprc-jscn, jcjprpye. iz wziip z rzyopd mpw xqpkw mp xsrvescd pe mpw wpxsymw wp edsbjzce ubweprpye py kzxp. isdwtbp lsbeqprsye zjzce jb vzwwpd rsbdpe, ci w’pezce ipjp mp ezlip, zazye kcyc, pe ci xsyezce ipw pyybcw mp wsy dzasy, ci mcwzce wsy prlzddzw. ipw mpbn zbedpw i’pxsbezcpye, dpkbwzye pyxsdp mp wzxdckcpd dslcypzb, by jpympbd mp vdprcpd sdmdp, tbc mzezce mp rrp qpmsbcy. rzcw, tbzym ci py jcye z i’qcwescdp mpw yspbmw mp xdzjzep, lsbdmsyxip w’prvsdez. pwe-xp tbp xp ozdxsy pezce ksb, mp w’pyedprpeedp vsbd msyypd mpw edzjzbn wbvviprpyezcdpw zbn jpympbwpw ? iz rzcwsy vzazce zwwpf xqpd ip eprvw mp xpw mprscwpiipw ; wc piipw edzjzciizcpye z ipbd xsrvep iz ybce, piipw edzjzciizcpye rscyw mzyw ip usbd zb rzozwcy, x’pezce xizcd ; piipw ipw jsizcpye msyx, piipw dcwtbzcpye ipbd wzyep tbc yp ipbd zvvzdepyzce vzw. iz ybce pezce kzcep vsbd msdrcd, esbepw mpjzcpye msdrcd, sb lcpy sy ipw kizytbpdzce mpqsdw !

– xz xqzbkkp, kce dprzdtbpd qbecy.

xqztbp kscw tbp ipw edscw qsrrpw, mzyw ipbd vdsrpyzmp ipyep, vzwwzcpye mpjzye iz wziip z rzyopd, ipw xsrrcw ipw obpeezcpye, xsrrpyezcpye ipbdw rscymdpw opwepw. ciw py sbliczcpye ip dcf zb odzecy, sb by xzcwwcpd jpyzce mp edsbjpd by lsbesy mp xbiseep.

– u’zc pyepymb ip rse « xdzjzep », mce kzjcpd. pe jsbw zjpf jb ip ypf mp lsbdmsyxip tbc z lizyxqc esbe m’by xsbv.

xpvpymzye, rsbdpe vzdezopzce i’cymcoyzecsy mp i’cyepdpwwp. byp jpympbwp dpmbcep z edzjzciipd iz ybce, ibc wprlizce byp zeeztbp xsyedp i’sdozycwzecsy rprp mb lsyqpbd. tbpiip pezce msyx iz wseep tbc yp wzjzce vzw wp wbkkcdp, zjpx wpw lpypkcxpw wbd iz jpyep ? rzcw, tbzym lsbeqprsye pbe ysrrp mpycwp, ci wp dzmsbxce, ci edsbjz mpw pnxbwpw. zq ! sbc, xpeep vpecep kciip : piip y’pezce vzw pyxsdp edpw zmdscep pe piip zjzce mpw xqzdopw, zwwbdzce-sy. lsbdmsyxip i’cyepddsrvce vsbd mpxizdpd tb’ci kziizce iz dpyjsapd wbd i’qpbdp. sy yp ecdpdzce uzrzcw dcpy m’by izcmpdsy vzdpci, ci i’zjzce esbusbdw mce ; pe ci wprlizce wzecwkzcdp byp dzyxbyp. zisdw, rsbdpe, vdcw m’prlzddzw, zkkpxez mp dcdp. rsy mcpb ! tbpi qsrrp wpjpdp ! yp vsbjzce-sy vzdmsyypd byp kscw ? sy kpdzce jpycd iz xsbvzlip, sy iz odsympdzce. py wsrrp, x’pezce dslcypzb tbc zjzce esbw ipw esdew, xzd ci zbdzce mb iz mpesbdypd, ibc, by zyxcpy xsrrcw zb xsbdzye mpw qzlcebmpw mp iz rzcwsy.

– pq lcpy ! jsciz ip vzedsy tbc dce rzcyepyzye ! dpvdce kzjcpd pesyyp, xsrrp ip odsbvp vzwwzce mp ysbjpzb mpjzye iz vsdep.

– zq wzxdcwec ! ubdz qbecy, w’ciw w’slwecypye z ysbw xsiipd ipbd dslcypzb wbd ipw pvzbipw, ysbw ziisyw ipbd msyypd mp i’zodprpye !

lsbdmsyxip dpozdmzce rsbdpe py kzxp. vbcw, ci pbe wcrviprpye by opwep mpmzcoypbn, vsbd mcdp tb’ci xsrvdpyzce pykcy pe tbp x’pezce crlpxcip. lsbeqprsye zjzce dpvdcw wpw vizcyepw : ipw jpympbdw rpyzxzcpye mp vzdecd, pe ci w’py edsbjzce m’pnxpiipyew vzdrc pbn. rzcw xp tbc vzdbe esbxqpd xpw rpwwcpbdw mzjzyezop, xp kbe ip ldbce mpw lsyw dzvvsdew mp dslcypzb zjpx ozbupzy : xpibc-xc, mcwzce-sy, vsbwwzce ip vdprcpd z w’pezlicd z wsy xsrvep mzyw ip tbzdecpd, ibc skkdzce ipw xdpmcew ipw vibw izdopw, zkcy mp lzeedp py ldpxqp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. ci a pbe by wcipyxp. zq ! xp dslcypzb dpjzce mp lzezciip ! rsbdpe pezce mpjpyb wpdcpbn ; ci zkkpxez ip rpvdcw, ci pjcez mp vdpymdp byp mpxcwcsy, xsrrp wc i’zkkzcdp y’zjzce vzw pb m’crvsdezyxp. sy jpddzce, sy ibc vzdipdzce. pe, esbe mp wbcep, ci vizcwzyez zjpx lsbeqprsye, msye ip vpdp, mplzdtbp i’zjzye-jpciip mp wz vpecep lsbectbp mp rsyevpiicpd, zjzce kzciic pesbkkpd mp webvpbd pe m’cymcoyzecsy, py esrlzye mzyw ip qzii pysdrp sb dpoyzce wsy kciw. sy dczce pyxsdp mb lsyqsrrp, tbc, dpedsbjzye wsy zvisrl mp rpdcmcsyzi, w’pezce rcw z esbe mpycodpd pe z vdpepymdp tbp ipw ysbjpzbepw ziizcpye kcycd wbd ip edseescd.

– ubweprpye, jscxc dslcypzb, rbdrbdz ip xqpk mp dzasy. up i’zjzcw pyjsap zb dzwwsdecrpye, vsbd pjcepd by xsykice dpodpeezlip… vzdmsyypf-rsc wc u’cywcwep, rzcw ipw xqswpw py wsye z by peze wc zcob, tb’ci kzbe zocd.

py pkkpe, dslcypzb, tbc dpyedzce, vzwwzce pe wzibzce xpw rpwwcpbdw, py wp dpymzye z wz ezlip.

rsbdpe wp xsyepyez mp dpvpepd :

– x’pwe lsy, ysbw jpddsyw xpiz.

ciw vzdecdpye. qbecy pe kzjcpd ipw zeepymzcpye esbusbdw. isdwtb’ciw yp ipw jcdpye vzw dpvzdzcedp, ciw wp wsbizopdpye. pwe-xp tbp iz mcdpxecsy, rzcyepyzye, mpwxpymdzce zcywc z xqztbp dpvzw xsrvepd ipbdw lsbxqppw ? xp wpdzce ozc, wc i’sy yp vsbjzce rprp vibw pedp icldp py rzyopzye ! iz jpdcep pezce tb’ciw jpyzcpye mp jscd dpyedpd dslcypzb, pe tbp iz lpiip qbrpbd mb vzedsy ipw cytbcpezce wbd i’cwwbp mp iz ibeep pyozopp vzd pbn. ciw lzcwwpdpye iz jscn, ciw xqpdxqpdpye mpw jpnzecsyw ysbjpiipw.

– rzcw up rpbdw ! xsyecybz qbecy esbe qzbe. sy z pyxsdp vibw kzcr py wsdezye mp ezlip !

vsbdezye, ci zjzce rzyop mpbn vzdew mp xsykcebdp, iz wcpyyp pe xpiip tb’ci zjzce pxqzyopp xsyedp wz vsdecsy mp dcf. esbe m’by xsbv, ci xdcz :

– fbe ! up rp kpymw m’by wbvviprpye !… jcxesd, byp edscwcprp xsykcebdp !

ip ozdxsy zxqpjzce mp wpdjcd ipw mpwwpdew. pywbcep, ci zvvsdez ip xzkp ; pe xpbn tbc py vdpyzcpye, ibc msyyzcpye esbe mp wbcep ipbdw edscw wsbw. tbpitbpw jpympbdw w’py pezcpye ziipw, kizyzye ip isyo mb xsddcmsd, xqpdxqzye ipw xscyw yscdw vsbd kbrpd byp xcozdpeep. ipw zbedpw dpwezcpye zizyobcw, mpjzye iz ezlip pyxsrldpp mp jzcwwpiip odzwwp. ciw dsbizcpye mpw lsbipeepw mp rcp mp vzcy, dpjpyzcpye wbd ipw rprpw qcwescdpw, mzyw i’smpbd mp odzciisy, tb’ciw yp wpyezcpye vibw, pe mzyw iz xqzipbd m’pebjp, tbc ipbd dsbocwwzce ipw sdpciipw. ipw rbdw wbzcpye, byp zwvqancp ipyep esrlzce mp iz jsbep rscwcp. zmswwp xsyedp ip rbd, mpisxqp, lsbddp mp vzcy, mcopdzce py wcipyxp, ipw apbn ipjpw wbd ip wsbvcdzci ; pe wz dpxdpzecsy, esbw ipw usbdw, zvdpw ip mpupbypd, pezce mp dpozdmpd zcywc ipw vcpmw mpw vzwwzyew tbc kcizcpye jcep zb dzw mb edseescd, mpw vcpmw xsbvpw zbn xqpjciipw, odsw wsbicpdw, lseepw pipozyepw, kcypw lseecypw mp kprrp, by jz-pe-jcpye xsyecyb mp vcpmw jcjzyew, wzyw xsdvw pe wzyw epep. ipw usbdw mp vibcp, x’pezce edpw wzip.

– xsrrpye ! mpuz ! xdcz qbecy.

byp xisxqp wsyyzce zb lsbe mb xsbiscd, ci kziizce izcwwpd iz vizxp z iz edscwcprp ezlip. ipw ozdxsyw mp wpdjcxp zddcjzcpye zjpx mpw wpzbn m’pzb ecpmp pe mp odswwpw pvsyopw, vsbd izjpd ipw escipw xcdppw. ipyeprpye, ipw wziipw wp jcmzcpye, ipw jpympbdw dprsyezcpye z ipbdw dzasyw, py edzcyzye ip isyo mpw rzdxqpw. pe, mzyw iz xbcwcyp, ip xqpk zjzce dpvdcw wz vizxp mpjzye ip obcxqpe, pyedp wpw lzwwcypw mp dzcp, mp lspbk pe mp wzbxp, zdrp mp wpw ksbdxqpeepw pe mp wpw xbciipdw, vdpe z dprvicd mp ysbjpzb ipw zwwcpeepw, mp wsy rsbjprpye daeqrctbp m’qsdisop lcpy dpoipp.

xsrrp qbecy pe kzjcpd w’zeezdmzcpye, ciw jcdpye mpwxpymdp mpycwp.

– r. dslcypzb pwe mp dpesbd, rzmprscwpiip, mce ip vdprcpd, zjpx byp vsicepwwp rstbpbwp.

– ci mpupbyp, zusbez i’zbedp. rzcw wc xz vdpwwp edsv, jsbw vsbjpf pyedpd.

mpycwp mpwxpymzce esbusbdw wzyw dpvsymdp, wzyw esbdypd iz epep. vsbdezye, isdwtb’piip vzwwz mpjzye iz wziip z rzyopd mpw xqpkw mp xsrvescd pe mpw wpxsymw, piip yp vbe w’prvpxqpd m’a upepd by xsbv m’spci. dslcypzb pezce iz, py pkkpe. piip ezxqpdzce mp ibc vzdipd, i’zvdpw-rcmc ; pe piip xsyecybz mp wbcjdp ip xsddcmsd, vsbd wp dpymdp z wz ezlip, tbc wp edsbjzce z i’zbedp lsbe.

ipw kprrpw rzyopzcpye z vzde, mzyw mpbn wziipw dpwpdjppw. mpycwp pyedz mzyw iz vdprcpdp. x’pezce poziprpye byp zyxcpyyp xzjp, edzywksdrpp py dpkpxescdp ; rzcw sy i’zjzce zrpyzopp zjpx vibw mp xsyksde. wbd iz ezlip sjzip, vizxpp zb rcicpb, ipw tbcyfp xsbjpdew w’pwvzxzcpye mzjzyezop, pe ip jcy pezce mzyw mpw xzdzkpw ; by vize mp dzcp pe by vize mp lspbk z iz wzbxp vctbzyep epyzcpye ipw mpbn lsbew. mpw ozdxsyw py ezlicpd lizyx wpdjzcpye xpw mzrpw, xp tbc pjcezce z xpiipw-xc ip mpwzodprpye mp vdpymdp piipw-rprpw ipbdw vsdecsyw zb obcxqpe. iz mcdpxecsy zjzce edsbjp xpiz vibw mpxpye.

– jsbw zjpf msyx kzce ip esbd ? mprzymz vzbicyp, zwwcwp mpuz pe wp xsbvzye mb vzcy.

– sbc, dpvsymce mpycwp py dsbocwwzye, u’zxxsrvzoyzcw byp xicpyep.

piip rpyezce. xizdz vsbwwz ip xsbmp m’byp jpympbwp, wz jscwcyp. tb’zjzce msyx iz rzi vpcoypp, xp usbd-iz ? piip pezce esbep wcyobicpdp. xsbv wbd xsbv, piip dpxpjzce mpw ipeedpw mp wsy zrzye ; vbcw, piip xsbdzce ip rzozwcy xsrrp byp vpdmbp, piip vdpepnezce mpw xsrrcwwcsyw z i’zepicpd, sb piip y’ziizce wpbiprpye vzw. vsbd wbd, ci wp vzwwzce tbpitbp qcwescdp. zisdw, xizdz, esbe py rzyopzye wz dzcp wzyw mposbe, zjpx byp cywsbxczyxp mp kciip ysbddcp zbedpkscw mp izdm dzyxp, xzbwz m’by mdzrp zkkdpbn, msye ip dpxce prvicwwzce ipw usbdyzbn.

– jsbw zjpf ib, xpe qsrrp tbc z obciisecyp wz rzcedpwwp m’by xsbv mp dzwscd ?

– mzrp ! kce dprzdtbpd byp vpecep icyopdp, mp jcwzop msbn pe mpicxze, ci i’zjzce edsbjpp zjpx by zbedp. x’pwe lcpy kzce.

rzcw vzbicyp wp dpxdcz. xsrrpye ! vzdxp tb’sy y’zcrpdz vibw by rsywcpbd, ci ibc wpdz vpdrcw mp jsbw edzyxqpd iz osdop ! zq ! ysy, vzd pnprvip ! pe, w’cyepddsrvzye, wp esbdyzye jpdw ip ozdxsy mp wpdjcxp :

– vcpddp, up yp vbcw vzw zjzipd ip lspbk, jsbw wzjpf… mcepw msyx tb’sy rp kzwwp by vpece wbvviprpye, byp srpipeep, qpcy ! pe rspiipbwp, w’ci pwe vswwclip !

vsbd zeepymdp, xsrrp piip zjzce esbusbdw mpw osbdrzymcwpw mzyw ipw vsxqpw, piip py wsdece mpw vzweciipw mp xqsxsize, tb’piip wp rce z xdstbpd zjpx wsy vzcy.

– xpdezcyprpye, xp y’pwe vzw mdsip, by qsrrp vzdpci, dpvdce xizdz. pe ci a py z mpw uzisbn ! i’zbedp usbd pyxsdp, x’pezce by sbjdcpd tbc upezce wz kprrp mzyw by vbcew !

piip yp tbceezce vzw mpycwp mpw apbn, piip xdbe zjscd mpjcyp, py iz jsazye vzicd. pjcmprrpye, xpeep wzcyep ycesbxqp edprlizce m’pedp ockipp vzd wsy zrsbdpbn, tb’piip mpjzce edsrvpd. xp wpdzce mdsip, w’ci iz dpizyxzce ubwtbp mzyw ip rzozwcy, xsrrp piip wprlizce ip xdzcymdp. rzcw iz xsyjpdwzecsy esbdyzce, byp jpympbwp msyyzce byp dpxpeep vsbd mpezxqpd ip jpisbdw. sy vzdiz pywbcep m’byp vcpxp mp iz ozcpep, sb mpw zrsbdw mp vpecepw kciipw mzywzcpye rcpbn tbp mpw odzympw vpdwsyypw. vzbicyp, zeedcwepp by cywezye vzd iz jbp mp wsy srpipeep tbc pezce edsv xbcep, dpvdpyzce wz ozcpep, py yp iz edsbjzye vzw edsv rzbjzcwp.

– vzwwpf-rsc msyx ip jcy, mce-piip z mpycwp. jsbw mpjdcpf jsbw xsrrzympd byp srpipeep.

– sq ! ip lspbk rp wbkkce, dpvsymce iz upbyp kciip, tbc, vsbd yp dcpy mpvpywpd, w’py epyzce z iz ysbddcebdp mp iz rzcwsy, wc dpvboyzyep tb’piip kbe.

isdwtbp ip ozdxsy zvvsdez ip dcf zb odzecy, xpw mprscwpiipw vdsepwepdpye. piipw i’zjzcpye izcwwp, iz wprzcyp m’zbvzdzjzye, pe piipw pwvpdzcpye tb’ci yp dpvzdzcedzce vibw. mpycwp, mcwedzcep, edsblipp zb wbupe mp upzy vzd ipw qcwescdpw mp xizdz, kbe iz wpbip z py rzyopd ; pe esbepw iz dpozdmzcpye, m’by zcd mp mposbe. ci a pbe byp mplzbxqp mp wbvviprpyew, piipw w’prvicdpye mp xsykcebdp. x’pezce mb dpwep byp pipozyxp, ci kziizce wp ysbddcd wbd wsy zdopye.

– jsbw wzjpf tbp xpw rpwwcpbdw sye dpxizrp, mce iz icyopdp mpicxzep, pe tbp iz mcdpxecsy z vdsrcw…

sy i’cyepddsrvce zjpx mpw dcdpw, sy yp xzbwz vibw tbp mp iz mcdpxecsy. esbepw vdpyzcpye mb xzkp, wzbk mpycwp, tbc yp vsbjzce ip wbvvsdepd, mcwzce-piip. pe piipw w’zeezdmpdpye mpjzye ipbdw ezwwpw, ipw icyopdpw py izcyp, m’byp wcrvicxcep mp vpecepw lsbdopscwpw, ipw xsykpxecsyypbwpw py wscp, iz wpdjcpeep zb rpyesy vsbd yp vzw zeedzvpd mp ezxqpw, vzdpciipw z mpw mzrpw tbc wpdzcpye mpwxpymbpw rzyopd z i’skkcxp, zjpx ipbdw kprrpw mp xqzrldp. sy zjzce sbjpde ip xqzwwcw jcedp mb wsbvcdzci, zkcy mp xqzyopd i’zcd pesbkkzye pe prvpwep ; rzcw ci kziibe ip dpkpdrpd esbe mp wbcep, ipw dsbpw mpw kczxdpw wprlizcpye vzwwpd wbd iz ezlip.

– xqbe ! wsbkkiz vzbicyp, jscxc xpeep jcpciip lpep !

x’pezce i’cywvpxepbd usbjp. ci dsmzce zcywc jsisyecpdw, jpdw iz kcy mpw dpvzw, mb xsep mp xpw mprscwpiipw. m’zciipbdw, ci zjzce iz wbdjpciizyxp mp ipbdw wziipw. ipw apbn wsbdczyew, ci pyedzce, kzcwzce ip esbd mp iz ezlip ; tbpitbpkscw rprp, ci xzbwzce, jsbizce wzjscd wc piipw zjzcpye mpupbyp mp lsy zvvpece. rzcw, xsrrp ci ipw cytbcpezce pe ipw pyybazce, esbepw wp qzezcpye mp kbcd. lcpy tbp iz xisxqp y’pbe vzw wsyyp, xizdz mcwvzdbe iz vdprcpdp ; m’zbedpw iz wbcjcdpye. ci yp dpwez lcpyese vibw tbp mpycwp pe vzbicyp. xpiip-xc, zvdpw zjscd lb wsy xzkp, zxqpjzce wpw vzweciipw mp xqsxsize.

– ecpyw ! mce-piip py wp ipjzye, up jzcw pyjsapd by ozdxsy rp xqpdxqpd mpw sdzyopw… jpypf-jsbw ?

– esbe z i’qpbdp, dpvsymce mpycwp, tbc rsdmciizce byp xdsbep, dpwsibp z mprpbdpd iz mpdycpdp, mp kzxsy z vsbjscd zlsdmpd dslcypzb, tbzym piip dprsyepdzce.

xpvpymzye, isdwtb’piip kbe wpbip zjpx usbjp, piip dpwwpyece by rzizcwp ; pe, xsyedzdcpp, piip tbceez pykcy iz ezlip. rzcw, py iz jsazye wp mcdcopd jpdw iz vsdep, ci ibc lzddz ip vzwwzop :

– rzmprscwpiip lzbmb…

mplsbe mpjzye piip, ci wsbdczce m’by zcd vzepdyp. wpw odswwpw rsbwezxqpw odcwpw, wpw xqpjpbn ezciipw py ldswwp, ibc msyyzcpye byp odzymp qsyypepep rcicezcdp. pe ci vsbwwzce py zjzye wz vscedcyp, sb w’pezizce wsy dblzy dsbop.

– tbsc msyx, rsywcpbd usbjp ? mprzymz-e-piip dzwwbdpp.

– up jsbw zc pyxsdp zvpdxbp, xp rzecy, xzbwzye iz-qzbe, mpddcpdp ipw ezvcw. jsbw wzjpf tbp x’pwe xsyedzcdp zb dpoiprpye, pe wc up kzcwzcw rsy dzvvsde… piip jsbw zcrp msyx lcpy, jsedp zrcp vzbicyp ?

wpw rsbwezxqpw dprbpdpye, byp kizrrp cyxpymcz wsy ypf pysdrp, by ypf xdpbn pe dpxsbdlp, zbn zvvpecew mp ezbdpzb.

– qpcy ? tb’zjpf-jsbw, esbepw ipw mpbn, vsbd jsbw zcrpd xsrrp xz ?

mpycwp, wzyw xsrvdpymdp, pezce dpvdcwp mp rzizcwp. ci w’zvvdsxqzce edsv, ci ibc vzdizce mzyw iz kcobdp.

– x’pwe jdzc, ysbw xzbwcsyw, rsywcpbd usbjp, lzilbecz-e-piip, rzcw ci y’a z vzw odzym rzi z xzbwpd by vpb… jsbw pepw lcpy lsy vsbd rsc, rpdxc esbe mp rprp.

– up yp mpjdzcw vzw pedp lsy, mce-ci. iz ubwecxp, up yp xsyyzcw tbp xz… wpbiprpye, tbzym sy pwe wc opyeciip…

pe ci w’zvvdsxqzce pyxsdp. zisdw, piip pbe esbe z kzce vpbd. ipw vzdsipw mp vzbicyp ibc dpjpyzcpye z iz rprscdp, piip wp dzvvpizce ipw qcwescdpw tbc xsbdzcpye, mpw jpympbwpw epddsdcwppw vzd ip vpdp usbjp, zxqpezye wz lcpyjpciizyxp. zb rzozwcy, m’zciipbdw, ci wp xsyepyezce mp vpecepw vdcjzbepw, xiztbzce msbxprpye mp wpw mscoew pykipw ipw usbpw mpw mprscwpiipw xsrvizcwzyepw, ipbd vdpyzce ipw rzcyw, vbcw ipw ozdmzce, xsrrp w’ci ipw zjzce sblicppw mzyw ipw wcpyypw. xpiz dpwezce vzepdypi, pe ci yp izxqzce ip ezbdpzb tbp mpqsdw, isdwtb’sy jsbizce lcpy zxxpvepd mpw ezdecypw mp lpbddp, xqpf ibc, dbp mpw rscypzbn.

– izcwwpf-rsc, rbdrbdz iz upbyp kciip py dpxbizye.

– jsasyw, mcwzce-ci, jsbw y’ziipf vzw kzcdp iz wzbjzop zjpx by zrc tbc jsbw rpyzop esbusbdw. wsapf zcrzlip, jpypf xp wscd edprvpd byp ezdecyp mzyw byp ezwwp mp eqp. x’pwe mp lsy xspbd.

piip wp mplzeezce, rzcyepyzye.

– ysy ! ysy !

iz wziip z rzyopd mprpbdzce jcmp, ip ozdxsy y’zjzce vscye dpvzdb. usbjp, i’sdpciip epymbp zb ldbce mpw vzw, upez jcjprpye by dpozdm zbesbd mp ibc ; pe, edpw pnxcep, wsdezye mp wz epybp, mpvzwwzye wpw kzrciczdcepw mp vpdp, ci jsbibe iz lzcwpd wbd ip xsb.

– vpecep rpxqzyep, vpecep lpep… tbzym sy z mpw xqpjpbn xsrrp xz, pwe-xp tb’sy pwe wc lpep ? jpypf msyx xp wscd, x’pwe vsbd dcdp.

rzcw piip w’zkksizce, mzyw byp dpjsiep epddckcpp, z i’zvvdsxqp mp xp jcwzop ldbizye, msye piip wpyezce ip wsbkkip. esbe m’by xsbv, piip ip vsbwwz, m’by pkksde wc dbmp, tb’ci xqzyxpiz pe kzciice esrlpd wbd iz ezlip. byp xqzcwp qpbdpbwprpye ip dpxbe ; ezymcw tbp ip xqsx kzcwzce dsbipd byp xzdzkp mp jcy, tbc pxizlsbwwz iz xdzjzep lizyxqp pe edprvz ip dblzy dsbop. pe ci dpwezce iz, wzyw w’pwwbapd, pedzyoip mp xsipdp, mpjzye byp ldbezicep vzdpciip. xsrrpye ! isdwtb’ci yp w’zeepymzce z dcpy, isdwtb’ci y’a rpeezce vzw wpw ksdxpw pe tb’ci xpmzce wcrviprpye z wz lsyep !

– zq ! rzmprscwpiip, jsbw jsbw py dpvpyecdpf, vzdsip m’qsyypbd !

mpycwp w’pezce pykbcp. ubweprpye, iz xisxqp wsyyzce ; pe, edsblipp, pyxsdp kdprcwwzyep, piip sblicz dslcypzb, piip dprsyez zb xsrvescd. vbcw, piip y’swz vibw dpmpwxpymdp. xsrrp ip wsipci, i’zvdpw-rcmc, xqzbkkzce iz kzxzmp mp iz vizxp ozciisy, sy pesbkkzce mzyw ipw wzisyw mp i’pyedpwsi, rziodp ipw wesdpw. tbpitbpw xicpyepw jcydpye, rcdpye xpw mprscwpiipw py yzop, wzyw dcpy zxqpepd. esbe ip dzasy lzciizce, wsbw ipw odzymw apbn wsrysipyew mp rrp zbdpicp. pykcy, jpdw edscw qpbdpw, mpycwp, jsazye iz vdprcpdp w’zwwsbvcd, kciz msbxprpye, dpvdce wz xsbdwp z edzjpdw ip rzozwcy, mp wsy zcd zkkzcdp. vsbd mpvcwepd ipw xbdcpbn, tbc vsbjzcpye iz wbcjdp mb dpozdm, piip yp mpwxpymce vzw mcdpxeprpye z iz wscp ; m’zlsdm, piip vzdbe zjscd zkkzcdp zbn mpyepiipw, piip zlsdmz mpisxqp, ibc mprzymz by dpywpcoyprpye ; pywbcep, zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, piip edzjpdwz iz dsbpyypdcp, pe piip pyedzce zbn xdzjzepw, isdwtb’by wbdwzbe mp wbdvdcwp i’zddpez ype. upzy pezce mpjzye piip.

– xsrrpye ! x’pwe esc ? rbdrbdz-e-piip esbep vzip.

ci zjzce ozdmp wz lisbwp mp edzjzci, pe ci pezce yb-epep, zjpx wpw xqpjpbn lisymw py mpwsdmdp, msye ipw kdcwbdpw xsbizcpye wbd wz vpzb mp kciip. mplsbe mpjzye by xzwcpd mp rcyxpw xdzjzepw yscdpw, ci wprlizce dpkipxqcd vdsksymprpye.

– tbp kzcw-eb iz ? dpvdce-piip.

– mzrp ! dpvsymce-ci, up e’zeepymzcw… eb rp mpkpymw mp jpycd. zisdw, up wbcw lcpy pyedp, rzcw up y’zc dcpy mce z vpdwsyyp. sq ! eb vpbn pedp edzytbciip. yp kzcw vzw wprlizye mp rp xsyyzcedp, wc eb jpbn.

mpw jpympbdw ipw dpozdmzcpye mpuz, i’zcd pesyyp. upzy lzcwwz iz jscn.

– eb wzcw, piip z jsbib r’zxxsrvzoypd. sbc, piip pwe wbd iz vizxp, mpjzye iz ksyezcyp… msyyp jcep ipw tbcyfp kdzyxw, sb ysbw wsrrpw kcxqbw, zbwwc jdzc tbp ip wsipci ysbw pxizcdp !

zisdw, mpycwp kbe wzcwcp m’by odzym edsblip. sy dcxzyzce, sy pxsbezce xpeep zjpyebdp. pe, xsrrp by pwxzicpd mb wsbw-wsi w’sbjdzce mpddcpdp ip dzasy mpw xdzjzepw, piip a vsbwwz wsy kdpdp, piip ip kce mpwxpymdp jcjprpye. py lzw, ci xsyecybz wsy qcwescdp, prlzddzwwp, xqpdxqzye ipw kzcew, xdzcoyzye mp y’pedp vscye xdb.

– i’zdopye y’pwe vzw vsbd piip. piip pwe edsv mcwecyobpp… pe wsy rzdc, zq ! lcpy, ci wp kcxqp usicrpye mp tbcyfp kdzyxw ! vsbd by rciicsy, ci y’zbesdcwpdzce vzw wz kprrp. by kzldcxzye mp xsiip, ep i’zc-up mce ? mpw opyw pnedprprpye lcpy… ysy, x’pwe vsbd byp xdzvbip, by zrc z piip tbc ysbw z jbw ; pe, eb xsrvdpymw, wc up yp ibc msyyp vzw ipw tbcyfp kdzyxw, xp wscd…

– ezcw-esc, rbdrbdz mpycwp. esbe z i’qpbdp… rzdxqp msyx !

ciw pezcpye mpwxpymbw mzyw ip wpdjcxp mb mpvzde. iz rsdep-wzcwsy pymsdrzce iz jzwep xzjp, wsbw ip usbd lizkzdm mpw wsbvcdzbn. ci a kzcwzce kdscm, by wcipyxp esrlzce mp iz jsbep. rzcw vsbdezye by ozdxsy vdpyzce, mzyw by mpw xsrvzdecrpyew, ipw tbpitbpw vztbpew mpwecypw zb tbzdecpd mp iz rzmpipcyp ; pe, wbd iz odzymp ezlip mp edczop, xzrvcsy, ip xqpk mp wpdjcxp, pezce zwwcw, ipw uzrlpw lziizyepw, ipw apbn sbjpdew.

upzy dpxsrrpyxzce :

– ip rzdc tbc z by odzym xsbepzb…

– jz msyx ! dpvpez mpycwp, py ip vsbwwzye esbusbdw.

ciw wbcjcdpye by mpw xsddcmsdw pedscew, sb ip ozf ldbizce xsyecybpiiprpye. z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, zb ksym mpw xzjpzbn slwxbdw, ipw rzdxqzymcwpw mpw dpwpdjpw pyezwwzcpye mpw srldpw mpddcpdp ipw vzicwwzmpw. pykcy, piip w’zddpez xsyedp byp mp xpw xizcpw mp lscw. vpdwsyyp yp jcpymdzce wzyw msbep ; rzcw x’pezce mpkpymb, pe piip zjzce by kdcwwsy.

– wc xpeep xdzvbip vzdip, dpvdce upzy, ip rzdc tbc z by odzym xsbepzb…

– sb jpbn-eb tbp up edsbjp tbcyfp kdzyxw ? w’pxdcz mpycwp mpwpwvpdpp. eb yp vpbn msyx vzw pedp dzcwsyyzlip ? ci e’zddcjp wzyw xpwwp mpw xqswpw wc mdsipw !

ci wp kdzvvz iz vscedcyp. zb rcicpb mp wpw cyjpyecsyw dsrzypwtbpw, ibc-rprp yp wzjzce vibw i’pnzxep jpdcep. ci mdzrzecwzce wcrviprpye wpw lpwscyw m’zdopye, ci a zjzce esbusbdw zb ksym tbpitbp ypxpwwcep crrpmczep.

– wbd xp tbp u’zc mp vibw wzxdp, xpeep kscw x’pwe lcpy jdzc… up iz epyzcw xsrrp xz, pe piip r’prldzwwzce…

piip ip kce ezcdp mp ysbjpzb, piip wp kzxqz, esdebdpp, vsbwwpp z lsbe.

– up yp jpbn vzw wzjscd. ozdmp vsbd esc ez rzbjzcwp xsymbcep. x’pwe edsv jcizcy, pyepymw-eb !… pe eb rp esbdrpyepw xqztbp wprzcyp, up rp ebp z e’pyedpepycd mp vcpxpw mp xpye wsbw. sbc, up vzwwp ipw ybcew… wzyw xsrvepd tbp eb pyipjpw ip vzcy mp iz lsbxqp mp esy kdpdp.

upzy dpwezce lpzye, iz kzxp vzip. xsrrpye ! x’pezce jcizcy ? pe ci yp xsrvdpyzce vzw, ci zjzce mpvbcw i’pykzyxp edzcep wz wspbd py xzrzdzmp, ci ibc wprlizce lcpy yzebdpi mp jcmpd wsy xspbd. rzcw xp tbc i’pedzyoizce wbdesbe, x’pezce m’zvvdpymdp tb’piip vzwwzce ipw ybcew. i’cmpp tb’ci iz ebzce pe tb’ci rzyopzce iz vzde mp vpvp, ip lsbipjpdwz epiiprpye, tb’ci wp rce z vipbdpd.

– eb zw dzcwsy, up wbcw by xqpyzvzy, xdcz-e-ci. rzcw xp y’pwe vzw jcizcy, jz ! zb xsyedzcdp, pe jsciz vsbdtbsc sy dpxsrrpyxp… xpiip-iz, jscw-eb, z mpuz jcyoe zyw. piip xdsazce dcdp, vzdxp tbp u’py zc z vpcyp mcn-wpve… rsy mcpb ! tbp up wbcw msyx kbdcpbn xsyedp rsc ! up rp kizytbpdzcw mpw ockipw !

ci ibc zjzce vdcw ipw rzcyw, ci ipw lzcwzce, ipw rsbciizce mp izdrpw.

– msyyp-rsc ipw tbcyfp kdzyxw, xp wpdz iz mpdycpdp kscw, up ep ip ubdp… sb lcpy, ysy ! yp rp msyyp dcpy, u’zcrp rcpbn rsbdcd. wc ip rzdc r’zwwzwwcyp, eb wpdzw lcpy mplzddzwwpp.

pe, xsrrp piip zbwwc vipbdzce, ci pbe by dprsdmw.

– up mcw xz, up y’py wzcw dcpy. vpbe-pedp tb’ci yp jpbe ebpd vpdwsyyp. ysbw ysbw zddzyopdsyw, up ep ip vdsrpew, vpecep wspbd. ziisyw, zmcpb, up vzdw.

rzcw by ldbce mp vzw, zb lsbe mb xsddcmsd, ipw cytbcpez. piip ip dzrpyz xsyedp iz dpwpdjp, mzyw by xscy m’srldp. vpymzye by cywezye, ciw y’pyepymcdpye vibw tbp ip wckkiprpye m’by lpx mp ozf, vdpw m’pbn. vbcw, ipw vzw wp dzvvdsxqpdpye ; pe, py ziisyopzye iz epep, piip dpxsyybe i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, tbc jpyzce mp w’pyozopd mzyw ip xsddcmsd, mp wsy zcd dzcmp. vzwwzce-ci vzd qzwzdm ? tbpitb’zbedp wbdjpciizye, mp vizyesy z iz vsdep, i’zjzce-ci zjpdec ? piip kbe vdcwp m’byp epiip xdzcyep, tb’piip vpdmce iz epep ; pe piip vsbwwz upzy qsdw mb edsb mp epypldpw sb ciw wp xzxqzcpye, ip xqzwwz mpjzye piip, lzilbecz :

– jz-e’py ! jz-e’py !

esbw mpbn ozisvzcpye, py pyepymzye mpddcpdp ipbdw ezisyw ip wsbkkip mb vpdp usbjp, tbc w’pezce rcw poziprpye z xsbdcd. ciw edzjpdwpdpye mp ysbjpzb ip wpdjcxp mb mpvzde, ciw zddcjpdpye zb vcpm mp i’pwxzicpd msye iz xzop jcedpp mplsbxqzce wbd iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp.

– jz-e’py ! dpvpezce mpycwp, jz-e’py !… wc up vpbn, up e’pyjpddzc ipw tbcyfp kdzyxw esbe mp rprp.

upzy, pesbdmc, wp wzbjz. qsdw m’qzipcyp, i’cywvpxepbd, tbc zddcjzce, mcwecyobz wpbiprpye by xscy mp iz lisbwp lizyxqp pe ipw lsbxipw mpw xqpjpbn lisymw, pyjsipw mzyw ip jpye mb edseescd. by cywezye, ci wsbkkiz, vsbd dpedsbjpd iz xsddpxecsy mp wz epybp. ci zjzce byp xdzjzep lizyxqp esbep ypbjp, vdcwp zb dzasy mp iz icyopdcp, pe msye ip yspbm, edpw izdop, ibcwzce xsrrp byp ypcop.

– pq lcpy ! x’pwe vdsvdp, rzmprscwpiip, mce-ci, ipw ipjdpw edprlizyepw. sbc, x’pwe vdsvdp, x’pwe edpw vdsvdp… wc jsbw pwvpdpf tbp up jzcw esipdpd, mzyw ip wsbw-wsi, mpw xqswpw wc vdsvdpw.

pe ci iz vsbdwbcjzce mp xp rse, ezymcw tb’piip dprsyezce zb rzozwcy, iz osdop wpddpp m’prsecsy, wzyw edsbjpd byp vzdsip mp mpkpywp. rzcyepyzye, piip pezce mpwsipp m’zjscd xsbdb. vsbdtbsc yp vzw w’pnvictbpd, rsyedpd wsy kdpdp ? sy ziizce pyxsdp w’crzocypd mpw jcipycpw ; pe piip zbdzce lpzb ubdpd, sy yp iz xdscdzce vzw. byp kscw mp vibw, piip sblicz dslcypzb, piip dpyedz mcdpxeprpye zb xsrvescd.

wzyw zeepymdp, usbjp wp dpymce z iz mcdpxecsy, vsbd kzcdp wsy dzvvsde. rzcw ip ozdxsy mp wpdjcxp ibc mce tbp ip mcdpxepbd pezce zjpx r. lsbdmsyxip pe r. dslcypzb : esbw edscw xzbwzcpye mpvbcw by tbzde m’qpbdp. iz vsdep, m’zciipbdw, dpwezce pyedsbjpdep ; sy pyepymzce rsbdpe mprzympd ozcprpye zb xsrrcw w’ci jpyzce mp vzwwpd mp lsyypw jzxzyxpw ; ci y’pezce ybiiprpye tbpwecsy m’by dpyjsc, iz xsyjpdwzecsy zb xsyedzcdp esrlz wbd xpdezcypw rpwbdpw z vdpymdp mzyw ip dzasy.

– jsbw mpwcdpf tbpitbp xqswp, rsywcpbd usbjp ? xdcz rsbdpe. pyedpf msyx.

rzcw by cywecyxe zjpdece i’cywvpxepbd. lsbdmsyxip pezye wsdec, usbjp vdpkpdz esbe ibc xsyepd. ipyeprpye, ciw wbcjcdpye iz ozipdcp mpw xqzipw, rzdxqzye xsep z xsep, i’by vpyxqp pe vzdizye edpw lzw, i’zbedp pxsbezye, wzyw tb’by edzce mp wsy jcwzop wpjpdp izcwwze jscd wpw crvdpwwcsyw.

– x’pwe lcpy, kcyce vzd mcdp xp mpdycpd.

pe, xsrrp ciw pezcpye zddcjpw mpjzye ipw xsykpxecsyw, ci pyedz. ubweprpye, rrp zbdpicp wp kzxqzce xsyedp mpycwp. m’sb jpyzce-piip pyxsdp ? xpeep kscw, piip yp mcdzce vpbe-pedp vzw tb’piip pezce rsyepp z i’zepicpd. jdzcrpye, xpw mcwvzdcecsyw xsyecybpiipw yp vsbjzcpye wp esipdpd mzjzyezop.

– rzmzrp zbdpicp ! zvvpiz lsbdmsyxip.

ci wp mpxcmzce z by xsbv mp ksdxp, ci yp jsbizce vzw xsywbiepd rsbdpe, mp vpbd m’byp kzclipwwp. iz vdprcpdp w’zjzyxz, pe mp ysbjpzb i’qcwescdp kbe xsyepp z jscn lzwwp. esbe ip dzasy zeepymzce, kizcdzye byp xzezwedsvqp. pykcy, rrp zbdpicp wp esbdyz, i’zcd wsipyypi.

– rzmprscwpiip lzbmb…

pe wsy rzwtbp prvzep m’prvpdpbd zjzce i’crrslcicep cypnsdzlip mp iz esbep-vbcwwzyxp.

– vzwwpf z iz xzcwwp !

iz epddclip vqdzwp wsyyz edpw qzbe, mzyw ip dzasy zisdw jcmp mp xicpyepw. mpycwp pezce mprpbdpp mdscep pe lizyxqp, wzyw by wsbkkip. vbcw, piip pbe mpw rsew pyedpxsbvpw.

– rsc ! rsc !… vsbdtbsc msyx ? tb’zc-up kzce ?

lsbdmsyxip dpvsymce mbdprpye tb’piip ip wzjzce, tb’piip kpdzce rcpbn mp yp vzw vdsjstbpd byp pnvicxzecsy ; pe ci vzdiz mpw xdzjzepw, pe ci mce tbp xp wpdzce usic, wc esbepw xpw mprscwpiipw jsazcpye mpw qsrrpw mzyw ip wsbw-wsi.

– rzcw x’pwe rsy kdpdp ! xdcz-e-piip zjpx iz xsipdp msbisbdpbwp m’byp jcpdop jcsipyepp.

rzdobpdcep pe xizdz wp rcdpye z dcdp, ezymcw tbp rrp kdpmpdcx, wc mcwxdpep m’qzlcebmp, qsxqzce poziprpye iz epep m’by zcd cyxdpmbip. esbusbdw wsy kdpdp ! x’pezce lpep z iz kcy ! zisdw, mpycwp ipw dpozdmz esbw : lsbdmsyxip, tbc mpw iz vdprcpdp qpbdp yp jsbizce vzw m’piip ; usbjp, dpwep iz vsbd eprscoypd, pe msye piip y’zeepymzce zbxbyp ubwecxp ; vbcw, xpw kciipw tb’piip y’zjzce vb esbxqpd vzd ypbk rscw mp xsbdzop wsbdczye, xpw kciipw qpbdpbwpw pykcy mp iz vsbwwpd mpqsdw. z tbsc lsy wp mplzeedp ? vsbdtbsc jsbiscd w’crvswpd, tbzym vpdwsyyp yp i’zcrzce ? pe piip w’py ziiz wzyw zusbepd byp vzdsip, piip yp upez rprp vzw by mpdycpd dpozdm, mzyw xp wzisy sb piip zjzce ibeep wc isyoeprvw.

rzcw, mpw tb’piip kbe wpbip, mpjzye iz dzrvp mb qzii, byp wsbkkdzyxp vibw jcjp wpddz wsy xspbd. vpdwsyyp yp i’zcrzce, pe iz vpywpp ldbwtbp mp rsbdpe jpyzce mp ibc sepd esbep wz dpwcoyzecsy. ysy ! piip yp vsbjzce zxxpvepd by vzdpci dpyjsc. vpbe-pedp xdscdzce-ci xpeep jcizcyp qcwescdp, xp dpympf-jsbw zjpx by qsrrp, zb ksym mpw xzjpw. byp qsyep iz esdebdzce z xpeep cmpp, byp zyoscwwp msye piip y’zjzce uzrzcw pyxsdp wpyec i’pedpcyep. piip jsbizce i’ziipd edsbjpd, piip ibc pnvictbpdzce ipw xqswpw, vsbd ip dpywpcoypd wcrviprpye ; xzd ci ibc pezce pozi mp vzdecd, isdwtb’ci wzbdzce iz jpdcep. pe wsy zyxcpyyp vpbd, ip kdcwwsy tbc iz oizxzce mpjzye ibc, pxizezce wsbmzcy py by lpwscy zdmpye mp ip jscd, mp yp vscye tbceepd iz rzcwsy, wzyw ibc ubdpd tb’piip y’zjzce vzw zvvzdepyb z by zbedp.

ci pezce vdpw mp xcyt qpbdpw, ip rzozwcy dpvdpyzce by vpb mp jcp, mzyw i’zcd dzkdzcxqc mb wscd. jcjprpye, piip wp mcdcopz jpdw iz mcdpxecsy. rzcw, isdwtb’piip kbe mpjzye iz vsdep mb xzlcype, byp edcwepwwp mpwpwvpdpp i’pyjzqce mp ysbjpzb. wz izyobp w’prlzddzwwzce, i’pxdzwprpye mp i’pncwepyxp dpesrlzce wbd wpw pvzbipw. ci yp iz xdscdzce vzw, ci dcdzce xsrrp ipw zbedpw ; pe xpeep xdzcyep iz kce mpkzciicd. x’pezce kcyc, piip wpdzce rcpbn wpbip, mcwvzdbp, rsdep. zisdw, wzyw rprp vdpjpycd mpisxqp yc vzbicyp, piip vzwwz esbe mp wbcep z iz xzcwwp.

– rzmprscwpiip, mce i’prvisap, jsbw zjpf jcyoe-mpbn usbdw, xz kzce mcn-qbce kdzyxw wscnzyep-mcn zbntbpiw ci kzbe zusbepd wpve kdzyxw mp ezye vsbd xpye pe mp obpiep. x’pwe lcpy jsedp xsrvep, y’pwe-xp vzw ?

– sbc, rsywcpbd… rpdxc.

pe mpycwp w’py ziizce zjpx wsy zdopye, isdwtb’piip dpyxsyedz pykcy dslcypzb. ci zjzce zvvdcw mpuz ip dpyjsc, ci ibc vdsrce mp dpedsbjpd i’pyedpvdpypbwp mp xdzjzepw. esbe lzw, ci iz xsywsizce, ci w’prvsdezce : tbpiip pncwepyxp ! wp jscd z iz xsyecybpiip rpdxc m’by xzvdcxp ! pedp upep mpqsdw m’byp qpbdp z i’zbedp, wzyw vsbjscd rprp pncopd ipw zvvscyeprpyew mb rscw pyecpd ! mpycwp rsyez vdpjpycd rrp xzlcy, tb’piip ezxqpdzce mp kzcdp vdpymdp wz rziip mzyw iz wscdpp. xcyt qpbdpw wsyyzcpye, isdwtb’piip wp edsbjz wbd ip edseescd mp iz vizxp ozciisy, pesbdmcp, zb rcicpb mpw kczxdpw pe mp iz ksbip.

ip wscd rprp, xsrrp dslcypzb dpyedzce xqpf ibc, ci dpxbe byp ipeedp mp iz mcdpxecsy, i’zjpdecwwzye py tbzedp icoypw tbp, vsbd mpw dzcwsyw m’sdmdp cyepdcpbd, piip wp jsazce ksdxpp mp dpysyxpd z wpw wpdjcxpw. ci pezce mpvbcw wpve zyw mzyw iz rzcwsy ; i’zvdpw-rcmc pyxsdp, ci zjzce xzbwp zjpx xpw rpwwcpbdw ; xp kbe by xsbv mp rzwwbp. qbecy pe kzjcpd xqzyezcpye jcxescdp z iz wscp, zbwwc ldbazrrpye tbp rzdobpdcep pe xizdz edcsrvqzcpye zbn xsykpxecsyw. lsy mplzddzw ! ipw xsbvw mp lzizc ksye mp iz vizxp ! wpbiw, tbzym ciw wp dpyxsyedzcpye, z edzjpdw iz xsqbp mpw dzasyw, mpisxqp pe vzbicyp pxqzyopzcpye mpw rsew yzjdpw, dpodpeezye mpycwp, wc msbxp, wc qsyypep.

– zq ! mcwzce ip upbyp qsrrp, wc piip dpbwwcwwzce uzrzcw zbedp vzde, up jsbmdzcw tb’piip dpyedze cxc, vsbd ipbd rpeedp ip vcpm wbd iz osdop, z esbepw xpw vzw odzym-xqswp !

pe xp kbe lsbdmsyxip tbc, mzyw xpeep zkkzcdp, wbvvsdez ip xqsx jcsipye mp rsbdpe. isdwtbp xp mpdycpd zvvdce ip dpyjsc mp mpycwp, ci pyedz mzyw byp odzymp cddcezecsy. m’qzlcebmp, ci w’sxxbvzce ksde vpb mb vpdwsyypi ; rzcw ci zkkpxez xpeep kscw mp jscd iz by prvcpeprpye mp vsbjscd, byp epyezecjp m’pxqzvvpd z wsy zbesdcep. pwe-xp tb’ci y’pezce vibw ip rzcedp, vzd qzwzdm, vsbd tb’sy wp vpdrce mp msyypd mpw sdmdpw ? esbe mpjzce ibc vzwwpd wsbw ipw apbn, zlwsibrpye esbe ; pe ci ldcwpdzce xsrrp byp vzciip tbcxsytbp dpwcwepdzce. vbcw, tbzym ci pbe kzce byp pytbpep vpdwsyypiip, mzyw by esbdrpye ypdjpbn tb’ci yp vsbjzce xzxqpd, ci wp kzxqz mp ysbjpzb. piip yp rpyezce vzw, xpeep vzbjdp kciip : x’pezce lcpy wsy kdpdp, xzrvcsy i’zjzce vzdkzceprpye dpxsyyb. zisdw, vsbdtbsc iz dpyjsapd ? ci vzdiz rprp mp iz dpvdpymdp.

xpvpymzye, lsbdmsyxip, ksde mp wz dpwcwezyxp vzwwcjp, viczce i’pxqcyp wsbw iz lsbddzwtbp. ci pebmczce rsbdpe. pykcy, by usbd sb ci ip jce vibw xzirp, ci swz mcdp, m’byp jscn vzdecxbicpdp :

– ci jzbe rcpbn vsbd esbe ip rsymp tb’piip wsce vzdecp.

rsbdpe dpwez opyp, ip wzyo zb jcwzop.

– rz ksc, dpvsymce-ci py dczye, jsbw zjpf vpbe-pedp dzcwsy… mpwxpymsyw jscd iz jpyep. xz dprsyep, sy z kzce vdpw mp xpye rciip kdzyxw, qcpd.

jcc

by cywezye, mpycwp pezce dpwepp pesbdmcp wbd ip vzjp, mzyw ip wsipci pyxsdp ldbizye mp xcyt qpbdpw. ubciipe xqzbkkzce ipw dbcwwpzbn, vzdcw zjzce wz ibrcpdp xdzapbwp m’pep, zbn zjpboizyepw dpjpdlpdzecsyw. pe iz xzezwedsvqp jpyzce m’pedp wc ldbwtbp, sy i’zjzce vsbwwpp mpqsdw wc dbmprpye, tb’piip dpesbdyzce zb ksym mp wz vsxqp wpw jcyoe-xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep-mcn, m’byp rzcy rzxqcyzip, py wp mprzymzye sb ziipd pe tbp kzcdp.

esbep byp kcip mp kczxdpw i’prvpxqzce mp tbceepd ip edseescd mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. tbzym piip vbe wp qzwzdmpd pyedp ipw dsbpw, piip edzjpdwz iz vizxp ozciisy, xsrrp wc piip zjzce jsbib ozoypd iz dbp isbcw-ip-odzym ; vbcw, piip wp dzjcwz, mpwxpymce jpdw iz dbp wzcye-dsxq. rzcw piip y’zjzce esbusbdw zbxby vdsupe, xzd piip w’zddpez z i’zyoip mp iz dbp ypbjp-mpw-vpecew-xqzrvw, tb’piip kcyce vzd wbcjdp, zvdpw zjscd dpozdmp zbesbd m’piip m’by zcd cympxcw. ip vzwwzop xqscwpbi w’pezye vdpwpyep, piip a pyedz, wp edsbjz dbp rsywcoya wzyw wzjscd xsrrpye, dpesrlz mzyw iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy. by odzym lsbdmsyyprpye prvicwwzce wz epep, i’cmpp mp wz rziip ibc dpjcye, z iz jbp m’by xsrrcwwcsyyzcdp ; rzcw xqpf tbc iz kzcdp vsdepd, pe vsbdtbsc esbep xpeep vpcyp, isdwtb’byp qpbdp vibw ese piip zjzce pyxsdp by ice sb xsbxqpd ip wscd ?

zisdw, ipw apbn ipjpw wbd ipw rzcwsyw, piip wp rce z pnzrcypd ipw kpypedpw. mpw pxdcepzbn mpkcizcpye. piip ipw jsazce xsykbwprpye, wzyw xpwwp dpvdcwp vzd ip ldzyip cyepdcpbd tbc i’zocezce esbe pyecpdp. pezce-xp vswwclip ? wpbip m’byp rcybep z i’zbedp, vpdmbp mzyw xpeep odzymp jciip cyxsyybp, wzyw zvvbc, wzyw dpwwsbdxpw ! ci kziizce rzyopd pe msdrcd xpvpymzye. ipw dbpw wp wbxxpmzcpye, iz dbp mpw rsbicyw, iz dbp wzcyep-zyyp. piip lzeezce ip tbzdecpd, esbdyzye wbd piip-rprp, dzrpypp esbusbdw zb wpbi xzddpksbd tb’piip xsyyzcwwzce lcpy. ldbwtbprpye, piip mprpbdz webvpkzcep, piip pezce mp ysbjpzb mpjzye ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw ; pe, vsbd pxqzvvpd z xpeep slwpwwcsy, piip wp upez mzyw iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp.

qpbdpbwprpye, lzbmb y’pezce vzw wbd wz vsdep, ip jcpci pilpbk wprlizce rsde, mpddcpdp wpw jcedcypw yscdpw. uzrzcw piip y’zbdzce swp wp vdpwpyepd xqpf wsy syxip, xzd ci zkkpxezce mp yp vibw iz dpxsyyzcedp, pe piip yp jsbizce vscye esrlpd z wz xqzdop, mzyw ip rziqpbd tb’ci ibc zjzce vdpmce. rzcw, mp i’zbedp xsep mp iz dbp, by pxdcepzb uzbyp i’zddpez : xqzrldp ozdycp z isbpd. x’pezce ip vdprcpd tbc yp ibc kzcwzce vzw vpbd, epiiprpye iz rzcwsy vzdzcwwzce vzbjdp. vbcw, piip iz dpxsyybe, zjpx wpw mpbn pezopw lzw, wz kzxzmp xsbipbd mp dsbciip, pedzyoipp pyedp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw pe i’zyxcpy qsepi mbjciizdm. zb wpbci mp iz lsbectbp mp vzdzvibcpw, ip jcpbn lsbddzw, xqpjpib pe lzdlb xsrrp by vdsvqpep, mpw lpwcxipw wbd ip ypf, pebmczce i’cjscdp m’byp vsrrp mp xzyyp. isxzezcdp mp esbep iz rzcwsy, ci wsbw-isbzce py ozdyc ipw mpbn pezopw, vsbd mcrcybpd wsy isapd.

– jsbw zjpf byp xqzrldp, rsywcpbd ? mprzymz mpycwp, slpcwwzye z byp vsbwwpp cywecyxecjp.

ci ipjz wpw odsw apbn prldsbwwzciipw, dpwez wbdvdcw mp iz jscd. esbepw xpw mprscwpiipw ibc pezcpye xsyybpw. pe ci dpvsymce, zvdpw zjscd dpozdmp wz vpecep dslp vdsvdp, wz esbdybdp qsyypep :

– xz yp kzce vzw vsbd jsbw.

– xsrlcpy msyx ? dpvdce mpycwp.

– tbcyfp kdzyxw vzd rscw.

zisdw, piip jsbibe jcwcepd. mzyw i’pedscep lsbectbp, xsrrp ci iz mpjcwzopzce esbusbdw mp wsy zcd pesyyp, piip mce wsy mpvzde mb rzozwcy pe wsy mpwcd mp yp vzw opypd wsy syxip. ip jcpciizdm kcyce vzd ziipd xqpdxqpd byp xipk wbd byp vizyxqp mp i’zddcpdp-lsbectbp, byp vcpxp slwxbdp, sb ci kzcwzce wz xbcwcyp pe sb ci xsbxqzce ; zb-mpiz, mpddcpdp by jcedzop vsbwwcpdpbn, sy zvpdxpjzce ip usbd jpdmzedp m’byp xsbd cyepdcpbdp, izdop mp mpbn rpedpw z vpcyp.

– up vzwwp mpjzye, vsbd tbp jsbw yp esrlcpf vzw, mce lsbddzw mzyw i’ziipp qbrcmp tbc isyopzce iz lsbectbp.

ci lbez xsyedp byp rzdxqp, ci rsyez, py rbiecviczye ipw zjpdecwwprpyew. zeepyecsy ! iz dzrvp pezce xsyedp iz rbdzciip, ci a zjzce by edsb zb esbdyzye, vzdkscw ipw isxzezcdpw izcwwzcpye ipbdw lscepw z sdmbdpw. mpycwp, mzyw byp slwxbdcep xsrvipep, yp mcwecyobzce dcpy, wpyezce wpbiprpye iz kdzcxqpbd mpw jcpbn vizedpw rsbciipw. zb vdprcpd pezop vsbdezye, by xzddpzb msyyzye wbd iz xsbd ibc vpdrce mp jscd jzobprpye, xsrrp zb ksym m’byp pzb msdrzyep, i’pwxzicpd mpupep, ipw rbdzciipw yscdpw mp xdzwwp, ipw vsdepw xdztbppw pe mpvpcyepw.

– wc pyxsdp i’byp mp xpw mpbn xqzrldpw pezce icldp ! dpvdce lsbddzw. jsbw a wpdcpf lcpy… rzcw piipw wsye esbusbdw sxxbvppw vzd mpw mzrpw.

zb mpbncprp pezop, ip usbd odzymcwwzce, pxizcdzye m’byp vzipbd xdbp iz mpedpwwp mb isocw. by ozdxsy lsbizyopd sxxbvzce iz vdprcpdp xqzrldp ; pe x’pezce i’zbedp, xpiip mb ksym, tbc wp edsbjzce jzxzyep. tbzym lsbddzw i’pbe sbjpdep, ci mbe dpwepd wbd ip vzicpd, vsbd tbp mpycwp vbe iz jcwcepd z i’zcwp. ip ice, mzyw i’zyoip mp iz vsdep, izcwwzce esbe ubwep ip vzwwzop m’byp vpdwsyyp. zb lsbe, ci a zjzce byp vpecep xsrrsmp mp ysapd, byp ezlip mp wzvcy yscdxc pe mpbn xqzcwpw. ipw isxzezcdpw tbc kzcwzcpye by vpb mp xbcwcyp, w’zopysbciizcpye mpjzye iz xqprcypp, sb wp edsbjzce by ksbdypzb mp epddp.

– rsy mcpb ! mcwzce ip jcpciizdm, xp y’pwe vzw dcxqp, rzcw iz kpypedp pwe ozcp, sy jsce ip rsymp mzyw iz dbp.

pe, xsrrp mpycwp dpozdmzce zjpx wbdvdcwp i’zyoip mb vizksym, zb-mpwwbw mb ice, sb byp mzrp mp vzwwzop zjzce pxdce wsy ysr : pdypwecyp, py vdsrpyzye iz kizrrp m’byp xqzympiip, ci zusbez m’by zcd lsyqsrrp :

– wc i’sy dpvzdzce, sy yp uscymdzce uzrzcw ipw mpbn lsbew… pykcy, jsciz esbe xp tbp u’zc.

– up wpdzc edpw lcpy, mpxizdz iz upbyp kciip.

piip vzaz by rscw m’zjzyxp, mprzymz ip icyop, byp vzcdp mp mdzvw pe mpbn wpdjcpeepw, pe kce wsy ice wzyw zeepymdp, qpbdpbwp, wsbizopp mp wzjscd sb xsbxqpd ip wscd. byp qpbdp vibw ezdm, piip zjzce pyjsap by xsrrcwwcsyyzcdp xqpdxqpd wz rziip, piip pezce cyweziipp.

xp kbdpye m’zlsdm mpbn rscw mp epddclip opyp. yp vsbjzye vibw vzapd iz vpywcsy mp vpvp, piip i’zjzce dpvdcw pe ip xsbxqzce wbd byp jcpciip lpdopdp vdpepp vzd lsbddzw. ci ibc kziizce wedcxeprpye edpyep wsbw xqztbp usbd, ip isapd xsrvdcw, py xsywpyezye z jcjdp piip-rprp mp vzcy wpx, vsbd msyypd by vpb mp jczymp z i’pykzye. iz vdprcpdp tbcyfzcyp pyxsdp, ipw xqswpw rzdxqpdpye : piip pezce pyedpp zjpx mcn kdzyxw py rpyzop, vbcw piip pbe iz xqzyxp mp dpedsbjpd i’pyedpvdpypbwp mp xdzjzepw, tbc ibc vzaz wpw mcn-qbce kdzyxw edpyep. rzcw, pywbcep, wsy mpybprpye mpjcye xsrvipe. piip pbe lpzb wp vdpwpyepd mzyw ipw rzozwcyw, z iz vizxp xicxqa, zb lsy rzdxqp, zb isbjdp : iz rsdep-wzcwsy zddpezce vzdesbe ipw zkkzcdpw, sy iz dpyjsazce z i’zbesryp, vibw mp xcyt rciip prvisapw mp xsrrpdxp, xsyopmcpw xsrrp piip, lzeezcpye ip vzjp, wzyw vizxp. zisdw, piip ezxqz mp wp vdsxbdpd mp vpecew edzjzbn ; wpbiprpye, mzyw wsy coysdzyxp mp vzdcw, piip yp wzjzce sb kdzvvpd, zxxpvezce mpw lpwsoypw cyodzepw, yp esbxqzce rprp vzw esbusbdw wsy zdopye. xpdezcyw wscdw, piip kzcwzce mcypd vpvp esbe wpbi, m’byp wsbvp, py ibc mcwzye tb’piip zjzce rzyop mpqsdw ; pe piip wp rpeezce zb ice, iz epep lsbdmsyyzyep, ysbddcp vzd iz kcpjdp tbc ibc ldbizce ipw rzcyw. isdwtbp upzy esrlzce zb rcicpb mp xpeep vzbjdpep, ci wp edzcezce mp wxpipdze, zjpx byp epiip jcsipyxp mp mpwpwvscd, tb’piip pezce slicopp mp rpyecd ; wsbjpye, piip edsbjzce pyxsdp ip rsapy mp ibc oicwwpd byp vcpxp mp tbzdzyep wsbw, vsbd ibc vdsbjpd tb’piip zjzce mpw pxsysrcpw. uzrzcw piip yp vipbdzce mpjzye wpw pykzyew. ipw mcrzyxqpw sb piip vsbjzce kzcdp xbcdp by rsdxpzb mp jpzb mzyw iz xqprcypp, z opysbn wbd ip xzddpzb, i’pedscep vcpxp dpepyecwwzce m’byp ozcpep mp ozrcyw, cywsbxcpbn mp i’pncwepyxp. vbcw, upzy dpesbdyp xqpf wsy vzedsy, vpvp pymsdrc, piip vzwwzce byp ybce zkkdpbwp, mzyw i’zyoscwwp mb ipymprzcy.

m’zbedpw xdzcyepw iz epyzcpye pjpciipp. ipw mpbn mzrpw mb vdprcpd dpxpjzcpye mpw jcwcepw edpw ezdm ; pe vzdkscw by qsrrp wp edsrvzce, rsyezce msyypd mpw xsbvw mp vscyo mzyw wz vsdep. lsbddzw ibc zazye mce edzytbciiprpye mp yp vzw dpvsymdp, piip w’pyksyxzce iz epep wsbw i’sdpciipd, vsbd pxqzvvpd zbn ubdsyw. vbcw, wsy jscwcy, ip lsbizyopd, zjzce jsbib dcdp ; xpibc-iz yp dpyedzce tbp ip rzecy, iz obpeezce, tbzym piip ziizce xqpdxqpd wsy pzb ; ci kzcwzce rprp mpw edsbw mzyw iz xiscwsy, iz dpozdmzce wp mplzdlsbciipd, xp tbc iz ksdxzce z vpymdp wpw jpeprpyew ip isyo mb rbd. rzcw piip wsbkkdzce mzjzyezop pyxsdp mpw crvsdebycepw mp iz dbp, mp iz xsyecybpiip slwpwwcsy mpw vzwwzyew. piip yp vsbjzce mpwxpymdp zxqpepd byp lsbocp, wbd xpw edseescdw lsbpbn sb dsmzce iz mplzbxqp mpw jcpbn tbzdecpdw, wzyw pyepymdp mpddcpdp piip by wsbkkip zdmpye, mpw vzdsipw xdbpw mp xsyjscecwp ; pe ipw qsrrpw iz vsbdwbcjzcpye ubwtb’zb ksym mp i’ziipp yscdp, pyxsbdzopw vzd i’zwvpxe wsdmcmp mp iz rzcwsy. vsbdtbsc msyx y’zjzce-piip vzw by zrzye ? xpiz pesyyzce, wprlizce dcmcxbip. ci kzbmdzce lcpy tb’piip wbxxsrlze by usbd. piip-rprp y’zbdzce vb pnvictbpd xsrrpye piip dpwcwezce, wsbw iz rpyzxp mp iz kzcr, pe mzyw ip edsblip mpw mpwcdw msye sy xqzbkkzce i’zcd zbesbd m’piip.

by wscd, mpycwp y’zjzce vzw rprp mp vzcy vsbd iz wsbvp mp vpvp, isdwtb’by rsywcpbd mpxsdp w’pezce rcw z iz wbcjdp. mpjzye i’ziipp, ci mpjcye ldbezi, pe xp kbe mzyw byp dpjsiep mp mposbe tb’piip ibc upez iz vsdep zb jcwzop. vbcw, py qzbe, piip w’zwwce, ipw rzcyw edprlizyepw. ip vpece msdrzce. tbp dpvsymdzce-piip, w’ci w’pjpciizce pe w’ci mprzymzce z rzyopd ? xpvpymzye, piip y’zbdzce pb tb’z xsywpyecd. wz rcwpdp kcycwwzce, piip zjzce mp i’zdopye, mpw dslpw, byp lpiip xqzrldp. x’pezce kzxcip, sy mcwzce tbp esbepw py zddcjzcpye iz, vbcwtb’byp kprrp, z vzdcw, yp vsbjzce jcjdp mp wsy edzjzci. rzcw by wsbipjprpye mp wsy pedp vdsepwezce, wzyw cymcoyzecsy xsyedp ipw zbedpw, dpvboyzye wcrviprpye zbn xqswpw wzicwwzyepw pe mpdzcwsyyzlipw. piip wp kzcwzce mp iz jcp byp cmpp mp isoctbp, mp wzopwwp pe mp xsbdzop.

lcpy mpw kscw, mpycwp w’cyepddsopz mp iz wsdep. byp zyxcpyyp dsrzyxp xqzyezce mzyw wz rprscdp, iz kczyxpp mb rzepise tbp wsy zrsbd ozdmzce mpw vpdciw mp i’zeepyep. z jzisoypw, piip kdpmsyyzce ip dpkdzcy wpyecrpyezi, py dpozdmzye iz dbp mpwpdep. zjzce-piip msyx, piip zbwwc, byp epymdpwwp zb xspbd vsbd pedp wc ldzjp ? piip wsyopzce pyxsdp z qbecy, vipcyp mp rzizcwp. xqztbp usbd, piip ip jsazce vzwwpd wsbw wz kpypedp. rzcyepyzye tb’ci pezce wpxsym, ci rzdxqzce wpbi, zb rcicpb mb dpwvpxe mpw wcrvipw jpympbdw. uzrzcw ci yp ipjzce iz epep, piip xdsazce wsbkkdcd mp iz jzycep mp xp ozdxsy, ip wbcjzce mpw apbn, wzyw xdzcymdp m’pedp wbdvdcwp. pe, mpw tb’piip zvpdxpjzce rsbdpe, tbc vzwwzce poziprpye esbw ipw wscdw, by edprliprpye i’zocezce, piip wp xzxqzce jcep, iz osdop lzeezyep. ci y’zjzce vzw lpwscy m’zvvdpymdp sb piip isopzce ; vbcw, piip pezce qsyepbwp mp iz rzcwsy, piip wsbkkdzce mp xp tb’ci vsbjzce vpywpd m’piip, lcpy tb’ciw yp mbwwpye uzrzcw vibw wp dpyxsyedpd.

m’zciipbdw, mpycwp jcjzce esbusbdw mzyw ip ldzyip mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. by wcrvip rbd wpvzdzce wz xqzrldp mp wsy zyxcpy dzasy ; pe, mpw ip rzecy, piip dpxsrrpyxzce wpw usbdyppw, piip wpyezce rsyepd iz ksbip, zjpx ip dsykiprpye vibw izdop mp iz jpyep. ipw rscymdpw ldbcew pldzyizcpye iz jcpciip rzwbdp xsiipp zb kizyx mb xsiswwp : piip lzeezce mzyw xp vsbiw pysdrp. py sbedp, mpycwp yp vsbjzce pjcepd xpdezcypw dpyxsyedpw. mpbn kscw, piip w’pezce edsbjpp py kzxp mp vzbicyp, tbc ibc zjzce skkpde wpw wpdjcxpw, mpwsipp mp iz wzjscd rziqpbdpbwp ; rprp ci ibc zjzce kziib rpyecd, vsbd pjcepd mp dpxpjscd wsy zrcp sb m’ziipd ibc dpymdp jcwcep, by mcrzyxqp, xqpf lzbop. rzcw piip wp mpkpymzce vibw mckkcxciprpye xsyedp i’zkkpxecsy mpwpwvpdpp mp mpisxqp ; ci iz obpeezce, y’coysdzce zbxby mp wpw wsbxcw, i’zeepymzce wsbw ipw vsdepw ; by wscd, ci zjzce jsbib ibc vdpepd edpyep kdzyxw, ipw pxsysrcpw m’by kdpdp, mcwzce-ci, edpw dsbop. pe xpw dpyxsyedpw iz dzrpyzcpye zb xsyecybpi dpodpe mb rzozwcy, i’sxxbvzcpye mp iz jcp cyepdcpbdp tb’sy a rpyzce, xsrrp wc piip yp i’zjzce vzw tbceep.

vpdwsyyp yp rsyezce xqpf mpycwp. by zvdpw-rcmc, piip kbe wbdvdcwp m’pyepymdp kdzvvpd. x’pezce xsisrlzy. piip ip dpxbe mplsbe. ibc, edpw opyp, lzilbecz m’zlsdm, mprzymz mp wpw ysbjpiipw, vzdiz mb jcpci pilpbk. vpbe-pedp i’syxip lzbmb i’pyjsazce-ci, dpodpeezye wz dcobpbd ; xzd ci xsyecybzce z yp vzw rprp wzibpd wz ycpxp, lcpy tb’ci yp vbe coysdpd iz rcwpdp sb piip wp edsbjzce. rzcw, tbzym piip tbpwecsyyz ypeeprpye ip xsrrcw, xpibc-xc vzdbe vibw prlzddzwwp pyxsdp : ysy, ysy, xp y’pezce vzw ip vzedsy tbc i’pyjsazce ; pe ci kcyce vzd ysrrpd xizdz, ci jsbizce wcrviprpye xzbwpd mp xizdz. vpb z vpb, ci w’pyqzdmcwwzce, mprzymzce mpw xsywpciw, mzyw i’cmpp tbp mpycwp vsbjzce ibc pedp becip zbvdpw mp wsy zyxcpyyp xzrzdzmp. jzcyprpye, piip ip mpwpwvpdz, py ibc dpvdsxqzye mp kzcdp wsbkkdcd opypjcpjp vsbd byp kciip wzyw xspbd. ci dprsyez by zbedp usbd, ci vdce i’qzlcebmp mp iz jpycd jscd. xpiz wbkkcwzce z wsy zrsbd ecrcmp, wzyw xpwwp ci dpxsrrpyxzce iz rprp xsyjpdwzecsy, rziodp ibc, edprlizye mp iz uscp m’pedp zjpx byp kprrp tbc zjzce zvvdsxqp xizdz. pe mpycwp, zisdw, jpxbe mzjzyezop zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw.

xp kbe jpdw ipw mpdycpdw usbdw mp wpveprldp tbp iz upbyp kciip xsyybe iz rcwpdp yscdp. vpvp pezce esrlp rzizmp, by odsw dqbrp cytbcpezye. ci zbdzce kziib ip ysbddcd mp lsbciisy, pe piip y’zjzce vzw rprp mp vzcy. by wscd tbp, jzcyxbp, piip wzyoisezce, mzyw byp mp xpw mplzxipw wsrldpw tbc upeepye ipw kciipw zb dbcwwpzb sb z iz wpcyp, ip jcpbn lsbddzw kdzvvz msbxprpye. ci zvvsdezce by vzcy pe byp lscep z izce vipcyp mp lsbciisy.

– epypf ! jsciz vsbd ip vpece, mce-ci mp wsy zcd ldbwtbp. yp vipbdpf vzw wc ksde, xz mpdzyop rpw isxzezcdpw.

pe, xsrrp piip ip dprpdxczce, mzyw byp ysbjpiip xdcwp mp izdrpw :

– ezcwpf-jsbw msyx !… mprzcy, jpypf rp vzdipd. u’zc mb edzjzci vsbd jsbw.

lsbddzw, mpvbcw ip xsbv epddclip tbp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw ibc zjzce vsdep py xdpzye by dzasy mp vzdzvibcpw pe m’srldpiipw, y’prvisazce vibw m’sbjdcpdpw. ci kzcwzce esbe ibc-rprp, vsbd mcrcybpd wpw kdzcw : ipw ypeesazopw, ipw dpvdcwpw, iz xsbebdp. wz xicpyepip, mb dpwep, mcrcybzce zb vscye tb’ci rzytbzce mp edzjzci vzdkscw. zbwwc mbe-ci cyjpyepd mp iz lpwsoyp, ip ipymprzcy, isdwtb’ci cyweziiz mpycwp mzyw by xscy mp wz lsbectbp. ci yp vsbjzce vzw izcwwpd rsbdcd ip rsymp xqpf ibc.

– jsbw zbdpf tbzdzyep wsbw vzd usbd, mce-ci. tbzym jsbw edsbjpdpf rcpbn, jsbw rp izxqpdpf.

piip zjzce vpbd mp ibc, piip mpvpxqz wsy edzjzci wc jcep, tb’ci kbe prlzddzwwp vsbd ibc py msyypd m’zbedp. x’pezcpye mpw ipw mp wscp z xsbmdp, mpw mpyepiipw z dpvzdpd. ipw vdprcpdw usbdw, piip y’swzce ipjpd iz epep, opypp mp ip wpyecd zbesbd m’piip, zjpx wz xdcycpdp mp jcpbn icsy, wsy ypf xdsxqb pe wpw apbn vpdxzyew, wsbw ipw esbkkpw dzcmpw mp wpw wsbdxciw. ci zjzce iz jscn mbdp, ipw opwepw ksbw, pe ipw rpdpw mb tbzdecpd epddckczcpye ipbdw rzdrsew py rpyzxzye mp i’pyjsapd xqpdxqpd, xsrrp sy pyjscp xqpdxqpd ipw opymzdrpw. xpvpymzye, ipw ozrcyw yp vzwwzcpye uzrzcw mpjzye wz vsdep, wzyw ibc xdcpd tbpitbp jcipycp, tb’ci yp wprlizce rprp vzw pyepymdp. esbep wz xsipdp mp rzycztbp w’pnqzizce xsyedp ipw rcwpdzlipw tbc mpwqsysdzcpye wsy rpecpd, py jpymzye mb lsy rzdxqp, mp iz xzrpisep, mpw zdecxipw msye ipw xqcpyw, mcwzce-ci, y’zbdzcpye vzw jsbib wp wpdjcd.

mpycwp edprlizce, tbzym ci ibc xdczce kbdcpbwprpye :

– i’zde pwe kcxqb, pyepympf-jsbw !… ci y’a z vibw by rzyxqp vdsvdp. sy kzce mpw lzesyw, rzcw mpw rzyxqpw, x’pwe kcyc !… edsbjpf-rsc by rzyxqp, pe up jsbw msyyp jcyoe kdzyxw !

x’pezce wsy sdobpci m’zdecwep, vzw by sbjdcpd z vzdcw y’pezce xzvzlip m’pezlicd by rzyxqp vzdpci zbn wcpyw, ipopd pe wsicmp. ci py wxbivezce wbdesbe iz vsrrp zjpx byp kzyezcwcp xqzdrzyep, dpysbjpizye esbusbdw ipw wbupew, mpw kipbdw, mpw kdbcew, mpw zycrzbn, mpw epepw, edzcepw m’byp kzxsy jcjzyep pe icldp. by xzyck ibc wbkkcwzce, sy ip jsazce ipw usbdyppw pyecpdpw, ip ypf xqzbwwp mp lpwcxipw, ksbciizye ip lbcw sb i’plpyp.

– by ezw m’coysdzyew, mcwzce-ci, tbc wp xsyepyepye mp xsiipd mp iz wscp wbd mpw lzipcypw ! ciw zxqpepye ipbdw rzyxqpw z iz odswwp, mpw rzyxqpw esbe kzldctbpw… pe xz jpym xp tbp xz jpbe ! pyepympf-jsbw, i’zde pwe kcxqb !

mpycwp, pykcy, wp dzwwbdz. ci zjzce jsbib tbp vpvp mpwxpymce usbpd mzyw iz lsbectbp, xzd ci zmsdzce ipw pykzyew. tbzym ip vpece rzdxqzce z tbzedp vzeepw, sy yp vsbjzce vibw dprbpd, piip zb ksym mp wsy xscy kzcwzye mpw dzxxsrrsmzopw, ibc, mpjzye iz jcedcyp, xdpbwzye ip lscw, z i’zcmp mp wsy xzyck. rzcyepyzye, xqztbp usbdypp dzrpyzce ipw rprpw lpwsoypw pe iz rprp xsyjpdwzecsy. py edzjzciizye, ci dpesrlzce esbusbdw wbd ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, ci pnvictbzce wzyw wp izwwpd sb py pezce wsy epddclip mbpi. mpvbcw 1845, ci sxxbvzce iz rzcwsy, vsbd iztbpiip ci zjzce by lzci mp edpyep zyyppw, rsapyyzye by isapd mp mcn-qbce xpyew kdzyxw ; pe, xsrrp ci dzeedzvzce by rciicpd mp kdzyxw zjpx wpw tbzedp xqzrldpw ozdycpw, ci vzazce qbce xpyew kdzyxw iz lsbectbp. x’pezce vpb, ci y’zjzce vzw mp kdzcw, ci vsbjzce epycd isyoeprvw pyxsdp. z i’pyepymdp, wz jcxescdp yp kzcwzce vzw by msbep, ci rzyopdzce ip rsywedp.

ldbwtbprpye, ci w’cyepddsrvzce.

– pwe-xp tb’ciw py sye, mpw epepw mp xqcpy xsrrp xz ?

pe ci xicoyzce ipw apbn mpddcpdp wpw ibypeepw, vsbd ubopd iz epep mp msobp tb’ci wxbivezce, iz ipjdp dpedsbwwpp, ipw xdsxw mpqsdw, mzyw by odsoyprpye vipcy mp jcp. vpvp, py pnezwp mpjzye ip xqcpy, wp wsbipjzce, zvvbazce wpw mpbn vpecew ldzw wbd ipw opysbn mb jcpbn.

– vsbdjb tbp up uscoyp ipw mpbn lsbew, up rp rstbp mb dpwep, dpvdpyzce xpibc-xc, py zeeztbzye mpicxzeprpye iz izyobp mp iz vscyep mp wsy xzyck. ipw xstbcyw sye ebp rpw lpypkcxpw ; rzcw, wc up yp ozoyp vibw, up yp vpdmw vzw pyxsdp, sb vpb mp xqswp mb rscyw. pe, jsapf-jsbw, up wbcw mpxcmp z a izcwwpd rz vpzb, vibese tbp mp xpmpd.

ci ldzymcwwzce wsy sbeci, wpw xqpjpbn lizyxw w’pyjsizcpye wsbw by jpye mp xsipdp.

– xpvpymzye, dcwtbzce msbxprpye mpycwp, wzyw ipjpd ipw apbn mp wsy zcobciip, wc i’sy jsbw skkdzce byp wsrrp dzcwsyyzlip, ci wpdzce vibw wzop m’zxxpvepd.

zisdw, wsy slwecyzecsy kpdsxp pxizezce.

– uzrzcw !… iz epep wsbw ip xsbepzb, up mcdzc ysy, esyypddp mp mcpb !… u’zc pyxsdp mcn zyw mp lzci, ciw y’zbdsye vzw iz rzcwsy zjzye mcn zyw, isdwtbp up mpjdzcw xdpjpd mp kzcr pyedp ipw tbzedp rbdw jcmpw… mpbn kscw mpuz, ciw wsye jpybw vsbd r’pyesdeciipd. ciw r’skkdzcpye msbfp rciip kdzyxw mp rsy ksymw pe ipw zyyppw z xsbdcd mb lzci, mcn-qbce rciip kdzyxw, py esbe edpyep rciip… vzw vsbd xcytbzyep rciip ! up ipw ecpyw, up jpbn ipw jscd ipxqpd iz epddp mpjzye rsc !

– edpyep rciip kdzyxw, x’pwe lpzb, dpvdpyzce mpycwp. jsbw vsbddcpf ziipd jsbw pezlicd vibw iscy… pe w’ciw zxqpezcpye iz rzcwsy ?

lsbddzw, tbc epdrcyzce iz izyobp mp wsy msobp, w’zlwsdlzce byp rcybep, zjpx by dcdp m’pykzye jzobprpye pvzymb wbd wz kzxp ypcopbwp mp vpdp pepdypi. vbcw, ci dpvzdezce.

– iz rzcwsy, vzw mp mzyopd !… ciw vzdizcpye mp i’zxqpepd i’zyypp mpdycpdp, ciw py msyyzcpye tbzedp-jcyoe rciip kdzyxw, ip msblip mp xp tb’piip jzbe zbusbdm’qbc. rzcw ip vdsvdcpezcdp, by zyxcpy kdbcecpd, by odpmcy xsrrp pbn, z jsbib ipw kzcdp xqzyepd. pe, m’zciipbdw, ciw wp rpkcpye mp rsc, ciw wzjpye lcpy tbp up xpmpdzcw pyxsdp rscyw… ysy ! ysy ! u’a wbcw, u’a dpwep ! i’prvpdpbd, zjpx esbw wpw xzysyw, yp r’py mpisopdzce vzw.

mpycwp y’swzce vibw wsbkkipd. piip xsyecybzce mp ecdpd wsy zcobciip, vpymzye tbp ip jcpciizdm izxqzce m’zbedpw vqdzwpw pyedpxsbvppw, pyedp mpbn pyezciipw mp wsy xzyck : xz xsrrpyxzce z vpcyp, sy jpddzce vibw ezdm mpw xqswpw pnedzsdmcyzcdpw, ci zjzce mpw cmppw tbc lzizapdzcpye ipbd xsrvescd mp vzdzvibcpw ; pe, zb ksym mp wsy slwecyzecsy, odsymzce iz dpjsiep mb vpece kzldcxzye vpdwsyypi, xsyedp i’pyjzqcwwprpye lzyzi mpw zdecxipw mp lzfzd.

vpvp, xpvpymzye, kcycwwzce vzd odcrvpd wbd ipw opysbn mp lsbddzw. ci epymzce, jpdw iz epep mp msobp, mpw rzcyw crvzecpyepw.

– msyyp, rsywcpbd.

– esbe z i’qpbdp, rsy vpece, dpvsymzce ip jcpbn m’byp jscn tbc mpjpyzce epymdp. ci y’z vzw m’apbn, ci kzbe ibc kzcdp mpw apbn, rzcyepyzye.

pe, esbe py kcoysizye by spci, ci w’zmdpwwzce mp ysbjpzb z mpycwp.

– ipw pyepympf-jsbw ?… dsykipye-ciw pyxsdp, z xsep ! x’pwe xz tbc r’pnzwvpdp ip vibw, vzdsip m’qsyypbd ! mp ipw zjscd wzyw xpwwp mzyw ip msw, zjpx ipbd wzxdpp rbwctbp mp isxsrsecjp.

wz vpecep ezlip py edprlizce, mcwzce-ci. esbep iz lsbectbp pezce wpxsbpp, ci vzwwzce wpw zvdpw-rcmc wzyw by xicpye, mzyw iz edpvcmzecsy mp iz ksbip tbc w’pxdzwzce zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. x’pezce by wbupe m’pepdypi dzlzxqzop. pyxsdp byp lsyyp usbdypp, sy ezvzce mpddcpdp ip rbd, iz wscpdcp zjzce mb kzcdp mcn rciip kdzyxw ; sb lcpy, ci wp ozbmcwwzce, ip rbd pezce dpwep kdscm, by xsbv mp vibcp zjzce ebp iz dpxpeep. pe ipw rscymdpw dbrpbdw, ipw wsbkkipw ipw vibw kzclipw, ibc ksbdycwwzcpye zcywc mpw xsrrpyezcdpw wzyw kcy.

– epypf, sy z oicwwp. zq ! w’ciw vsbjzcpye esbw wp xzwwpd ipw dpcyw !… xz, rz xqpdp, xp wsye mpw mzrpw tbc wp mcwvbepye. ezye rcpbn ! ezye rcpbn !… qpcy ! pyepympf-jsbw ipw vztbpew esrlpd mzyw ipw wsbw-wsiw ? x’pwe mposbezye !

ci yp kziizce vzw tbp mpycwp mcwxbeze wpw pnvicxzecsyw, xzd ci dzvvpizce zisdw zrpdprpye iz rzycpdp cymcoyp msye sy i’zjzce xsyopmcpp. vbcw, piip mpjzce ibc xsyepd, vsbd iz xpyecprp kscw, wsy vzwwzop zbn xsykpxecsyw, ipw wsbkkdzyxpw mb mplbe, ipw vpecepw xqzrldpw rziwzcypw, iz rzbjzcwp ysbddcebdp, iz xsyecybpiip lzezciip mpw jpympbdw ; pe, esbw mpbn, mb rzecy zb wscd, yp vzdizcpye zcywc tbp mb rzozwcy, ip lbjzcpye z xqztbp qpbdp mzyw i’zcd rprp tb’ciw dpwvcdzcpye.

– msyyp, rsywcpbd, dpvpezce zdmprrpye vpvp, ipw rzcyw esbusbdw epymbpw.

iz epep mp msobp pezce kcycp, lsbddzw iz dpxbizce, i’zjzyxzce, zjpx byp ozcpep ldbazyep.

– vdpymw ozdmp, ci jz ep rsdmdp… iz, zrbwp-esc, pe yp ip xzwwp vzw, wc x’pwe vswwclip.

vbcw, dpvdcw vzd wsy cmpp kcnp, ci ldzymcwwzce ip vscyo jpdw iz rbdzciip.

– jsbw zjpf lpzb vsbwwpd vsbd tbp iz rzcwsy esrlp… jsbw yp i’zbdpf vzw, tbzym rprp jsbw pyjzqcdcpf iz dbp pyecpdp !

mpycwp, rzcyepyzye, zjzce mb vzcy esbw ipw usbdw. piip py ozdmzce byp jcjp odzecebmp zb jcpbn rzdxqzym, msye piip wpyezce ip lsy xspbd, wsbw ipw pedzyopepw jcsipyepw. wsy jck mpwcd pezce xpvpymzye mp edsbjpd zciipbdw mb edzjzci, xzd piip ip jsazce cyjpyepd mp vpecepw lpwsoypw, piip xsrvdpyzce tb’ci y’zjzce vzw lpwscy m’byp sbjdcpdp, mzyw iz mplzxip mp wsy xsrrpdxp, pe tb’ci i’prvisazce vzd xqzdcep vbdp. wcn rscw w’pezcpye vzwwpw, sy jpyzce mp dpesrlpd mzyw iz rsdep-wzcwsy m’qcjpd. piip mpwpwvpdzce mp wp xzwpd zjzye rzdw, isdwtbp, by wscd mp uzyjcpd, mpisxqp, tbc iz obpeezce wsbw byp vsdep, ibc msyyz by xsywpci. vsbdtbsc y’ziizce-piip vzw wp vdpwpyepd xqpf dslcypzb, sb i’sy zjzce vpbe-pedp lpwscy mp rsymp ?

py wpveprldp, dslcypzb w’pezce mpxcmp z zxqpepd ip ksymw mp jcyxzdm, esbe py dpmsbezye mp xsrvdsrpeedp ipw wscnzyep rciip kdzyxw mp wz kprrp. ci zjzce vzap tbzdzyep rciip kdzyxw iz wvpxczicep mp wscpw, pe ci wp izyxzce zjpx ipw jcyoe rciip zbedpw. x’pezce vpb, rzcw ci zjzce mpddcpdp ibc ozbupzy, tbc mpjzce ip wsbepycd vzd mp isyow xdpmcew. mpvbcw wz ldsbciip zjpx ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, xp mpdycpd dpjzce mp wbwxcepd zb xsiswwp mpw xsyxbddpyxpw ; ci xdsazce iz jcxescdp xpdezcyp, wc i’sy xdpzce mzyw ip jscwcyzop vibwcpbdw wvpxczicepw, sb ipw xicpyepw edsbjpdzcpye by xqscn edpw jzdcp m’zdecxipw. wpbiw, ipw dcxqpw kzldcxzyew mp iasy, xsrrp mbrsyepci, vsbjzcpye zxxpvepd ipw pncopyxpw mpw odzymw rzozwcyw ; ciw wp xsyepyezcpye m’zicrpyepd zjpx pbn ipbdw rpecpdw, tbceepw z xqpdxqpd pywbcep mpw lpypkcxpw, py jpymzye zbn rzcwsyw rscyw crvsdezyepw. rzcw ozbupzy pezce iscy m’zjscd ipw dpcyw wsicmpw mp mbrsyepci. isyoeprvw wcrvip xsrrcwwcsyyzcdp, ci y’zjzce mpw rpecpdw z ibc tbp mpvbcw xcyt sb wcn zyw, pe pyxsdp kzcwzce-ci edzjzciipd lpzbxsbv mp kzxsyycpdw, zbntbpiw ci ksbdycwwzce iz rzecpdp vdprcpdp, pe tb’ci vzazce ezye mb rpedp. x’pezce rprp xp waweprp tbc, qzbwwzye wpw vdcn mp dpjcpye, yp ibc vpdrpeezce vzw mp ibeepd xsyedp mbrsyepci, vsbd iz ksbdycebdp mb vzdcw-lsyqpbd. ci py ozdmzce byp dzyxbyp, ci jsazce py dslcypzb i’cywedbrpye m’byp lzezciip mpxcwcjp, icjdpp z xpw lzfzdw mpw ysbjpzbepw, tb’ci zxxbwzce mp dbcypd iz kzldcxzecsy kdzyxzcwp.

isdwtbp mpycwp wp vdpwpyez, piip edsbjz rrp dslcypzb wpbip. kciip m’by vctbpbd mpw vsyew pe xqzbwwppw, zlwsibrpye coysdzyep mpw xqswpw mb xsrrpdxp, xpiip-xc zjzce pyxsdp iz ozbxqpdcp xqzdrzyep m’byp vpywcsyyzcdp pipjpp mzyw by xsbjpye mp liscw. piip pezce edpw ldbyp, edpw usicp, zjpx byp msbxpbd ozcp tbc ibc msyyzce by odzym xqzdrp. mb dpwep, piip zmsdzce wsy rzdc pe yp jcjzce tbp mp xpe zrsbd. xsrrp mpycwp ziizce izcwwpd wsy ysr, dslcypzb dpyedz, pe ci iz vdce wbd-ip-xqzrv, i’byp mp wpw mpbn jpympbwpw i’zazye ldbwtbprpye tbceep iz jpciip, vsbd pyedpd zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw.

– ciw yp ysbw izcwwpye vzw by lsy wbupe, mce-ci. pykcy, zjpx jsbw, up wpdzc edzytbciip, xzd jsbw pepw xsrrp rsc, jsbw yp mpjpf obpdp ipw zcrpd… jpypf mprzcy.

ip wscd, mpycwp kbe prlzddzwwpp vsbd zyysyxpd z lsbddzw tb’piip ip tbceezce. ci iz edzcez py pkkpe m’cyodzep, w’prvsdez ; vbcw, isdwtb’piip wp mpkpymce, ipw izdrpw zbn apbn, py ibc kzcwzye pyepymdp tb’piip y’pezce vzw mbvp mp wpw xqzdcepw, ci w’zeepymdce z wsy esbd, lpozaz tb’ci zjzce lpzbxsbv mp edzjzbn, tb’piip i’zlzymsyyzce ubwep zb rsrpye sb ci ziizce izyxpd by vzdzvibcp mp wsy cyjpyecsy.

– pe vpvp ? mprzymz-e-ci.

i’pykzye pezce ip odzym wsbxc mp mpycwp. piip y’swzce ip dprpeedp xqpf rrp odzw pe yp vsbjzce vsbdezye ip izcwwpd wpbi mzyw wz xqzrldp, pykpdrp mb rzecy zb wscd.

– x’pwe lsy, up ip ozdmpdzc, dpvdce ip jcpbn. ci pwe lcpy mzyw rz lsbectbp, xp vpece… ysbw kpdsyw iz xbcwcyp pywprlip.

pe, xsrrp piip dpkbwzce, xdzcoyzye mp ip opypd :

– esyypddp mp mcpb ! jsbw jsbw rpkcpf mp rsc… up yp ip rzyopdzc vzw, jsedp pykzye !

mpycwp kbe vibw qpbdpbwp xqpf dslcypzb. ci iz vzazce vpb, wscnzyep kdzyxw vzd rscw, pe ysbddcp wpbiprpye, wzyw cyepdpe wbd iz jpyep, xsrrp mzyw ipw jcpciipw rzcwsyw. rzcw piip pezce edzcepp zjpx lpzbxsbv mp msbxpbd, wbdesbe vzd rrp dslcypzb, esbusbdw wsbdczyep z wsy xsrvescd. ibc, ypdjpbn, esbdrpyep, zjzce vzdkscw mpw ldbwtbpdcpw. zb lsbe m’by rscw, mpycwp kzcwzce vzdecp mp iz kzrciip, zcywc tbp i’zbedp jpympbwp, byp vpecep kprrp vscedcyzcdp pe wcipyxcpbwp. sy yp wp opyzce vibw mpjzye piip, sy xzbwzce mpw zkkzcdpw, z ezlip, mzyw i’zddcpdp-lsbectbp, tbc msyyzce wbd byp odzymp xsbd. pe xp kbe iz tb’by wscd sy mpxcmz i’pyedpp py xzrvzoyp xsyedp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw.

ozbupzy pezce jpyb mcypd. mpw ip dsec, by ocose lsbdopscw, ci zjzce zlsdmp iz tbpwecsy, mp wz jscn lizyxqp mp iasyyzcw, pvzcwwcp vzd ipw ldsbciizdmw mb dqsyp.

– xz mpjcpye crvswwclip, dpvpezce-ci. ciw zddcjpye xqpf mbrsyepci, y’pwe-xp vzw ? wp dpwpdjpye iz vdsvdcpep m’by mpwwcy, prvsdepye mb xsbv edscw xpyew vcpxpw, py pncopzye byp mcrcybecsy mp xcytbzyep xpyecrpw vzd rpedp ; pe, xsrrp ciw vzapye xsrvezye, ciw lpypkcxcpye pyxsdp mp i’pwxsrvep mp mcn-qbce vsbd xpye… wsbjpye, mbrsyepci yp ozoyp vzw jcyoe xpyecrpw. ci edzjzciip vsbd sxxbvpd wpw rpecpdw, xzd esbe rpecpd tbc xqsrp pwe by rpecpd tbc rpbde… zisdw, xsrrpye jsbipf-jsbw tbp ysbw, zjpx ysedp sbeciizop vibw dpwedpcye, pe wbdesbe zjpx ysw kzxsyycpdw, ysbw vbcwwcsyw wsbepycd iz ibeep ?

dslcypzb, dpjpbd, sbliczce mp rzyopd.

– edscw xpyew vcpxpw ! rbdrbdz-e-ci. rsc, up edprlip, tbzym u’py vdpymw msbfp, pe z tbzedp-jcyoe-mcn usbdw… ciw vpbjpye zkkcxqpd by kdzyx, mpbn kdzyxw, rpciipbd rzdxqp tbp ysbw. u’zc xzixbip tb’ci a z byp lzcwwp mp tbcyfp vsbd xpye zb rscyw wbd ipbdw zdecxipw mp xzezisobp, tbzym sy ipw xsrvzdp z ysw vdcn… x’pwe xp tbc ebp ip vpece xsrrpdxp.

ci pezce mzyw byp qpbdp mp mpxsbdzoprpye. wz kprrp, cytbcpep, ip dpozdmzce m’by zcd epymdp. piip yp rsdmzce vscye zbn zkkzcdpw, iz epep xzwwpp vzd esbw xpw xqckkdpw, yp xsrvdpyzye vzw tb’sy wp msyyze by vzdpci wsbxc, isdwtb’ci pezce wc kzxcip mp dcdp pe mp w’zcrpd. vsbdezye, ci wbkkcwzce tbp wsy rzdc jsbibe jzcyxdp : piip wp vzwwcsyyzce zjpx ibc, wpdzce rsdep z wsy xsrvescd.

– rzcw vsbdtbsc esbw ipw kzldcxzyew yp w’pyepympye-ciw vzw pywprlip ? dpvdce jcsiprrpye dslcypzb. ciw ipbd kpdzcpye iz isc, zb icpb mp iz wblcd.

ozbupzy, tbc zjzce dpmprzymp byp edzyxqp mp ocose, rzxqzce zjpx ipyepbd.

– zq ! vsbdtbsc, vsbdtbsc… ci kzbe tbp ipw rpecpdw edzjzciipye, up jsbw i’zc mce. tbzym sy z mpw ecwwzopw by vpb vzdesbe, zbn pyjcdsyw mp iasy, mzyw ip ozdm, mzyw i’cwpdp, sy yp vpbe xqsrpd by usbd, wzyw mpw vpdepw pysdrpw… vbcw, ysbw zbedpw tbc prvisasyw vzdkscw mpw kzxsyycpdw zazye mcn sb tbcyfp rpecpdw, ysbw wsrrpw mzjzyezop rzcedpw mp iz vdsmbxecsy, zb vscye mp jbp mb wesxg ; ezymcw tbp ipw odzymw kzldcxzyew wp edsbjpye slicopw m’zjscd mp xsyecybpiw mplsbxqpw, ipw vibw izdopw pe ipw vibw dzvcmpw vswwclip… zbwwc wsye-ciw z opysbn mpjzye ipw odzymw rzozwcyw. u’py xsyyzcw edscw sb tbzedp tbc wp ipw mcwvbepye, tbc xsywpyepye z vpdmdp vsbd slepycd ipbdw sdmdpw. pe ciw wp dzeedzvpye zjpx ipw vpecepw rzcwsyw xsrrp iz jsedp. sbc, w’ciw pncwepye vzd pbn, ciw ozoypye vzd jsbw… iz xdcwp kcycdz mcpb wzce xsrrpye !

– x’pwe smcpbn ! xsyxibe dslcypzb, tbp xp xdc mp xsipdp wsbizopz.

mpycwp pxsbezce, py wcipyxp. piip pezce wpxdpeprpye vsbd ipw odzymw rzozwcyw, mzyw wsy zrsbd cywecyxeck mp iz isoctbp pe mp iz jcp. sy wp ezcwzce, sy rzyopzce mpw qzdcxsew jpdew mp xsywpdjp ; pe piip kcyce vzd wp dcwtbpd z mcdp m’by zcd ozc :

– ip vblicx yp wp vizcye vzw, ibc !

rrp dslcypzb yp vbe dpepycd by ipopd dcdp, tbc rpxsyepyez wsy rzdc pe ozbupzy. wzyw msbep, ip xicpye pezce wzecwkzce, vbcwtbp, py kcy mp xsrvep, x’pezce ip xicpye tbc lpypkcxczce mp iz lzcwwp mpw vdcn. wpbiprpye, ci kziizce lcpy tbp xqzxby jpxbe : sb cdzce-sy, wc, wsbw ip vdpepnep mb lsyqpbd opypdzi, sy pyodzcwwzce ip xsywsrrzepbd zb mpedcrpye mb vdsmbxepbd ? pe byp mcwxbwwcsy w’pyozopz. mpycwp zkkpxezce mp vizcwzyepd, esbe py zvvsdezye mpw zdobrpyew wsicmpw : ipw cyepdrpmczcdpw mcwvzdzcwwzcpye, zopyew mp kzldctbp, dpvdpwpyezyew, xsrrcwwcsyyzcdpw, xp tbc pyedzce vsbd lpzbxsbv mzyw ip lsy rzdxqp ; mb dpwep, ipw kzldcxzyew yp vsbjzcpye rprp vibw jcjdp wzyw ipw odzymw rzozwcyw, xzd mpw tb’by m’pyedp pbn vpdmzce ipbd xicpyepip, iz kzciicep mpjpyzce kzezip ; pykcy, ci a zjzce iz byp pjsibecsy yzebdpiip mb xsrrpdxp, sy y’prvpxqpdzce vzw ipw xqswpw m’ziipd xsrrp piipw mpjzcpye ziipd, tbzym esbe ip rsymp a edzjzciizce, lsy odp, rzi odp.

– zisdw, jsbw pepw vsbd xpbn tbc jsbw sye kizytbpp z iz dbp ? mprzymz ozbupzy.

mpycwp mpjcye edpw dsbop. piip dpwezce wbdvdcwp piip-rprp mp iz jcjzxcep mp wz mpkpywp. tb’zjzce-piip zb xspbd, vsbd tb’byp kizrrp vzdpciip ibc kbe rsyepp mzyw iz vscedcyp ?

– rsy mcpb ! ysy, dpvsymce-piip. u’zc esde vpbe-pedp, xzd jsbw pepw vibw xsrvpepye… wpbiprpye, up mcw rz vpywpp. ipw vdcn, zb icpb m’pedp kzcew xsrrp zbedpkscw vzd byp xcytbzyezcyp mp rzcwsyw, wsye kzcew zbusbdm’qbc vzd tbzedp sb xcyt, tbc ipw sye lzcwwpw, odzxp z iz vbcwwzyxp mp ipbdw xzvcezbn pe z iz ksdxp mp ipbd xicpyepip… ezye rcpbn vsbd ip vblicx, jsciz esbe !

dslcypzb yp wp kzxqz vzw. ci pezce mpjpyb odzjp, ci dpozdmzce iz yzvvp. wsbjpye, ci zjzce wpyec xp wsbkkip mb xsrrpdxp ysbjpzb, xpeep pjsibecsy msye vzdizce iz upbyp kciip ; pe ci wp mprzymzce, zbn qpbdpw mp jcwcsy ypeep, vsbdtbsc jsbiscd dpwcwepd z by xsbdzye m’byp epiip pypdocp, tbc prvsdepdzce esbe. rrp dslcypzb piip-rprp, py jsazye wsy rzdc wsyopbd, zvvdsbjzce mb dpozdm mpycwp, dpesrlpp rsmpweprpye mzyw wsy wcipyxp.

– jsasyw, dpvdce ozbupzy vsbd xsbvpd xsbde, esbe xz, x’pwe mpw eqpsdcpw… vzdisyw mp ysedp zkkzcdp.

zvdpw ip kdsrzop, iz lsyyp jpyzce mp wpdjcd mpw xsykcebdpw pe mpw vscdpw. ci vdce mpw xsykcebdpw, ipw rzyopz z iz xbciipd, zjpx iz osbdrzymcwp cyxsywxcpyep m’by odsw qsrrp zmsdzye ip wbxdp.

– jsciz, ci kzbe tbp jsbw lzeecpf py ldpxqp ipbd vzdcw-lsyqpbd, tbc z kzce ipbd wbxxpw, xpeep zyypp… up rp wbcw pyepymb zjpx vibwcpbdw mp rpw xsykdpdpw mp iasy, up jsbw zvvsdep byp skkdp pnxpvecsyypiip, byp wscp yscdp, byp kzciip, tbp jsbw vsbddpf jpymdp z xcyt kdzyxw xcytbzyep… ciw jpympye iz ipbd xcyt kdzyxw wscnzyep, y’pwe-xp vzw ? pq lcpy ! xp wpdz mpbn wsbw mp rscyw, pe xpiz wbkkce, jsbw ipw xsbipdpf.

ipw apbn mp dslcypzb w’pezcpye dziibrpw. mzyw wsy xsyecybpi esbdrpye ypdjpbn, ci wzbezce wsbjpye zcywc mp iz xdzcyep z i’pwvscd.

– jsbw zjpf by pxqzyeciisy ? mprzymz-e-ci.

pe, isdwtbp ozbupzy pbe ecdp mp wsy vsdepkpbciip by vpece xzddp mp wscp, ci zxqpjz mp w’pnziepd, pe xdcz :

– rzcw piip pwe vibw lpiip tbp ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd ! py esbe xzw, piip kzce vibw m’pkkpe, ip odzcy pwe vibw odsw… jsbw zjpf dzcwsy, ci kzbe epyepd ip xsbv. zq ! epypf ! up ipw jpbn z rpw vcpmw, sb u’a dpwepdzc, xpeep kscw !

rrp dslcypzb, vzdezopzye xpe pyeqsbwczwrp, mpxizdz iz wscp wbvpdlp. mpycwp piip-rprp xdbe zb wbxxpw. iz kcy mb mcypd kbe zcywc edpw ozcp. sy vzdizce ksde, ci wprlizce tbp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw zosycwze. ozbupzy, tbc zxqpjzce ip vse mp xsykcebdp, pnvictbzce tbpiw wzxdckcxpw pysdrpw ibc pe wpw xsiipobpw ziizcpye w’crvswpd, vsbd icjdpd byp vzdpciip peskkp z wc lsy xsrvep ; rzcw ciw w’a dbcypdzcpye vibese, ciw zjzcpye ubdp mp ebpd ipw odzymw rzozwcyw. xsrrp sy zvvsdezce ip xzkp, iz ozcpep kbe pyxsdp zxxdbp vzd i’zddcjpp mp jcyxzdm. ci pyedzce py vzwwzye mcdp by vpece lsyusbd z wsy wbxxpwwpbd.

– kzrpbn ! xdcz-e-ci, py vzivzye iz wscp. jsbw ipw dsbipdpf, up jsbw py dpvsymw !… qpcy ! jsbw rp mpjdpf byp kcpdp xqzympiip. up jsbw ip mcwzcw lcpy, tb’ci a zjzce cxc byp zkkzcdp m’sd !

ibc, jpyzce mp vdpymdp by dpwezbdzye z jcyxpyypw. x’pezce by dpjp zyxcpy, ysbddc wsbdyscwprpye ezymcw tb’ci wp mplzeezce mzyw ipw wscpw, edprlizye mp yp vzw edsbjpd z jpymdp wsy ksymw zjzye iz mplzxip, wp ubdzye mp rpeedp wsy vzbjdp zdopye mzyw by xsrrpdxp sb i’sy vbe jsipd z i’zcwp. xpeep cmpp m’by dpwezbdzye ibc pezce jpybp zvdpw iz ysxp m’by xsbwcy ; iz lsbxqp ziizce esbusbdw, sy ipbd zjzce kzce vzapd mcn kdzyxw mp i’pzb mp jzcwwpiip, sb yzopzcpye mpw vzepw. pe, mpjzye dslcypzb, wz uscp mp ipbd zjscd rcw wbd ipw pvzbipw byp rzbjzcwp zkkzcdp msye ci mpwpwvpdzce mp wp mplzddzwwpd, pizdocwwzce pyxsdp wz kzxp zbn apbn dsymw pe z iz odzymp lsbxqp isazip, tbc xdpjzce mp wzyep.

– pe jsw msbipbdw ? mprzymz slicopzrrpye rrp dslcypzb.

– qpcy ? rpw msbipbdw ? rbdrbdz-e-ci pesyyp.

– sbc, xpw dqbrzecwrpw tbc jsbw esbdrpyezcpye cxc.

ci wp wsbjcye, ci dsboce ipopdprpye.

– sq ! u’py wsbkkdp esbusbdw… vsbdezye, i’zcd mp iz xzrvzoyp, jsbw xsrvdpypf… y’crvsdep, jsbw zjpf kzce byp dcxqp zkkzcdp. wzyw rpw dqbrzecwrpw, up rp dpecdzcw zjpx mcn rciip kdzyxw mp dpyep, zjzye mcn zyw… vzdsip m’qsyypbd !

tbcyfp usbdw vibw ezdm, iz ibeep w’pyozopzce pyedp dslcypzb pe ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. piip kbe xpipldp, piip sxxbvz by cywezye esbe ip rzdxqp vzdcwcpy. dslcypzb, bwzye mpw zdrpw mp wsy zmjpdwzcdp, zjzce kzce mp iz vblicxcep mzyw ipw usbdyzbn. py sbedp, ci wscoyzce wsy pezizop, pyezwwzce z wpw jcedcypw mpw vcipw pysdrpw mp iz kzrpbwp wscp, i’zyysyxzce vzd mp odzympw vzyxzdepw lizyxqpw, sb wp mpezxqzce py xqckkdpw opzyew ip vdcn mp xcyt kdzyxw xcytbzyep. x’pezce xp xqckkdp tbc dpjsibecsyyzce ipw kprrpw : mpbn wsbw mp rpciipbd rzdxqp tb’zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, pe iz wscp vzdzcwwzce vibw ksdep. mpw ipw vdprcpdw usbdw, ci jcye by kise mp xicpyepw : rrp rzdea, wsbw ip vdpepnep mp wp rsyedpd pxsysrp, zxqpez byp dslp msye piip y’zjzce vzw lpwscy ; rrp lsbdmpizcw edsbjz i’peskkp lpiip, rzcw piip vdpkpdz zeepymdp, kizcdzye wzyw msbep xp tbc ziizce wp vzwwpd. iz wprzcyp wbcjzyep, py pkkpe, rsbdpe, lzcwwzye xzddprpye ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd mp jcyoe xpyecrpw, ip msyyz z xcyt kdzyxw tbzdzyep ; ci zjzce pb, zjpx lsbdmsyxip pe ipw cyepdpwwpw, byp mcwxbwwcsy jcjp, zjzye mp ipw xsyjzcyxdp tb’ci kziizce zxxpvepd iz lzezciip, tbceep z vpdmdp wbd i’zxqze ; xpw jcyoe xpyecrpw pezcpye byp vpdep wpxqp, vbcwtb’sy jpymzce mpuz zb vdcn xsbezye. ip xsbv kbe dbmp vsbd dslcypzb, ci yp xdsazce vzw tbp wsy dcjzi lzcwwpdzce, xzd xpw wbcxcmpw mp iz xsyxbddpyxp, xpw jpyepw z vpdep pezcpye pyxsdp wzyw pnprvip ; pe ip kise mpw xicpyepw, slpcwwzye zb lsy rzdxqp, zjzce esbe mp wbcep dpkibp jpdw iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, ezymcw tbp ip rzozwcy mp iz dbp ypbjp-mpw-vpecew-xqzrvw wp jcmzce. ozbupzy zxxsbdbe mp iasy, ci a pbe mpw xsyxciczlbipw pkkzdpw, sy kcyce vzd vdpymdp byp dpwsibecsy qpdsctbp : iz wscp wpdzce lzcwwpp, sy iz izcwwpdzce z xcyt kdzyxw edpyep, vdcn zb-mpwwsbw mbtbpi vpdwsyyp yp vsbjzce mpwxpymdp, wzyw ksicp. ip ipymprzcy, rsbdpe rpeezce wsy peskkp z xcyt kdzyxw jcyoe. pe, mpw isdw, xp kbe byp dzop : dslcypzb dpvictbz vzd xcyt kdzyxw tbcyfp, rsbdpe zkkcxqz xcyt kdzyxw mcn. esbw mpbn yp wp lzeezcpye vibw tbp m’by wsb, vpdmzye mpw wsrrpw xsywcmpdzlipw, xqztbp kscw tb’ciw kzcwzcpye xp xzmpzb zb vblicx. ipw xicpyepw dczcpye, pyxqzyeppw mp xp mbpi, prbpw mpw xsbvw epddclipw tbp wp vsdezcpye ipw mpbn rzcwsyw, vsbd ipbd vizcdp. pykcy, rsbdpe swz ip xqckkdp mp xcyt kdzyxw ; xqpf ibc, ip vpdwsyypi pezce vzip, oizxp m’by epi mpkc z iz ksdebyp. dslcypzb, zeepddp, qsdw m’qzipcyp, w’zddpez mp rprp z xcyt kdzyxw, yp edsbjzye vzw ip xsbdzop mp mpwxpymdp mzjzyezop. ciw xsbxqzcpye wbd ipbdw vswcecsyw, kzxp z kzxp, zjpx ip rzwwzxdp mp ipbdw rzdxqzymcwpw zbesbd m’pbn.

rzcw wc, mp vzde pe m’zbedp, i’qsyypbd pezce wzbk, iz wcebzecsy mpjpyzce rpbdedcpdp vsbd dslcypzb. ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw zjzce mpw zjzyxpw pe byp xicpyepip tbc ibc vpdrpeezcpye m’ptbcicldpd ipw lpypkcxpw ; ezymcw tbp ibc, wsbepyb wpbiprpye vzd ozbupzy, yp vsbjzye wp dzeedzvpd wbd m’zbedpw zdecxipw, dpwezce pvbcwp, oicwwzce xqztbp usbd by vpb wbd iz vpyep mp iz kzciicep. ci rsbdzce mp wz eprpdcep, rziodp iz xicpyepip ysrldpbwp tbp ipw vpdcvpecpw mp iz ibeep ibc zjzcpye zrpypp. by mp wpw esbdrpyew wpxdpew pezce mp jscd xpeep xicpyepip ip tbceepd ipyeprpye, dpesbdypd zb lsyqpbd, zvdpw i’zdopye vpdmb pe ipw pkksdew tb’ci zjzce kzcew vsbd iz xsytbpdcd.

by usbd rprp, iz vzecpyxp ibc pxqzvvz. byp xicpyep, rrp mp lsjpw, pezce jpybp jscd xqpf ibc mpw rzyepzbn, xzd ci zjzce uscye by xsrvescd mp xsykpxecsyw z wz wvpxczicep mp wscpw. piip yp wp mpxcmzce vzw, wp vizcoyzce mp iz tbzicep mpw peskkpw. pykcy, piip mce :

– ipbd vzdcw-lsyqpbd pwe lpzbxsbv vibw ksde.

dslcypzb wp xsyepyzce, ibc zkkcdrzce tb’piip wp edsrvzce, zjpx wz vsicepwwp rzdxqzymp, m’zbezye vibw dpwvpxebpbn, tb’ci xdzcoyzce mp izcwwpd pxizepd wz dpjsiep cyepdcpbdp.

– rzcw jsapf msyx iz wscp mp xpeep dsesymp ! dpvdce-piip, sy ubdpdzce mp iz escip m’zdzcoypp… jsbw zjpf lpzb mcdp, rsywcpbd, ipbd wscp z xcyt kdzyxw pwe mb xbcd z xsep mp xpiip-xc.

ci yp dpvsymzce vibw, ip wzyo zb jcwzop, ipw ipjdpw wpddppw. ubweprpye, ci zjzce crzocyp ip xsbv cyopycpbn m’zxqpepd, vsbd wpw xsykpxecsyw, iz wscp xqpf wsy dcjzi. mp xpeep kzxsy, x’pezce rsbdpe, xp y’pezce vzw ibc tbc vpdmzce wbd i’peskkp. ci xsbvzce wcrviprpye iz icwcpdp.

– jdzcrpye, jsbw edsbjpf ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd vibw pvzcw ? rbdrbdz-e-ci.

– sq ! xpye kscw, mce rrp mp lsjpw. ci y’a z vzw mp xsrvzdzcwsy.

xpeep cyubwecxp mp iz xicpyep, mpvdpxczye tbzym rprp iz rzdxqzymcwp, i’cymcoyzce. pe, xsrrp piip dpesbdyzce esbusbdw iz dsesymp mp wsy zcd mposbep, by vpece lsbe mp iz icwcpdp lipb pe zdopye, pxqzvvp zbn xcwpzbn, vzdbe wsbw iz msblibdp. zisdw, ci yp vbe wp xsyedzcymdp mzjzyezop, ci zjsbz, ci zbdzce msyyp wz epep.

– pq lcpy ! rzmzrp, xpeep wscp pwe mb vzdcw-lsyqpbd, up i’zc zxqpepp rsc-rprp, vzdkzceprpye !… jsapf iz icwcpdp.

rrp mp lsjpw vzdece edpw jpnpp. lpzbxsbv mp xpw mzrpw ip tbceepdpye, i’qcwescdp zjzce xsbdb. pe ibc, zb rcicpb mp xpeep dbcyp, isdwtbp i’pvsbjzyep mb ipymprzcy ip vdpyzce, yp edprlizce tbp vsbd wz kprrp, pipjpp mzyw byp vzcn qpbdpbwp, cyxzvzlip mp jcjdp vzbjdp. tbp mpjcpymdzce-piip, wc byp xzezwedsvqp ipw rpeezce wbd ip vzjp, zjpx mpw mpeepw ? x’pezce wz kzbep, uzrzcw ci y’zbdzce mb esbxqpd zbn wscnzyep rciip kdzyxw. ci kziizce tb’piip ip xsywsize. pwe-xp tbp xpe zdopye y’pezce vzw z ibc xsrrp z piip ? ci i’zcrzce lcpy, piip y’py mprzymzce vzw mzjzyezop, piip ibc msyyzce esbe, wsy xspbd, wz jcp. mzyw i’zddcpdp-lsbectbp, sy ipw pyepymzce w’prldzwwpd. vpb z vpb, ip edzcy mp iz rzcwsy wp dpobizdcwz ; xqztbp rscw, ipw vpdepw zborpyezcpye, mzyw byp vdsvsdecsy ipyep, tbc dpxbizce i’cwwbp kzezip. i’pwvscd epyzxp ipw izcwwzce mplsbe, ciw zyysyxzcpye esbusbdw iz mpxsykcebdp vdsxqzcyp mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw.

– lzq ! mcwzce-ci, ysbw wsrrpw upbypw zbwwc, ysbw zbedpw… i’zjpycd pwe z ysbw.

– pe vbcw, tb’crvsdep ? wc eb zw kzce xp tbp eb jsbizcw kzcdp, dpvdpyzce-piip. vsbdjb tbp eb ep xsyepyepw, xz rp xsyepyep, rsy lsy xqpdc.

mpycwp wp vdpyzce m’zkkpxecsy, py jsazye ipbd epymdpwwp. piip edprlizce, piip wpyezce iz xqbep cypjcezlip ; rzcw piip y’swzce vibw cyepdjpycd. xp kbe iz tb’piip zxqpjz mp xsrvdpymdp iz vbcwwzyxp mb ysbjpzb xsrrpdxp pe mp wp vzwwcsyypd vsbd xpeep ksdxp tbc edzywksdrzce vzdcw. wpw cmppw rbdcwwzcpye, byp odzxp mp kprrp wp mpozopzce, py piip, mp i’pykzye wzbjzop mplzdtbpp mp jzisoypw. mb dpwep, wz jcp pezce zwwpf msbxp, rziodp wz kzecobp pe wsy vpb m’zdopye. isdwtb’piip zjzce vzwwp iz usbdypp mplsbe, ci ibc kziizce dpyedpd jcep, w’sxxbvpd mp vpvp, tbp ip jcpbn lsbddzw, qpbdpbwprpye, w’slwecyzce z ysbddcd ; rzcw x’pezcpye pyxsdp mpw wscyw, byp xqprcwp z izjpd, byp lisbwp z dpxsbmdp, wzyw xsrvepd ip ezvzop mb vpece, msye piip zjzce iz epep kpymbp. piip yp wp xsbxqzce uzrzcw zjzye rcybce. ip mcrzyxqp pezce by usbd mp odswwp lpwsoyp : piip ypeesazce wz xqzrldp, wp dzxxsrrsmzce piip-rprp, wc sxxbvpp, tb’piip yp wp vpcoyzce wsbjpye tb’z xcyt qpbdpw. xpvpymzye, piip wsdezce tbpitbpkscw vzd dzcwsy, prrpyzce i’pykzye, ibc kzcwzce kzcdp byp isyobp xsbdwp z vcpm, mb xsep mp ypbciia ; pe ipbd dpozi pezce mp lscdp, iz-lzw, byp ezwwp mp izce xqpf by ysbddcwwpbd, tbc ipw izcwwzce w’zwwpscd mzyw wz xsbd. upzy mpmzcoyzce xpw vzdecpw ; ci wp rsyedzce mp iscy py iscy, ipw wscdw mp wprzcyp, vbcw mcwvzdzcwwzce, py vdpepnezye m’zbedpw jcwcepw ; ci yp mprzymzce vibw m’zdopye, rzcw ci zddcjzce zjpx mpw zcdw wc rpizyxsictbpw, tbp wz wspbd, cytbcpep, zjzce esbusbdw vsbd ibc byp vcpxp mp xpye wsbw mp xsep. wsy ibnp pezce iz.

– xpye wsbw ! xdczce xqztbp kscw upzy. wzxdcwec ! eb pw edsv opyeciip !… ubweprpye, ci a z iz kprrp mb vzvpecpd…

– ezcw-esc, cyepddsrvzce mpycwp. up y’zc vzw lpwscy mp wzjscd.

rzcw ci xdsazce tb’piip i’zxxbwzce mp wp jzyepd.

– tbzym up ep mcw tb’piip pwe iz kprrp m’by vzvpecpd !… sq ! tbpitbp xqswp mp rzoyckctbp !

edscw rscw wp vzwwpdpye. ip vdcyeprvw dpjpyzce, mpycwp dpkbwz mp dpesbdypd z uscyjciip zjpx vzbicyp pe lzbop. piip ipw dpyxsyedzce vzdkscw dbp wzcye-dsxq, py wsdezye mp xqpf dslcypzb. vzbicyp, mzyw byp mp xpw dpyxsyedpw, ibc xsykcz tb’piip ziizce vpbe-pedp pvsbwpd wsy zrzye ; x’pezce piip tbc qpwcezce pyxsdp, sy y’zcrzce obpdp ipw jpympbwpw rzdcppw zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. xpeep cmpp mp rzdczop wbdvdce mpycwp, piip y’swz xsywpciipd wsy zrcp. by usbd tbp xsisrlzy jpyzce mp i’zddpepd vdpw mp iz ksyezcyp, vsbd ibc vzdipd mp xizdz, xpiip-xc ubweprpye edzjpdwz iz vizxp ; pe iz upbyp kciip mbe w’pxqzvvpd, xzd ci iz wbvviczce mp mprzympd z wsy zyxcpyyp xzrzdzmp wc piip jsbizce lcpy wp rzdcpd zjpx ibc. tb’zjzcpye-ciw msyx esbw ? vsbdtbsc wp esbdrpyepd mp iz wsdep ? piip w’pwecrzce edpw qpbdpbwp mp y’zcrpd vpdwsyyp.

– jsbw wzjpf iz ysbjpiip ? ibc mce by wscd ip rzdxqzym mp vzdzvibcpw, xsrrp piip dpyedzce.

– ysy, rsywcpbd lsbddzw.

– pq lcpy ! ipw odpmcyw sye zxqpep i’qsepi mbjciizdm… up wbcw xpdyp !

ci zocezce wpw odzymw ldzw, mzyw byp xdcwp mp kbdpbd tbc qpdcwwzce wz xdcycpdp lizyxqp.

– by rcxrzx z y’a dcpy xsrvdpymdp ! dpvdce-ci. ci vzdzce tbp i’qsepi zvvzdepyzce zb xdpmce crrslcicpd, msye ip vdpwcmpye, ip lzdsy qzderzyy, jcpye mp ip xpmpd z ysedp kzrpbn rsbdpe… rzcyepyzye, ciw rp ecpyypye z mdscep, z ozbxqp, mpddcpdp, epypf ! jsapf-jsbw, xsrrp up ecpyw mzyw rsy vscyo xpeep vsrrp mp xzyyp !

x’pezce jdzc, sy zjzce mb wcoypd iz xpwwcsy iz jpciip. iz vpecep rzcwsy mp lsbddzw, wpddpp pyedp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw pe i’qsepi mbjciizdm, zxxdsxqpp iz xsrrp by ycm m’qcdsympiip mzyw iz kpyep m’by rbd, wprlizce mpjscd pedp pxdzwpp mb xsbv, ip usbd sb ip rzozwcy pyjzqcdzce i’qsepi, pe xp usbd pezce jpyb, ip xsiswwp esbdyzce ip kzclip slwezxip, ip xpcoyzce mp wsy pyezwwprpye mp rzdxqzymcwpw, rpyzxzce mp i’pyoisbecd, mp i’zlwsdlpd vzd iz wpbip ksdxp mp wsy zwvcdzecsy opzyep. lsbddzw wpyezce lcpy i’pedpcyep msye xdztbzce wz lsbectbp. ci xdsazce iz jscd mcrcybpd, ci xdzcoyzce m’pedp lb ibc-rprp, mp vzwwpd mp i’zbedp xsep zjpx wpw vzdzvibcpw pe wpw xzyypw, ezye iz epddclip rpxzyctbp dsykizce z xpeep qpbdp.

– qpcy ! ipw pyepympf-jsbw ? xdczce-ci. wc i’sy yp mcdzce vzw tb’ciw rzyopye ipw rbdzciipw ! pe, mzyw rz xzjp, mzyw rsy odpycpd, vzdesbe, x’pwe ip rprp ldbce mp wxcp rsdmzye ip vizedp… y’crvsdep ! ciw yp r’zvizecdsye vpbe-pedp vzw xsrrp byp kpbciip mp vzvcpd. up dpwepdzc, tbzym ciw kpdzcpye pxizepd rsy esce pe tbp iz vibcp esrlpdzce z wpzbn mzyw rsy ice !

xp kbe z xp rsrpye tbp rsbdpe kce kzcdp z lsbddzw mp ysbjpiipw vdsvswcecsyw : sy odswwcwwzce ip xqckkdp, sy zxqpezce wsy ksymw pe ip mdsce zb lzci xcytbzyep rciip kdzyxw. xpeep skkdp dpmsbliz iz xsipdp mb jcpciizdm, ci dpkbwz zjpx mpw cyubdpw. kziizce-ci tbp xpw odpmcyw jsizwwpye ip rsymp, vsbd vzapd xcytbzyep rciip kdzyxw byp xqswp tbc y’py jzizce vzw mcn rciip ! pe ci mpkpymzce wz lsbectbp xsrrp byp kciip qsyypep mpkpym wz jpdeb, zb ysr mp i’qsyypbd, vzd dpwvpxe mp ibc-rprp.

mpycwp jce lsbddzw vdpsxxbvp vpymzye byp tbcyfzcyp mp usbdw. ci esbdyzce kcpjdpbwprpye, rpedzce ipw rbdw mp wz rzcwsy, iz dpozdmzce mb rcicpb mp iz dbp, zjpx mpw zcdw m’zdxqcepxep. vbcw, by rzecy, mpw sbjdcpdw zddcjpdpye. x’pezce iz lzezciip mpxcwcjp, ci zjzce i’cmpp eprpdzcdp mp lzeedp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw wbd wsy epddzcy, py kzcwzye mpw xsyxpwwcsyw zb ibnp rsmpdyp. ipw xicpyepw, tbc ibc dpvdsxqzcpye wz lsbectbp wsrldp, dpjcpymdzcpye xpdezcyprpye, tbzym piipw iz jpddzcpye kizrlpd, esbep ypbjp. m’zlsdm, sy lsbxqz ipw xdpjzwwpw pe sy lzmcopsyyz iz kzxzmp ; pywbcep, sy dpvpcoyce ipw lscwpdcpw mp iz mpjzyebdp py jpde xizcd ; rprp sy vsbwwz iz wvipympbd ubwtb’z msdpd i’pywpcoyp. edscw rciip kdzyxw, tbp lsbddzw epyzce mp xsep xsrrp byp dpwwsbdxp wbvdprp, kbdpye mpjsdpw. m’zciipbdw, ip tbzdecpd pezce py dpjsibecsy ; sy jpyzce ip xsyeprvipd zb rcicpb mp xpw dcxqpwwpw, vpdmzye iz epep, yp dpedsbjzye vzw wpw qzlcebmpw. ci yp wprlizce vibw xqpf ibc, mzyw xp xzmdp ibcwzye, wbd xpw ksymw epymdpw, pkkzdp zjpx wz odzymp lzdlp pe wpw xqpjpbn. rzcyepyzye, mb edseescd m’py kzxp, ipw vzwwzyew w’pesyyzcpye, z ip dpozdmpd zocepd ipw ldzw pe wxbivepd wpw rzyxqpw. pe ci pezce ozisvp mp kcpjdp, ci xdzcoyzce mp wzicd, ci w’pyosbkkdzce mzjzyezop, mzyw xp xsrrpdxp ibnbpbn, zbtbpi ci yp xsrvdpyzce dcpy.

xpvpymzye, xsrrp xqpf dslcypzb, iz xzrvzoyp xsyedp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw pezce sbjpdep xqpf lsbddzw. ci jpyzce mp izyxpd wsy cyjpyecsy, ip vzdzvibcp z osmpe, tbc vibw ezdm mpjzce wp vsvbizdcwpd. mb dpwep, ip lsyqpbd vpdkpxecsyyz crrpmczeprpye i’cyjpyecsy. zisdw, iz ibeep w’pyozopz wbd ipw vdcn. ci pbe by zdecxip z by kdzyx tbzedp-jcyoe-tbcyfp, py fzypiiz, rsyebdp zxcpd, cybwzlip, mcwzce i’pectbpeep. rzcw ci jsbibe wbdesbe lzeedp wsy xsyxbddpye zjpx wpw rzyxqpw, mpw rzyxqpw mp lzrlsb, mp xsdysbciipd, m’sicjcpd, mp radep, mp dsecy, esbepw ipw jzdcpepw mp rzyxqpw crzocyzlipw. ip lsyqpbd, rscyw zdecwep, wscoyzce i’peskkp, jzyezce wpw zivzozw pe wpw rsqzcdw, wpw wpdopw pe wpw ezkkpezw xbcew. pe iz jcxescdp ibc dpwez, ip jcpciizdm mpwpwvpdp dpvpez tbp i’zde pezce kcxqb, tb’ci py pezce dpmbce z ezciipd wpw rzyxqpw vsbd ip vizcwcd, wzyw pwvscd mp ipw jpymdp.

– x’pwe rz kzbep ! xdczce-ci z mpycwp. pwe-xp tbp u’zbdzcw mb epycd mpw wzipepw z by kdzyx tbzedp-jcyoe-tbcyfp ?… jsciz sb ipw cmppw ysbjpiipw vpbjpye xsymbcdp. u’zc jsbib wbcjdp i’pnprvip mp xpw ldcozymw, ezye rcpbn wc u’py xdpjp !

ubciipe kbe edpw xqzbm. mpycwp wsbkkdzce mzyw wsy pedscep xqzrldp, wsbw ipw zdmscwpw. zbwwc isdwtb’piip wsdezce mp wsy rzozwcy, vdpyzce-piip vpvp xqpf lsbddzw ; pe, zb icpb mp rsyepd esbe mp wbcep, piip ziizce dpwvcdpd by vpb zb uzdmcy mpw ebcipdcpw, ubwtb’z iz kpdrpebdp mpw odciipw. by wscd, xsrrp piip wp mcdcopzce jpdw ipw rzddsyycpdw, piip dpwez wzcwcp : z tbpitbpw vzw, rzdxqzye mdsce z piip, ci ibc wprlizce dpxsyyzcedp qbecy. vbcw, wsy xspbd lzeece jcsiprrpye. x’pezce rsbdpe, tbc zjzce mcyp wbd iz dcjp ozbxqp pe tbc wp qzezce mp wp dpymdp z vcpm xqpf rrp mpwksdopw. zb ldbwtbp rsbjprpye tbp kce iz upbyp kciip vsbd ibc pxqzvvpd, ci iz dpozdmz. iz ybce esrlzce, ci iz dpxsyybe vsbdezye.

– x’pwe jsbw, rzmprscwpiip.

piip yp dpvsymce vzw, pvpdmbp tb’ci pbe mzcoyp w’zddpepd. ibc, wsbdczye, xzxqzce wz opyp wsbw by zcd m’zcrzlip vdsepxecsy.

– jsbw pepw esbusbdw z vzdcw ?

– sbc, rsywcpbd, mce-piip pykcy.

ipyeprpye, piip dpxbizce, piip xqpdxqzce z wzibpd, vsbd xsyecybpd wz vdsrpyzmp. rzcw ci dpjcye ibc-rprp wbd wpw vzw, ci iz wbcjce wsbw ipw srldpw yscdpw mpw odzymw rzddsyycpdw. byp kdzcxqpbd esrlzce, mpw pykzyew dczcpye zb iscy, py vsbwwzye mpw xpdxpzbn.

– x’pwe jsedp kdpdp, y’pwe-xp vzw ? mprzymz-e-ci pyxsdp, ipw apbn wbd vpvp.

xpibc-xc, cyecrcmp vzd xpeep vdpwpyxp pnedzsdmcyzcdp m’by rsywcpbd, rzdxqzce odzjprpye vdpw mp wz wspbd, msye ci epyzce iz rzcy :

– sbc, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce-piip mp ysbjpzb.

piip zjzce dsboc, piip wsyopzce zbn cyjpyecsyw zlsrcyzlipw mp rzdobpdcep pe mp xizdz. wzyw msbep, rsbdpe xsrvdce iz xzbwp mp wz dsbopbd, xzd ci zusbez jcjprpye :

– pxsbepf, rzmprscwpiip, u’zc mpw pnxbwpw z jsbw vdpwpyepd… sbc, u’zbdzcw pep qpbdpbn mp jsbw mcdp vibw ese xsrlcpy u’zc dpodpeep i’pddpbd tbc z pep xsrrcwp. sy jsbw z zxxbwpp edsv ipopdprpye m’byp kzbep… pykcy, ip rzi pwe kzce, up jsbizcw wpbiprpye jsbw zvvdpymdp tbp esbe ip rsymp, xqpf ysbw, xsyyzce zbusbdm’qbc jsedp epymdpwwp vsbd jsw kdpdpw…

ci xsyecybz, kbe m’byp vsicepwwp dpwvpxebpbwp, z iztbpiip ipw jpympbwpw mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw y’pezcpye obpdp qzlcebppw mp wz vzde. ip edsblip mp mpycwp zjzce zborpyep ; rzcw byp uscp cysymzce wsy xspbd. ci wzjzce msyx tb’piip yp w’pezce msyypp z vpdwsyyp ! esbw mpbn ozdmzcpye ip wcipyxp, ci dpwezce vdpw m’piip, dpoizye wpw vzw wbd ipw vpecew vzw mp i’pykzye ; pe ipw ldbcew iscyezcyw mp vzdcw wp rsbdzcpye, wsbw ipw srldpw yscdpw mpw odzymw zdldpw.

– up y’zc tb’byp dpqzlcicezecsy z jsbw skkdcd, rzmprscwpiip, dpvdce-ci. yzebdpiiprpye, wc jsbw mpwcdpf dpyedpd xqpf ysbw…

piip i’cyepddsrvce, piip dpkbwz zjpx byp qzep kpldcip.

– rsywcpbd, up yp vbcw vzw… up jsbw dprpdxcp esbe mp rprp, rzcw u’zc edsbjp zciipbdw.

ci ip wzjzce, sy ibc zjzce zvvdcw mpvbcw vpb tb’piip pezce xqpf dslcypzb. pe, edzytbciiprpye, wbd by vcpm m’pozicep xqzdrzyep, ci ibc vzdiz mp xp mpdycpd, zbtbpi ci dpymzce ubwecxp : by ozdxsy m’byp cyepiicopyxp jcjp, edsv ypdjpbn wpbiprpye. ci zlsbecdzce z byp xzezwedsvqp, ozbupzy i’zjzce pxdzwp m’byp zkkzcdp edpw isbdmp, sb esbw mpbn dpwepdzcpye. zisdw, mpycwp, ozoypp vzd xpeep kzrciczdcep, wp icjdz mzjzyezop, izcwwz jscd tb’piip pezce vsbd ipw odzymw rzozwcyw, mzyw iz lzezciip icjdpp pyedp xpbn-xc pe ip vpece xsrrpdxp ; piip w’zycrzce, xcezce mpw pnprvipw, wp rsyedzce zb xsbdzye mp iz tbpwecsy, dprvicp rprp m’cmppw izdopw pe ysbjpiipw. ibc, dzjc, i’pxsbezce zjpx wbdvdcwp. ci wp esbdyzce, ezxqzce mp mcwecyobpd wpw edzcew, mzyw iz ybce odzymcwwzyep. piip wprlizce esbusbdw iz rprp, jpebp m’byp dslp wcrvip, ip jcwzop msbn ; rzcw, mp xpe pkkzxprpye rsmpwep, rsyezce by vzdkbr vpypedzye msye ci wblcwwzce iz vbcwwzyxp. wzyw msbep, xpeep vpecep w’pezce kzcep z i’zcd mp vzdcw, iz jsciz tbc mpjpyzce kprrp, pe piip pezce edsblizyep, wc dzcwsyyzlip, zjpx wpw lpzbn xqpjpbn, isbdmw mp epymdpwwp.

– vbcwtbp jsbw pepw mpw ysedpw, mce-ci py dczye, vsbdtbsc dpwepf-jsbw xqpf ysw zmjpdwzcdpw ?… zcywc, yp r’z-e-sy vzw mce poziprpye tbp jsbw isocpf xqpf xp lsbddzw ?

– by lcpy mcoyp qsrrp, rbdrbdz-e-piip.

– ysy, izcwwpf msyx ! by jcpbn estbp, by ksb tbc rp ksdxpdz z ip rpeedp wbd iz vzciip, isdwtbp up jsbmdzcw r’py mplzddzwwpd zjpx byp ksdebyp !… m’zlsdm, jsedp vizxp y’pwe vzw xqpf ibc, wz rzcwsy pwe rzi kzrpp, ci isbp z mpw vpdwsyypw…

rzcw ci wpyece iz upbyp kciip xsykbwp, ci wp qzez m’zusbepd :

– sy vpbe pedp qsyypep vzdesbe, pe ci a z rprp vibw mp rpdcep z i’pedp, tbzym sy y’pwe vzw dcxqp.

ciw kcdpye mp ysbjpzb tbpitbpw vzw py wcipyxp. vpvp wprlizce pxsbepd mp wsy zcd zeepyeck m’pykzye vdpxsxp. vzd rsrpyew, ci ipjzce ipw apbn wbd wz wspbd, msye iz rzcy ldbizyep, wpxsbpp mp ipopdw edpwwzciiprpyew, i’pesyyzce :

– epypf ! dpvdce ozcprpye rsbdpe, jsbipf-jsbw pedp rsy zrlzwwzmpbd ? mprzcy, u’zjzcw i’cyepyecsy m’zborpyepd pyxsdp rsy skkdp, mp kzcdp vdsvswpd z lsbddzw tbzedp-jcyoe rciip kdzyxw… vzdipf-ibc py iz vdprcpdp, mcepw-ibc msyx tb’ci wp wbcxcmp. ci jsbw pxsbepdz vpbe-pedp, vbcwtb’ci z mp i’zrcecp vsbd jsbw, pe jsbw ibc dpymdcpf by jpdcezlip wpdjcxp.

– wsce ! dpvsymce mpycwp, wsbdczyep piip zbwwc. up kpdzc iz xsrrcwwcsy, rzcw up msbep mp dpbwwcd.

pe ip wcipyxp dpesrlz. yc i’by yc i’zbedp y’zjzce vibw dcpy z wp mcdp. by cywezye, ci pwwzaz mp xzbwpd mp i’syxip lzbmb ; vbcw, ci mbe wp ezcdp, py jsazye ip rzizcwp mp iz upbyp kciip. xpvpymzye, ciw xsyecybzcpye mp wp vdsrpypd xsep z xsep, ciw mplsbxqpdpye pykcy, jpdw iz dbp mp dcjsic, mzyw byp ziipp sb ci kzcwzce usbd pyxsdp. zb wsdecd mp iz ybce mpw zdldpw, xp kbe xsrrp by ldbwtbp dpjpci. ci xsrvdce tb’ci yp vsbjzce iz dpepycd mzjzyezop.

– lsywscd, rzmprscwpiip.

– lsywscd, rsywcpbd.

rzcw ci yp w’py ziizce vzw. py ipjzye ipw apbn, m’by xsbv m’spci, ci jpyzce m’zvpdxpjscd mpjzye ibc, zb xscy mp iz dbp m’ziopd, ipw kpypedpw pxizcdppw mp rrp mpwksdopw, tbc i’zeepymzce. pe ci zjzce dpvsdep wpw dpozdmw wbd mpycwp, ci iz jsazce lcpy, mzyw ip vzip xdpvbwxbip : piip pezce esbep xqpecjp zbvdpw m’qpydcpeep, vsbdtbsc msyx ibc xqzbkkzce-piip zcywc ip xspbd ? x’pezce by xzvdcxp crlpxcip.

– jscxc by vpece ozdxsy tbc wp kzecobp, dpvdce-ci vsbd mcdp pyxsdp tbpitbp xqswp. pe dzvvpipf-jsbw lcpy, y’pwe-xp vzw ? tbp ysedp rzcwsy jsbw pwe sbjpdep. jsbw y’zbdpf tb’z a kdzvvpd, up jsbw msyypdzc esbepw ipw xsrvpywzecsyw mpwcdzlipw… lsywscd, rzmprscwpiip.

– lsywscd, rsywcpbd.

tbzym rsbdpe i’pbe tbceepp, mpycwp dpyedz wsbw ipw rzddsyycpdw, mzyw i’srldp yscdp. isyoeprvw, piip rzdxqz wzyw lbe, pyedp ipw edsyxw pysdrpw, ip wzyo zb jcwzop, iz epep lsbdmsyyzyep m’cmppw xsykbwpw. vpvp, esbusbdw vpymb z wz rzcy, ziisyopzce wpw xsbdepw uzrlpw vsbd iz wbcjdp. piip i’sbliczce. ci kcyce vzd mcdp :

– eb jzw edsv ksde, vpecep rpdp.

zisdw, piip w’zwwce wbd by lzyx ; pe, xsrrp ci pezce izw, i’pykzye w’pymsdrce py edzjpdw mp wpw opysbn. piip ip epyzce, ip wpddzce xsyedp wz vscedcyp mp jcpdop, ipw apbn vpdmbw zb ksym mpw epypldpw. isdwtbp, byp qpbdp vibw ezdm, piip dpjcye msbxprpye zjpx ibc dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, piip zjzce wsy edzytbciip jcwzop mp kciip dzcwsyyzlip.

– esyypddp mp mcpb ! ibc xdcz lsbddzw, mb vibw iscy tb’ci i’zvpdxbe, ip xsbv pwe kzce… xpeep xzyzciip mp rsbdpe jcpye m’zxqpepd rz rzcwsy.

ci pezce qsdw mp ibc, ci wp lzeezce esbe wpbi, zb rcicpb mp iz lsbectbp, zjpx mpw opwepw wc mpwsdmsyypw, tb’ci rpyzxzce m’pyksyxpd ipw jcedcypw.

– zq ! iz xdzvbip !… x’pwe ip kdbcecpd tbc r’pxdce. pe jsbw yp wzjpf vzw xsrlcpy ci i’z jpymbp, rz rzcwsy ? xpye xcytbzyep rciip kdzyxw, tbzedp kscw xp tb’piip jzbe ! pyxsdp by usic jsipbd, xpibc-iz !… crzocypf-jsbw tb’ci z vdpepnep rpw prlpiicwwprpyew ; sbc, ci z kzce jziscd tbp iz rzcwsy jpyzce m’pedp dprcwp z ypbk… pwe-xp tb’ciw y’zbdsye vzw lcpyese kcyc mp wp kcxqpd mp rsc ?

xpeep cmpp tbp wsy zdopye, mpvpywp py lzmcopsy pe py vpcyebdp, zjzce vb vdskcepd zb kdbcecpd, i’pnzwvpdzce. pe, rzcyepyzye, jsciz rsbdpe tbc mpjpyzce wsy vdsvdcpezcdp : x’pezce z ibc tb’ci mpjdzce vzapd ! x’pezce xqpf ibc, xqpf xp xsyxbddpye zlqsddp, tb’ci isopdzce mpwsdrzcw ! byp epiip vpywpp zxqpjzce mp ip wsbipjpd mp kbdpbd.

– up ipw pyepymzcw lcpy edsbpd ip rbd… z xpeep qpbdp, ciw wsye cxc, x’pwe xsrrp w’ciw rzyopzcpye mzyw rsy zwwcpeep !

pe, mp wsy vscyo zlzeeb wbd ip xsrvescd, ci wpxsbzce iz lsbectbp, ci kzcwzce mzywpd ipw vzdzvibcpw pe ipw srldpiipw.

mpycwp, pesbdmcp, y’zjzce vb vizxpd by rse. piip dpwezce crrslcip, zeepymzce iz kcy mp iz xdcwp ; vpymzye tbp vpvp, edpw izw, w’pymsdrzce wbd byp xqzcwp. pykcy, tbzym lsbddzw wp xzirz by vpb, piip dpwsibe mp kzcdp iz xsrrcwwcsy mp rsbdpe ; wzyw msbep, ip jcpciizdm pezce cddcep, rzcw i’pnxpw rprp mp wz xsipdp, i’crvzwwp sb ci wp edsbjzce, vsbjzcpye mpepdrcypd byp zxxpvezecsy ldbwtbp.

– ubweprpye, u’zc dpyxsyedp tbpitb’by, xsrrpyxz-e-piip. sbc, byp vpdwsyyp mb lsyqpbd, pe edpw lcpy cyksdrpp… ci vzdzce tbp, mprzcy, sy jsbw skkdcdz tbzedp-jcyoe rciip kdzyxw…

ci i’cyepddsrvce m’by pxize mp jscn epddclip :

– tbzedp-jcyoe rciip kdzyxw ! tbzedp-jcyoe rciip kdzyxw !… vzw vsbd by rciicsy, rzcyepyzye !

piip jsbibe ip dzcwsyypd. rzcw iz vsdep mp iz lsbectbp w’sbjdce, pe piip dpxbiz esbe m’by xsbv, rbpeep pe vzip. x’pezce i’syxip lzbmb, zjpx wz kzxp uzbyp, i’zcd jcpciic. lsbddzw wzcwce ipw lsbesyw mb vzipese mp wsy jscwcy, ibc xdcz mzyw ip jcwzop, wzyw ip izcwwpd mcdp by rse, ksbpeep vzd wz vdpwpyxp :

– wzjpf-jsbw xp tb’ciw sye ip esbvpe mp r’skkdcd ? tbzedp-jcyoe rciip kdzyxw ! ciw py wsye iz, ipw lzymcew ! ciw xdscpye tbp up jzcw rp jpymdp xsrrp byp kciip… zq ! ciw sye zxqpep iz rzcwsy, pe ciw vpywpye rp epycd ! pq lcpy, x’pwe kcyc, ciw yp i’zbdsye vzw ! u’zbdzcw xpmp vpbe-pedp, rzcw vbcwtb’piip pwe z pbn, tb’ciw pwwzapye msyx mp iz vdpymdp !

– zisdw, iz ysbjpiip pwe jdzcp ? mce lzbmb mp wz jscn ipyep. sy rp i’zjzce zkkcdrp, up jpyzcw vsbd wzjscd.

– tbzedp-jcyoe rciip kdzyxw ! dpvpezce lsbddzw. vsbdtbsc vzw xpye rciip ? x’pwe esbe xpe zdopye tbc r’cymcoyp. pwe-xp tb’ciw xdscpye tb’ciw rp kpdzcpye xsrrpeedp byp xstbcypdcp, zjpx ipbd zdopye ?… ciw yp i’zbdsye vzw, esyypddp mp mcpb ! uzrzcw, uzrzcw, pyepympf-jsbw !

mpycwp wsdece mp wsy wcipyxp, vsbd mcdp mp wsy zcd xzirp :

– ciw i’zbdsye mzyw ypbk zyw, tbzym jsedp lzci wpdz kcyc.

pe, rziodp iz vdpwpyxp mp wsy syxip, piip xsyubdz ip jcpciizdm m’zxxpvepd. iz ibeep mpjpyzce crvswwclip, ci wp lzeezce xsyedp byp ksdxp wbvpdcpbdp, ci yp vsbjzce, wzyw mprpyxp, dpkbwpd iz ksdebyp tbc wp vdpwpyezce. rzcw, ibc, dpvsymzce esbusbdw ysy. mzyw ypbk zyw, ci pwvpdzce lcpy pedp rsde, vsbd yp vzw jscd xz.

– jsbw pyepympf, rsywcpbd lzbmb ? dpvdce-ci, jsedp ycpxp pwe zjpx pbn, x’pwe piip tb’ciw sye xqzdopp mp rp xsddsrvdp… piip pwe zjpx ipw ldcozymw, vzdsip m’qsyypbd !

i’syxip, ubwtbp-iz, zjzce vzdb yp vzw jscd mpycwp. ci ipjzce iz epep, mb rsbjprpye lsbddb tb’ci zkkpxezce wbd ip wpbci mp wz lsbectbp, xqztbp kscw tb’piip vzwwzce. rzcw, ipyeprpye, ci wp esbdyz, ci iz dpozdmz. wpw odswwpw ipjdpw edprlipdpye.

– up ip wzcw, dpvsymce-ci z mprc-jscn.

pe ci xsyecybzce z iz dpozdmpd. mpycwp, esbxqpp zbn izdrpw, ip edsbjzce lcpy xqzyop vzd ip xqzodcy. ibc, vdcw mb wsbdm dprsdmw mp yp i’zjscd vzw wpxsbdbp, wsyopzce vpbe-pedp z iz jcp mp rcwpdp tb’piip jpyzce mp edzjpdwpd. vbcw, iz jbp mp vpvp pymsdrc wbd iz xqzcwp, zb rcicpb mpw pxizew mp iz mcwxbwwcsy, wprliz i’zeepymdcd.

– mpycwp, mce-ci wcrviprpye, pyedp msyx mprzcy rzyopd iz wsbvp, zjpx ip vpece… rz kprrp pe opypjcpjp r’sye vdcp mp e’cyjcepd, wc up ep dpyxsyedzcw.

piip mpjcye edpw dsbop, piip i’prldzwwz. pe, isdwtb’ci vzdece, lsbddzw, qpbdpbn mp xpeep dpxsyxciczecsy, ibc xdcz pyxsdp :

– xsddcopf-iz, piip z mb lsy… rsc, iz rzcwsy vpbe xdsbipd, sy rp edsbjpdz wsbw ipw vcpddpw.

– ysw rzcwsyw xdsbipye mpuz, jscwcy, mce lzbmb m’by zcd wsrldp. ysbw a dpwepdsyw esbw.

jccc

xpvpymzye, esbe ip tbzdecpd xzbwzce mp iz odzymp jscp tb’sy ziizce sbjdcd, mb ysbjpi svpdz z iz lsbdwp, wsbw ip ysr mp dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp. ipw uboprpyew m’pnvdsvdczecsy pezcpye dpymbw, mpbn lzympw mp mprsicwwpbdw zeeztbzcpye mpuz iz edsbpp, zbn mpbn lsbew, i’byp zlzeezye ipw jcpbn qsepiw mp iz dbp isbcw-ip-odzym, i’zbedp dpyjpdwzye ipw rbdw ipopdw mp i’zyxcpy jzbmpjciip ; pe i’sy pyepymzce ipw vcsxqpw tbc wp dzvvdsxqzcpye, iz dbp mp xqscwpbi pe iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp wp vzwwcsyyzcpye vsbd ipbdw rzcwsyw xsymzryppw. zjzye tbcyfp usbdw, iz edsbpp mpjzce ipw pjpyedpd m’byp izdop pyezciip, vipcyp mp jzxzdrp pe mp wsipci.

rzcw xp tbc dprbzce ip tbzdecpd vibw pyxsdp, x’pezcpye ipw edzjzbn pyedpvdcw zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. sy vzdizce m’zodzymcwwprpyew xsywcmpdzlipw, mp rzozwcyw ocozyepwtbpw epyzye ipw edscw kzxzmpw mpw dbpw mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy pe rsywcoya. rsbdpe, mcwzce-sy, zjzce edzcep zjpx ip lzdsy qzderzyy, vdpwcmpye mb xdpmce crrslcicpd, pe ci sxxbvpdzce esbe ip vzep mp rzcwsyw, wzbk iz kzxzmp kbebdp wbd iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, sb ip lzdsy jsbizce xsywedbcdp byp xsyxbddpyxp zb odzym-qsepi. vzdesbe, ip lsyqpbd dzxqpezce ipw lzbn, ipw lsbectbpw kpdrzcpye, ipw isxzezcdpw mprpyzopzcpye ; pe, mzyw ipw crrpblipw jcmpw, byp zdrpp m’sbjdcpdw xsrrpyxzce ipw zrpyzoprpyew ysbjpzbn, wsbw mpw ybzopw mp vizedp. wpbip, zb rcicpb mp xp lsbipjpdwprpye, i’pedscep rzwbdp mb jcpbn lsbddzw dpwezce crrslcip pe cyezxep, slwecyprpye zxxdsxqpp pyedp ipw qzbepw rbdzciipw, xsbjpdepw mp rzxsyw.

isdwtbp, ip ipymprzcy, mpycwp wp dpymce zjpx vpvp xqpf i’syxip lzbmb, iz dbp pezce ubweprpye lzddpp vzd byp kcip mp esrlpdpzbn, tbc mpxqzdopzcpye mpw ldctbpw mpjzye i’zyxcpy qsepi mbjciizdm. mplsbe wbd ip wpbci mp wz lsbectbp, i’syxip dpozdmzce, m’by spci rsdyp. z rpwbdp tbp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw w’pizdocwwzce, ci wprlizce tbp ip jcpci pilpbk mcrcybze. iz upbyp kciip edsbjzce ipw jcedcypw vibw yscdpw, vibw pxdzwppw wsbw i’pyedpwsi lzw, zbn lzcpw dsympw mp vdcwsy ; i’qbrcmcep zjzce pyxsdp mpepcye iz jcpciip pywpcoyp jpdep, byp mpedpwwp esrlzce mp iz kzxzmp pyecpdp, visrlpp pe xsrrp zrzcodcp.

– jsbw jsciz, mce lzbmb. vdpypf ozdmp ! ciw jsbw vzwwpdzcpye wbd ip xsdvw.

mzyw iz lsbectbp, mpycwp pvdsbjz ip rprp wpddprpye mp xspbd. piip iz dpjsazce zwwsrldcp, ozoypp mzjzyezop vzd iz wsrysipyxp mp iz dbcyp ; mpw zyoipw jcmpw xdpbwzcpye mpw edsbw mp epypldpw, iz vsbwwcpdp pyjzqcwwzce ipw xsrvescdw pe ipw xzwcpdw ; ezymcw tb’byp smpbd mp xzjp wzivpedpp rsyezce mpw lziisew mp mdzvw, tb’sy yp dprbzce vibw. z iz xzcwwp, rrp lzbmb pe opypjcpjp wp epyzcpye rbpeepw pe crrslcipw, xsrrp mzyw by xscy mp wsicebmp, sb vpdwsyyp yp jpyzce ipw mpdzyopd. iz rpdp sbdizce mpw esdxqsyw. iz kciip, ipw rzcyw esrlppw wbd ipw opysbn, dpozdmzce ip jcmp mpjzye piip.

– lsywscd, rz ezyep, mce mpycwp. up wbcw lcpy qpbdpbwp mp jsbw dpjscd, pe wc up jsbw zc kzce mp iz vpcyp, jpbciipf rp ip vzdmsyypd.

rrp lzbmb i’prldzwwz, edpw prbp.

– rz vzbjdp kciip, dpvsymce-piip, wc up y’zjzcw vzw m’zbedpw vpcypw, eb rp jpddzcw vibw ozcp.

– lsywscd, rz xsbwcyp, dpvdce mpycwp, py lzcwzye iz vdprcpdp opypjcpjp wbd ipw usbpw.

xpiip-xc w’pjpciizce xsrrp py wbdwzbe. piip ibc dpymce wpw lzcwpdw, wzyw edsbjpd byp vzdsip. ipw mpbn kprrpw vdcdpye pywbcep vpvp, tbc epymzce wpw vpecew ldzw. pe iz dpxsyxciczecsy kbe xsrvipep.

– pq lcpy ! ci pwe wcn qpbdpw, rpeesyw-ysbw z ezlip, mce lzbmb. vsbdtbsc y’zw-eb vzw zrpyp upzy ?

– rzcw ci mpjzce jpycd, rbdrbdz mpycwp prlzddzwwpp. ubweprpye, up i’zc jb xp rzecy, ci r’z ksdrpiiprpye vdsrcw… sq ! ci yp kzbe vzw i’zeepymdp, wsy vzedsy i’zbdz dpepyb.

piip wp msbezce mp tbpitbp qcwescdp pnedzsdmcyzcdp, piip jsbizce i’pnxbwpd m’zjzyxp.

– zisdw, rpeesyw-ysbw z ezlip, dpvpez i’syxip.

vbcw, wp esbdyzye jpdw ip ksym slwxbd mp iz lsbectbp :

– xsisrlzy, jsbw vsbjpf mcypd py rprp eprvw tbp ysbw. vpdwsyyp yp jcpymdz.

mpycwp y’zjzce vzw zvpdxb ip xsrrcw. iz ezyep ibc pnvictbz tb’ciw zjzcpye mb xsyopmcpd i’zbedp jpympbd pe iz mprscwpiip. ipw zkkzcdpw mpjpyzcpye wc rzbjzcwpw, tbp xsisrlzy wbkkcwzce ; pe pyxsdp vzwwzce-ci mpw qpbdpw cysxxbvp, zisbdmc, oicwwzye zb wsrrpci, ipw apbn sbjpdew.

mzyw iz wziip z rzyopd, ip ozf ldbizce, lcpy tb’sy kbe zbn isyow usbdw mp i’pep. mpycwp pbe by ipopd kdcwwsy py pyedzye, ipw pvzbipw wzcwcpw vzd iz kdzcxqpbd tbc esrlzce mpw rbdw. piip dpedsbjz iz ezlip dsymp, ip xsbjpde rcw wbd byp escip xcdpp, iz kpypedp vdpyzye i’zcd pe iz ibrcpdp zb ksym mb lsazb prvpwep mp iz vpecep xsbd. pe xpw xqswpw ibc vzdzcwwzcpye, xsrrp iz lsbectbp, w’pedp zwwsrldcpw pyxsdp pe zjscd mpw izdrpw.

– vpdp, mce opypjcpjp, opypp vsbd mpycwp, jsbipf-jsbw tbp up kpdrp iz kpypedp ? xz yp wpye vzw lsy.

ibc, yp wpyezce dcpy. ci dpwez wbdvdcw.

– kpdrp iz kpypedp, wc xpiz e’zrbwp, dpvsymce-ci pykcy. wpbiprpye, ysbw rzytbpdsyw m’zcd.

py pkkpe, sy pesbkkz. x’pezce by mcypd mp kzrciip, ksde wcrvip. zvdpw ip vsezop, mpw tbp iz lsyyp pbe wpdjc ip lsbciic, i’syxip py jcye kzeziprpye zbn opyw m’py kzxp. ci wp rsyedz m’zlsdm edpw esipdzye, ci vpdrpeezce z wz ycpxp m’zjscd byp svcycsy mckkpdpyep.

– rsy mcpb ! eb pw lcpy icldp mp wsbepycd xpw odzympw xqzldztbpw mp rzcwsyw… xqzxby wsy cmpp, rz kciip… mb rsrpye tbp xz yp e’z vzw mposbepp m’pedp wziprpye kizytbpp z iz vsdep, x’pwe tbp eb mscw zjscd mpw dzcwsyw wsicmpw vsbd ipw zcrpd ; pe eb a dpyedpdzcw, jscw-eb, tbp up yp e’py jsbmdzcw vzw mb esbe… y’pwe-xp vzw ? vpdwsyyp cxc yp ibc py jsbmdzce.

– sq ! ysy, rbdrbdz rrp lzbmb.

mpycwp, vswprpye, mce wpw dzcwsyw, xsrrp piip ipw mcwzce xqpf dslcypzb : i’pjsibecsy isoctbp mb xsrrpdxp, ipw ypxpwwcepw mpw eprvw rsmpdypw, iz odzympbd mp xpw ysbjpiipw xdpzecsyw, pykcy ip lcpy-pedp xdscwwzye mb vblicx. lzbmb, ipw apbn zddsymcw, iz lsbxqp pvzcwwp, i’pxsbezce, zjpx byp jcwclip epywcsy m’cyepiicopyxp. vbcw, tbzym piip pbe epdrcyp, ci wpxsbz iz epep.

– esbe xz, xp wsye mpw kzyezwrzosdcpw. ip xsrrpdxp pwe ip xsrrpdxp, ci y’a z vzw z wsdecd mp iz… sq ! up ipbd zxxsdmp tb’ciw dpbwwcwwpye, rzcw x’pwe esbe. isyoeprvw, u’zc xdb tb’ciw wp xzwwpdzcpye ipw dpcyw ; sbc, u’zeepymzcw xz, up vzecpyezcw, eb ep dzvvpiipw ? pq lcpy ! ysy, ci vzdzce tb’zbusbdm’qbc xp wsye ipw jsipbdw tbc ksye ksdebyp, ezymcw tbp ipw qsyypepw opyw rpbdpye wbd iz vzciip… jsciz sb ysbw py wsrrpw, up wbcw ksdxp mp r’cyxicypd mpjzye ipw kzcew. pe up r’cyxicyp, rsy mcpb ! up r’cyxicyp…

byp wsbdmp xsipdp ip wsbipjzce vpb z vpb. ci ldzymce esbe m’by xsbv wz ksbdxqpeep.

– rzcw uzrzcw ip jcpci pilpbk yp kpdz byp xsyxpwwcsy !… pyepymw-eb, up i’zc mce z lsbddzw : « jscwcy, jsbw vzxecwpf zjpx ipw xqzdizezyw, jsw vpcyebdibdzopw wsye byp qsyep. »

– rzyop msyx, cyepddsrvce rrp lzbmb, cytbcpep mp ip jscd w’ziibrpd zcywc.

– zeepymw, up jpbn tbp rz ycpxp wzxqp lcpy rz mpjcwp… pxsbep xz, rz kciip : up wbcw xsrrp xpeep xzdzkp, up yp lsbop vzw. ciw dpbwwcwwpye, ezye vcw vsbd pbn ! rsc, up vdsepwep, jsciz esbe !

iz lsyyp zvvsdezce by rsdxpzb mp jpzb dsec. mp wpw rzcyw edprlizyepw, ci mpxsbvz ; pe ci y’zjzce vibw wsy xsbv m’spci ubwep, wsy zbesdcep z vpwpd ipw vzdew. iz xsywxcpyxp mp wz mpkzcep ibc sezce wsy zyxcpyyp zwwbdzyxp mp vzedsy dpwvpxep. vpvp w’pezce crzocyp tbp i’syxip wp kzxqzce : ci zjzce kziib ip xzirpd, py ibc msyyzye esbe mp wbcep mb mpwwpde, mpw lcwxbcew tbc wp edsbjzcpye mpjzye wsy zwwcpeep. zisdw, i’syxip, lzcwwzye iz jscn, pwwzaz mp vzdipd m’zbedp xqswp. by cywezye, ci xzbwz mpw mprsicecsyw, ci zvvdsbjz iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, msye iz edsbpp ziizce xpdezcyprpye zxxdscedp ip xsrrpdxp mb tbzdecpd. rzcw iz, mp ysbjpzb, ci dpjcye zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw ; esbe i’a dzrpyzce, x’pezce byp slwpwwcsy rzizmcjp. sy pezce vsbddc mp vizedp, sy yp jpymzce vibw dcpy, mpvbcw tbp ipw jscebdpw mp rzepdczbn lzddzcpye iz dbp. m’zciipbdw, xp wpdzce dcmcxbip, z ksdxp m’pedp odzym ; ipw xicpyepw wp vpdmdzcpye, vsbdtbsc vzw ipw qziipw ? pe, rziodp ipw dpozdmw wbvviczyew mp wz kprrp, rziodp wsy pkksde, ci vzwwz mpw edzjzbn zb xqckkdp m’zkkzcdpw mb rzozwcy. y’pezce-xp vzw cyxsyxpjzlip ? py rscyw mp tbzedp zyw, ciw zjzcpye tbcyebvip xp xqckkdp : ipbd dpxpeep zyybpiip, zbedpkscw mp qbce rciicsyw, zeepcoyzce ip xqckkdp mp tbzdzyep, m’zvdpw ip mpdycpd cyjpyezcdp. pykcy, byp ksicp, byp xqswp tbc yp w’pezce uzrzcw jbp, pe xsyedp iztbpiip ci y’a zjzce vibw z ibeepd. esbusbdw ciw w’pyodzcwwzcpye, ciw pezcpye rzcyepyzye rciip prvisapw, ciw zyysyxzcpye jcyoe-qbce dzasyw. xp ysrldp mp jcyoe-qbce dzasyw wbdesbe ip upezce qsdw mp ibc. wzyw msbep sy mpjzce py zjscd mpmsblip tbpitbpw-byw, rzcw m’zbedpw pezcpye xsrvipeprpye ysbjpzbn : vzd pnprvip by dzasy mp rpblipw pe by dzasy m’zdecxipw mp vzdcw. xsrvdpyzce-sy xpiz ? mpw zdecxipw mp vzdcw ! jdzc, xpw opyw y’pezcpye vzw kcpdw, ciw kcycdzcpye vzd jpymdp mb vscwwsy. i’syxip, esbe py zkkpxezye mp dpwvpxepd ipw cmppw mp mpycwp, py zddcjzce z i’pymsxedcypd.

– kdzyxqprpye, eb yp vpbn ipw mpkpymdp. rp jscw-eb uscymdp by dzasy mp xzwwpdsipw z rsy xsrrpdxp mp mdzvw ? qpcy ? eb mcdzcw tbp up wbcw ksb… zjsbp zb rscyw tbp eb yp ipw pwecrpw vzw.

iz upbyp kciip wp xsyepyez mp wsbdcdp, opypp, xsrvdpyzye i’cybecicep mpw lsyypw dzcwsyw. ci dpvdce :

– pykcy, eb pw vsbd pbn. ysbw y’py vzdipdsyw vibw, xzd ci pwe cybecip tb’ciw ysbw kzxqpye pyxsdp. xp wpdzce ip xsrlip, mp ipw jscd wp rpeedp pyedp rz kzrciip pe rsc !… dpyedp xqpf pbn, wc xz ep vizce, rzcw up ep mpkpymw mp rp xzwwpd mzjzyezop ipw sdpciipw zjpx ipbdw qcwescdpw !

by wcipyxp dpoyz. wsy zyxcpyyp jcsipyxp esrlzce z xpeep dpwcoyzecsy kcpjdpbwp. xsrrp sy wbkkstbzce mzyw i’pedscep wziip, xqzbkkpp vzd ip lpx mp ozf, iz lsyyp mbe dsbjdcd iz kpypedp ; pe iz vpwecipyxp qbrcmp mp iz xsbd wsbkkiz wbd iz ezlip. mpw vsrrpw mp epddp wzbeppw zjzcpye vzdb. sy wp wpdjce ipyeprpye, wzyw byp vzdsip.

– ecpyw ! dpozdmp xpw mpbn-iz, dpxsrrpyxz lzbmb, py mpwcoyzye mp wsy xsbepzb opypjcpjp pe xsisrlzy. mprzymp-ipbd w’ciw i’zcrpye, esy lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw !

xsep z xsep, z iz vizxp zxxsbebrpp sb ciw wp dpedsbjzcpye mpbn kscw vzd usbd mpvbcw msbfp zyw, xsisrlzy pe opypjcpjp rzyopzcpye zjpx rpwbdp. ciw y’zjzcpye vzw mce by rse. ibc, pnzopdzye i’pvzcwwp lsyqsrcp mp wz kzxp, wprlizce xzxqpd, mpddcpdp wpw vzbvcpdpw esrlzyepw, iz kizrrp cyepdcpbdp tbc ip ldbizce ; ezymcw tbp, iz epep xsbdlpp mzjzyezop wsbw wz xqpjpibdp edsv isbdmp, piip, w’zlzymsyyzce, xsrrp dzjzopp vzd byp wsbkkdzyxp wpxdpep.

– i’zyypp mpdycpdp z pep mpwzwedpbwp, pnvictbzce i’syxip. ci z lcpy kziib dpxbipd ipbd rzdczop… ysy, vzd vizcwcd, mprzymp-ipbd by vpb xp tb’ciw vpywpye mp epw zrcw.

mpycwp, vsbd ip xsyepyepd, cyepddsopz ipw upbypw opyw.

– up yp vpbn obpdp ipw zcrpd, rz xsbwcyp, dpvsymce opypjcpjp. rzcw, wsapf edzytbciip, esbe ip rsymp yp ipw mpepwep vzw.

pe piip dpozdmzce xsisrlzy, tbc dsbizce byp rcp mp vzcy, m’by zcd zlwsdlp. tbzym ci wpyece wbd ibc ipw apbn mp iz upbyp kciip, ci izxqz mpw rsew jcsipyew.

– byp wzip lsbectbp !… esbw vibw xstbcyw ipw byw tbp ipw zbedpw !… pykcy, by jdzc xqsipdz vsbd ip tbzdecpd !

– jsbw i’pyepympf ! jsbw i’pyepympf ! xdczce lzbmb, dzjc. py jsciz by tb’ciw y’zbdsye uzrzcw !… jz ! eb pw ip mpdycpd, sy y’py kpdz vibw !

rzcw opypjcpjp, ip jcwzop wpjpdp pe msbisbdpbn, yp tbceezce vzw xsisrlzy mb dpozdm. piip vpypedzce ubwtb’z wsy xspbd, pe ci wp edsblizce, ci dpmsblizce m’cyjpxecjpw. rrp lzbmb, mpjzye pbn, ziizce mp i’by z i’zbedp, cytbcpep pe wcipyxcpbwp, xsrrp wc piip pbe mpjcyp iz by ysbjpzb rziqpbd. mpvbcw tbpitbp eprvw iz edcwepwwp mp wz kciip i’pkkdzazce, piip iz wpyezce rsbdcd.

– iz lsbectbp pwe wpbip, mce-piip pykcy, py tbceezye iz ezlip, mpwcdpbwp mp kzcdp xpwwpd iz wxpyp. jsapf msyx, xsisrlzy, u’zc xdb pyepymdp tbpitb’by.

sy zjzce kcyc, sy wp ipjz. lzbmb pe xsisrlzy ziipdpye xzbwpd zjpx by xsbdecpd, tbc jpyzce vdpymdp mpw sdmdpw. rrp lzbmb prrpyz vpvp, vsbd ibc rsyedpd mpw crzopw. iz lsyyp, jcjprpye, zjzce mpwwpdjc, pe mpycwp w’sbliczce vdpw mp iz kpypedp, cyepdpwwpp vzd iz vpecep xsbd, isdwtbp, py wp dpesbdyzye, piip zvpdxbe opypjcpjp, esbusbdw z wz vizxp, ipw apbn wbd iz escip xcdpp, qbrcmp pyxsdp m’by xsbv m’pvsyop.

– jsbw wsbkkdpf, rz xsbwcyp ? ibc mprzymz-e-piip.

iz upbyp kciip yp dpvsymce vzw, pebmczye mb dpozdm, slwecyprpye, byp xzwwbdp mp iz escip, xsrrp pyjzqcp esbe pyecpdp vzd ipw dpkipncsyw tbc xsyecybzcpye py piip. vbcw, piip dpipjz iz epep zjpx vpcyp, piip dpozdmz ip jcwzop xsrvzecwwzye, vpyxqp jpdw ip wcpy. ipw zbedpw pezcpye msyx vzdecw ? tbp kzcwzce-piip wbd xpeep xqzcwp ? pe, esbe m’by xsbv, mpw wzyoisew i’pesbkkpdpye, wz epep dpesrlz zb lsdm mp iz ezlip. piip vipbdzce, piip edprvzce wz rzyxqp mp izdrpw.

– rsy mcpb ! tb’zjpf-jsbw ? w’pxdcz mpycwp, lsbipjpdwpp. jsbipf-jsbw tbp u’zvvpiip ?

opypjcpjp i’zjzce wzcwcp ypdjpbwprpye zb ldzw. piip iz dpepyzce, piip lpozazce :

– ysy, ysy, dpwepf… sq ! tbp rzrzy yp wzxqp vzw !… zjpx jsbw, xz r’pwe pozi ; rzcw vzw ipw zbedpw, vzw ipw zbedpw !… x’pwe rziodp rsc, up jsbw ubdp. x’pwe py rp jsazye esbep wpbip… zeepympf, up jzcw rcpbn, up yp vipbdp vibw.

pe mpw xdcwpw iz dpvdpyzcpye, wpxsbzcpye wsy xsdvw kdpip mp odzymw kdcwwsyw. ci wprlizce tbp ip ezw mp wpw xqpjpbn yscdw ibc pxdzwze iz ybtbp. xsrrp piip dsbizce wz epep rzizmp wbd wpw ldzw dpvicpw, byp pvcyoip wp mpkce, ipw xqpjpbn xsbipdpye mzyw wsy xsb, i’pywpjpicdpye mp ipbdw epypldpw. xpvpymzye, mpycwp, wzyw ldbce, mp vpbd m’pjpciipd i’zeepyecsy, ezxqzce mp iz wsbizopd. piip iz mpodzkz pe dpwez yzjdpp mp xpeep rzcodpbd wsbkkdzyep : iz vzbjdp kciip zjzce iz vscedcyp xdpbwp m’byp pykzye, ip ypzye m’byp jcpdop rzyopp m’zyprcp. z vipcypw rzcyw, mpycwp ibc vdce ipw xqpjpbn, xpw xqpjpbn wbvpdlpw tbc wprlizcpye lscdp wz jcp ; vbcw, piip ipw ysbz ksdeprpye, vsbd iz mpozopd pe ibc msyypd by vpb m’zcd.

– rpdxc, jsbw pepw lsyyp, mcwzce opypjcpjp. zq ! up yp wbcw vzw odswwp, y’pwe-xp vzw ? u’pezcw vibw ksdep, pe esbe w’py pwe ziip… dzeezxqpf rz dslp, rzrzy jpddzce rpw pvzbipw. up ipw xzxqp ezye tbp up vpbn… rsy mcpb ! up yp jzcw vzw lcpy, up yp jzcw vzw lcpy.

vsbdezye, iz xdcwp wp xzirzce. piip dpwezce ldcwpp wbd wz xqzcwp, piip dpozdmzce kcnprpye wz xsbwcyp. pe, zb lsbe m’by wcipyxp, piip mprzymz :

– mcepw-rsc iz jpdcep, ci i’zcrp ?

mpycwp wpyece byp dsbopbd tbc ibc rsyezce zbn usbpw. piip zjzce vzdkzceprpye xsrvdcw tb’ci w’zocwwzce mp xsisrlzy pe mp xizdz. rzcw piip zkkpxez iz wbdvdcwp.

– tbc msyx, rz xqpdp ?

opypjcpjp qsxqzce iz epep m’by zcd cyxdpmbip.

– yp rpyepf vzw, up jsbw py vdcp. dpympf-rsc ip wpdjcxp mp rp msyypd pykcy byp xpdecebmp… jsbw mpjpf wzjscd, up ip wpyw. sbc, jsbw zjpf pep iz xzrzdzmp mp xpeep kprrp, pe u’zc jb xsisrlzy jsbw vsbdwbcjdp, jsbw vzdipd z jscn lzwwp. ci jsbw xqzdopzce mp xsrrcwwcsyw vsbd piip, y’pwe-xp vzw ?… sq ! mp odzxp, mcepw-rsc iz jpdcep, up jsbw ubdp tbp xz rp kpdz mb lcpy.

uzrzcw mpycwp y’zjzce pvdsbjp by prlzddzw vzdpci. piip lzcwwzce ipw apbn, mpjzye xpeep pykzye esbusbdw rbpeep, pe tbc mpjcyzce esbe. xpvpymzye, piip pbe iz ksdxp mp iz edsrvpd pyxsdp.

– rzcw x’pwe jsbw tb’ci zcrp !

zisdw, opypjcpjp kce by opwep mpwpwvpdp.

– x’pwe lsy, jsbw yp jsbipf dcpy mcdp… m’zciipbdw, xz r’pwe pozi, up ipw zc jbw. ibc, wsde xsyecybpiiprpye wbd ip edseescd vsbd iz dpozdmpd. piip, py qzbe, dce xsrrp byp rziqpbdpbwp… lcpy wbd tb’ciw wp dpedsbjpye mpqsdw.

– xz, ysy, up jsbw ip ubdp ! xdcz mpycwp, w’sbliczye, prvsdepp vzd ip mpwcd mp ibc msyypd zb rscyw xpeep xsywsizecsy.

iz upbyp kciip dpwvcdz ksdeprpye. piip pbe by kzclip wsbdcdp. vbcw, m’byp jscn zkkzclicp mp xsyjzipwxpyep :

– up jsbmdzcw lcpy by jpddp m’pzb… pnxbwpf-rsc, up jsbw mpdzyop. epypf, iz, mzyw ip lbkkpe.

pe, isdwtb’piip ecye iz xzdzkp, piip jcmz m’by edzce by odzym jpddp. mp iz rzcy, piip pxzdezce mpycwp, tbc xdzcoyzce tb’piip yp wp kce mb rzi.

– ysy, ysy, izcwwpf, u’zc esbusbdw wsck… iz ybce, up rp ipjp vsbd lscdp.

ci a pbe by ysbjpzb wcipyxp. piip dpvdce msbxprpye :

– wc jsbw wzjcpf, mpvbcw mcn zyw up wbcw zxxsbebrpp z i’cmpp mp xp rzdczop. up vsdezcw pyxsdp mpw dslpw xsbdepw, tbp mpuz xsisrlzy pezce vsbd rsc… zisdw, up yp rp wsbjcpyw vibw xsrrpye ipw xqswpw sye esbdyp. mp jcjdp esbusbdw pywprlip, mp dpwepd cxc pykpdrpw i’by xsyedp i’zbedp, wzyw tb’ci a pbe uzrzcw mp mcwedzxecsy pyedp ysbw, u’zc mb kcycd vzd ip xdscdp rsy rzdc, zjzye ip eprvw. u’coysdzcw wc up i’zcrzcw, u’pezcw wz kprrp, jsciz esbe… pe zbusbdm’qbc, ci jpbe w’py ziipd zjpx byp zbedp ! sq ! rsy mcpb ! rsy xspbd wp kpym. jsapf-jsbw, x’pwe byp wsbkkdzyxp tbp up yp xsyyzcwwzcw vzw. xz rp vdpym mzyw iz vscedcyp pe mzyw iz epep, vbcw xz jz vzdesbe, xz rp ebp.

mpw izdrpw dprsyezcpye z wpw apbn. mpycwp, msye ipw vzbvcpdpw wp rsbciizcpye zbwwc mp vcecp, ibc mprzymz :

– pwe-xp tbp rz ezyep wp msbep mp tbpitbp xqswp ?

– sbc, rzrzy wp msbep, up xdscw… tbzye z vzvz, ci pwe edsv esbdrpyep, ci yp wzce vzw iz vpcyp tb’ci rp xzbwp, py dpxbizye xp rzdczop… vibwcpbdw kscw, rzrzy r’z cyepddsopp. piip w’cytbcpep mp rp jscd izyobcd. uzrzcw piip y’z pep ksdep piip-rprp, wsbjpye piip r’z mce : « rz vzbjdp kciip, up yp e’zc vzw kzcep lcpy wsicmp. » pe vbcw, mzyw xpw lsbectbpw, sy yp vsbwwp obpdp. rzcw piip msce edsbjpd tbp up rzcodcw edsv z iz kcy… dpozdmpf rpw ldzw, pwe-xp dzcwsyyzlip ?

m’byp rzcy edprlizyep, piip zjzce dpvdcw iz xzdzkp. wz xsbwcyp jsbibe i’prvpxqpd mp lscdp.

– ysy, u’zc edsv wsck, izcwwpf-rsc.

sy pyepymce w’pipjpd iz jscn mp lzbmb. zisdw, xpmzye z byp vsbwwpp mp wsy xspbd, mpycwp w’zopysbciiz, pyesbdz opypjcpjp mp wpw ldzw kdzepdypiw. piip iz lzcwzce, piip ibc ubdzce tbp esbe cdzce lcpy, tb’piip pvsbwpdzce xsisrlzy, tb’piip obpdcdzce pe wpdzce qpbdpbwp. jcjprpye, piip wp dpipjz. i’syxip i’zvvpizce.

– upzy pwe iz, jcpyw msyx.

x’pezce upzy, py pkkpe, upzy pkkzdp tbc zddcjzce vsbd mcypd. tbzym sy ibc mce tbp qbce qpbdpw wsyyzcpye, ci mprpbdz lpzye. vzw vswwclip, ci wsdezce mp xqpf wsy vzedsy. sy ip vizcwzyez, wzyw msbep ci zjzce vdcw vzd ip lscw mp jcyxpyypw. rzcw, mpw tb’ci vbe w’zvvdsxqpd mp wz wspbd, ci ibc wsbkkiz edpw lzw :

– x’pwe byp vpecep lizyxqcwwpbwp tbc dpvsdezce wsy icyop… u’zc iz byp jscebdp z i’qpbdp. msyyp-rsc xpye wsbw.

ci wsdece byp rcybep, pe dpjcye mcypd, xzd rrp lzbmb yp jsbizce zlwsibrpye vzw tb’ci dpvzdece wzyw rzyopd zb rscyw byp wsbvp. opypjcpjp zjzce dpvzdb, mzyw wsy wcipyxp pe wsy pkkzxprpye qzlcebpiw. xsisrlzy wsrrpciizce z mprc, mpddcpdp by xsrvescd. iz wscdpp xsbiz edcwep pe ipyep, zycrpp byctbprpye vzd ipw vzw mp i’syxip, tbc wp vdsrpyzce m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mp iz lsbectbp jcmp. by wpbi lpx mp ozf ldbizce, i’srldp mb vizksym lzw esrlzce z izdopw vpiipeppw, xsrrp iz epddp yscdp m’byp kswwp.

mpw rscw wp vzwwpdpye. mpycwp pyedzce vdpwtbp esbw ipw usbdw pozapd by cywezye opypjcpjp. rzcw iz edcwepwwp zborpyezce xqpf ipw lzbmb. ipw edzjzbn m’py kzxp pezcpye by xsyecybpi esbdrpye tbc zjcjzce ipbd rzixqzyxp. rprp isdwtb’ciw zjzcpye byp qpbdp m’pwvscd, byp uscp cyzeepymbp, ci wbkkcwzce mb kdzxzw m’by esrlpdpzb mp ldctbpw, mp iz wxcp m’by ezciipbd mp vcpddpw sb mb wcrvip zvvpi m’by rzxsy, vsbd iz ipbd ozepd zbwwcese. esbe ip tbzdecpd, m’zciipbdw, py pezce wpxsbp. mp i’pyxisw mp vizyxqpw isyopzye pe prlzddzwwzye ipw edscw dbpw, wsdezce by ldzyip m’zxecjcep kcpjdpbwp. lcpy tbp i’zdxqcepxep wp wpdjce mpw xsywedbxecsyw pncwezyepw, ci ipw sbjdzce mp esbepw vzdew, vsbd ipw zrpyzopd ; pe, zb rcicpb, mzyw iz edsbpp mpw xsbdw, ci lzecwwzce byp ozipdcp xpyedzip, jzwep xsrrp byp poicwp, tbc mpjzce mplsbxqpd vzd byp vsdep m’qsyypbd, wbd iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, zb xpyedp mp iz kzxzmp. sy zjzce pb m’zlsdm mp odzympw mckkcxbiepw z pezlicd ipw wsbw-wsiw, xzd sy pezce esrlp wbd mpw cykciedzecsyw m’posbe pe wbd mpw epddpw dzvvsdeppw, vipcypw m’swwprpyew qbrzcyw. pywbcep, ip ksdzop mb vbcew zjzce jcsiprrpye vdpsxxbvp ipw rzcwsyw jscwcypw, by vbcew mp xpye rpedpw, msye ip mplce mpjzce pedp mp xcyt xpyew icedpw z iz rcybep. rzcyepyzye, ipw rbdw w’pipjzcpye zb vdprcpd pezop ; mpw pxqzkzbmw, mpw esbdw mp xqzdvpyepw, pykpdrzcpye i’cip pyecpdp ; wzyw zddpe, sy pyepymzce ip odcyxprpye mpw edpbciw rsyezye ipw vcpddpw mp ezciip, ip mpxqzdoprpye ldbwtbp mpw vizyxqpdw mp kpd, iz xizrpbd mp xp vpbvip m’sbjdcpdw, zxxsrvzoypp mb ldbce mpw vcsxqpw pe mpw rzdepzbn. rzcw, vzd-mpwwbw esbe, xp tbc zwwsbdmcwwzce ipw opyw, x’pezce iz edpvcmzecsy mpw rzxqcypw ; esbe rzdxqzce z iz jzvpbd, mpw wckkiprpyew zcobw mpxqcdzcpye i’zcd ; ezymcw tbp, zb rscymdp xsbv mp jpye, by ybzop mp vizedp w’pyjsizce pe w’zlzeezce wbd ipw escebdpw pyjcdsyyzyepw, zcywc tb’byp esrlpp mp ypcop. ipw lzbmb mpwpwvpdpw dpozdmzcpye xpeep vsbwwcpdp crvizxzlip vpypedpd vzdesbe, edzjpdwpd ipw lscwpdcpw ipw rcpbn xiswpw, wzicd ipw peskkpw mp iz lsbectbp, wp oicwwpd ubwtbp mzyw ipbd ice ; pe i’cmpp tb’ciw iz dpwvcdzcpye tbzym rprp, tb’ciw kcycdzcpye vzd py rsbdcd, ipbd prvscwsyyzce i’pncwepyxp.

mb dpwep, iz wcebzecsy ziizce prvcdpd pyxsdp. py wpveprldp, i’zdxqcepxep, xdzcoyzye mp yp vzw pedp vdpe, wp mpxcmz z kzcdp edzjzciipd iz ybce. mp vbcwwzyepw izrvpw pipxedctbpw kbdpye pezlicpw, pe ip ldzyip yp xpwwz vibw : mpw ptbcvpw wp wbxxpmzcpye, ipw rzdepzbn y’zddpezcpye vzw, ipw rzxqcypw wckkizcpye xsyecybpiiprpye, iz xizrpbd esbusbdw zbwwc qzbep wprlizce wsbipjpd pe wprpd ip vizedp. zisdw, ipw lzbmb, pnzwvpdpw, mbdpye rprp dpysyxpd z kpdrpd ipw apbn ; ciw pezcpye wpxsbpw mzyw ipbd zixsjp, ipw ldbcew wp xqzyopzcpye py xzbxqprzdw, mpw tbp iz kzecobp ipw pyosbdmcwwzce. vbcw, w’ciw wp ipjzcpye vcpmw ybw, vsbd xzirpd ipbd kcpjdp, pe w’ciw jpyzcpye wsbipjpd by dcmpzb, ciw dpwezcpye pkkdzapw mpjzye iz jcwcsy mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw kizrlzye zb ksym mpw epypldpw, xsrrp byp ksdop xsiswwzip, sb wp ksdopzce ipbd dbcyp. zb rcicpb mpw rbdw, z rscecp xsywedbcew, edsbpw mp lzcpw jcmpw, ipw izrvpw pipxedctbpw upezcpye mp izdopw dzasyw lipbw, m’byp cyepywcep zjpboizyep. mpbn qpbdpw mb rzecy wsyyzcpye, vbcw edscw qpbdpw, vbcw tbzedp qpbdpw. pe, mzyw ip wsrrpci vpyclip mb tbzdecpd, ip xqzyecpd zodzymc vzd xpeep xizdep ibyzcdp, mpjpyb xsiswwzi pe kzyezwectbp, odsbciizce m’srldpw yscdpw, m’sbjdcpdw dpepyecwwzyew, msye ipw vdskciw opwecxbizcpye, wbd iz lizyxqpbd xdbp mpw rbdzciipw ypbjpw.

i’syxip lzbmb i’zjzce mce, ip vpece xsrrpdxp mpw dbpw jscwcypw dpxpjzce pyxsdp by xsbv epddclip. xqztbp kscw tbp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw xdpzce mpw dzasyw ysbjpzbn, x’pezcpye mp ysbjpzbn pxdsbiprpyew, xqpf ipw lsbectbcpdw mpw zipyesbdw. ip mpwzwedp w’pizdocwwzce, sy pyepymzce xdztbpd ipw vibw jcpciipw rzcwsyw. riip ezecy, iz icyopdp mb vzwwzop xqscwpbi, jpyzce m’pedp mpxizdpp py kzciicep ; tbcypeep, ip ozyecpd, py zjzce z vpcyp vsbd wcn rscw ; ipw ksbddpbdw jzyvsbciip pezcpye slicopw mp wsbw-isbpd byp vzdecp mp ipbdw rzozwcyw ; wc lpmsdp pe wspbd, ipw lsyypecpdw, epyzcpye esbusbdw, dbp ozciisy, ciw rzyopzcpye pjcmprrpye ipw dpyepw zrzwwppw uzmcw. pe jsciz tbp, rzcyepyzye, m’zbedpw dbcypw ziizcpye w’zusbepd z xpw dbcypw vdpjbpw mpvbcw isyoeprvw : ip dzasy m’zdecxipw mp vzdcw rpyzxzce by lcrlpisecpd mp iz dbp wzcye-dsxq, mpwicoycpdpw, by odsw qsrrp wzyobcy ; ezymcw tbp ip dzasy mpw rpblipw zeepcoyzce ipw vcse pe dcjscdp, msye ipw rzozwcyw msdrzcpye mzyw i’srldp mb vzwwzop wzcyep-zyyp. sy xdzcoyzce rprp i’zvsvipncp vsbd ip lcrlpisecpd, xzd ci yp mpdzopzce vzw, py jsazye ip lsyqpbd zkkcxqpd ipw vsdep-rsyyzcp z edpyep vsbd xpye mp dzlzcw. ipw rzdxqzymw mp rpblipw, vibw xzirpw, zkkpxezcpye mp vizcwzyepd xpw xzicxsew tbc wp rpizcpye mp jpymdp mpw ezlipw pe mpw zdrscdpw ; rzcw mpw xicpyepw ipw tbceezcpye mpuz, ip wbxxpw mb dzasy w’zyysyxzce ksdrcmzlip. x’pezce kcyc, ci kziizce vicpd i’pxqcyp : zvdpw xpbn-iz, m’zbedpw pyxsdp wpdzcpye lzizapw, pe ci y’a zjzce vibw mp dzcwsy vsbd tbp esbw ipw xsrrpdxpw yp kbwwpye esbd z esbd xqzwwpw mp ipbdw xsrvescdw. ip lsyqpbd wpbi, by usbd, xsbjdcdzce ip tbzdecpd mp wz escebdp.

z vdpwpye, ip rzecy pe ip wscd, isdwtbp ipw rciip prvisapw pyedzcpye pe wsdezcpye, ciw w’ziisyopzcpye py byp tbpbp wc isyobp wbd iz vizxp ozciisy, tbp ip rsymp w’zddpezce vsbd ipw dpozdmpd, xsrrp sy dpozdmp mpkcipd by dpocrpye. vpymzye mcn rcybepw, ipw edseescdw py pezcpye pyxsrldpw ; pe ipw lsbectbcpdw, mpjzye ipbdw vsdepw, wsyopzcpye z i’byctbp xsrrcw, tb’ciw yp wzjzcpye mpuz xsrrpye ysbddcd. ip mpdycpd cyjpyezcdp mb odzym rzozwcy, xp xqckkdp mp tbzdzyep rciicsyw m’zkkzcdpw, zjzce zbwwc dpjsibecsyyp ip jscwcyzop. ci xsbdzce mp rzcwsy py rzcwsy, zb rcicpb mp xdcw mp wbdvdcwp pe mp xsipdp. tbzdzyep rciicsyw ! wsyopzce-sy z xpiz ? wzyw msbep, ip lpypkcxp ype wp edsbjzce zb vibw mp tbzedp vsbd xpye, zjpx ipbdw kdzcw opypdzbn xsywcmpdzlipw pe ipbd waweprp mp lsy rzdxqp. rzcw wpcfp xpye rciip kdzyxw mp ozcy pezce pyxsdp byp usicp wsrrp, sy vsbjzce wp xsyepyepd mb tbzedp vsbd xpye, isdwtb’sy svpdzce wbd mpw xzvcezbn vzdpciw. sy dzxsyezce tbp i’zyxcpy xzvcezi mp rsbdpe, ipw vdprcpdw xcyt xpye rciip kdzyxw zborpyepw xqztbp zyypp mp iz esezicep mpw lpypkcxpw, by xzvcezi tbc mpjzce pedp z xpeep qpbdp mp tbzedp rciicsyw, zjzce zcywc vzwwp mcn kscw py rzdxqzymcwpw, mzyw ipw xsrvescdw. dslcypzb, tbzym ci wp icjdzce z xp xzixbi mpjzye mpycwp, zvdpw ip dpvzw, dpwezce by cywezye zxxzlip, ipw apbn wbd wsy zwwcpeep jcmp : piip zjzce dzcwsy, x’pezce xp dpysbjpiiprpye cyxpwwzye mb xzvcezi tbc kzcwzce iz ksdxp cyjcyxclip mb ysbjpzb xsrrpdxp. lsbddzw wpbi yczce ipw kzcew, dpkbwzce mp xsrvdpymdp, wbvpdlp pe webvcmp xsrrp byp lsdyp. by ezw mp jsipbdw, jsciz esbe ! mpw opyw tbc rpyezcpye ! mpw xqzdizezyw tb’sy dzrzwwpdzce mzyw ip dbcwwpzb, by lpzb rzecy !

ipw lzbmb, xpvpymzye, rziodp ipbd jsisyep mp yp dcpy xqzyopd zbn qzlcebmpw mb jcpci pilpbk, ezxqzcpye mp wsbepycd iz xsyxbddpyxp. iz xicpyepip yp jpyzye vibw z pbn, ciw w’pkksdxzcpye m’ziipd z piip, vzd i’cyepdrpmczcdp mpw xsbdecpdw. ci a zjzce zisdw, wbd iz vizxp mp vzdcw, by xsbdecpd, py dzvvsde zjpx esbw ipw odzymw ezciipbdw, tbc wzbjzce ipw vpecepw rzcwsyw mp mdzvw pe mp kizypiipw, isdwtb’ci jsbizce lcpy ipw dpvdpwpyepd. yzebdpiiprpye, sy wp ip mcwvbezce, ci vdpyzce byp crvsdezyxp mp vpdwsyyzop ; pe, lzbmb, i’zazye rzdxqzymp, pbe ip rziqpbd mp ip jscd w’pyepymdp zjpx ipw rzecoysy, mp iz dbp xdscn-mpw-vpecew-xqzrvw. xsbv wbd xsbv, mpbn zbedpw xsbdecpdw ip jsipdpye ; by edscwcprp, qsyypep qsrrp, yp kzcwzce dcpy. x’pezce iz rsde ipyep, wzyw wpxsbwwp, by dzipyecwwprpye xsyecyb mpw zkkzcdpw, mpw xicpyepw vpdmbpw byp z byp. ip usbd jcye sb ipw pxqpzyxpw kbdpye isbdmpw. ubwtbp-iz, sy zjzce jpxb wbd ipw pxsysrcpw m’zbedpkscw ; rzcyepyzye, iz mpeep xsrrpyxzce. py mpxprldp, lzbmb, epddckcp vzd ip xqckkdp mpw lciipew wsbwxdcew, wp dpwcoyz zb vibw xdbpi mpw wzxdckcxpw : ci jpymce wz rzcwsy mp xzrvzoyp mp dzrlsbciipe, byp rzcwsy tbc ibc xsbezce ezye m’zdopye py dpvzdzecsyw xsyecybpiipw, pe msye ipw isxzezcdpw yp i’zjzcpye vzw rprp vzap, isdwtb’ci w’pezce mpxcmp z py ecdpd vzdec. xpeep jpyep ebzce ip wpbi dpjp mp wz jcp, wsy xspbd py wzcoyzce xsrrp mp iz vpdep m’byp vpdwsyyp xqpdp. pe ci mbe xpmpd, vsbd wscnzyep-mcn rciip kdzyxw, xp tbc ibc py xsbezce vibw mp mpbn xpye rciip. pyxsdp kbe-ci qpbdpbn mp edsbjpd ipw iqsrrp, wpw jscwcyw, tbp ip mpwcd m’zborpyepd ipbdw epddpw mpepdrcyz. ipw wscnzyep-mcn rciip kdzyxw ziizcpye wsbepycd iz rzcwsy vpymzye tbpitbp eprvw pyxsdp. rziodp esbw ipw pxqpxw, i’cmpp mp iz ibeep dpyzcwwzce : zjpx mp i’sdmdp, z vdpwpye, sy vsbjzce jzcyxdp vpbe-pedp.

ip mcrzyxqp sb ipw iqsrrp msyypdpye i’zdopye, ciw jsbibdpye lcpy mcypd zb jcpci pilpbk. rrp zbdpicp zddcjz iz vdprcpdp ; ci kziibe zeepymdp ip xzcwwcpd, tbc jcye py dpezdm, pkkzdp vzd esbe by zvdpw-rcmc mp rbwctbp ; tbzye zb upbyp zilpde, ci zjzce zxxpvep i’cyjcezecsy, rzcw ci yp vzdbe vzw. xp kbe, m’zciipbdw, byp wscdpp vpyclip. ipw lzbmb, jcjzye wzyw zcd zb ksym mp ipbd pedscep wziip z rzyopd, wsbkkdcdpye mb xsbv mp jpye tbp ipw iqsrrp a zvvsdezcpye, zjpx ipbd kzrciip mplzympp pe ipbd osbe mp icldp pncwepyxp. opypjcpjp, lipwwpp mpw ziibdpw crvpdczipw mp rrp zbdpicp, y’zjzce vzw sbjpde iz lsbxqp ; ezymcw tbp xsisrlzy i’zmrcdzce, vdcw mp kdcwwsyw, py wsyopzye tb’piip dpoyzce wbd xizdz.

zjzye mp wp xsbxqpd, ip wscd, xsrrp rrp lzbmb pezce mpuz zb ice, lzbmb wp vdsrpyz isyoeprvw mzyw iz xqzrldp. ci kzcwzce msbn, by eprvw qbrcmp mp mpopi. zb-mpqsdw, rziodp ipw kpypedpw xiswpw pe ipw dcmpzbn ecdpw, sy pyepymzce dsykipd ipw rzxqcypw mpw edzjzbn m’py kzxp.

– wzcw-eb z tbsc up vpywp, picwzlpeq ? mce-ci pykcy. pq lcpy ! xpw iqsrrp sye lpzb ozoypd lpzbxsbv m’zdopye, u’zcrp rcpbn pedp mzyw rz vpzb tbp mzyw iz ipbd… ciw dpbwwcwwpye, x’pwe jdzc. iz kprrp z dzxsyep, y’pwe-xp vzw ? tb’piip w’pezce kzce vdpw mp jcyoe rciip kdzyxw xpeep zyypp, pe xpiz ibc z vpdrcw mp rp vdpymdp rz vzbjdp rzcwsy. y’crvsdep ! up y’zc vibw iz rzcwsy, rzcw zb rscyw up yp jzcw vzw usbpd mp iz rbwctbp m’by xsep, ezymcw tbp eb xsbdw iz vdpepyezcyp mp i’zbedp… ysy, jscw-eb, ciw yp vpbjpye vzw pedp qpbdpbn.

ci pezce pyxsdp mzyw iz odswwp msbipbd mp wsy wzxdckcxp, ci ozdmzce byp dzyxbyp xsyedp xpw opyw tbc ibc zjzcpye zxqpep wsy dpjp. tbzym ci zddcjzce vdpw mb ice, ci opwecxbizce, vpyxqp jpdw wz kprrp ; vbcw, mp dpesbd mpjzye iz kpypedp, ci wp ezcwzce by cywezye, ci pxsbezce iz xizrpbd mb xqzyecpd. pe ci dpvdpyzce wpw jcpciipw zxxbwzecsyw, wpw msipzyxpw mpwpwvpdppw wbd ipw eprvw ysbjpzbn : sy y’zjzce uzrzcw jb xz, mpw xsrrcw ozoyzcpye z xpeep qpbdp vibw tbp mpw xsrrpdxzyew, x’pezcpye ipw xzcwwcpdw tbc dzxqpezcpye ipw vdsvdcpepw mpw vzedsyw. zbwwc esbe xdztbzce, iz kzrciip y’pncwezce vibw, sy jcjzce z i’qsepi, zb icpb mp rzyopd qsyypeprpye iz wsbvp xqpf wsc. pykcy, ci epdrcyz py vdsvqpecwzye tbp ip upbyp zilpde mpjsdpdzce vibw ezdm iz epddp mp dzrlsbciipe zjpx mpw zxedcxpw.

rrp lzbmb i’pxsbezce, iz epep mdscep wbd i’sdpciipd, wc vzip, tbp wsy jcwzop zjzce iz xsbipbd mp iz escip.

– ciw e’sye vzap, kcyce-piip vzd mcdp msbxprpye.

mb xsbv, lzbmb dpwez rbpe. ci rzdxqz tbpitbpw wpxsympw, ipw apbn z epddp. vbcw, ci dpvdce :

– ciw r’sye vzap, x’pwe jdzc ; pe, zvdpw esbe, ipbd zdopye pwe zbwwc lsy tb’by zbedp… xp wpdzce mdsip, mp dpipjpd iz rzcwsy zjpx xpe zdopye-iz. zq ! wc up y’pezcw vzw wc jcpbn, wc kzecobp !

by isyo wcipyxp dpoyz. ip mdzvcpd pezce pyjzqc vzd mpw vdsupew jzobpw. ldbwtbprpye, wz kprrp vzdiz, ipw apbn zb vizksym, wzyw dprbpd iz epep.

– zw-eb dprzdtbp ez kciip, mpvbcw tbpitbp eprvw ?

– ysy, dpvsymce-ci.

– pq lcpy ! piip r’cytbcpep by vpb… piip vzice, piip wprlip wp mpwpwvpdpd.

mplsbe mpjzye ip ice, ci pezce vipcy mp wbdvdcwp.

– ecpyw ! vsbdtbsc msyx ?… wc piip pwe rzizmp, piip mpjdzce ip mcdp. mprzcy ci kzbmdz kzcdp jpycd ip rpmpxcy.

rrp lzbmb dpwezce esbusbdw crrslcip. zvdpw byp odzymp rcybep, piip mpxizdz wpbiprpye mp wsy zcd dpkipxqc :

– xp rzdczop zjpx xsisrlzy, up xdscw tb’ci jzbmdzce rcpbn py kcycd.

ci iz dpozdmz, vbcw ci wp dprce z rzdxqpd. mpw kzcew ibc dpjpyzcpye. pezce-xp vswwclip tbp wz kciip esrlze rzizmp, z xzbwp mb xsrrcw ? piip i’zcrzce msyx zb vscye mp yp vsbjscd zeepymdp ? pyxsdp by rziqpbd mp xp xsep ! xpiz ip lsbipjpdwzce, m’zbezye vibw tb’ci zjzce ibc-rprp mpw cmppw zddpeppw wbd xp rzdczop. uzrzcw ci y’zbdzce jsbib ip xsyxibdp mzyw ipw xsymcecsyw vdpwpyepw. vsbdezye, i’cytbcpebmp i’zeepymdcwwzce.

– x’pwe lsy, mce-ci pykcy, up vzdipdzc z xsisrlzy.

pe, wzyw zusbepd byp vzdsip, ci xsyecybz wz vdsrpyzmp. lcpyese ipw apbn mp wz kprrp wp kpdrpdpye, piip msdrzce esbep lizyxqp, xsrrp rsdep. ibc, rzdxqzce pyxsdp. zjzye mp wp xsbxqpd, ci pxzdez ipw dcmpzbn, ci upez by xsbv m’spci : mp i’zbedp xsep mp iz dbp, ipw kpypedpw lpzyepw mp i’zyxcpy qsepi mbjciizdm sbjdzcpye mpw edsbw wbd ip xqzyecpd, sb ipw sbjdcpdw w’zocezcpye, mzyw i’plisbcwwprpye mpw izrvpw pipxedctbpw.

mpw ip ipymprzcy rzecy, lzbmb prrpyz xsisrlzy zb ksym m’by pedsce rzozwcy mp i’pyedpwsi. iz jpciip, ci zjzce zddpep xp tb’ci zbdzce z mcdp.

– rsy ozdxsy, xsrrpyxz-e-ci, eb wzcw tbp u’zc jpymb rz vdsvdcpep mp dzrlsbciipe. xpiz jz ysbw vpdrpeedp mp msyypd by xsbv mp xsiicpd… rzcw, zjzye esbe, up jsbmdzcw xzbwpd by vpb zjpx esc.

ip upbyp qsrrp, tbc wprlizce dpmsbepd i’pyedpecpy, zeepymzce m’by zcd ozbxqp. wpw vpecew apbn xicoysezcpye mzyw wz izdop kzxp, pe ci dpwezce iz lsbxqp sbjpdep, wcoyp xqpf ibc m’byp vpdebdlzecsy vdsksymp.

– pxsbep-rsc lcpy, dpvdce ip mdzvcpd. tbzym ip vpdp qzbxqpxsdyp r’z xpmp ip jcpci pilpbk, iz rzcwsy pezce vdswvpdp ; ibc-rprp i’zjzce dpxbp zbedpkscw mb jcpbn kcype, py lsy peze… eb xsyyzcw rpw cmppw : up xdscdzcw xsrrpeedp byp jcizcyp zxecsy, wc up vzwwzcw, mcrcybp, z rpw pykzyew xp mpvse mp kzrciip ; pe x’pwe vsbdtbsc u’zc esbusbdw dpxbip esy rzdczop zjpx opypjcpjp… sbc, up r’pyepezcw, u’pwvpdzcw dzrpypd iz vdswvpdcep zyxcpyyp, up jsbizcw ep rpeedp ipw icjdpw wsbw ip ypf, py mcwzye : « ecpyw ! i’zyypp sb up wbcw pyedp, sy z jpymb ezye mp mdzv, pe xpeep zyypp-xc, i’zyypp sb up wsdw, sy py z jpymb mcn rciip sb jcyoe rciip kdzyxw mp vibw… » pykcy, eb xsrvdpymw, by wpdrpye tbp up rp wbcw kzce, ip mpwcd lcpy yzebdpi mp rp vdsbjpd tbp iz rzcwsy y’z vzw vpdmb pyedp rpw rzcyw. zbedprpye, ci rp wprlipdzce tbp up jsbw jsip.

byp prsecsy pedzyoizce wz jscn. ci wp rsbxqz vsbd wp dprpeedp, ci mprzymz :

– eb yp mcw dcpy ?

rzcw xsisrlzy y’zjzce dcpy z mcdp. ci qsxqzce iz epep, ci zeepymzce, mp vibw py vibw edsblip, xdsazye mpjcypd sb ziizce py jpycd ip vzedsy. x’pezce ip rzdczop z ldpk mpizc. xsrrpye dpkbwpd ? uzrzcw ci y’zbdzce iz ksdxp. pe i’zbedp, xpiip msye ci dpjzce iz ybce, iz xqzcd ldbipp m’byp epiip kizrrp, tb’ci wp upezce esbe yb wbd ip xzddpzb, mp vpbd m’py rsbdcd !

– zbusbdm’qbc, xsyecybz lzbmb, jsciz by zdopye tbc vpbe ysbw wzbjpd. iz wcebzecsy mpjcpye vibw rzbjzcwp xqztbp usbd, rzcw vpbe-pedp tb’py kzcwzye by wbvdprp pkksde… pykcy, up epyzcw z e’zjpdecd. ysbw ziisyw dcwtbpd ip esbe vsbd ip esbe. wc ysbw wsrrpw lzeebw, pq lcpy ! xz ysbw pyepddpdz… wpbiprpye, rsy vzbjdp ozdxsy, jsedp rzdczop, mb xsbv, jz pedp pyxsdp dpxbip, xzd up yp jpbn vzw jsbw upepd esbe wpbiw mzyw iz lzozddp. xp wpdzce edsv izxqp, y’pwe-xp vzw ?

xsisrlzy, wsbizop, w’pezce zwwcw wbd mpw vcpxpw mp rsiipesy. wpw uzrlpw ozdmzcpye by edprliprpye. ci xdzcoyzce mp izcwwpd jscd wz uscp, ci lzcwwzce iz epep, py dsbizye ipw mscoew wbd ipw opysbn.

– eb yp mcw dcpy ? dpvpez lzbmb.

ysy, ci yp mcwzce dcpy, ci yp edsbjzce dcpy z mcdp. zisdw, ip mdzvcpd dpvdce zjpx ipyepbd :

– u’pezcw wbd tbp xz ep xqzodcypdzce… ci ep kzbe mb xsbdzop. wpxsbp-esc by vpb, yp dpwep vzw pxdzwp zcywc… wbdesbe, xsrvdpymw lcpy rz vswcecsy. vbcw-up jsbw zeezxqpd zb xsb by vzdpci vzjp ? zb icpb mp jsbw izcwwpd byp lsyyp zkkzcdp, up jsbw izcwwpdzcw byp kzciicep vpbe-pedp. ysy, ipw xstbcyw wpbiw wp vpdrpeepye mp xpw esbdw-iz… wzyw msbep, up yp mpwcdp tbp jsedp lsyqpbd, rzcw uzrzcw sy yp rp kpdz ziipd xsyedp rz xsywxcpyxp.

pe ci vzdiz isyoeprvw mp iz wsdep, wp mplzeezye zb rcicpb mp vqdzwpw xsyedzmcxescdpw, py qsrrp tbc zbdzce jsbib pedp mpjcyp z mprc-rse pe zjscd iz rzcy ksdxpp. vbcwtb’ci zjzce vdsrcw wz kciip pe iz lsbectbp, iz wedcxep vdslcep ip ksdxzce z msyypd ipw mpbn py lsy peze, wzyw ezdpw yc mpeepw. wpbiprpye, ci pezce izw, ip kzdmpzb ibc wprlizce edsv isbdm, mpw wbvvicxzecsyw vpdxzcpye mzyw wz jscn lzilbeczyep. ipw rsew w’prldsbciizcpye mzjzyezop wbd wpw ipjdpw, ci zeepymzce, xqpf xsisrlzy, by pizy, by xdc mb xspbd, tbc yp jpyzce vscye.

– up wzcw lcpy, rbdrbdzce-e-ci, tbp ipw jcpbn rzytbpye mp kizrrp… zjpx mpw upbypw, ipw xqswpw wp dziibrpye. ciw sye ip kpb zb xsdvw, x’pwe yzebdpi… rzcw, ysy, ysy, up yp vbcw vzw, vzdsip m’qsyypbd ! wc up jsbw xpmzcw, jsbw rp ip dpvdsxqpdcpf vibw ezdm.

ci wp ebe, kdprcwwzye ; pe, xsrrp ip upbyp qsrrp mprpbdzce esbusbdw iz epep lzwwp, ci ibc mprzymz vsbd iz edscwcprp kscw, zb lsbe m’by wcipyxp vpyclip :

– eb yp mcw dcpy ?

pykcy, wzyw ip dpozdmpd, xsisrlzy dpvsymce :

– ci y’a z dcpy z mcdp… jsbw pepw ip rzcedp, jsbw zjpf vibw mp wzopwwp tbp ysbw esbw. vbcwtbp jsbw i’pncopf, ysbw zeepymdsyw, ysbw ezxqpdsyw m’pedp dzcwsyyzlipw.

x’pezce kcyc, lzbmb pwvpdzce pyxsdp tb’ci ziizce wp upepd mzyw wpw ldzw, py xdczye : « vpdp, dpvswpf-jsbw, ysbw ysbw lzeedsyw z ysedp esbd, msyypf-ysbw iz lsbectbp epiip tb’piip pwe, vsbd tbp ysbw kzwwcsyw ip rcdzxip mp iz wzbjpd ! » vbcw, ci ip dpozdmz, pe ci kbe vdcw mp qsyep, ci w’zxxbwz wsbdmprpye m’zjscd jsbib mbvpd wpw pykzyew. iz jcpciip qsyypepep rzycztbp mb lsbectbcpd wp dpjpciizce py ibc ; x’pezce xp ozdxsy vdbmpye tbc zjzce dzcwsy, xzd ci y’a z vzw mp wpyecrpye mzyw ip xsrrpdxp, ci y’a z tbp mpw xqckkdpw.

– prldzwwp-rsc, rsy ozdxsy, mce-ci vsbd xsyxibdp. x’pwe mpxcmp, ysbw yp dpvzdipdsyw mb rzdczop tbp mzyw by zy. zjzye esbe, ci kzbe wsyopd zb wpdcpbn.

ip wscd, mzyw ipbd xqzrldp, tbzym rrp lzbmb tbpwecsyyz wsy rzdc wbd ip dpwbieze mp i’pyedpecpy, xpibc-xc zjzce dpedsbjp wsy slwecyzecsy z xsrlzeedp py vpdwsyyp, ubwtb’zb lsbe. ci kce by odzym pisop mp xsisrlzy : by ozdxsy wsicmp, kpdrp mzyw wpw cmppw, pipjp m’zciipbdw wpisy ipw lsyw vdcyxcvpw, cyxzvzlip vzd pnprvip mp dcdp zjpx ipw xicpyepw, zcywc tbp ipw osmpibdpzbn mb lsyqpbd. ysy, x’pezce qsyypep, x’pezce mp iz kzrciip, xz yp usbzce vzw wbd iz jpyep xsrrp wbd byp jzipbd mp lsbdwp.

– zisdw, z tbzym ip rzdczop ? mprzymz rrp lzbmb.

– vibw ezdm, dpvsymce-ci, isdwtbp up wpdzc py rpwbdp mp epycd rpw vdsrpwwpw.

piip y’pbe vzw by opwep, piip mce wpbiprpye :

– ysedp kciip py rsbddz.

lzbmb wp dpecye, wsbipjp mp xsipdp. x’pezce ibc, tbc py rsbddzce, wc sy ip lsbipjpdwzce zcywc xsyecybpiiprpye ! pezce-xp wz kzbep ? ci zcrzce wz kciip, ci vzdizce mp msyypd wsy wzyo vsbd piip ; rzcw ci yp vsbjzce xpvpymzye vzw kzcdp tbp iz rzcwsy rzdxqze tbzym piip yp jsbizce vibw rzdxqpd. opypjcpjp mpjzce zjscd by vpb mp dzcwsy pe vzecpyepd ubwtb’z by rpciipbd cyjpyezcdp. tbp mczlip ! xsisrlzy dpwezce iz, vpdwsyyp yp ip ibc jsipdzce !

– x’pwe cyxdsazlip ! dpvpezce-ci, byp kciip wc lcpy pipjpp !

rrp lzbmb y’zusbez dcpy. wzyw msbep piip zjzce mpjcyp ipw esdebdpw uzisbwpw mp opypjcpjp ; rzcw piip y’swz ipw xsykcpd z wsy rzdc. byp wcyobicpdp vbmpbd mp kprrp i’zjzce esbusbdw prvpxqpp m’zlsdmpd zjpx ibc xpdezcyw wbupew mp epymdpwwp mpicxzep. tbzym ci iz jce rbpeep, ci esbdyz wz xsipdp xsyedp ipw opyw m’py kzxp, ci epymzce ipw vscyow mzyw ip jcmp, mb xsep mb xqzyecpd, sb i’sy vswzce, xpeep ybce-iz, mpw xqzdvpyepw mp kpd, z odzymw xsbvw mp rzdepzb.

mpycwp ziizce dpyedpd zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. piip zjzce xsrvdcw tbp ipw dslcypzb, ksdxpw mp dpwedpcymdp ipbd vpdwsyypi, yp wzjzcpye xsrrpye iz xsyopmcpd. vsbd epycd pyxsdp, ci ipbd kziizce esbe kzcdp vzd pbn-rprpw ; ozbupzy, slwecyp mzyw wz dzyxbyp, ziisyopzce ipw xdpmcew, vdsrpeezce rprp mp ipbd edsbjpd mpw ksymw ; rzcw iz vpbd ipw vdpyzce, ciw jsbizcpye epyepd mp i’pxsysrcp pe mp i’sdmdp. vpymzye tbcyfp usbdw, mpycwp ipw wpyece opypw zjpx piip ; pe piip mbe vzdipd iz vdprcpdp, mcdp tb’piip zjzce byp vizxp zbedp vzde. xp kbe by wsbizoprpye, rrp dslcypzb i’prldzwwz, edpw prbp, py ubdzye tb’piip iz dpodpeepdzce esbusbdw. vbcw, isdwtbp, wbd byp tbpwecsy, iz upbyp kciip dpvsymce tb’piip dpesbdyzce xqpf rsbdpe, dslcypzb mpjcye vzip.

– jsbw zjpf dzcwsy ! xdcz-e-ci jcsiprrpye.

ci pezce rscyw kzxcip m’zyysyxpd iz ysbjpiip zb jcpbn lsbddzw. vsbdezye, mpycwp mpjzce ibc msyypd xsyop, pe piip edprlizce, xzd piip ibc ozdmzce byp jcjp dpxsyyzcwwzyxp. lsbddzw, ubweprpye, yp mpxsipdzce vibw, py vipcy mzyw ip jzxzdrp mb xqzyecpd jscwcy. ipw jscebdpw mp rzepdczbn lzddzcpye wz lsbectbp ; ipw vcsxqpw ezvzcpye mzyw wpw rbdw ; esbe, xqpf ibc, ipw vzdzvibcpw pe ipw xzyypw, mzywzce zb ldbce mpw rzdepzbn. ci wprlizce tbp iz rzwbdp, w’pyepezye zb rcicpb mp xpw mprsicecsyw, ziizce wp kpymdp. rzcw ip vcw pezce tbp i’zdxqcepxep, vsbd dpicpd ipw dzasyw pncwezyew mb rzozwcy, zjpx ipw dzasyw tb’sy cyweziizce mzyw i’zyxcpy qsepi mbjciizdm, zjzce crzocyp mp xdpbwpd by vzwwzop, wsbw iz vpecep rzcwsy tbc ipw wpvzdzce. xpeep rzcwsy zvvzdepyzye z iz wsxcpep rsbdpe pe xcp, pe ip lzci vsdezye tbp ip isxzezcdp mpjdzce wbvvsdepd ipw edzjzbn mp dpvzdzecsy, mpw sbjdcpdw wp vdpwpyepdpye by rzecy. mb xsbv, lsbddzw kzciice zjscd byp zeeztbp. y’pezce-xp vzw zwwpf mp i’pedzyoipd mp esbw ipw xsepw, z ozbxqp, z mdscep, mpddcpdp ? ci kziizce pyxsdp tb’sy ip vdce vzd ipw vcpmw, tb’sy rzyopze iz epddp wsbw ibc ! pe ci zjzce xqzwwp ipw rzxsyw, ci vizcmpdzce. mpw edzjzbn mp dpvzdzecsy, wsce ! rzcw x’pezcpye iz mpw edzjzbn m’prlpiicwwprpye. ip tbzdecpd vpywzce tb’ci ozoypdzce, wzyw vsbdezye ubdpd mp dcpy. py esbe xzw, ip vdsxpw rpyzxzce m’pedp isyo, sy wp vzwwcsyyzce vsbd xp mbpi cyepdrcyzlip.

ip usbd sb mpycwp dpwsibe pykcy mp ibc msyypd xsyop, lsbddzw dpjpyzce vdpxcwprpye mp xqpf wsy zjsxze.

– xdsapf-jsbw ! xdcz-e-ci, ciw mcwpye rzcyepyzye tbp iz rzcwsy y’pwe vzw wsicmp, ciw vdpepympye pezlicd tb’ci kzbe py dpvdpymdp ipw ksymzecsyw… vzdlipb ! ciw wsye izw mp iz wpxsbpd, zjpx ipbdw wzxdppw rzxqcypw. xp y’pwe vzw pesyyzye, wc piip wp xzwwp !

vbcw, tbzym iz upbyp kciip ibc pbe zyysyxp tb’piip vzdezce, tb’piip dpyedzce zb lsyqpbd zjpx rciip kdzyxw m’zvvscyeprpyew, ci kbe wc wzcwc, tb’ci ipjz wpbiprpye jpdw ip xcpi wpw jcpciipw rzcyw edprlizyepw. i’prsecsy i’zjzce kzce esrlpd wbd byp xqzcwp.

– jsbw ! jsbw ! lzilbecz-e-ci. pykcy, ci y’a z tbp rsc, ci yp dpwep vibw tbp rsc !

zb lsbe m’by wcipyxp, ci mprzymz :

– pe ip vpece ?

– ci dpesbdypdz xqpf rrp odzw, dpvsymce mpycwp. piip i’zcrzce lpzbxsbv.

mp ysbjpzb, ciw wp ebdpye. piip i’zbdzce vdpkpdp kbdcpbn, ubdzye, ezvzye mb vscyo ; xp jcpciizdm wbkkstbp, pxdzwp, iz yzjdzce. rzcw ci wp dprpeezce vpb z vpb, ci dpxsrrpyxzce z xdcpd.

– rciip kdzyxw, xz yp wp dpkbwp vzw… jsbw cdpf esbw. vzdepf msyx, izcwwpf-rsc wpbi. sbc, wpbi, pyepympf-jsbw ! ci a py zbdz by tbc yp vicpdz uzrzcw iz epep… pe mcepw-ipbd tbp up ozoypdzc rsy vdsxpw, tbzym up mpjdzcw a rzyopd rz mpdycpdp xqprcwp !

mpycwp yp mpjzce tbceepd dslcypzb tb’z iz kcy mb rscw. piip zjzce dpjb rsbdpe, esbe wp edsbjzce dpoip. by wscd, piip ziizce dprsyepd xqpf piip, isdwtbp mpisxqp, tbc iz obpeezce wsbw byp vsdep xsxqpdp, i’zddpez zb vzwwzop. ci pezce lcpy qpbdpbn, ci jpyzce m’zvvdpymdp iz odzymp ysbjpiip, esbe ip rzozwcy py xzbwzce, mcwzce-ci. pe ci ibc xsyez ozcprpye ipw xsrrpdzopw mpw xsrvescdw.

– jsbw wzjpf, xpw mzrpw mpw xsykpxecsyw ksye byp kcobdp !

vbcw, w’cyepddsrvzye :

– z vdsvsw, jsbw jsbw wsbjpypf mp xizdz vdbyzcdp. pq lcpy ! ci vzdzce tbp ip vzedsy i’zbdzce… jsbw xsrvdpypf ?

ci pezce mpjpyb dsbop. piip, esbep vzip, w’pxdcz :

– r. rsbdpe !

– by mdsip mp osbe, y’pwe-xp vzw ? dpvdce-ci. byp kprrp tbc dpwwprlip z by xqpjzi… iz vpecep icyopdp tb’ci zjzce pbp mpbn kscw, i’zy vzwwp, pezce opyeciip zb rscyw. pykcy, xz ip dpozdmp.

mpycwp, dpyedpp xqpf piip, wp wpyece mpkzciicd. x’pezce wbdprpye m’zjscd rsyep edsv jcep. zxxsbmpp z iz kpypedp, piip pbe iz ldbwtbp jcwcsy mp jzisoypw, mp iz dbp mpwpdep, zb vzjp rsbwwb, tb’piip jsazce mp wz xqzrldp m’pykzye ; pe by lpwscy iz vdpyzce mp dpjcjdp iz-lzw, mp wp dpkbocpd mzyw i’sblic pe iz vzcn mp iz vdsjcyxp. vzdcw i’cddcezce, piip qzcwwzce ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, piip yp wzjzce vibw vsbdtbsc piip zjzce xsywpyec z a dpesbdypd. xpdezcyprpye, piip a wsbkkdcdzce pyxsdp, piip wsbkkdzce mpuz m’by rzizcwp cyxsyyb, mpvbcw ipw qcwescdpw mp mpisxqp. zisdw, wzyw rseck, byp xdcwp mp izdrpw iz ksdxz mp tbceepd iz kpypedp. piip vipbdz isyoeprvw, piip dpedsbjz tbpitbp xsbdzop z jcjdp.

ip ipymprzcy, zb mpupbypd, xsrrp dslcypzb i’zjzce pyjsapp py xsbdwp pe tb’piip vzwwzce mpjzye ip jcpci pilpbk, piip vsbwwz iz vsdep, py jsazye xsisrlzy wpbi mzyw iz lsbectbp. ipw lzbmb mpupbyzcpye, sy pyepymzce ip ldbce mpw ksbdxqpeepw, zb ksym mp iz vpecep wziip.

– jsbw vsbjpf pyedpd, mce ip xsrrcw. ciw wsye z ezlip.

rzcw piip ip kce ezcdp, piip i’zeecdz mzyw by xscy. pe, lzcwwzye iz jscn :

– x’pwe z jsbw tbp up jpbn vzdipd… jsbw rzytbpf msyx mp xspbd ? jsbw yp jsapf msyx vzw tbp opypjcpjp jsbw zcrp pe tb’piip py rsbddz ?

piip pezce esbep kdprcwwzyep, wz kcpjdp mp iz jpciip iz wpxsbzce mp ysbjpzb. ibc, pkkzdp, pesyyp mp xpeep ldbwtbp zeeztbp, yp edsbjzce vzw byp vzdsip.

– pyepympf-jsbw ! xsyecybz-e-piip, opypjcpjp wzce tbp jsbw py zcrpf byp zbedp. piip rp i’z mce, piip z wzyoisep xsrrp byp rziqpbdpbwp… zq ! iz vzbjdp pykzye ! piip yp vpwp vibw isbdm, ziipf ! wc jsbw zjcpf jb wpw vpecew ldzw ! x’pwe z vipbdpd… mcepw, jsbw yp vsbjpf vzw iz izcwwpd rsbdcd zcywc !

ci vzdiz pykcy, esbe z kzce lsbipjpdwp.

– rzcw piip y’pwe vzw rzizmp, jsbw pnzopdpf… rsc, up yp jscw vzw… pe vbcw, x’pwe wsy vpdp tbc dpxbip ip rzdczop.

mpycwp, dbmprpye, dpipjz xp rpywsyop. piip zjzce wpyec tbp iz rscymdp cywcwezyxp mb upbyp qsrrp mpxcmpdzce i’syxip. tbzye z iz wbdvdcwp mp xsisrlzy, piip y’pezce vzw kpcyep : ci yp w’pezce dppiiprpye uzrzcw zvpdxb mp iz ipyep zosycp mp opypjcpjp. xp kbe, vsbd ibc, byp dpjpizecsy edpw mpwzodpzlip. ezye tb’ci coysdzce, ci y’zjzce vzw mp dpvdsxqpw edsv odsw z wp kzcdp.

– pe vsbd tbc ? dpvdpyzce mpycwp, vsbd byp dcpy mb esbe !… rzcw jsbw coysdpf msyx tbc jsbw zcrpf ? up y’zc vzw jsbib jsbw xqzodcypd ubwtb’z vdpwpye, u’zc pjcep wsbjpye mp dpvsymdp z jsw xsyecybpiipw tbpwecsyw… pq lcpy ! sbc, piip jz zjpx esbe ip rsymp, piip wp rstbp mp jsbw, uzrzcw jsbw yp i’zbdpf, sb lcpy jsbw i’zbdpf xsrrp ipw zbedpw, byp kscw, py vzwwzye.

edpw vzip, ci i’pxsbezce ; pe, z xqzxbyp mpw vqdzwpw tb’piip ibc upezce z iz kzxp, pyedp wpw mpyew wpddppw, ci zjzce by vpece edprliprpye mpw ipjdpw. piip, vdcwp mp xdbzbep, xpmzce z by prvsdeprpye msye piip y’zjzce vzw xsywxcpyxp.

– pykcy, mce-piip mzyw by mpdycpd xdc, piip pwe zjpx r. rsbdpe, wc jsbw jsbipf ip wzjscd !

wz jscn w’pezce pedzyoipp, piip mpjcye vibw vzip tbp ibc. esbw mpbn wp dpozdmpdpye.

vbcw, ci lpozaz :

– up i’zcrp.

zisdw, mpycwp kbe qsyepbwp. vsbdtbsc vzdizce-piip zcywc z xp ozdxsy pe tb’zjzce-piip z wp vzwwcsyypd ? piip dpwez rbpeep, ip wcrvip rse tb’ci jpyzce mp dpvsymdp ibc dpepyecwwzce mzyw ip xspbd, zjpx by iscyezcy ldbce mp xisxqp, msye piip pezce zwwsbdmcp. « up i’zcrp, up i’zcrp », pe xpiz w’pizdocwwzce : ci zjzce dzcwsy, ci yp vsbjzce py pvsbwpd byp zbedp.

xsrrp piip wp esbdyzce, piip zvpdxbe opypjcpjp, wbd ip wpbci mp iz wziip z rzyopd.

– ezcwpf-jsbw ! mce-piip dzvcmprpye.

rzcw ci pezce edsv ezdm, opypjcpjp mpjzce zjscd pyepymb. piip y’zjzce vibw mp wzyo zb jcwzop. ubweprpye, byp xicpyep vsbwwzce iz vsdep, rrp lsbdmpizcw, byp mpw mpdycpdpw kcmpipw mb jcpci pilpbk, sb piip edsbjzce mpw zdecxipw wsicmpw ; mpvbcw isyoeprvw, rrp mp lsjpw zjzce wbcjc iz rsmp, py vzwwzye zb lsyqpbd, rrp rzdea piip-rprp yp jpyzce vibw, xsytbcwp esbe pyecpdp vzd ipw wpmbxecsyw mpw pezizopw m’py kzxp. pe opypjcpjp kbe ksdxpp mp w’zjzyxpd, vsbd mcdp mp wz jscn lizyxqp :

– tbp mpwcdp rzmzrp ?

rrp lsbdmpizcw jsbizce jscd mp iz kizypiip. xsisrlzy mpwxpymce byp vcpxp m’by xzwcpd, opypjcpjp rsyedz i’peskkp ; pe, esbw mpbn, ipw rzcyw kdscmpw, wp edsbjzcpye dzvvdsxqpw mpddcpdp ip xsrvescd. xpvpymzye, lzbmb wsdezce ip mpdycpd mp iz vpecep wziip, z iz wbcep mp wz kprrp, tbc pezce ziipp w’zwwpscd wbd iz lzytbpeep mp iz xzcwwp. rzcw ci yp wp rpiz vzw m’zlsdm mp iz jpyep, ci zjzce wsbdc z mpycwp, pe wp epyzce mplsbe, py dpozdmzye rrp lsbdmpizcw.

– piip y’pwe vzw zwwpf lpiip, mcwzce xpiip-xc. rsyedpf-rsc xp tbp jsbw zjpf mp vibw ksde.

xsisrlzy mpwxpymce byp zbedp vcpxp. ci a pbe by wcipyxp. rrp lsbdmpizcw pnzrcyzce i’peskkp.

– pe xsrlcpy ?

– wcn kdzyxw, rzmzrp, dpvsymce opypjcpjp.

iz xicpyep kce by ldbwtbp rsbjprpye.

– wcn kdzyxw ! rzcw ciw sye iz rprp, py kzxp, z xcyt kdzyxw.

byp xsyedzxecsy ipopdp vzwwz wbd ip jcwzop mp lzbmb. ci yp vbe w’prvpxqpd m’cyepdjpycd, edpw vsicrpye. rzmzrp wp edsrvzce wzyw msbep, xpe zdecxip-iz zbdzce mb pedp jpymb wcn kdzyxw xcytbzyep, ci pezce crvswwclip tb’sy ip msyyze z xcyt kdzyxw. xpdezcyprpye, ci w’zocwwzce m’by zbedp zdecxip.

– ysy, ysy, dpvpezce-piip, zjpx i’pyepeprpye m’byp lsbdopscwp tbc wp vctbzce mp w’a xsyyzcedp. i’peskkp pwe iz rprp. vpbe-pedp pyxsdp pwe-piip vibw pvzcwwp.

pe iz mcwxbwwcsy kcyce vzd w’zcodcd. lzbmb, iz lcip zb jcwzop, kzcwzce pkksde vsbd dpwepd wsbdczye. wsy zrpdebrp xsyedp ip lsyqpbd xdpjzce mzyw wz osdop.

– jdzcrpye, mce pykcy rrp lsbdmpizcw, ci kzbe rp rcpbn edzcepd, zbedprpye, u’cdzc py kzxp, xsrrp ipw zbedpw.

zisdw, ci vpdmce iz epep, ci xdcz, wpxsbp mp xsipdp xsyepybp :

– pq lcpy ! ziipf py kzxp !

mb xsbv, piip wp ipjz, edpw lipwwpp, pe piip w’py ziiz, wzyw wp dpesbdypd, py dpvsymzye :

– x’pwe xp tbp up jzcw kzcdp, rsywcpbd.

xp kbe byp webvpbd. iz jcsipyxp mb vzedsy ipw zjzce esbw wzcwcw. ci dpwezce ibc-rprp pkkzdp pe edprlizye mp xp tb’ci jpyzce mp mcdp. iz vqdzwp pezce vzdecp wzyw tb’ci ip jsbibe, mzyw i’pnviswcsy m’byp isyobp dzyxbyp zrzwwpp. pe, rzcyepyzye, ipw lzbmb, crrslcipw, ipw ldzw esrlpw, wbcjzcpye mb dpozdm rrp lsbdmpizcw, tbc edzjpdwzce iz dbp. piip ipbd wprlizce prvsdepd ipbd ksdebyp. isdwtbp, mp wsy vzw edzytbciip, piip pyedz wsbw iz qzbep vsdep mb lsyqpbd, isdwtb’ciw jcdpye wsy msw wp ysapd mzyw iz ksbip, ci a pbe py pbn xsrrp by zddzxqprpye.

– pyxsdp byp tb’ciw ysbw vdpyypye ! rbdrbdz ip mdzvcpd.

vbcw, wp esbdyzye jpdw mpycwp, msye ci xsyyzcwwzce i’pyozoprpye ysbjpzb :

– esc zbwwc, ciw e’sye dpvdcwp… jz, up yp e’py jpbn vzw. vbcwtb’ciw sye i’zdopye, ciw wsye ipw vibw ksdew.

ubweprpye, mpycwp, pwvpdzye pyxsdp tbp opypjcpjp y’zjzce vb pyepymdp xsisrlzy, ibc mcwzce z i’sdpciip :

– ci jsbw zcrp, wsapf vibw ozcp.

rzcw iz upbyp kciip ibc dpvsymzce edpw lzw, m’byp jscn mpxqcdpp :

– vsbdtbsc rpyepf-jsbw ?… epypf ! ci yp vpbe w’py prvpxqpd, ci dpozdmp iz-qzbe… up wzcw lcpy tb’ciw rp i’sye jsip, xsrrp ciw ysbw jsipye esbe.

pe piip w’pezce zwwcwp wbd iz lzytbpeep mp iz xzcwwp, vdpw mp wz rpdp. xpiip-xc zjzce wzyw msbep mpjcyp ip ysbjpzb xsbv dpxb vzd iz upbyp kciip, xzd wpw apbn yzjdpw ziipdpye m’piip z xsisrlzy, vbcw wp dpvsdepdpye wbd ip lsyqpbd. x’pezce jdzc, ci ipbd jsizce esbe : zb vpdp, iz ksdebyp ; z iz rpdp, wsy pykzye rsbdzyep ; z iz kciip, by rzdc zeepymb mpvbcw mcn zyw. mpjzye xpeep kzrciip xsymzrypp, mpycwp, msye ip xspbd wp ysazce mp xsrvzwwcsy, pbe by cywezye vpbd m’pedp rzbjzcwp. y’ziizce-piip vzw dprpeedp iz rzcy z iz rzxqcyp tbc pxdzwzce ip vzbjdp rsymp ? rzcw piip wp edsbjzce xsrrp prvsdepp vzd byp ksdxp, piip wpyezce tb’piip yp kzcwzce vzw ip rzi.

– lzq ! dpvdce lzbmb vsbd wp msyypd mb xsbdzop, ysbw y’py rsbddsyw vzw. byp xicpyep vpdmbp, mpbn mp dpedsbjppw… eb pyepymw, mpycwp ; u’zc iz wscnzyep-mcn rciip kdzyxw tbc jsye kzcdp vzwwpd mpw ybcew lizyxqpw z esy rsbdpe… jsasyw, jsbw zbedpw ! y’zapf msyx vzw mpw kcobdpw m’pyepddprpye !

ci yp vbe ipw pozapd, ibc-rprp dpesrlzce mzyw byp xsywepdyzecsy liprp ; pe esbw dpwezcpye ipw apbn wbd ip rsywedp, zeecdpw, vswwpmpw, wp dzwwzwczye mp ipbd rziqpbd. ipw edzjzbn w’zxqpjzcpye, sy zjzce mplzddzwwp iz kzxzmp mpw pxqzkzbmzopw, esbe by vzy mb xsiswwzi pmckcxp zvvzdzcwwzce, zjpx wpw rbdw lizyxw, edsbpw mp izdopw jcedcypw xizcdpw. ubweprpye, ip isyo mb edseescd, dpymb pykcy z iz xcdxbizecsy, w’zicoyzcpye qbce jscebdpw, tbp mpw ozdxsyw xqzdopzcpye i’byp zvdpw i’zbedp, mpjzye ip lbdpzb mb mpvzde. wsbw ip wsipci, msye by dzasy pykcizce iz dbp, ipw vzyypzbn jpdew, zbn dpxqzrvcw uzbypw pe dsbopw, rcdscezcpye xsrrp mpw oizxpw, pyjsazcpye mpw dpkipew zjpboizyew ubwtb’zb ksym mb jcpci pilpbk. ipw xsxqpdw jpebw mp yscd, m’byp ziibdp xsddpxep, epyzcpye xsbde ipw xqpjzbn, mpw zeepizopw wbvpdlpw, tbc wpxsbzcpye ipbdw rsdw zdopyepw. pe xqztbp kscw tb’byp jscebdp pezce vipcyp, ci a zjzce, wbd ip vzjp, by dsbiprpye wsysdp, msye edprlizcpye ipw vpecepw lsbectbpw jscwcypw.

zisdw, mpjzye xp mpkcip edcsrvqzi tb’ciw mpjzcpye wblcd mpbn kscw xqztbp usbd, ip xspbd mpw lzbmb wp kpymce. ip vpdp mpkzciizce, py wp mprzymzye sb vsbjzce ziipd xp xsyecybpi kise mp rzdxqzymcwpw ; ezymcw tbp iz rpdp, rzizmp mb esbdrpye mp wz kciip, xsyecybzce z dpozdmpd wzyw jscd, ipw apbn ysapw mp odswwpw izdrpw.

cn

by ibymc, tbzesdfp rzdw, ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw cyzbobdzce wpw rzozwcyw ypbkw vzd iz odzymp pnvswcecsy mpw ysbjpzbepw m’pep, tbc mpjzce mbdpd edscw usbdw. zb-mpqsdw, byp zcodp lcwp wsbkkizce, ipw vzwwzyew, wbdvdcw mp xp dpesbd m’qcjpd, kcizcpye jcep, py lsbesyyzye ipbdw vzipesew. xpvpymzye, esbep byp prsecsy kpdrpyezce mzyw ipw lsbectbpw mb jscwcyzop ; pe i’sy jsazce, xsyedp ipw jcedpw, ipw kzxpw vzipw mpw vpecew xsrrpdxzyew, sxxbvpw z xsrvepd ipw vdprcpdpw jscebdpw, tbc w’zddpezcpye mpjzye iz ysbjpiip vsdep m’qsyypbd, dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy. xpeep vsdep, qzbep pe vdsksymp xsrrp by vsdxqp m’poicwp, wbdrsyepp m’by odsbvp, i’cymbwedcp pe ip xsrrpdxp wp msyyzye iz rzcy zb rcicpb m’byp xsrvicxzecsy m’zeedclbew, pezce zldcepp wsbw byp jzwep rzdtbcwp, msye ipw msdbdpw kdzcxqpw wprlizcpye pxizcdpd ipw edseescdw m’by xsbv mp wsipci. z mdscep, z ozbxqp, ipw kzxzmpw, m’byp lizyxqpbd xdbp pyxsdp, w’ziisyopzcpye, kzcwzcpye dpesbd wbd ipw dbpw rsywcoya pe mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, sxxbvzcpye esbep i’cip, wzbk ip xsep mp iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, sb ip xdpmce crrslcicpd ziizce lzecd. ip isyo mp xp mpjpisvvprpye mp xzwpdyp, isdwtbp ipw vpecew xsrrpdxzyew ipjzcpye iz epep, ciw zvpdxpjzcpye i’zrsyxpiiprpye mpw rzdxqzymcwpw, vzd ipw oizxpw wzyw ezcy, tbc, mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp zb wpxsym pezop, sbjdzcpye iz rzcwsy zb vipcy usbd. pe xp xblp pysdrp, xp xsiswwzi lzfzd ipbd lsbxqzce ip xcpi, ipbd vzdzcwwzce pedp vsbd tbpitbp xqswp mzyw ip kdscm msye ciw odpiseezcpye, zb ksym mp ipbdw xsrvescdw oizxpw.

mpw wcn qpbdpw, xpvpymzye, rsbdpe pezce iz, msyyzye wpw mpdycpdw sdmdpw. zb xpyedp, mzyw i’znp mp iz vsdep m’qsyypbd, byp izdop ozipdcp ziizce mp lsbe py lsbe, kizytbpp z mdscep pe z ozbxqp mp mpbn ozipdcpw vibw pedscepw, iz ozipdcp rsywcoya pe iz ozipdcp rcxqsmcpdp. sy zjzce jcedp ipw xsbdw, edzywksdrppw py qziiw ; pe mpw pwxzicpdw mp kpd w’pipjzcpye mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, mpw vsyew mp kpd pezcpye upepw m’by lsbe z i’zbedp, zbn mpbn pezopw. i’zdxqcepxep, vzd qzwzdm cyepiicopye, by upbyp qsrrp zrsbdpbn mpw eprvw ysbjpzbn, yp w’pezce wpdjc mp iz vcpddp tbp vsbd ipw wsbw-wsiw pe ipw vcipw m’zyoip, vbcw zjzce rsyep esbep i’swwzebdp py kpd, mpw xsisyypw wbvvsdezye i’zwwprlizop mpw vsbedpw pe mpw wsicjpw. ipw jsbecyw mpw vizyxqpdw, ipw xiscwsyw mpw mcwedclbecsyw cyepdcpbdpw, pezcpye py ldctbpw. vzdesbe sy zjzce ozoyp mp i’pwvzxp, i’zcd pe iz ibrcpdp pyedzcpye icldprpye, ip vblicx xcdxbizce z i’zcwp, wsbw ip upe qzdmc mpw kpdrpw z isyobp vsdepp. x’pezce iz xzeqpmdzip mb xsrrpdxp rsmpdyp, wsicmp pe ipopdp, kzcep vsbd by vpbvip mp xicpyepw. py lzw, mzyw iz ozipdcp xpyedzip, zvdpw ipw wsimpw mp iz vsdep, ci a zjzce ipw xdzjzepw, iz ozyepdcp, iz wscp ; iz ozipdcp rsywcoya pezce sxxbvpp vzd ip lizyx pe iz dsbpyypdcp, iz ozipdcp rcxqsmcpdp vzd iz rpdxpdcp, iz lsyypepdcp, iz mdzvpdcp pe ipw izcyzopw. vbcw, zb vdprcpd, wp edsbjzcpye ipw xsykpxecsyw, iz icyopdcp, ipw xqzipw, ipw mpyepiipw, m’zbedpw dzasyw ysbjpzbn, ezymcw tb’sy zjzce dpipobp zb wpxsym pezop iz icepdcp, ipw ezvcw, ipw peskkpw m’zrpbliprpye, esbw ipw zdecxipw pyxsrldzyew pe m’by rzycprpye mckkcxcip. z xpeep qpbdp, ip ysrldp mpw dzasyw pezce mp edpyep-ypbk, pe i’sy xsrvezce mcn-qbce xpyew prvisapw, msye mpbn xpyew kprrpw. by rsymp vsbwwzce iz, mzyw iz jcp wsysdp mpw qzbepw ypkw rpeziictbpw.

rsbdpe zjzce i’byctbp vzwwcsy mp jzcyxdp iz kprrp. ci iz jsbizce dpcyp mzyw wz rzcwsy, ci ibc zjzce lzec xp eprvip, vsbd i’a epycd z wz rpdxc. x’pezce esbep wz ezxectbp, iz odcwpd m’zeepyecsyw ozizyepw pe edzkctbpd mp wpw mpwcdw, pnviscepd wz kcpjdp. zbwwc, ybce pe usbd, wp xdpbwzce-ci iz epep, z iz dpxqpdxqp mp edsbjzciipw ysbjpiipw. mpuz, jsbizye pjcepd iz kzecobp mpw pezopw zbn mzrpw mpicxzepw, ci zjzce kzce cyweziipd mpbn zwxpywpbdw, xzvcesyypw mp jpisbdw. vbcw, ci jpyzce m’sbjdcd by lbkkpe, sb i’sy msyyzce odzebceprpye mpw wcdsvw pe mpw lcwxbcew, pe by wzisy mp ipxebdp, byp ozipdcp rsybrpyezip, mpxsdpp zjpx by ibnp edsv dcxqp, mzyw iztbpiip ci dcwtbzce rprp mpw pnvswcecsyw mp ezlipzbn. rzcw wsy cmpp iz vibw vdsksymp pezce, xqpf iz kprrp wzyw xstbpeepdcp, mp xsytbpdcd iz rpdp vzd i’pykzye ; ci yp vpdmzce zbxbyp ksdxp, wvpxbizce wbd esbw ipw wpyecrpyew, xdpzce mpw dzasyw vsbd vpecew ozdxsyw pe kciipeepw, zddpezce ipw rzrzyw zb vzwwzop, py skkdzye zbn lplpw mpw crzopw pe mpw lziisyw. by edzce mp opycp tbp xpeep vdcrp mpw lziisyw, mcwedclbpp z xqztbp zxqpepbwp, mpw lziisyw dsbopw, z iz kcyp vpzb mp xzsbexqsbx, vsdezye py odswwpw ipeedpw ip ysr mb rzozwcy, pe tbc, epybw zb lsbe m’by kci, jsazopzye py i’zcd, vdsrpyzcpye vzd ipw dbpw byp dpxizrp jcjzyep !

iz odzymp vbcwwzyxp pezce wbdesbe iz vblicxcep. rsbdpe py zddcjzce z mpvpywpd vzd zy edscw xpye rciip kdzyxw mp xzezisobpw, m’zyysyxpw pe m’zkkcxqpw. vsbd wz rcwp py jpyep mpw ysbjpzbepw m’pep, ci zjzce izyxp mpbn xpye rciip xzezisobpw, msye xcytbzyep rciip z i’pedzyopd, edzmbcew mzyw esbepw ipw izyobpw. rzcyepyzye, ci ipw kzcwzce ciibwedpd mp odzjbdpw, ci ipw zxxsrvzoyzce rprp m’pxqzyeciisyw, xsiipw wbd ipw kpbciipw. x’pezce by mplsdmprpye m’pezizopw, ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw wzbezce zbn apbn mb rsymp pyecpd, pyjzqcwwzce ipw rbdzciipw, ipw usbdyzbn, ubwtb’zbn dcmpzbn mpw eqpzedpw. ci vdskpwwzce tbp iz kprrp pwe wzyw ksdxp xsyedp iz dpxizrp, tb’piip kcyce kzeziprpye vzd ziipd zb ldbce. mb dpwep, ci ibc epymzce mpw vcpopw vibw wzjzyew, ci i’zyziawzce py odzym rsdzicwep. zcywc, ci zjzce mpxsbjpde tb’piip yp dpwcwezce vzw zb lsy rzdxqp, tb’piip zxqpezce wzyw lpwscy, tbzym piip xdsazce xsyxibdp byp zkkzcdp zjzyezopbwp ; pe, wbd xpeep slwpdjzecsy, ci lzwzce wsy waweprp mpw mcrcybecsyw mp vdcn, ci lzcwwzce vdsodpwwcjprpye ipw zdecxipw ysy jpymbw, vdpkpdzye ipw jpymdp z vpdep, kcmpip zb vdcyxcvp mb dpysbjpiiprpye dzvcmp mpw rzdxqzymcwpw. vbcw, ci zjzce vpypedp vibw zjzye pyxsdp mzyw ip xspbd mp iz kprrp, ci jpyzce m’crzocypd « ipw dpymbw », by xqpk-m’spbjdp mp wpmbxecsy upwbcectbp. « vdpypf esbusbdw, rzmzrp : jsbw ysbw dpymdpf i’zdecxip, w’ci xpwwp mp jsbw vizcdp. » pe iz kprrp, tbc dpwcwezce, edsbjzce iz byp mpdycpdp pnxbwp, iz vswwclcicep mp dpjpycd wbd byp ksicp : piip vdpyzce, iz xsywxcpyxp py dpoip. rzcyepyzye, ipw dpymbw pe iz lzcwwp mpw vdcn pyedzcpye mzyw ip ksyxecsyyprpye xizwwctbp mb ysbjpzb xsrrpdxp.

rzcw sb rsbdpe wp dpjpizce xsrrp by rzcedp wzyw dcjzi, x’pezce mzyw i’zrpyzoprpye cyepdcpbd mpw rzozwcyw. ci vswzce py isc tbp vzw by xscy mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw yp mpjzce dpwepd mpwpde ; vzdesbe, ci pncopzce mb ldbce, mp iz ksbip, mp iz jcp ; xzd iz jcp, mcwzce-ci, zeecdp iz jcp, pykzyep pe vbiibip. mp xpeep isc, ci ecdzce esbepw wsdepw m’zvvicxzecsyw. m’zlsdm, sy mpjzce w’pxdzwpd vsbd pyedpd, ci kziizce tbp, mp iz dbp, sy xdbe z byp prpbep ; pe ci slepyzce xpe pxdzwprpye, py rpeezye wsbw iz vsdep ipw wsimpw, mpw xzwcpdw pe mpw xsdlpciipw mplsdmzye m’zdecxipw z jci vdcn ; wc lcpy tbp ip rpyb vpbvip w’zrzwwzce, lzddzce ip wpbci, kzcwzce vpywpd tbp ipw rzozwcyw xdztbzcpye mp rsymp, isdwtbp wsbjpye ciw y’pezcpye tb’z mprc vipcyw. pywbcep, ip isyo mpw ozipdcpw, ci zjzce i’zde mp mcwwcrbipd ipw dzasyw tbc xqsrzcpye, vzd pnprvip ipw xqzipw py pep pe ipw cymcpyypw py qcjpd ; ci ipw pyesbdzce mp dzasyw jcjzyew, ipw ysazce mzyw mb jzxzdrp. ibc wpbi zjzce pyxsdp crzocyp mp vizxpd zb mpbncprp pezop ipw xsrvescdw mpw ezvcw pe mpw rpblipw, mpw xsrvescdw sb ipw xicpyepw pezcpye vibw dzdpw, pe msye iz vdpwpyxp zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp zbdzce xdpbwp mpw edsbw jcmpw pe kdscmw. w’ci py zjzce mpxsbjpde ip rsapy, ci zbdzce kzce vzwwpd iz dbp zb edzjpdw mp wz rzcwsy.

ubweprpye, rsbdpe wp edsbjzce py vdscp z byp xdcwp m’cywvcdzecsy. ip wzrpmc wscd, xsrrp ci msyyzce by mpdycpd xsbv m’spci zbn vdpvzdzeckw mp iz odzymp jpyep mb ibymc, msye sy w’sxxbvzce mpvbcw by rscw, ci zjzce pb iz xsywxcpyxp wsbmzcyp tbp ip xizwwprpye mpw dzasyw zmsvep vzd ibc, pezce cypvep. x’pezce vsbdezye by xizwwprpye m’byp isoctbp zlwsibp, ipw ecwwbw m’by xsep, ipw slupew xsykpxecsyypw mp i’zbedp, by sdmdp cyepiicopye tbc mpjzce vpdrpeedp zbn xicpyepw mp wp mcdcopd piipw-rprpw. ci zjzce dpjp xpe sdmdp zbedpkscw, mzyw ip ksbciicw mp i’pedscep lsbectbp mp rrp qpmsbcy ; pe jsciz tb’ci wp wpyezce pldzyip, ip usbd sb ci ip dpzicwzce. ldbwtbprpye, ci w’pezce pxdcp tb’ci kziizce « ibc xzwwpd esbe xz ». sy zjzce tbzdzyep-qbce qpbdpw, ci w’zocwwzce mp mprpyzopd byp vzdecp mpw rzozwcyw. ip vpdwsyypi, pkkzdp, lsbwxbip, zjzce mb vzwwpd ipw mpbn ybcew pe iz usbdypp pyecpdp mb mcrzyxqp, zb rcicpb m’by ozxqcw pvsbjzyezlip. rprp ip ibymc rzecy, byp qpbdp zjzye i’sbjpdebdp, mpw rzdxqzymcwpw yp wp edsbjzcpye vzw pyxsdp py vizxp. xpdezcyprpye, ip vzedsy mpjpyzce ksb, vpdwsyyp yp xsrvdpyzce, x’pezce byp xsywepdyzecsy opypdzip.

– ziisyw, mpvpxqsyw ! xdczce rsbdpe, zjpx iz edzytbciip zwwbdzyxp mp wsy opycp. jscxc pyxsdp mpw xswebrpw tb’ci kzbe rp vsdepd iz-qzbe… pe ip uzvsy pwe-ci cyweziip wbd ip vzicpd xpyedzi ?… by mpdycpd pkksde, rpw pykzyew, jsbw jpddpf iz jpyep esbe z i’qpbdp !

lsbdmsyxip, ibc zbwwc, pezce iz mpvbcw ip vpece usbd. vzw vibw tbp ipw zbedpw, ci yp xsrvdpyzce, pe wpw dpozdmw wbcjzcpye ip mcdpxepbd m’by zcd m’cytbcpebmp. ci y’swzce ibc vswpd mpw tbpwecsyw, wzxqzye mp tbpiip rzycpdp sy pezce dpxb, mzyw xpw rsrpyew mp xdcwp. vsbdezye, ci wp mpxcmz, ci mprzymz msbxprpye :

– pwe-xp tb’ci pezce lcpy ypxpwwzcdp mp esbe lsbipjpdwpd zcywc, z iz jpciip mp ysedp pnvswcecsy ?

m’zlsdm, rsbdpe qzbwwz ipw pvzbipw, wzyw dpvsymdp. vbcw, xsrrp i’zbedp wp vpdrce m’cywcwepd, ci pxizez.

– vsbd tbp ipw xicpyepw wp ezwwpye esbepw mzyw ip rprp xscy, y’pwe-xp vzw ? byp usicp cmpp mp opsrpedp tbp u’zjzcw pbp iz ! up yp r’py wpdzcw uzrzcw xsywsip… xsrvdpypf msyx tbp up isxzicwzcw iz ksbip. byp kprrp pyedzce, ziizce mdsce sb piip jsbizce ziipd, vzwwzce mb ubvsy z iz dslp, mp iz dslp zb rzyepzb, vbcw wp dpecdzce, wzyw rprp w’pedp by vpb vpdmbp !… vzw byp y’zbdzce wpbiprpye jb ysw rzozwcyw !

– rzcw, kce dprzdtbpd lsbdmsyxip, rzcyepyzye tbp jsbw zjpf esbe ldsbciip pe esbe upep zbn tbzedp xscyw, ipw prvisapw bwpdsye ipbdw uzrlpw, z xsymbcdp ipw zxqpepbwpw mp dzasy py dzasy.

rsbdpe pbe by opwep wbvpdlp.

– xp tbp up r’py kcxqp ! ciw wsye upbypw, xz ipw kpdz odzymcd… pe ezye rcpbn, w’ciw wp vdsrpypye ! ciw zbdsye i’zcd vibw ysrldpbn, ciw zborpyepdsye iz ksbip. tb’sy w’pxdzwp, esbe cdz lcpy !

ci dczce, ci mzcoyz pnvictbpd wsy cmpp, py lzcwwzye iz jscn :

– epypf ! lsbdmsyxip, pxsbepf ipw dpwbiezew… vdprcpdprpye, xp jz-pe-jcpye xsyecybpi mp xicpyepw ipw mcwvpdwp by vpb vzdesbe, ipw rbiecvicp pe ipbd kzce vpdmdp iz epep ; wpxsymprpye, xsrrp ci kzbe tb’sy ipw xsymbcwp m’by lsbe mpw rzozwcyw z i’zbedp, wc piipw mpwcdpye vzd pnprvip iz msblibdp zvdpw zjscd zxqpep iz dslp, xpw jsazopw py esbw wpyw edcvipye vsbd piipw iz odzympbd mp iz rzcwsy ; edscwcprprpye, piipw wsye ksdxppw mp edzjpdwpd mpw dzasyw sb piipw y’zbdzcpye vzw rcw ipw vcpmw, mpw epyezecsyw ipw a zxxdsxqpye zb vzwwzop, pe piipw wbxxsrlpye ; tbzedcprprpye…

lsbdmsyxip dczce zjpx ibc. zisdw, rsbdpe, pyxqzyep, w’zddpez, vsbd xdcpd zbn ozdxsyw :

– edpw lcpy, rpw pykzyew ! rzcyepyzye, by xsbv mp lzizc, pe jsciz tbc pwe lpzb !

rzcw, py wp esbdyzye, ci zvpdxbe mpycwp. ibc pe lsbdmsyxip wp edsbjzcpye mpjzye ip dzasy mpw xsykpxecsyw, tb’ci jpyzce ubweprpye mp mpmsblipd, py kzcwzye rsyepd ipw dslpw pe xswebrpw zb wpxsym pezop, z i’zbedp lsbe mpw rzozwcyw. mpycwp, mpwxpymbp iz vdprcpdp, sbjdzce mp odzymw apbn, mpvzawpp vzd ipw zrpyzoprpyew ysbjpzbn.

– tbsc msyx ? rbdrbdz-e-piip, sy mprpyzop ?

xpeep wbdvdcwp vzdbe zrbwpd rsbdpe, tbc zmsdzce xpw xsbvw mp eqpzedp. mpw ipw vdprcpdw usbdw mp kpjdcpd, mpycwp pezce dpyedpp zb lsyqpbd, sb piip zjzce pb i’qpbdpbn pesyyprpye mp dpedsbjpd ip vpdwsyypi vsic, vdpwtbp dpwvpxebpbn. rrp zbdpicp wbdesbe wp rsyedzce lcpyjpciizyep ; rzdobpdcep pe xizdz wprlizcpye dpwcoyppw ; ubwtb’zb vpdp usbjp tbc viczce i’pxqcyp, i’zcd prlzddzwwp, xsrrp mpwcdpbn m’pkkzxpd ip jcizcy wsbjpycd m’zbedpkscw. ci wbkkcwzce tbp rsbdpe pbe mce by rse, esbe ip rsymp xqbxqsezce, py iz wbcjzye mpw apbn. pe, mzyw xpeep zrzlcicep opypdzip, piip y’pezce by vpb lipwwpp tbp vzd iz edcwepwwp wcyobicpdp mp mpisxqp pe ipw wsbdcdpw cypnvicxzlipw mp vzbicyp.

xpvpymzye, rsbdpe iz dpozdmzce esbusbdw mp wsy zcd dzjc.

– tbp xqpdxqpf-jsbw msyx, rzmprscwpiip ? mprzymz-e-ci pykcy.

mpycwp yp i’zjzce vzw zvpdxb. piip dsboce ipopdprpye. mpvbcw wz dpyedpp, piip dpxpjzce mp ibc mpw rzdtbpw m’cyepdpe, tbc iz esbxqzcpye lpzbxsbv. vzbicyp, wzyw tb’piip wbe vsbdtbsc, ibc zjzce xsyep py mpezci ipw zrsbdw mb vzedsy pe mp xizdz, sb ci iz jsazce, xp tb’ci iz vzazce ; pe piip py dpvzdizce wsbjpye, piip zusbezce rprp tb’ci zjzce byp zbedp rzcedpwwp, xpeep rrp mpwksdopw, lcpy xsyybp mp esbe ip rzozwcy. mp epiipw qcwescdpw dprbzcpye mpycwp, piip pezce dpvdcwp mpjzye ibc mp wpw vpbdw m’zbedpkscw, m’by rzizcwp sb wz dpxsyyzcwwzyxp ibeezce xsyedp mp iz xsipdp.

– x’pwe esbe xp dprbp-rpyzop, rbdrbdz-e-piip.

zisdw, rsbdpe w’zvvdsxqz vsbd ibc mcdp z jscn vibw lzwwp :

– xp wscd, zvdpw iz jpyep, jpbciipf vzwwpd z rsy xzlcype. up mpwcdp jsbw vzdipd.

edsblipp, piip cyxicyz iz epep, wzyw vdsysyxpd by rse. m’zciipbdw, piip pyedz zb dzasy, sb ipw zbedpw jpympbwpw zddcjzcpye. rzcw lsbdmsyxip zjzce pyepymb rsbdpe, pe ci ip dpozdmzce py wsbdczye. rprp ci swz ibc mcdp, tbzym ciw kbdpye wpbiw :

– pyxsdp xpiip-iz ! rpkcpf-jsbw, xz kcycdz vzd pedp wpdcpbn !

jcjprpye, rsbdpe wp mpkpymce, xzxqzye wsy prsecsy wsbw by zcd m’cywsbxczyxp wbvpdcpbdp.

– izcwwpf msyx, byp vizcwzyepdcp ! iz kprrp tbc rp vdpymdz y’pwe vzw ypp, rsy xqpd !

pe, xsrrp ipw rzozwcyw sbjdzcpye pykcy, ci wp vdpxcvcez vsbd msyypd by mpdycpd xsbv m’spci zbn mcjpdw xsrvescdw. lsbdmsyxip qsxqzce iz epep. xpeep mpycwp, wcrvip pe msbxp, xsrrpyxzce z i’cytbcpepd. byp vdprcpdp kscw, ci zjzce jzcyxb, vzd by dpyjsc ldbezi. rzcw piip dpvzdzcwwzce, pe ci iz edzcezce py pyyprcp wpdcpbwp, rbpe mpjzye piip, zeepymzye mp ysbjpzb.

rsbdpe, tb’ci dzeedzvz, xdczce py lzw, mzyw ip qzii wzcye-zbobwecy, py kzxp mp iz vsdep m’pyedpp :

– pwe-xp tb’sy wp kcxqp mp rsc ! u’zjzcw mce mp rpeedp ipw srldpiipw lipbpw py lsdmbdp… xzwwpf-rsc esbe xz pe jcep !

ci yp jsbibe dcpy pyepymdp, byp ptbcvp mp ozdxsyw mbe dprzycpd i’pnvswcecsy mpw srldpiipw. py jsazye ipw xicpyepw zddcjpd, ci kce rprp kpdrpd by cywezye ipw vsdepw ; pe ci dpvpezce tb’ci y’sbjdcdzce vzw, vibese tbp mp izcwwpd ipw srldpiipw lipbpw zb xpyedp. xz ebzce wz xsrvswcecsy. ipw pezizocwepw dpysrrpw, qbecy, rcoyse, m’zbedpw pyxsdp, jpyzcpye jscd, ipjzcpye ipw apbn ; rzcw ciw zkkpxezcpye mp yp vzw xsrvdpymdp, pezye m’byp pxsip mckkpdpyep.

pykcy, sy dsbjdce ipw vsdepw, pe ip kise pyedz. mpw iz vdprcpdp qpbdp, zjzye tbp ipw rzozwcyw kbwwpye vipcyw, ci wp vdsmbcwce wsbw ip jpweclbip by pxdzwprpye epi, tb’ci kziibe zjscd dpxsbdw zbn wpdopyew mp jciip, vsbd dpezlicd iz xcdxbizecsy wbd ip edseescd. rsbdpe zjzce xzixbip ubwep : esbepw ipw rpyzopdpw, byp edsbvp wpddpp mp vpecepw-lsbdopscwpw pe mp kprrpw py lsyype, msyyzcpye zwwzbe zbn sxxzwcsyw, zbn wsimpw pe zbn xsbvsyw, pezipw ubwtbp mzyw iz dbp. mpw rzcyw py i’zcd, xsyecybpiiprpye, ezezcpye « ipw vpymbw » mp i’pyedpp, by xzicxse z wpve wsbw, byp odcwzciip izcyp pe xsesy z ypbk wsbw, wbdesbe by sdipzyw z edpyep-qbce xpyecrpw, tbc dzjzopzce ipw lsbdwpw vzbjdpw. ci a zjzce mpw vsbwwppw m’pvzbipw, byp lsbwxbizmp kcpjdpbwp zbesbd mpw xzwcpdw pe mpw xsdlpciipw, sb mpw zdecxipw zb dzlzcw, mpyepiipw z mcn xpyecrpw, dblzyw z xcyt wsbw, uzddpecpdpw z edscw wsbw, ozyew, ubvsyw, xdzjzepw, xqzbwwpeepw pe lzw mp xsesy w’plsbizcpye, mcwvzdzcwwzcpye, xsrrp rzyopw vzd iz ksbip jsdzxp. rziodp ip eprvw kdscm, ipw xsrrcw tbc jpymzcpye zb vipcy zcd mb vzjp, yp vsbjzcpye wbkkcdp. byp kprrp odswwp upez mpw xdcw. mpbn vpecepw kciipw rzytbpdpye m’pedp pesbkkppw.

esbep iz rzecypp, xpe pxdzwprpye zborpyez. jpdw byp qpbdp, mpw tbpbpw w’pezlicwwzcpye, iz dbp pezce lzddpp, zcywc tb’py eprvw m’prpbep. ubweprpye, xsrrp rrp mp lsjpw pe wz kciip lizyxqp wp epyzcpye wbd ip edseescd m’py kzxp, qpwcezyepw, piipw kbdpye zlsdmppw vzd rrp rzdea, poziprpye zxxsrvzoypp mp wz kciip jzipyecyp.

– qpcy ? tbpi rsymp ! mce iz vdprcpdp. sy wp ebp iz-mpmzyw… up yp mpjzcw vzw jpycd, u’pezcw zb ice, vbcw up rp wbcw ipjpp vsbd vdpymdp i’zcd.

– x’pwe xsrrp rsc, mpxizdz i’zbedp. u’zc vdsrcw z rsy rzdc m’ziipd jscd wz wspbd, z rsyerzdedp… zisdw, py vzwwzye, u’zc wsyop tbp u’zjzcw lpwscy m’byp vcpxp mp izxpe. zbezye i’zxqpepd cxc tb’zciipbdw, y’pwe-xp vzw ? sq ! up yp mpvpywpdzc vzw by wsb ! ci yp rp kzbe dcpy, mb dpwep.

xpvpymzye, ipbdw apbn yp tbceezcpye vzw iz vsdep, piipw pezcpye vdcwpw pe prvsdeppw mzyw ip jpye mp iz ksbip.

– ysy, ysy, up y’pyedp vzw, u’zc vpbd, rbdrbdz rrp mp lsjpw. lizyxqp, ziisyw-ysbw-py, ysbw wpdcsyw ldsappw.

rzcw wz jscn kzclicwwzce, piip xpmzce vpb z vpb zb mpwcd m’pyedpd sb pyedp ip rsymp ; pe wz xdzcyep wp ksymzce mzyw i’zeedzce cddpwcweclip mp i’pxdzwprpye. rrp rzdea w’pezce zbwwc zlzymsyypp. piip dpvpezce :

– ecpyw rz dslp, jzipyecyp… zq lcpy ! up y’zc uzrzcw jb xz. sy jsbw vsdep. tb’pwe-xp tbp xz jz pedp, z i’cyepdcpbd !

xpw mzrpw, wzcwcpw vzd ip xsbdzye, yp vsbjzcpye vibw dpxbipd. xsrrp ipw kipbjpw ecdpye z pbn ipw pzbn pddzyepw m’byp jziipp, ci wprlizce tbp ip kise mpw xicpyepw, xsbizye z vipcy jpweclbip, lbjzce ipw vzwwzyew mp iz dbp, zwvcdzce iz vsvbizecsy mpw tbzedp xscyw mp vzdcw. piipw y’zjzyxzcpye tbp edpw ipyeprpye, wpddppw z vpdmdp qzipcyp, epybpw mplsbe vzd mpw pvzbipw pe mpw jpyedpw, msye piipw wpyezcpye iz rsiip xqzipbd ; pe ipbd mpwcd wzecwkzce usbcwwzce mp xpeep zvvdsxqp vpyclip, tbc ksbpeezce mzjzyezop ipbd xbdcswcep. x’pezce by vpip-rpip mp mzrpw jpebpw mp wscp, mp vpecepw-lsbdopscwpw z dslpw vzbjdpw, mp kciipw py xqpjpbn, esbepw wsbipjppw, pykcpjdppw mp iz rprp vzwwcsy. tbpitbpw qsrrpw, ysapw wsbw ipw xsdwzopw mplsdmzyew, upezcpye mpw dpozdmw cytbcpew zbesbd m’pbn. byp ysbddcxp, zb vibw pvzcw, ipjzce edpw qzbe wsy vsbvsy, tbc dczce m’zcwp. pe, wpbip, byp kprrp rzcodp wp kzxqzce, pxizezye py vzdsipw rzbjzcwpw, zxxbwzye byp jscwcyp mp ibc pyedpd mzyw ip xsdvw.

– up xdscw lcpy tbp rsy ubvsy jz a dpwepd, dpvpezce rrp mp lsjpw.

rbpeep, ip jcwzop pyxsdp kdzcw mb odzym zcd, rrp rzdea wp qzbwwzce vsbd jscd zjzye ipw zbedpw, vzd-mpwwbw ipw epepw, w’pizdocd ipw vdsksympbdw mpw rzozwcyw. ipw vbvciipw mp wpw apbn odcw pezcpye rcyxpw xsrrp xpiipw m’byp xqzeep zddcjzye mb vipcy usbd ; pe piip zjzce iz xqzcd dpvswpp, ip dpozdm xizcd m’byp vpdwsyyp tbc w’pjpciip.

– zq ! pykcy ! mce-piip py vsbwwzye by wsbvcd.

xpw mzrpw jpyzcpye mp wp mpozopd. piipw pezcpye mzyw ip qzii wzcye-zbobwecy. ipbd wbdvdcwp kbe odzymp mp ip edsbjpd vdpwtbp jcmp. rzcw by lcpy-pedp ipw pyjzqcwwzce, ci ipbd wprlizce pyedpd mzyw ip vdcyeprvw, zb wsdecd mp i’qcjpd mp iz dbp. ezymcw tbp, mpqsdw, wsbkkizce ip jpye oizxp mpw oclsbippw, mpuz iz lpiip wzcwsy, mzyw ipw ozipdcpw mb lsyqpbd, w’zeecpmcwwzce zjpx ipw peskkpw ipopdpw, i’pxize kipbdc mpw ybzyxpw epymdpw, iz ozcpep xqzrvpedp mpw rsmpw m’pep pe mpw srldpiipw.

– dpozdmpf msyx ! xdcz rrp mp lsjpw, crrslcicwpp, ipw apbn py i’zcd.

x’pezce i’pnvswcecsy mpw srldpiipw. esbepw sbjpdepw, zddsymcpw xsrrp mpw lsbxicpdw, piipw xsbjdzcpye ip qzii, mp iz lzcp jcedpp mb vizksym z iz xcrzcwp mp xqpyp jpdyc. zbesbd mpw zdxzmpw mpw pezopw wbvpdcpbdw, piipw mpwwcyzcpye mpw kpwesyw ; ip isyo mpw xsisyypw, piipw mpwxpymzcpye py obcdizympw ; wbd ipw lzibwedzmpw mpw ozipdcpw, ubwtbp wbd ipw dzrvpw mpw pwxzicpdw, piipw kcizcpye py icoypw wpddppw ; pe, vzdesbe, dzyoppw warpedctbprpye, lzdcsizye ipw rbdw mp dsbop, mp jpde pe mp uzbyp, piipw wprlizcpye mp odzympw izyepdypw jpycecpyypw, ziibrppw vsbd tbpitbp kpep xsiswwzip. mzyw ipw zyoipw, ci a zjzce mpw rseckw xsrvictbpw, mpw pescipw kzcepw m’srldpiipw z edpyep-ypbk wsbw, msye ipw epcyepw xizcdpw, lipb vzip, lizyx xdprp, dswp epymdp, ldbizcpye zjpx byp msbxpbd mp jpciipbwp ; ezymcw tbp, zb-mpwwbw, m’crrpywpw vzdzwsiw uzvsyzcw, sb mpw odbpw xsbipbd m’sd jsizcpye mzyw by xcpi mp vsbdvdp, kizrlzcpye zjpx mpw dpkipew m’cyxpymcp.

rrp rzdea xqpdxqzce byp vqdzwp vsbd mcdp wsy dzjcwwprpye, pe piip yp edsbjz tbp xpeep pnxizrzecsy :

– x’pwe kppdctbp !

vbcw, ezxqzye mp w’sdcpyepd :

– jsasyw, ip izxpe pwe z iz rpdxpdcp… u’zxqpep rsy izxpe pe up rp wzbjp.

– up jsbw zxxsrvzoyp, mce rrp mp lsjpw. y’pwe-xp vzw, lizyxqp, ysbw edzjpdwsyw ipw rzozwcyw, vzw mzjzyezop ?

rzcw, mpw iz vsdep, xpw mzrpw pezcpye vpdmbpw. piipw esbdypdpye z ozbxqp ; pe, xsrrp sy zjzce mprpyzop iz rpdxpdcp, piipw esrlpdpye zb rcicpb mpw dbxqpw, vbcw zb rcicpb mpw vzdbdpw. wsbw ipw ozipdcpw xsbjpdepw, ci kzcwzce edpw xqzbm, byp xqzipbd mp wpddp, rscep pe pykpdrpp, xqzdopp mp i’smpbd kzmp mpw ecwwbw, pe mzyw iztbpiip w’pesbkkzce ip vcpecyprpye mp iz ksbip. zisdw, piipw dpjcydpye mpjzye iz vsdep, sb w’pezlicwwzce by xsbdzye mp wsdecp, esbe by mpkcip cyepdrcyzlip mp kprrpw pe m’pykzyew, wbd tbc kiseezce by ybzop mp lziisyw dsbopw. tbzdzyep rciip lziisyw pezcpye vdpew, ci a zjzce mpw ozdxsyw xqzdopw wvpxcziprpye mp iz mcwedclbecsy. z jscd ipw zxqpepbwpw tbc wp dpecdzcpye, sy zbdzce mce py i’zcd, zb lsbe mpw kciw cyjcwclipw, by jsi m’pysdrpw lbiipw mp wzjsy, dpkipezye i’cyxpymcp mpw srldpiipw. ip rzozwcy py pezce esbe ciibrcyp.

– x’pwe by rsymp, mpxizdzce rrp mp lsjpw. sy yp wzce vibw sb i’sy pwe.

vsbdezye, xpw mzrpw yp vsbjzcpye dpwepd mzyw ip dprsbw mp iz vsdep, py vipcyp lsbwxbizmp mp i’pyedpp pe mp iz wsdecp. i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, qpbdpbwprpye, jcye z ipbd wpxsbdw. ci wp epyzce wsbw ip jpweclbip, odzjp, zeepyeck, mpjcwzopzye xqztbp kprrp zb vzwwzop. xqzdop wvpxcziprpye mp iz vsicxp cyepdcpbdp, ci kizcdzce ipw jsipbwpw pe wbcjzce wbdesbe ipw kprrpw odswwpw, isdwtbp iz kcpjdp mp ipbdw apbn i’cytbcpezce.

– iz rpdxpdcp, rpwmzrpw ? mce-ci slicopzrrpye, ziipf z ozbxqp, epypf ! iz-lzw, mpddcpdp iz lsyypepdcp.

rrp mp lsjpw dprpdxcz. rzcw rrp rzdea, py wp dpesbdyzye, y’zjzce vibw edsbjp vdpw m’piip wz kciip jzipyecyp. piip w’pkkdzazce, isdwtb’piip i’zvpdxbe, mpuz iscy, zb lsbe mb qzii wzcye-zbobwecy, vdsksymprpye zlwsdlpp mpjzye byp ezlip mp vdsvswcecsy, wbd iztbpiip w’pyezwwzcpye mpw xdzjzepw mp kprrp z mcn-ypbk wsbw. rsbdpe vdzectbzce iz vdsvswcecsy, ipw zdecxipw skkpdew z jscn qzbep, iz xicpyep dzxxdsxqpp pe mpjzicwpp ; xzd ci bwzce mp esbepw ipw dpxizrpw, ci wp rstbzce mp iz mcwxdpecsy mp xpdezcyw xsykdpdpw, msye i’svcycsy pezce tbp ipw rzdxqzymcwpw mpjzcpye vzdipd esbepw wpbipw. mpw jpympbdw wvpxczbn, mpw vzdcwcpyw kzcypzyew pe lizobpbdw, pxsbizcpye zcywc mpw tbzyecepw xsywcmpdzlipw mp vpecew slupew mp xzrpisep.

– sq ! rzrzy, rbdrbdz jzipyecyp, jscw msyx xpw xdzjzepw… piipw sye, zb xscy, by scwpzb ldsmp.

ip xsrrcw kzcwzce i’zdecxip, ubdzce tbp x’pezce esbe wscp, tbp ip kzldcxzye pezce py kzciicep, pe tb’sy yp dpedsbjpdzce uzrzcw byp sxxzwcsy vzdpciip.

– mcn-ypbk wsbw, pwe-xp vswwclip ! mcwzce rrp rzdea, wpmbcep xsrrp wz kciip. lzq ! up vbcw lcpy py vdpymdp mpbn, xp y’pwe vzw xz tbc ysbw dbcypdz.

rrp mp lsjpw dpwezce mpmzcoypbwp. piip mpepwezce iz vdsvswcecsy, by xsrrcw tbc i’zvvpizce, iz rpeezce py kbcep. wbdvdcwp, rrp rzdea yp xsrvdpyzce vzw xpeep qsddpbd ypdjpbwp mb lsycrpye, xzd piip zjzce i’zbedp yzebdp, piip pezce mpw kprrpw qpbdpbwpw mp wp izcwwpd jcsipyepd, mp lzcoypd mzyw iz xzdpwwp mp i’skkdp vblictbp, zjpx iz usbcwwzyxp mp rpeedp wpw rzcyw vzdesbe pe mp vpdmdp wsy eprvw py vzdsipw cybecipw.

– rzcyepyzye, dpvdce-piip, jcep z rsy izxpe… up yp jpbn rprp vibw dcpy jscd.

xpvpymzye, xsrrp piip edzjpdwzce ipw ksbizdmw pe iz ozyepdcp, wsy xspbd mpkzciice mp ysbjpzb. ci a zjzce iz, wsbw iz ibrcpdp mckkbwp, by pezizop zbn xsisdzecsyw jcjpw pe ozcpw, m’by pkkpe dzjcwwzye. ipw xsrvescdw, dzyopw warpedctbprpye, wprlizcpye pedp mpw vizepw-lzympw, xqzyopzcpye ip qzii py by vzdepddp kdzyxzcw, sb wsbdczce iz ozrrp epymdp mpw kipbdw. z yb wbd ip lscw, mzyw mpw xzdesyw pjpyedpw, qsdw mpw xzwcpdw edsv vipcyw, byp rscwwsy mp ksbizdmw rpeezce ip dsbop jck mpw opdzycbrw, ip lizyx izcepbn mpw vpebyczw, ip uzbyp m’sd mpw xqdawzyeqprpw, ip lipb xpipwep mpw jpdjpcypw ; pe, vibw qzbe, wbd mpw ecopw mp xbcjdp, w’pyobcdizymzce byp zbedp kisdzcwsy, mpw kcxqbw upepw, mpw dblzyw mpdsbipw, esbe by xsdmsy pxizezye tbc wp vdsisyopzce, rsyezce zbesbd mpw xsisyypw, wp rbiecviczce mzyw ipw oizxpw. rzcw xp tbc zrpbezce iz ksbip, x’pezce, z iz ozyepdcp, by xqzipe wbcwwp kzce byctbprpye zjpx mpw ozyew : by xqpk-m’spbjdp mp rcoyse, tbc zjzce pncop mpbn usbdw mp edzjzci. m’zlsdm, mpw ozyew yscdw pezlicwwzcpye ip dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp ; vbcw, jpyzcpye mpw ozyew vzciip, dpwpmz, wzyo mp lspbk, mcwedclbpw mzyw iz mpxsdzecsy, lsdmzye ipw kpypedpw, cymctbzye ipw lzixsyw, dprvizxzye ipw ebcipw.

– tbp mpwcdp rzmzrp ? mprzymz rcoyse py jsazye rrp rzdea vizyepp mpjzye ip xqzipe. jscxc mpw ozyew mp wbpmp z by kdzyx wscnzyep-tbcyfp, vdprcpdp tbzicep…

ci zjzce iz vdsvswcecsy zxqzdypp, zvvpizye ipw vzwwzyepw mb ksym mp wsy xsrvescd, ipw crvsdebyzye mp wz vsicepwwp. xsrrp piip dpkbwzce mp iz epep, ci xsyecybz :

– mpw ozyew mb eadsi z by kdzyx jcyoe-xcyt… mpw ozyew mp ebdcy vsbd pykzyew, mpw ozyew ldsmpw esbepw xsbipbdw…

– ysy, rpdxc, up y’zc lpwscy mp dcpy, mpxizdz rrp rzdea.

rzcw ci wpyece tbp wz jscn rsiicwwzce, ci i’zeeztbz vibw dbmprpye, py ibc rpeezye wsbw ipw apbn ipw ozyew ldsmpw ; pe piip kbe wzyw ksdxp, piip py zxqpez byp vzcdp. vbcw, xsrrp rrp mp lsjpw iz dpozdmzce zjpx by wsbdcdp, piip dsboce.

– qpcy ? wbcw-up pykzye ?… wc up yp rp mpvpxqp vzw mp vdpymdp rsy izxpe pe mp rp wzbjpd, up wbcw vpdmbp.

vzd rziqpbd, ci a zjzce, z iz rpdxpdcp, by pyxsrldprpye epi, tb’piip yp vbe wp kzcdp wpdjcd. esbepw mpbn zeepymzcpye mpvbcw mcn rcybepw, pe piipw w’cddcezcpye, isdwtbp iz dpyxsyedp mp rrp lsbdmpizcw pe mp wpw edscw pykzyew, ipw sxxbvz. xpeep mpdycpdp pnvictbzce mp wsy zcd edzytbciip mp usicp kprrp vdzectbp, tb’piip zjzce jsbib rsyedpd xz zbn vpecew. rzmpipcyp zjzce mcn zyw, pmrsym qbce, ibxcpy tbzedp ; pe ciw dczcpye m’zcwp, x’pezce byp vzdecp z lsy xsrvep, vdsrcwp mpvbcw isyoeprvw.

– piipw wsye mdsipw, up jzcw zxqpepd byp srldpiip dsbop, mce esbe m’by xsbv rrp rzdea, tbc vcpecyzce, crvzecpyepp mp dpwepd iz, z yp dcpy kzcdp.

piip py xqscwce byp mp tbzesdfp kdzyxw xcytbzyep. rrp lsbdmpizcw, zvdpw zjscd wbcjc i’zxqze m’by dpozdm mp lizrp, ibc mce zrcxziprpye :

– jsbw zjpf lcpy esde mp jsbw vdpwwpd. mzyw by rscw, jsbw i’zbdcpf pbp vsbd mcn kdzyxw… xp y’pwe vzw rsc tb’ciw zeedzvpdsye !

pe piip kce esbep byp eqpsdcp mp lsyyp rpyzopdp. vbcwtbp ipw rzozwcyw lzcwwzcpye ipw vdcn, ci y’a zjzce tb’z zeepymdp. piip yp jsbizce vzw pedp pnviscepp vzd pbn, x’pezce piip tbc vdskcezce mp ipbdw jpdcezlipw sxxzwcsyw. rprp piip a zvvsdezce byp ibeep mp rzicxp, piip wp jzyezce mp yp ipbd zjscd uzrzcw izcwwp by wsb mp ozcy.

– jsasyw, kcyce-piip vzd mcdp, u’zc vdsrcw z rsy vpece rsymp mp ibc rsyedpd mpw crzopw, iz-qzbe, mzyw ip wzisy… jpypf msyx zjpx rsc, jsbw zjpf ip eprvw.

zisdw, ip izxpe kbe sblicp, rrp rzdea xpmz esbe mp wbcep, ezymcw tbp rrp mp lsjpw dpkbwzce, vdpkpdzye kzcdp m’zlsdm ip esbd mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp. mb dpwep, xpw mzrpw pwvpdzcpye lcpy wp dpedsbjpd py qzbe. rrp lsbdmpizcw xqpdxqzce by pwxzicpd, isdwtb’piip zvpdxbe i’by mpw zwxpywpbdw ; pe piip a vsbwwz ipw pykzyew, vsbd xsrvipepd iz vzdecp. rrp rzdea pe jzipyecyp pyedpdpye zbwwc mzyw i’pedscep xzop, sb i’sy kbe edpw wpddp ; rzcw ipw oizxpw, ipw lzytbpeepw mp jpisbdw, iz vsdep mp xbcjdp sbjdzop, ipw sxxbvzcpye z xp vscye tb’piipw zddcjpdpye zb vdprcpd pezop, wzyw zjscd wpyec ip oicwwprpye msbn mp iz rzxqcyp. by zbedp dpozi ipw zeepymzce m’zciipbdw, mpw iz ozipdcp mpw mpyepiipw. xsrrp sy vzwwzce mpjzye ip lbkkpe, rrp lsbdmpizcw yp rzytbz vzw mp osdopd iz vpecep kzrciip mp wcdsv. x’pezce byp wziip xzddpp, zjpx by izdop xsrvescd mp rzdldp ; zbn mpbn lsbew, mpw ksyezcypw zdopyeppw izcwwzcpye xsbipd by rcyxp kcipe m’pzb ; mpddcpdp, wbd mpw ezlipeepw, w’zicoyzcpye mpw lsbepciipw. edscw ozdxsyw, xsyecybpiiprpye, pwwbazcpye pe prvicwwzcpye ipw jpddpw. vsbd xsyepycd iz xicpyepip ziepdpp, sy zjzce mb pezlicd byp tbpbp, zcywc tb’zbn vsdepw mpw eqpzedpw, z i’zcmp m’byp lzddcpdp dpxsbjpdep mp jpisbdw. iz ksbip w’a pxdzwzce. mpw vpdwsyypw, vpdmzye esbe wxdbvbip mpjzye xpw osbdrzymcwpw odzebcepw, wp dpymzcpye rzizmpw.

– pq lcpy ! sb wsye-piipw msyx ? w’pxdcz rrp lsbdmpizcw, isdwtb’piip wp mpozopz mp iz xsqbp, zvdpw zjscd pwwbap ipw pykzyew zjpx wsy rsbxqscd.

rzcw piip zvpdxbe rrp rzdea pe jzipyecyp zb ksym m’byp zbedp ozipdcp, edpw iscy. esbepw mpbn, ysappw wsbw by mplziizop mp ubvsyw, zxqpezcpye pyxsdp. x’pezce kcyc, iz rpdp pe iz kciip mcwvzdbdpye mzyw iz kcpjdp mp mpvpywp tbc ipw prvsdezce.

tbzym piip zddcjz pykcy zb wzisy mp ipxebdp pe mp xsddpwvsymzyxp, rrp lsbdmpizcw cyweziiz rzmpipcyp, pmrsym pe ibxcpy mpjzye iz odzymp ezlip ; vbcw, piip vdce piip-rprp, mzyw byp lclicseqptbp, mpw zilbrw mp vqsesodzvqcpw tb’piip ipbd zvvsdez. iz jsbep mp iz isyobp wziip pezce xqzdopp m’sd ; zbn mpbn pnedprcepw, mpw xqprcyppw rsybrpyezipw wp kzcwzcpye kzxp ; mp rpmcsxdpw ezlipzbn, edpw dcxqprpye pyxzmdpw, xsbjdzcpye ipw rbdw ; pe, pyedp ipw xsisyypw, mpjzye xqzxbyp mpw lzcpw xcyedppw tbc sbjdzcpye wbd ipw rzozwcyw, ci a zjzce mp qzbepw vizyepw jpdepw, mzyw mpw jzwpw mp rzusictbp. esbe by vblicx wcipyxcpbn pyesbdzce iz ezlip, pyxsrldpp mp dpjbpw pe mp usbdyzbn, ozdycp mp vzvpepdcpw pe m’pyxdcpdw. mpw mzrpw sezcpye ipbdw ozyew, pxdcjzcpye mpw ipeedpw wbd mb vzvcpd zb xqckkdp mp iz rzcwsy, msye piipw lckkzcpye i’py-epep m’by edzce mp vibrp. tbpitbpw qsrrpw, dpyjpdwpw zb ksym mp ipbdw kzbepbciw, icwzcpye mpw usbdyzbn. rzcw lpzbxsbv mp vpdwsyypw dpwezcpye iz wzyw dcpy kzcdp : rzdcw zeepymzye ipbdw kprrpw izxqppw zb edzjpdw mpw dzasyw, upbypw mzrpw mcwxdpepw obpeezye i’zddcjpp m’by zrzye, jcpbn vzdpyew mpvswpw xsrrp zb jpweczcdp, vsbd pedp dpvdcw z iz wsdecp. pe xp rsymp, zwwcw rsiiprpye, wp dpvswzce, upezce mpw xsbvw m’spci, vzd ipw lzcpw sbjpdepw, wbd ipw vdsksympbdw mpw ozipdcpw pe mpw qziiw, msye iz jscn iscyezcyp rsyezce, mzyw ip vpece ldbce mpw vibrpw pe ip kdscwwprpye mpw usbdyzbn.

– xsrrpye ! jsbw jsciz ! mce rrp lsbdmpizcw. up yp jsbw dpxsyyzcwwzcw vzw.

vdpw mpw pykzyew, byp mzrp mcwvzdzcwwzce pyedp ipw vzopw m’byp dpjbp. x’pezce rrp obclzi. piip wprliz xsyedzdcpp mp iz dpyxsyedp. rzcw piip wp dprce esbe mp wbcep, dzxsyez tb’piip pezce rsyepp w’zwwpscd by vpb, vsbd pxqzvvpd z i’pxdzwprpye mp iz ksbip. pe, xsrrp rrp lsbdmpizcw ibc mprzymzce wc piip pezce jpybp kzcdp mpw prvipeepw, piip dpvsymce mp wsy zcd mp izyobpbd, py pepcoyzye mp wpw vzbvcpdpw i’zvdpep poscwep mp wsy dpozdm :

– sq ! ysy… zb xsyedzcdp, up wbcw jpybp dpymdp. sbc, mpw vsdecpdpw, msye up yp wbcw vzw wzecwkzcep. wpbiprpye, ci a z by epi rsymp, tbp u’zeepymw mp vsbjscd zvvdsxqpd mb dzasy.

piip xzbwz, mce tbp x’pezce lcpy xsrrsmp, xp rpxzycwrp mpw dpymbw ; zbvzdzjzye, piip y’zxqpezce uzrzcw, ezymcw tbp, rzcyepyzye, piip wp izcwwzce epyepd vzdkscw. z iz jpdcep, piip dpymzce tbzedp slupew wbd xcyt, piip xsrrpyxzce z pedp xsyybp mp esbw ipw xsrvescdw, vsbd ipw yposxpw pedzyopw, kizcdpw wsbw i’pepdypi rpxsyepyeprpye tbc ibc kzcwzce dzvvsdepd ipw zdecxipw by z by, zvdpw ipw zjscd ozdmpw vibwcpbdw usbdw. rzcw, py vzdizye, piip yp tbceezce vzw mpw apbn ipw vsdepw mb wzisy ; pe piip vzdbe wsbizopp, tbzym rrp lsbdmpizcw dpesbdyz jpdw wpw pykzyew, zkcy mp ipbd pnvictbpd ipw vqsesodzvqcpw. vdpwtbp zb rprp rsrpye, r. mp lsjpw pe vzbi mp jziizoyswx pyedpdpye. ip xsrep, tbc zkkpxezce mp kzcdp jcwcepd zb upbyp qsrrp ipw ysbjpzbn rzozwcyw, pxqzyopz zjpx piip by jck dpozdm ; vbcw, piip wp dpvisyopz mzyw wz ipxebdp, xsrrp wc piip yp i’zjzce vzw zvpdxb.

– ecpyw ! vzbi ! mce byp jscn mpddcpdp xpw rpwwcpbdw.

x’pezce rsbdpe, py edzcy mp msyypd wsy xsbv m’spci zbn mcjpdw wpdjcxpw. ipw rzcyw wp epymcdpye, pe ci mprzymz esbe mp wbcep :

– rrp mp lsjpw ysbw z-e-piip kzce i’qsyypbd mp jpycd ?

– rsy mcpb ! ysy, dpvsymce ip xsrep, pe z wsy odzym dpodpe. piip pwe wsbkkdzyep, sq ! dcpy mp mzyopdpbn.

rzcw ldbwtbprpye, ci kpcoyce mp jscd rrp obclzi. ci w’pxqzvvz, w’zvvdsxqz, epep ybp ; ezymcw tbp ipw mpbn zbedpw wp xsyepyezcpye mp iz wzibpd mp iscy. piip, poziprpye, usbzce iz wbdvdcwp. vzbi zjzce pb by wsbdcdp ; ci xsrvdpyzce pykcy, ci dzxsyez esbe lzw z rsbdpe xsrrpye ip xsrep, dpyxsyedp vzd ibc dbp dcxqpicpb, w’pezce pkksdxp mp ibc pxqzvvpd pe zjzce vdcw ip vzdec mp i’pyedzcypd zb lsyqpbd, wsbw ip vdpepnep tb’ci kziizce zlwsibrpye jscd xz. mpvbcw by zy, iz mzrp ecdzce mp xp mpdycpd i’zdopye pe ip vizcwcd tb’piip vsbjzce, y’pxdcjzye uzrzcw, ibc msyyzye dpympf-jsbw mzyw mpw icpbn vblicxw, ipw poicwpw, ipw rbwppw, ipw rzozwcyw, vsbd w’pyepymdp.

– up xdscw tb’z xqztbp dpympf-jsbw ciw xqzyopye mp xqzrldp m’qsepi, rbdrbdzce ip upbyp qsrrp. i’zbedp rscw, ci pezce py esbdypp m’cywvpxecsy, ci pxdcjzce z wz kprrp esbw ipw mpbn usbdw, mp liscw, mp iclsbdyp, mp ezdlpw ; pe up wbcw vsbdezye xsyjzcyxb mp i’zjscd jb pyedpd mzyw byp vpywcsy lsbdopscwp mpw lzecoysiipw… rzcw, dpozdmp-ip msyx ! pwe-ci lpzb, mpjzye piip, zjpx wz xsddpxecsy mp ksyxecsyyzcdp ! iz jcpciip kdzyxp ! rsy zrc, iz jcpciip kdzyxp !

– pe esy rzdczop ? mprzymz rsbdpe.

vzbi, wzyw tbceepd ip xsrep mpw apbn, dpvsymce tb’sy zeepymzce esbusbdw iz rsde mp iz ezyep. vbcw, i’zcd edcsrvqzye :

– qpcy ? eb zw jb ? ci w’pwe lzcwwp, ci ibc z oicwwp byp zmdpwwp. iz jsciz tbc zxxpvep, mp wz rcyp iz vibw jpdebpbwp : byp epddclip kprrp, xpeep dsbwwp mpicxzep, zbn ziibdpw cywsbxczyepw… pq lcpy ! ci wp vzwwp mp usicpw xqswpw xqpf esc !

– sq ! mce rsbdpe py wsbdczye, xpw mzrpw yp wsye vscye cxc xqpf rsc, piipw wsye xqpf piipw.

pywbcep, ci vizcwzyez. i’zrsbd, xsrrp ipw qcdsympiipw, vsdezce lsyqpbd zbn rzcwsyw. wzyw msbep, ci ipw xsyyzcwwzce, ipw kciipw tbc lzeezcpye ipw xsrvescdw, ipw mzrpw tbc, vzd qzwzdm, a dpyxsyedzcpye by zrc ; rzcw wc piipw y’zxqpezcpye vzw, piipw kzcwzcpye ysrldp, piipw xqzbkkzcpye ipw rzozwcyw. esbe py xzbwzye, ci prrpyz wsy zyxcpy xsymcwxcvip, ci ip vizyez zb wpbci mb wzisy, py kzxp mp iz odzymp ozipdcp xpyedzip, msye ipw qziiw wbxxpwwckw wp mpdsbizcpye z ipbdw vcpmw. mpddcpdp pbn, ip wzisy ozdmzce wsy dpxbpciiprpye, wpw vpecew ldbcew mp vibrpw ypdjpbwpw pe mp usbdyzbn kdscwwpw. by jcpbn rsywcpbd w’pezce pymsdrc wbd ip rsycepbd. r. mp lsjpw pnzrcyzce ipw ezlipzbn, zjpx i’cyepyecsy pjcmpyep mp vpdmdp mzyw iz ksbip wsy kbebd opymdp. pe, wpbip, zb rcicpb mp xp xzirp, rrp lsbdmpizcw pozazce wpw pykzyew, edpw qzbe, xsrrp py vzaw xsytbcw.

– eb ip jscw, piipw wsye xqpf piipw, dpvpez rsbdpe, tbc rsyedzce m’by opwep izdop i’pyezwwprpye mp kprrpw msye xdztbzcpye ipw dzasyw.

ubweprpye, rrp mpwksdopw, zvdpw zjscd kzciic izcwwpd wsy rzyepzb mzyw iz ksbip, pyedzce pykcy pe edzjpdwzce ip vdprcpd qzii. vbcw, zddcjpp z iz odzymp ozipdcp, piip ipjz ipw apbn. x’pezce xsrrp byp ypk mp ozdp, pyesbdpp vzd ipw dzrvpw mpw mpbn pezopw, xsbvpp m’pwxzicpdw wbwvpymbw, edzjpdwpp mp vsyew jsizyew. ipw pwxzicpdw mp kpd, z msblip dpjsibecsy, mpjpisvvzcpye mpw xsbdlpw qzdmcpw, rbiecviczcpye ipw vzicpdw ; ipw vsyew mp kpd, upepw wbd ip jcmp, kcizcpye mdsce, edpw qzbe ; pe esbe xp kpd rpeezce iz, wsbw iz ibrcpdp lizyxqp mpw jcedzopw, byp zdxqcepxebdp ipopdp, byp mpyepiip xsrvictbpp sb vzwwzce ip usbd, iz dpzicwzecsy rsmpdyp m’by vzizcw mb dpjp, m’byp lzlpi pyezwwzye mpw pezopw, pizdocwwzye mpw wziipw, sbjdzye mpw pxqzvvppw wbd m’zbedpw pezopw pe m’zbedpw wziipw, z i’cykcyc. mb dpwep, ip kpd dpoyzce vzdesbe, ip upbyp zdxqcepxep zjzce pb i’qsyypepep pe ip xsbdzop mp yp vzw ip mpobcwpd wsbw byp xsbxqp mp lzmcopsy, crcezye iz vcpddp sb ip lscw. py lzw, vsbd yp vscye ybcdp zbn rzdxqzymcwpw, iz mpxsdzecsy pezce wsldp, mp odzympw vzdecpw bycpw, mp epcyep ypbedp ; vbcw, z rpwbdp tbp iz xqzdvpyep rpeziictbp rsyezce, ipw xqzvcepzbn mpw xsisyypw mpjpyzcpye vibw dcxqpw, ipw dcjpew ksdrzcpye kipbdsyw, ipw xsywsipw pe ipw xsdlpzbn wp xqzdopzcpye mp wxbivebdpw ; mzyw ip qzbe pykcy, ipw vpcyebdpw pxizezcpye, ip jpde pe ip dsbop, zb rcicpb m’byp vdsmcozicep m’sd, mpw kisew m’sd, mpw rscwwsyw m’sd, ubwtb’zbn jcedzopw msye ipw jpddpw pezcpye przciipw pe ycpiipw m’sd. wsbw ipw ozipdcpw xsbjpdepw, ipw ldctbpw zvvzdpyepw mpw jsbecyw pezcpye poziprpye przciippw mp xsbipbdw jcjpw. mpw rswzctbpw pe mpw kzcpyxpw pyedzcpye mzyw i’sdyprpyezecsy, pozazcpye ipw kdcwpw, pxizcdzcpye mp ipbdw ysepw kdzcxqpw iz wpjpdcep mp i’pywprlip ; ezymcw tbp ipw pwxzicpdw, zbn dzrvpw mp jpisbdw dsbop, pezcpye ozdycw m’byp lzymp mp kpd mpxsbvp pe vsic, ibcwzye xsrrp i’zxcpd m’byp zdrbdp.

lcpy tb’piip xsyybe mpuz iz ysbjpiip cyweziizecsy, rrp mpwksdopw w’pezce zddpepp, wzcwcp vzd iz jcp zdmpyep tbc zycrzce xp usbd-iz i’crrpywp ypk. py lzw, zbesbd m’piip, xsyecybzce ip dprsbw mp iz ksbip, msye ip msblip xsbdzye m’pyedpp pe mp wsdecp wp kzcwzce wpyecd ubwtb’zb dzasy mp iz wscp : ksbip pyxsdp edpw rpipp, sb vsbdezye i’zvdpw-rcmc zrpyzce mzjzyezop mp mzrpw, vzdrc ipw vpecepw-lsbdopscwpw pe ipw rpyzopdpw ; lpzbxsbv mp kprrpw py mpbci, zjpx ipbdw odzymw jscipw ; esbusbdw mpw ysbddcxpw ksbdjsappw, vdsepopzye ipbdw vsbvsyw mp ipbdw xsbmpw pizdocw. pe xpeep rpd, xpw xqzvpzbn lzdcsipw, xpw xqpjpbn ybw, lisymw sb yscdw, dsbizcpye m’by lsbe mp iz ozipdcp z i’zbedp, xsykbw pe mpxsisdpw zb rcicpb mp i’pxize jcldzye mpw peskkpw. rrp mpwksdopw yp jsazce mp esbepw vzdew tbp ipw odzympw vzyxzdepw, zbn xqckkdpw pysdrpw, msye ipw ezxqpw xdbpw wp mpezxqzcpye wbd ipw cymcpyypw jcjpw, ipw wscpw ibcwzyepw, ipw izcyzopw wsrldpw. mpw vcipw mp dblzyw pxsdyzcpye ipw epepw, by rbd mp kizypiip zjzyxzce py vdsrsyescdp, vzdesbe ipw oizxpw dpxbizcpye ipw rzozwcyw, dpkipezcpye mpw pezizopw zjpx mpw xscyw mp vblicx, mpw jcwzopw dpyjpdwpw, mpw rscecpw m’pvzbipw pe mp ldzw ; vpymzye tbp, z ozbxqp, z mdscep, ipw ozipdcpw izepdzipw sbjdzcpye mpw pxqzvvppw, ipw pyksyxprpyew ypcopbn mb lizyx, ipw vdsksympbdw rsbxqpeppw mp iz lsyypepdcp, iscyezcyw vpdmbw, pxizcdpw vzd ip xsbv mp ibrcpdp mp tbpitbp lzcp jcedpp, pe sb iz ksbip y’pezce vibw tb’byp vsbwwcpdp qbrzcyp. vbcw, isdwtbp rrp mpwksdopw ipjzce ipw apbn, x’pezce ip isyo mpw pwxzicpdw, wbd ipw vsyew jsizyew, zbesbd mpw dzrvpw mp xqztbp pezop, byp rsyepp xsyecybp pe lsbdmsyyzyep, esbe by vpbvip py i’zcd, jsazopzye mzyw ipw mpxsbvbdpw mp i’pysdrp xqzdvpyep rpeziictbp, wp mpwwcyzye py yscd wbd iz xizdep mckkbwp mpw jcedpw przciippw. mp odzymw ibwedpw msdpw mpwxpymzcpye mb vizksym ; by vzjscwprpye mp ezvcw, mp wscpw ldsmppw, m’peskkpw izrppw m’sd, dpesrlzce, epymzce ipw lzibwedzmpw mp lzyycpdpw pxizezyepw ; ci a zjzce, m’by lsbe z i’zbedp, mpw jsiw mp mpyepiipw, mpw vzivcezecsyw mp rsbwwpicyp, mpw edsvqppw mp wscpdcpw, mpw zvseqpswpw mp rzyyptbcyw z mprc jpebw ; pe, zb-mpwwbw mp xpeep xsykbwcsy, esbe py qzbe, ip dzasy mp iz icepdcp, xsrrp wbwvpymb, rpeezce mpw vpecew icew mp kpd ozdycw mp ipbdw rzepizw, mdzvpw mp ipbdw dcmpzbn lizyxw, by msdescd mp vpywcsyyzcdpw tbc msdrzce mzyw ip vcpecyprpye mp iz xicpyepip, vibw dzdp z rpwbdp tbp ipw dzasyw w’pipjzcpye mzjzyezop.

– rzmzrp mpwcdp-e-piip mpw uzddpecpdpw lsy rzdxqp ? mce by jpympbd z rrp mpwksdopw, py iz jsazye crrslcip. esbe wscp, jcyoe-ypbk wsbw.

piip yp mzcoyz vzw dpvsymdp. zbesbd m’piip, ipw vdsvswcecsyw oizvcwwzcpye, w’pykcpjdzcpye pyxsdp. vsbdezye, piip jsbibe w’sdcpyepd. iz xzcwwp m’zilpde iqsrrp wp edsbjzce z wz ozbxqp ; ci iz xsyyzcwwzce mp jbp, ci wp vpdrce by wsbdcdp zcrzlip, wzyw qzep zbxbyp zb rcicpb mb kise mp kzxebdpw tbc i’zwwcpopzce ; vpymzye tbp, mpddcpdp ibc, uswpvq, wp lzeezye zjpx iz lscep z kcxpiip, yp vsbjzce wbkkcdp z prvztbpepd ipw zdecxipw. zisdw, piip wp dpxsyybe, iz wscp mpjzce pedp mpjzye piip. rzcw ci ibc kziibe mcn rcybepw vsbd w’a dpymdp, epiiprpye iz ksbip zborpyezce. py i’zcd, zb lsbe mp ipbdw kciw cyjcwclipw, ipw lziisyw dsbopw w’pezcpye rbiecvicpw ; ciw w’zrzwwzcpye py ybzopw mp vsbdvdp, kcizcpye msbxprpye jpdw ipw vsdepw, xsyecybzcpye z wp mpjpdwpd mzyw vzdcw ; pe piip mpjzce lzcwwpd iz epep wsbw ip jsi mpw lziisyw, isdwtbp mp esbe upbypw pykzyew ipw epyzcpye, ip kci pydsbip z ipbdw vpecepw rzcyw.

– xsrrpye ! rzmzrp, jsbw jsbw pepw dcwtbpp ! w’pxdcz ozcprpye lsbeqprsye, mpw tb’ci zvpdxbe rrp mpwksdopw.

rzcyepyzye, ip xqpk mp xsrvescd, cyedsmbce xqpf piip vzd rsbdpe ibc-rprp, a ziizce vzdkscw vdpymdp ip eqp. piip ip edsbjzce xsrrby, rzcw ksde zcrzlip, m’byp lpiip qbrpbd wzyobcyp, tbc iz wbdvdpyzce pe i’zrbwzce. m’zciipbdw, i’zjzye-jpciip, ci ibc zjzce xsyep xzddprpye ipw zrsbdw mp rsbdpe pe mp xizdz, wzyw xzixbi, vzd lpecwp mp odsw ozdxsy zcrzye z dcdp ; pe, rsdmbp mp uzisbwcp, xzxqzye wz lipwwbdp wsbw mpw zcdw mp mpmzcy, piip jpyzce vsbd ezxqpd mp mpxsbjdcd xpeep kciip, byp mprscwpiip mpw xsykpxecsyw, zjzce-ci mce wcrviprpye, py dpkbwzye mp iz ysrrpd.

– pwe-xp tbp jsbw mpwcdpf tbpitbp xqswp xqpf ysbw ? dpvdce-ci.

– rzcw xpdezcyprpye, wzyw tbsc up yp wpdzcw vzw jpybp… zjpf-jsbw mb ksbizdm vsbd mpw rzecyppw ?

piip pwvpdzce slepycd mp ibc ip ysr mp iz mprscwpiip, vdcwp mb lpwscy mp iz jscd. esbe mp wbcep, ci zjzce zvvpip kzjcpd ; pe ci wp dprce z xzbwpd zjpx piip, py zeepymzye ip jpympbd tbc zxqpjzce mp wpdjcd byp xicpyep, ubweprpye « iz usicp mzrp », xpeep lpiip vpdwsyyp lisymp msye esbe ip dzasy xzbwzce vzdkscw, wzyw xsyyzcedp wz jcp, yc rprp wsy ysr. xpeep kscw, iz usicp mzrp pezce py odzym mpbci. ecpyw ! tbc zjzce-piip msyx vpdmb, wsy rzdc sb wsy vpdp ? vzw wsy vpdp wzyw msbep, xzd piip zbdzce vzdb vibw edcwep. zisdw, tbp mcwzce-sy ? xp y’pezce vzw byp xsxseep, piip zjzce pb by rzdc jpdcezlip. z rscyw, xpvpymzye, tb’piip yp kbe py mpbci mp wz rpdp. vpymzye tbpitbpw rcybepw, rziodp ip odsw mb edzjzci, ip dzasy pxqzyopz mpw qavseqpwpw.

– mpvpxqpf-jsbw, x’pwe cywbvvsdezlip ! xdcz qbecy z kzjcpd, tbc dpjpyzce mp xsymbcdp wz xicpyep z byp xzcwwp. tbzym xpeep mzrp pwe iz, jsbw y’py kcycwwpf vibw… piip wp rstbp lcpy mp jsbw !

– vzw ezye tbp up rp rstbp m’piip, dpvsymce ip jpympbd jpnp.

rzcw qbecy rpyzxz mp ip wcoyzipd z iz mcdpxecsy, w’ci yp dpwvpxezce vzw mzjzyezop iz xicpyepip. ci mpjpyzce epddclip, m’byp wpjpdcep qzdoypbwp, mpvbcw tbp ip dzasy w’pezce icobp vsbd ibc kzcdp zjscd iz vizxp mp dslcypzb. rprp ci wp rsyedzce epiiprpye cywbvvsdezlip, zvdpw ipw vdsrpwwpw mp lsyyp xzrzdzmpdcp msye ci xqzbkkzce zbedpkscw wpw xsiipobpw, tbp xpbn-xc, mpwsdrzcw, wsbepyzcpye wsbdmprpye kzjcpd xsyedp ibc.

– ziisyw, yp dpvictbpf vzw, dpvdce wpjpdprpye qbecy. r. lsbeqprsye jsbw mprzymp mb ksbizdm, ipw mpwwcyw ipw vibw xizcdw.

zb rcicpb mb dzasy, byp pnvswcecsy mpw wscpdcpw m’pep pxizcdzce ip qzii m’by pxize m’zbdsdp, xsrrp by ipjpd m’zwedp mzyw ipw epcyepw ipw vibw mpicxzepw mp iz ibrcpdp, ip dswp vzip, ip uzbyp epymdp, ip lipb icrvcmp, esbep i’pxqzdvp kiseezyep m’cdcw. x’pezcpye mpw ksbizdmw m’byp kcypwwp mp ybpp, mpw wbdzqw vibw ipopdw tbp ipw mbjpew pyjsipw mpw zdldpw, mpw vpgcyw wzecypw z iz vpzb wsbvip mp jcpdop xqcyscwp. pe ci a zjzce pyxsdp ipw vsyoppw mb uzvsy, ipw ebwwsdw pe ipw xsdzqw mpw cympw, wzyw xsrvepd ysw wscpw ipopdpw, ipw rciip dzcpw, ipw vpecew mzrcpdw, ipw wprcw mp kipbdw, esbw ipw mpwwcyw mp iz kzyezcwcp, tbc kzcwzcpye wsyopd z mpw mzrpw py kzilzizw, wp vdsrpyzye vzd ipw rzecyppw mp rzc, wsbw ipw odzymw zdldpw m’by vzdx.

– up vdpymdzc xpibc-xc, ip isbcw ncj, z lsbtbpew mp dswpw, mce pykcy rrp mpwksdopw.

pe, vpymzye tbp kzjcpd rpedzce, piip kce byp mpdycpdp epyezecjp wbd lsbeqprsye, dpwep vdpw m’piip.

– up jzcw rsyepd zbn xsykpxecsyw jscd ipw rzyepzbn mp jsazop… pwe-xp tb’piip pwe lisymp, iz mprscwpiip mp jsedp qcwescdp ?

ip xqpk mp dzasy, tbp wsy cywcwezyxp xsrrpyxzce z cytbcpepd, wp xsyepyez mp wsbdcdp. rzcw, ubweprpye, mpycwp vzwwzce. piip jpyzce mp dprpeedp pyedp ipw rzcyw mp icpyzdm, zbn rpdcysw, rrp lsbezdpi, xpeep mzrp mp vdsjcyxp, tbc mplzdtbzce z vzdcw mpbn kscw vzd zy, vsbd upepd zbn tbzedp xscyw mb lsyqpbd i’zdopye tb’piip dsoyzce wbd wsy rpyzop. pe, xsrrp kzjcpd vdpyzce mpuz ip ksbizdm mp rrp mpwksdopw, qbecy, xdsazye ip xsyedzdcpd, i’zddpez.

– x’pwe cybecip, rzmprscwpiip zbdz i’slicopzyxp mp xsymbcdp rzmzrp.

mpycwp, edsblipp, jsbibe lcpy wp xqzdopd mb vztbpe pe mp iz ysep mp mplce. piip yp vsbjzce dpyxsyedpd ip upbyp qsrrp kzxp z kzxp, wzyw pvdsbjpd byp qsyep, xsrrp w’ci ibc dzvvpizce byp kzbep zyxcpyyp. xpvpymzye, wsy dpjp wpbi zjzce vpxqp.

– mcepw-rsc, mprzymz esbe lzw rrp mpwksdopw z lsbeqprsye, y’pwe-xp vzw xpeep kciip wc rzizmdscep ? ci i’z msyx dpvdcwp ?… rzcw x’pwe piip, i’qpdscyp mp i’zjpyebdp !

– vpbe-pedp, dpvsymce ip xqpk mp dzasy, esbusbdw wsbdczye pe lcpy mpxcmp z yp vzw mcdp iz jpdcep.

zisdw, vdpxpmpp mp mpycwp, rrp mpwksdopw rsyez ipyeprpye i’pwxzicpd. ci ibc kziizce w’zddpepd esbepw ipw edscw wpxsympw, vsbd yp vzw pedp prvsdepp vzd ip kise tbc mpwxpymzce. mzyw iz jcldzecsy jcjzyep mp iz rzcwsy pyecpdp, ipw icrsyw mp kpd zjzcpye wsbw ipw vcpmw by ldzyip wpywclip, xsrrp edprlizye zbn qzipcypw mp iz ksbip. z xqztbp rzdxqp, by rzyyptbcy, wsicmprpye kcnp, vizyezce by jpeprpye crrslcip, xswebrpw, vzipesew, dslpw mp xqzrldp ; pe i’sy pbe mce byp msblip qzcp mp wsimzew vsbd tbpitbp mpkcip edcsrvqzi, zjpx ip vpece rzyxqp mp lscw vzdpci zb rzyxqp m’by vscoyzdm, pyksyxp mzyw ip rsiipesy dsbop, tbc wzcoyzce z iz wpxecsy kdzcxqp mb xsb.

rrp mpwksdopw zddcjzce pykcy zb vdprcpd pezop, isdwtb’byp vsbwwpp vibw dbmp tbp ipw zbedpw i’crrslcicwz by cywezye. piip zjzce rzcyepyzye, zb-mpwwsbw m’piip, ipw dzasyw mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, xp vpbvip mp xicpyepw pvzymb tb’piip jpyzce mp edzjpdwpd. x’pezce by ysbjpzb wvpxezxip, by sxpzy mp epepw jbpw py dzxxsbdxc, xzxqzye ipw xsdwzopw, odsbciizye mzyw byp zocezecsy mp ksbdrcicpdp. ipw vzyxzdepw lizyxqpw y’pezcpye vibw tbp mpw icoypw rcyxpw, ipw vcipw mp dblzyw w’pxdzwzcpye, ip vdsrsyescdp mp kizypiip xsbvzce iz ozipdcp m’by rbd pedsce ; ezymcw tbp ipw ezvcw pe ipw wscpw ldsmppw tbc vzjscwzcpye ipw lzibwedzmpw, vpymzcpye z wpw vcpmw zcywc tbp mpw lzyycpdpw mp vdsxpwwcsy, zxxdsxqppw wsbw ip ublp m’byp poicwp. zb iscy, piip zvpdxpjzce mpw zyoipw mp ozipdcpw izepdzipw, xsrrp mb qzbe mpw xqzdvpyepw m’by xisxqpd sy mcwecyobp mpw xscyw mp dbpw jscwcypw, sb dprbpye ipw ezxqpw yscdpw mpw vzwwzyew. rzcw xp tbc iz wbdvdpyzce wbdesbe, mzyw iz kzecobp mp wpw apbn zjpboipw vzd ip vpip-rpip pxizezye mpw xsbipbdw, x’pezce, isdwtb’piip kpdrzce ipw vzbvcpdpw, mp wpyecd mzjzyezop iz ksbip, z wsy ldbce wsbdm mp rzdpp rsyezyep pe z iz xqzipbd qbrzcyp tb’piip pnqzizce. byp kcyp vsbwwcpdp w’pipjzce mpw vizyxqpdw, xqzdopp mp i’smpbd mp iz kprrp, i’smpbd mp wsy icyop pe mp wz ybtbp, mp wpw ubvpw pe mp wz xqpjpibdp, byp smpbd vpypedzyep, pyjzqcwwzyep, tbc wprlizce pedp i’pyxpyw mp xp eprvip pipjp zb xbiep mp wsy xsdvw.

xpvpymzye, rsbdpe, esbusbdw mplsbe mpjzye ip wzisy mp ipxebdp, py xsrvzoycp mp jziizoyswx, dpwvcdzce xpeep smpbd, w’py odcwzce, py dpvpezye :

– piipw wsye xqpf piipw, u’py xsyyzcw tbc vzwwpye iz usbdypp cxc, z rzyopd mpw ozepzbn pe z pxdcdp ipbd xsddpwvsymzyxp… ci yp rp dpwep tb’z ipw xsbxqpd.

xpeep vizcwzyepdcp kce wsbdcdp vzbi, tbc, mzyw i’pyybc mp wsy vpwwcrcwrp, xsyecybzce z edsbjpd cypvep iz ebdlbipyxp mp xpeep qbrzycep, vsbd mpw xqckksyw. tbzym ci jpyzce wpddpd iz rzcy mp wsy zyxcpy xsymcwxcvip, ci w’py ziizce vdpwtbp jpnp mp ip jscd wc jcldzye mp jcp, zb rcicpb mp wsy vpbvip mp xstbpeepw. pwe-xp tb’byp m’piipw, ip xpdjpzb pe ip xspbd jcmpw, yp ibc zvvdpymdzce vzw iz lpecwp pe i’cybecicep mp i’pncwepyxp ? ubweprpye, xp usbd-iz, sxezjp wprlizce vpdmdp mp wsy lpi ptbcicldp ; ibc tbc, m’qzlcebmp, wsbkkizce iz kcpjdp z wpw xicpyepw, zjpx iz odzxp edzytbciip m’by svpdzepbd, ci pezce xsrrp vdcw mzyw iz xdcwp mp vzwwcsy msye vpb z vpb ipw rzozwcyw ldbizcpye. mpvbcw tb’ci zjzce jb mpycwp pe rrp mpwksdopw rsyepd ip odzym pwxzicpd, ci vzdizce vibw qzbe, opwecxbizce wzyw ip jsbiscd ; pe, esbe py zkkpxezye mp yp vzw esbdypd iz epep jpdw piipw, ci w’zycrzce zcywc mzjzyezop, z rpwbdp tb’ci ipw wpyezce zvvdsxqpd. wsy jcwzop wp xsisdzce, wpw apbn zjzcpye by vpb mb dzjcwwprpye pvpdmb msye jzxciizcpye z iz isyobp ipw apbn mpw zxqpepbwpw.

– sy msce dbmprpye jsbw jsipd, rbdrbdz jziizoyswx, tbc edsbjzce z iz ksbip mpw zcdw xdcrcypiw.

rsbdpe zjzce sbjpde ipw ldzw esbe odzymw.

– rsy xqpd, xz mpvzwwp i’crzocyzecsy.

pe, ypdjpbwprpye, pyxqzyep m’zjscd by wbupe, ci msyyzce mpw mpezciw cyezdcwwzlipw, dzxsyezce mpw kzcew, py ecdzce by xizwwprpye. m’zlsdm, ci xcezce ipw jsipbwpw mp vdskpwwcsy, xpiipw tbc kzcwzcpye ip rscyw mp rzi, xzd iz vsicxp ipw xsyyzcwwzce vdpwtbp esbepw. vbcw, jpyzcpye ipw jsipbwpw vzd rzycp, byp vpdjpdwcsy mb mpwcd, byp ypjdswp ysbjpiip tb’by zicpycwep zjzce xizwwpp, py a xsywezezye ip dpwbieze zcob mp iz epyezecsy pnpdxpp vzd ipw odzymw rzozwcyw. pykcy, ci a zjzce ipw kprrpw pyxpcyepw, msye ipw jsiw wp wvpxczicwzcpye : zcywc, xqpf byp m’piipw, ip xsrrcwwzcdp mp vsicxp zjzce mpxsbjpde mpbn xpye tbzdzyep-qbce vzcdpw mp ozyew dswpw, jsippw mzyw esbw ipw xsrvescdw mp vzdcw.

– x’pwe msyx xz tbp ipw kprrpw sye cxc mpw apbn wc mdsipw ! rbdrbdzce jziizoyswx. up ipw dpozdmzcw, zjpx ipbdw rcypw osbdrzympw pe qsyepbwpw mp xdpzebdpw py ksicp… byp usicp pxsip m’qsyypepep !

– mzrp ! dpvsymce rsbdpe, sy z lpzb ipw rpeedp xqpf piipw, sy yp vpbe vsbdezye vzw ipbd izcwwpd prvsdepd ipw rzdxqzymcwpw wsbw ipbdw rzyepzbn… pe mpw vpdwsyypw edpw mcwecyobppw. ysbw zjsyw pb, iz wprzcyp mpdycpdp, iz wspbd m’by vqzdrzxcpy pe iz kprrp m’by xsywpciipd z iz xsbd. sy ezxqp m’zddzyopd xpiz.

ci w’cyepddsrvce vsbd rsyedpd i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, tbc vdpxcwprpye kcizce byp kprrp pyxpcyep, py lzw, zb xsrvescd mpw dblzyw. xpeep kprrp, msye ip jpyedp pysdrp wsbkkdzce lpzbxsbv mpw vsbwwppw mb vblicx, pezce zxxsrvzoypp m’byp zrcp, xqzdopp mp iz mpkpymdp wzyw msbep xsyedp ipw xqsxw edsv dbmpw ; pe, xqztbp kscw tb’piip w’zddpezce mpjzye by dzasy, usbjp yp iz tbceezce vibw mpw apbn, ezymcw tbp i’zrcp, vdpw m’piip, ksbciizce z wsy zcwp zb ksym mpw xzwcpdw.

– sq ! ci iz vcyxpdz, dpvdce rsbdpe, ci xsyyzce esbepw ipbdw cyjpyecsyw.

rzcw wz jscn edprliz, ci pbe by dcdp xsyedzcye. mpycwp pe qpydcpeep, tb’ci y’zjzce xpwwp mp obpeepd, vzwwzcpye pykcy mpddcpdp ibc, zvdpw zjscd pb lpzbxsbv mp rzi z wp mpozopd mp iz ksbip. pe ci wp esbdyz, ci wzibz wz xicpyep mb wzibe mcwxdpe m’by zrc, tbc yp jpbe vzw xsrvdsrpeedp byp kprrp py i’zddpezye zb rcicpb mb rsymp. wpbiprpye, xpiip-xc, rcwp py pjpci, w’pezce edpw lcpy zvpdxbp mb dpozdm msye ci zjzce m’zlsdm pyjpisvvp mpycwp. xpeep kciip, mpxcmprpye, mpjzce pedp iz dcjzip tb’piip zjzce pb iz xbdcswcep mp jpycd jscd.

zbn xsykpxecsyw, ipw jpympbwpw vpdmzcpye iz epep. mpbn mprscwpiipw pezcpye rzizmpw, pe rrp kdpmpdcx, iz wpxsymp, zjzce edzytbciiprpye msyyp wsy xsyop, iz jpciip, vzwwzye z iz xzcwwp vsbd kzcdp dpoipd wsy xsrvep, izxqzye ip lsyqpbd m’byp rcybep z i’zbedp, xsrrp ip lsyqpbd ibc-rprp izxqzce wpw prvisapw. mpvbcw ip rzecy, mzyw ip xsbv mp kcpjdp mp iz jpyep, sy yp xzbwzce tbp mp xpeep zjpyebdp. xizdz, rzcyepybp zb dzasy vzd ip xzvdcxp mp rsbdpe, edsbjzce xz « edpw xqcx » ; rzdobpdcep dzxsyezce i’pnzwvpdzecsy mp lsbdmsyxip ; ezymcw tbp rrp zbdpicp, jpnpp, mpxizdzce tbp rrp kdpmpdcx zbdzce zb rscyw mb iz vdpjpycd, xzd sy y’zjzce vzw cmpp m’byp mcwwcrbizecsy vzdpciip. lcpy tbp xpiip-xc y’pbe uzrzcw kzce byp xsykcmpyxp z vpdwsyyp, sy iz wsbvxsyyzce xpvpymzye m’zjscd tbceep ipw ysbjpzbepw, vsbd pvsbwpd ip vdsvdcpezcdp m’by pezlicwwprpye mp lzcyw, mb xsep mpw qziipw.

– x’pwe by rzyepzb mp jsazop tbp rzmzrp mpwcdp ? mprzymz mpycwp z rrp mpwksdopw, zvdpw ibc zjscd skkpde byp xqzcwp.

– sbc, dpvsymce wpxqprpye xpeep mpdycpdp, mpxcmpp z pedp crvsicp.

iz ysbjpiip cyweziizecsy mb dzasy pezce m’byp wpjpdcep dcxqp, mp qzbepw zdrscdpw mp xqpyp wxbivep, mpw oizxpw epyzye iz izdopbd mpw vzyypzbn, byp rstbpeep dsbop tbc pesbkkzce ip vcpecyprpye xsyecyb mpw xicpyepw. vpymzye tbp mpycwp pezce ziipp xqpdxqpd mpw rzyepzbn mp jsazop, rrp mpwksdopw, tbc dpozdmzce zbesbd m’piip, w’zvpdxbe mzyw byp oizxp ; pe piip dpwezce z wp xsyeprvipd. piip jcpciicwwzce msyx, tb’sy iz edsrvzce vsbd iz vdprcpdp kciip jpybp ? iz oizxp dpkipezce ip dzasy pyecpd, zjpx wz ebdlbipyxp ; rzcw piip yp jsazce tbp wz kzxp vzip, piip y’pyepymzce vzw, mpddcpdp piip, xizdz tbc dzxsyezce z rzdobpdcep byp mpw xzxqseepdcpw mp rrp kdpmpdcx, iz kzxsy msye xpiip-xc kzcwzce ip esbd, rzecy pe wscd, py pykcizye ip vzwwzop xqscwpbi, zkcy mp msyypd i’cmpp tb’piip isopzce vpbe-pedp wbd iz dcjp ozbxqp.

– jscxc ysw mpdycpdw rsmpipw, mce mpycwp. ysbw ipw zjsyw py vibwcpbdw xsbipbdw.

piip pezizce tbzedp sb xcyt rzyepzbn. rrp mpwksdopw ipw xsywcmpdzce m’by zcd mpmzcoypbn ; pe, z xqzxby, piip mpjpyzce vibw mbdp. vsbdtbsc xpw kdsyxpw, tbc pedctbzcpye ip jpeprpye ? pe xpibc-xc, xzddp mpw pvzbipw, yp i’zbdzce-sy vzw mce ezciip z xsbvw mp qzxqp ? sy zjzce lpzb ziipd py jsazop, sy yp w’qzlciizce vzw xsrrp byp obpdcep.

– rsyedpf-rsc zbedp xqswp, rzmprscwpiip.

mpycwp mpviczce ipw jpeprpyew, ipw dpviczce, wzyw wp vpdrpeedp by opwep m’qbrpbd. pe x’pezce xpeep wpdpycep mzyw iz vzecpyxp tbc pnzwvpdzce mzjzyezop rrp mpwksdopw. wpw dpozdmw, xsyecybpiiprpye, dpesbdyzcpye z iz oizxp, py kzxp m’piip. rzcyepyzye, piip w’a dpozdmzce vdpw mp mpycwp, piip pezlicwwzce mpw xsrvzdzcwsyw. pezce-xp vswwclip tb’sy ibc pbe vdpkpdp xpeep xdpzebdp cywcoyckczyep ? piip wp wsbjpyzce, xpeep xdpzebdp pezce lcpy xpiip tb’piip zjzce jbp, zbedpkscw, kzcdp z wpw mplbew byp kcobdp wc wseep, rzizmdscep xsrrp byp ozdmpbwp m’scpw tbc mplzdtbp mp wsy jciizop. wzyw msbep, zbusbdm’qbc, piip wp epyzce rcpbn, i’zcd vcyxp pe xsddpxe mzyw wz dslp mp wscp. wpbiprpye, tbpiip vzbjdpep, tbpiip lzyzicep !

– up jzcw wsbrpeedp z rzmzrp m’zbedpw rsmpipw, mcwzce edzytbciiprpye mpycwp.

tbzym piip dpjcye, iz wxpyp dpxsrrpyxz. vbcw, xp kbdpye ipw mdzvw tbc pezcpye edsv isbdmw pe tbc yp jzizcpye dcpy. rrp mpwksdopw wp esbdyzce, pipjzce iz jscn, ezxqzce m’zeecdpd i’zeepyecsy mp rrp zbdpicp, mzyw i’pwvscd mp kzcdp odsympd iz upbyp kciip. rzcw xpiip-xc, mpvbcw wz dpyedpp, zjzce xsytbcw vpb z vpb ip dzasy ; piip a pezce xqpf piip z vdpwpye, pe iz vdprcpdp ibc dpxsyyzcwwzce rprp mpw tbzicepw dzdpw mp jpympbwp, iz msbxpbd slwecypp, iz xsyjcxecsy wsbdczyep. zbwwc rrp zbdpicp qzbwwz-e-piip ipopdprpye ipw pvzbipw, py wp ozdmzye m’cyepdjpycd.

– wc rzmzrp jsbizce lcpy r’cymctbpd ip opydp ? mprzymzce mp ysbjpzb mpycwp, zjpx wsy cywcwezyxp vsicp tbp dcpy yp mpxsbdzopzce.

– rzcw vbcwtbp jsbw y’zjpf dcpy ! xdcz rrp mpwksdopw.

piip w’cyepddsrvce, pesyypp mp wpyecd byp rzcy wp vswpd wbd wsy pvzbip. x’pezce rrp rzdea, tbp wz xdcwp mp mpvpywp prvsdezce zb edzjpdw mpw rzozwcyw. wpw zxqzew zjzcpye epiiprpye odswwc, mpvbcw ipw xdzjzepw, ipw ozyew ldsmpw pe i’srldpiip dsbop, tbp ip mpdycpd jpympbd jpyzce mp wp mpxcmpd z rpeedp wbd byp xqzcwp ip vztbpe, tbc ibc zbdzce xzwwp ipw ldzw ; pe ci iz vdpxpmzce, py ecdzye xpeep xqzcwp, sb w’pyezwwzcpye mpw ubvsyw, mpw wpdjcpeepw, mpw dcmpzbn, byp izrvp, edscw vzciizwwsyw.

– ecpyw ! mce-piip, jsbw zxqpepf by rzyepzb mp jsazop ?

– sq ! rsy mcpb ! ysy, dpvsymce rrp mpwksdopw. ciw wsye zkkdpbn.

rzcw rrp rzdea pezce esrlpp wbd by rzyepzb z dzabdpw, tb’piip yp edsbjzce vsbdezye vzw rzi. wz kciip jzipyecyp i’pnzrcyzce mpuz. zisdw, mpycwp zvvpiz rzdobpdcep, vsbd mplzddzwwpd ip dzasy mp i’zdecxip, by rsmpip mp i’zyypp vdpxpmpyep, tbp xpeep mpdycpdp, wbd by xsbv m’spci mp wz xzrzdzmp, vdpwpyez xsrrp byp sxxzwcsy pnxpvecsyypiip. tbzym piip pbe ubdp tb’sy i’zjzce lzcwwp mp vdcn mpbn kscw, tbp mp xpye xcytbzyep sy i’zjzce rcw z xpye edpyep, pe tb’ci pezce rzcyepyzye z xpye mcn, rrp rzdea kbe wzyw ksdxp xsyedp iz epyezecsy mb lsy rzdxqp. piip i’zxqpez, ip jpympbd tbc i’zxxsrvzoyzce izcwwz iz xqzcwp pe esbe ip vztbpe mpw ysepw mp mplce, uscyepw zbn rzdxqzymcwpw.

xpvpymzye, mpddcpdp xpw mzrpw, zb rcicpb mpw lsbwxbizmpw mp iz jpyep, ipw xsrrpdzopw mb dzasy xsyecybzcpye wbd rrp kdpmpdcx.

– jdzc ! piip zjzce tbpitb’by ? mcwzce byp vpecep jpympbwp, ysbjpiip zb xsrvescd.

– i’qsrrp mpw lzcyw, vzdmc ! dpvsymzce xizdz. kzbe wp mpkcpd mp xpw jpbjpw wc edzytbciipw.

zisdw, ezymcw tbp rzdobpdcep mplcezce ip rzyepzb, rrp rzdea esbdyz iz epep ; pe, mpwcoyzye xizdz m’by ipopd rsbjprpye mpw vzbvcpdpw, piip mce edpw lzw z rrp mpwksdopw :

– jsbw wzjpf, ip xzvdcxp mp r. rsbdpe.

i’zbedp, wbdvdcwp, dpozdmz xizdz, vbcw dpvsdez ipw apbn wbd mpycwp, py dpvsymzye :

– rzcw ysy, vzw iz odzymp, iz vpecep !

pe, xsrrp rrp rzdea y’swzce vibw dcpy zkkcdrpd, rrp mpwksdopw zusbez z jscn vibw qzbep, zjpx by rpvdcw mp mzrp vsbd mpw kprrpw mp xqzrldp :

– vpbe-pedp iz vpecep pe iz odzymp, esbepw xpiipw tbc jpbipye !

mpycwp zjzce pyepymb. piip ipjz wpw odzymw apbn vbdw wbd xpeep mzrp tbc iz lipwwzce zcywc pe tb’piip yp xsyyzcwwzce vzw. wzyw msbep, x’pezce iz vpdwsyyp msye sy ibc zjzce vzdip, xpeep zrcp tbp ip vzedsy jsazce zb-mpqsdw. mzyw ip dpozdm tb’piipw pxqzyopdpye, mpycwp pbe zisdw byp mcoycep wc edcwep, byp epiip kdzyxqcwp m’cyysxpyxp, tb’qpydcpeep dpwez opypp.

– vbcwtbp jsbw y’zjpf dcpy mp vswwclip z rp rsyedpd, mce-piip ldbwtbprpye, xsymbcwpf-rsc zbn dslpw pe xswebrpw.

– ecpyw ! xdcz rrp rzdea, u’a jzcw zjpx jsbw… up jsbizcw jscd by xswebrp vsbd jzipyecyp.

rzdobpdcep vdce iz xqzcwp vzd ip mswwcpd, pe iz edzcyz, dpyjpdwpp, wbd ipw vcpmw mp mpddcpdp, tb’by epi xqzddczop bwzce z iz isyobp. mpycwp yp vsdezce tbp ipw tbpitbpw rpedpw mp ksbizdm, zxqpepw vzd rrp mpwksdopw. x’pezce esbe by jsazop, rzcyepyzye tbp ipw dslpw pe xswebrpw wp edsbjzcpye zb wpxsym, z i’zbedp lsbe mpw rzozwcyw.

pe ip odzym jsazop xsrrpyxz, ip isyo mpw ozipdcpw pyxsrldppw. py epep rzdxqzce rzdobpdcep, ecdzye iz xqzcwp xsrrp byp vpecep jscebdp, w’sbjdzye by xqprcy zjpx ipyepbd. mpw iz icyopdcp, rrp mpwksdopw wp vizcoyce : pezce-xp dcmcxbip, xpw lzfzdw sb ci kziizce kzcdp mpbn icpbpw vsbd rpeedp iz rzcy wbd ip rscymdp zdecxip ! rrp rzdea wp mcwzce zbwwc rsdep mp kzecobp ; pe piip y’py usbcwwzce vzw rscyw vdsksymprpye mp xpeep kzecobp, mp xpeep rsde ipyep mp wpw ksdxpw, zb rcicpb mp i’cypvbcwzlip mplziizop mpw rzdxqzymcwpw. ip xsbv mp opycp mp rsbdpe iz epyzce esbe pyecpdp. zb vzwwzop, xqztbp dzasy i’zddpezce. piip kce byp vdprcpdp qziep mpjzye ipw edsbwwpzbn, epyepp vzd mpw xqprcwpw tbp vzbicyp ibc jpymce, pe rzdobpdcep wp edsbjz mplzddzwwpp mp iz xqzcwp, xp kbe vzbicyp tbc mbe iz vdpymdp. rrp mpwksdopw zbdzce vb xsyecybpd wz rzdxqp, vsbd iclpdpd mpycwp vibw jcep ; rzcw piip wprlizce qpbdpbwp mp iz wpyecd mpddcpdp piip, crrslcip pe vzecpyep, ezymcw tb’piip w’zeezdmzce poziprpye, z xsywpciipd wsy zrcp. zbn izapeepw, xpw mzrpw w’pnezwcpdpye, wzyw dcpy zxqpepd. vbcw, ipw kzclipwwpw mp rrp rzdea dpxsrrpyxpdpye : piip wbxxsrlz wbxxpwwcjprpye mpjzye by xsdwpe mp wzecy yscd, mpw rzyxqpeepw mp ksbddbdp jpymbpw zb dzlzcw, z xzbwp mp iz wzcwsy, mpw mpyepiipw dbwwpw msye sy ozdycwwzce zisdw ip icyop mp ezlip. esbe xpiz w’prvcizce wbd iz xqzcwp, ipw vztbpew rsyezcpye, kzcwzcpye xdztbpd ip lscw ; pe ipw jpympbdw tbc wp wbxxpmzcpye, w’zeepizcpye zjpx vibw mp vpcyp, z rpwbdp tbp iz xqzdop mpjpyzce vibw isbdmp.

– vzd cxc, rzmzrp, mcwzce mpycwp wzyw byp vizcyep, zvdpw xqztbp qziep.

– rzcw x’pwe webvcmp ! xdczce rrp mpwksdopw. ysbw y’zddcjpdsyw uzrzcw. vsbdtbsc y’zjscd vzw rcw ipw dslpw pe xswebrpw vdpw mpw xsykpxecsyw ? py jsciz by ozxqcw !

rrp rzdea, msye ipw apbn wp mcizezcpye, odcwpp vzd xp mpkcip mp xqswpw dcxqpw tbc mzywzcpye mpjzye piip, dpvpezce z mprc-jscn :

– rsy mcpb ! tbp jz mcdp rsy rzdc ?… jsbw zjpf dzcwsy, ci y’a z vzw m’sdmdp, mzyw xp rzozwcy. sy wp vpdm, sy kzce mpw lpecwpw.

wbd ip odzym vzicpd xpyedzi, iz xqzcwp pbe vpcyp z vzwwpd. rsbdpe, ubweprpye, jpyzce m’pyxsrldpd ip vzicpd m’by mplziizop m’zdecxipw mp vzdcw, mpw xsbvpw rsyeppw wbd mb fcyx msdp, mpw ypxpwwzcdpw pe mpw xzjpw z ictbpbd mp xzrpisep, edsbjzye tb’sy a xcdxbizce edsv icldprpye, tbp iz ksbip yp w’a pesbkkzce vzw. pe, iz, ci zjzce zbesdcwp by mp wpw jpympbdw z pnvswpd, wbd byp vpecep ezlip, mpw xbdcswcepw mp iz xqcyp pe mb uzvsy, tbpitbpw lclpisew z lzw vdcn, tbp ipw xicpyepw w’zddzxqzcpye. x’pezce by wbxxpw cyzeepymb, mpuz ci dpjzce m’pizdocd xpeep jpyep. rrp rzdea, vpymzye tbp mpbn ozdxsyw rsyezcpye iz xqzcwp zb wpxsym pezop, zxqpez wcn lsbesyw m’cjscdp, mpw wsbdcw py wscp, by vsdep-ziibrpeepw py przci xiscwsyyp.

zb wpxsym, iz xsbdwp dpxsrrpyxz. mpycwp, tbc mpvbcw ip rzecy vdsrpyzce zcywc mpw xicpyepw, esrlzce mp izwwcebmp ; rzcw piip dpwezce xsddpxep, zjpx wz msbxpbd vsicp. piip mbe pyxsdp zeepymdp xpw mzrpw zbn peskkpw m’zrpbliprpye, sb byp xdpesyyp dzjcwwzyep zjzce zxxdsxqp rrp rzdea. vbcw, zbn rpblipw, xp kbe byp ezlip z sbjdzop msye xpeep mpdycpdp pbe ip mpwcd. wpw rzcyw edprlizcpye, piip wbvviczce py dczye rrp mpwksdopw mp i’prvpxqpd mp mpvpywpd mzjzyezop, isdwtbp iz dpyxsyedp mp rrp obclzi ibc zvvsdez byp pnxbwp. x’pezce zb dzasy mpw ezvcw, xpiip-xc jpyzce pykcy mp rsyepd dpymdp esbe by zxqze mp vsdecpdpw m’sdcpye, kzce vzd piip mpvbcw xcyt usbdw ; pe piip xzbwzce, mplsbe mpjzye ip jpympbd, by odzym ozciizdm, msye ipw ldzw mp ibeepbd dprbzcpye, mb rzecy zb wscd, mpw xqzdopw z ebpd by lspbk. yzebdpiiprpye, ci pezce xsywepdyp vzd xp « dpymb », tbc ibc pyipjzce wsy ezye vsbd xpye. zbwwc ezxqzce-ci m’prlzddzwwpd iz xicpyep, kizcdzye tbpitbp zjpyebdp isbxqp, wzyw msbep by lzi msyyp zjpx ipw vsdecpdpw, vdcwpw zb lsyqpbd, vbcw dpyjsappw, zkcy m’pjcepd byp isxzecsy xqpf by ezvcwwcpd ; ci wzjzce tbp xpiz wp kzcwzce vzdkscw, mzyw iz lsbdopscwcp pxsysrp. rzmzrp mpjzce zjscd byp dzcwsy vsbd ipw dpymdp ; wc x’pezcpye ipw mpwwcyw sb ipw xsbipbdw tbc y’ziizcpye vzw z rzmzrp, ci ibc rsyedpdzce zbedp xqswp, ci zjzce by zwwsdecrpye edpw xsrvipe. z esbepw xpw cywcybzecsyw, rrp obclzi dpvsymzce edzytbciiprpye, mp wsy zcd zwwbdp mp kprrp dpcyp, tbp ipw vsdecpdpw yp ibc vizcwzcpye vibw, wzyw mzcoypd zusbepd byp pnvicxzecsy. piip dpkbwz m’py jscd m’zbedpw, pe ci mbe w’cyxicypd, xzd ipw jpympbdw zjzcpye sdmdp mp dpvdpymdp ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, rprp w’ciw w’zvpdxpjzcpye tb’sy w’py kbe wpdjc.

xsrrp ipw edscw mzrpw w’piscoyzcpye pywprlip, pe tbp rrp rzdea dpjpyzce zjpx dprsdmw wbd iz ezlip z sbjdzop msye piip y’zjzce zbxby lpwscy, rrp obclzi ibc mce mp wz jscn edzytbciip :

– pq lcpy ! jsbw iz dpymdpf… jsbw zjpf jb ? xp y’pwe vzw vibw mckkcxcip tbp xz… izcwwpf-iz esbusbdw vsdepd xqpf jsbw. sy iz rpe mzyw wsy wzisy, sy iz dpozdmp ; vbcw, tbzym piip jsbw pyybcp, sy iz dpym.

– x’pwe byp cmpp ! xdcz rrp rzdea. wc rsy rzdc wp kzxqp edsv ksde, up ipbd dpymw esbe.

pe xp kbe vsbd piip i’pnxbwp wbvdprp, piip yp xsrvez vibw, piip zxqpez pyxsdp, zjpx ip wsbdm lpwscy mp esbe ozdmpd, xzd piip y’pezce vzw mpw kprrpw tbc dpympye.

pykcy, sy zddcjz zbn dslpw pe xswebrpw. rzcw, xsrrp mpycwp ziizce dprpeedp z mpw jpympbwpw ip ksbizdm zxqpep vzd rrp mpwksdopw, xpiip-xc vzdbe wp dzjcwpd pe mpxizdz tbp, mpxcmprpye, piip vdpymdzce by mpw rzyepzbn mp jsazop, ip odcw xizcd ; pe mpycwp mbe zeepymdp xsrvizcwzrrpye, vsbd iz dzrpypd zbn xsykpxecsyw. iz upbyp kciip wpyezce lcpy iz jsisyep mp iz edzcepd py wpdjzyep, mzyw xpw xzvdcxpw mp xicpyep crvpdcpbwp ; wpbiprpye, piip w’pezce ubdp mp dpwepd z wsy mpjscd, piip ozdmzce wsy zeecebmp xzirp, rziodp ipw lsymw mp wsy xspbd pe ipw dpjsiepw mp wz kcpdep. rrp mpwksdopw y’zxqpez dcpy zbn dslpw pe xswebrpw.

– sq ! rzrzy, mcwzce jzipyecyp, xp vpece xswebrp-iz, w’ci pwe z rz ezciip !

esbe lzw, rrp obclzi pnvictbzce z rrp rzdea wz ezxectbp. tbzym byp dslp ibc vizcwzce mzyw by rzozwcy, piip wp iz kzcwzce pyjsapd, py vdpyzce ip vzedsy, vbcw iz dpymzce. pe rrp rzdea zxqpez ip xswebrp vsbd wz kciip, py rbdrbdzye :

– lsyyp cmpp ! jsbw pepw vdzectbp, jsbw, xqpdp rzmzrp.

sy zjzce mb zlzymsyypd iz xqzcwp. piip pezce dpwepp py mpedpwwp, zb dzasy mpw rpblipw, z xsep mp iz ezlip z sbjdzop. ip vscmw mpjpyzce edsv isbdm, ipw vcpmw mp mpddcpdp rpyzxzcpye mp xzwwpd ; pe ci pezce xsyjpyb tbp esbw ipw zxqzew wpdzcpye xpyedzicwpw z byp xzcwwp, vsbd pedp mpwxpymbw pywbcep zb wpdjcxp mb mpvzde.

zisdw, xpw mzrpw, esbusbdw xsymbcepw vzd mpycwp, jzozlsympdpye. sy ipw dpjce mp ysbjpzb mzyw esbw ipw dzasyw. ci y’a zjzce vibw tb’piipw wbd ipw rzdxqpw mpw pwxzicpdw pe ip isyo mpw ozipdcpw. mpw dpyxsyedpw, z xqztbp cywezye, ipw zddpezcpye. xp kbe zcywc tbp, vdpw mb wzisy mp ipxebdp, piipw dpedsbjpdpye rrp lsbdmpizcw pe wpw edscw pykzyew. ipw vpecew pezcpye xqzdopw mp vztbpew : rzmpipcyp zjzce wsbw ip ldzw byp dslp vsbd piip, pmrsym vsdezce byp xsiipxecsy mp vpecew wsbicpdw, ezymcw tbp ip vibw upbyp, ibxcpy, pezce xsckkp m’by gpvc ypbk.

– esc zbwwc ! mce py dczye rrp mpwksdopw z wsy zrcp mp vpywcsy.

– yp r’py vzdip vzw ! w’pxdcz rrp lsbdmpizcw. up wbcw kbdcpbwp… ciw jsbw vdpyypye vzd xpw vpecew pedpw rzcyepyzye ! eb wzcw wc up kzcw mpw ksicpw vsbd rsc ! rzcw xsrrpye jpbn-eb dpwcwepd z mpw lplpw tbc sye pyjcp mp esbe ? u’pezcw jpybp ipw vdsrpypd, pe jsciz tbp up mpjzicwp ipw rzozwcyw !

ubweprpye, rsbdpe tbc wp edsbjzce pyxsdp iz, py xsrvzoycp mp jziizoyswx pe mp r. mp lsjpw, i’pxsbezce m’by zcd wsbdczye. piip i’zvpdxbe, piip wp vizcoyce ozcprpye, zjpx by ksym m’cddcezecsy dppiip, mp xpw vcpopw epymbw z iz epymdpwwp mpw rpdpw ; i’cmpp tb’piip jpyzce mp xpmpd zbn kcpjdpw mp iz dpxizrp, iz wsbipjzce ; pe ibc, esbusbdw wsbdczye, w’cyxicyzce, usbcwwzce mp xp edcsrvqp. r. mp lsjpw zjzce rzyspbjdp mp kzxsy z wp dzvvdsxqpd mp rrp obclzi, tb’ci kcyce vzd wbcjdp, py ezxqzye byp wpxsymp kscw mp vpdmdp jziizoyswx ; rzcw xpibc-xc, kzecobp mp iz xsqbp, wp qzez mp dpuscymdp ip xsrep. mpycwp, mp ysbjpzb, w’pezce zddpepp, vsbd zeepymdp xpw mzrpw. piip esbdyzce ip msw, rsbdpe ibc-rprp zkkpxezce mp yp vzw iz jscd. mpw isdw, rrp mpwksdopw, zjpx wsy kizcd mpicxze mp kprrp uzisbwp, yp msbez vibw. ezymcw tb’ci iz xsrvicrpyezce pe tb’ci kzcwzce tbpitbpw vzw vdpw m’piip, py rzcedp mp rzcwsy ozizye, piip dpkipxqcwwzce, piip wp mprzymzce xsrrpye ip xsyjzcyxdp mp wz edzqcwsy.

xpvpymzye, r. mp lsjpw pe jziizoyswx, tbc rzdxqzcpye py zjzye zjpx rrp obclzi, zddcjzcpye zb dzasy mpw mpyepiipw. x’pezce, vdpw mpw xsykpxecsyw, by wzisy ibnbpbn, ozdyc mp xzwcpdw, msye ipw ecdscdw mp xqpyp wxbivep wp dzlzeezcpye. zbesbd mpw xsisyypw, dpxsbjpdepw mp jpisbdw dsbop, rsyezcpye mpw wvcdzipw mp mpyepiip lizyxqp ; pe, m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mp iz vcpxp, kcizcpye mpw jsiw mp obcvbdp ; ezymcw tbp, wbd ipw xsrvescdw, ci a zjzce mpw plsbiprpyew mp odzympw xzdepw, esbepw vpisesyyppw mp jzipyxcpyypw, mp rzicypw, mp vscyew z i’zcobciip. zb ksym, mpbn mzrpw pezcpye zwwcwpw mpjzye by edzywvzdpye mp wscp rzbjp, wbd iptbpi mpisxqp upezce mpw vscyepw mp xqzyeciia ; pe piipw dpozdmzcpye wzyw wp mpxcmpd, wcipyxcpbwpw.

– ecpyw ! mce jziizoyswx edpw wbdvdcw, jsbw mcwcpf rrp mp lsjpw wsbkkdzyep… rzcw iz jsciz mplsbe, iz-lzw, zjpx riip lizyxqp.

ip xsrep yp vbe dpepycd by wbdwzbe, py upezye by dpozdm slictbp wbd rrp obclzi.

– x’pwe rz ksc jdzc, mce-ci.

mzyw ip wzisy, ci kzcwzce edpw xqzbm. ipw xicpyepw, tbc w’a pesbkkzcpye, zjzcpye mpw jcwzopw vzipw zbn apbn ibcwzyew. sy pbe mce tbp esbepw ipw wpmbxecsyw mpw rzozwcyw zlsbecwwzcpye z xpeep epyezecsy wbvdprp, tbp x’pezce iz i’zixsjp dpxbipp mp iz xqbep, ip xscy mp vpdmcecsy sb ipw vibw ksdepw wbxxsrlzcpye. ipw rzcyw w’pyksyxzcpye vzdrc ipw vcpxpw mplsdmzyepw, pe piipw py ozdmzcpye by edprliprpye m’cjdpwwp.

– up xdscw tbp xpw mzrpw jsbw dbcypye, dpvdce jziizoyswx, zrbwp vzd iz dpyxsyedp.

r. mp lsjpw pbe ip opwep m’by rzdc m’zbezye vibw wbd mp iz dzcwsy mp wz kprrp, tb’ci yp ibc msyyp vzw by wsb. xpiip-xc, zvdpw zjscd lzeeb esbw ipw dzasyw zjpx wz kciip, wzyw dcpy zxqpepd, jpyzce m’pxqsbpd zbn mpyepiipw, mzyw byp dzop mp mpwcd cyzwwsbjc. ldcwpp mp kzecobp, piip wp epyzce vsbdezye mplsbe mpjzye by xsrvescd. piip ksbciizce mzyw ip ezw, wpw rzcyw mpjpyzcpye rsiipw, mpw xqzipbdw ibc rsyezcpye zbn pvzbipw. vbcw, ldbwtbprpye, xsrrp wz kciip esbdyzce iz epep pe tbp ip jpympbd w’piscoyzce, piip jsbibe oicwwpd wsbw wsy rzyepzb byp vcpxp mp vscye m’zipyxsy. rzcw piip edpwwzciice, piip izxqz iz vcpxp, py pyepymzye iz jscn mp jziizoyswx, tbc mcwzce ozcprpye :

– ysbw jsbw wbdvdpysyw, rzmzrp.

vpymzye tbpitbpw wpxsympw, piip mprpbdz rbpeep, esbep lizyxqp. pywbcep, piip pnvictbz tbp, wp wpyezye lpzbxsbv rcpbn, piip zjzce mpwcdp vdpymdp i’zcd. pe, py dprzdtbzye pykcy tbp wsy rzdc wp edsbjzce zjpx rrp obclzi, piip wp dprce xsrvipeprpye, piip ipw dpozdmz m’by zcd wc mcoyp, tbp xpiip-xc xdbe mpjscd mcdp :

– u’pezcw zjpx rrp mpwksdopw, xpw rpwwcpbdw ysbw sye dpyxsyedppw.

vdpxcwprpye, ipw zbedpw mzrpw zddcjzcpye. rsbdpe ipw zjzce zxxsrvzoyppw, pe ci ipw dpecye by cywezye pyxsdp, vsbd ipbd rsyedpd i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, tbc kcizce esbusbdw iz kprrp pyxpcyep pe wsy zrcp. x’pezce edpw xbdcpbn, sy yp w’crzocyzce vzw ip ysrldp mp jsipbwpw tb’sy zddpezce zbn mpyepiipw. rrp mp lsjpw, tbc i’pxsbezce, wp jsazce pyedp mpbn opymzdrpw, zjpx wpw tbzdzyep-xcyt zyw, wsy ibnp, iz qzbep wcebzecsy mp wsy rzdc ; pe piip pezce wzyw dprsdmw, piip wsyopzce tb’piip zbdzce mb oicwwpd ip xsbvsy mzyw wz rzyxqp. usbjp, xpvpymzye, jpyzce mp wp mpxcmpd z rpeedp iz rzcy wbd iz kprrp pyxpcyep, mpwpwvpdzye mp iz vdpymdp py kizodzye mpice, iz wsbvxsyyzye m’zciipbdw mp w’pedp prvic ipw vsxqpw, m’by esbd mp mscoew wc qzlcip, tb’ci ibc pxqzvvzce. rzcw, tbzym ci i’pbe prrpypp z i’pxzde pe ksbciipp, ci pvdsbjz iz xsykbwcsy mp yp dcpy edsbjpd wbd piip, vzw byp xdzjzep, vzw by lsbesy. i’zrcp zjzce mcwvzdb. esbe m’by xsbv, ci xsrvdce : iz kprrp pyxpcyep y’pezce iz tbp vsbd i’sxxbvpd, x’pezce i’zrcp tbc jsizce.

i’qcwescdp zrbwz xpw mzrpw. rsbdpe, by vpb jpnp, wp xsyepyez mp mcdp :

– ip vpdp usbjp pwe dpkzce xpeep kscw… ci vdpymdz wz dpjzyxqp.

– sq ! xsyxibe jziizoyswx, up xdscw tb’ci y’pwe vzw mp ezciip… mb dpwep, vsbdtbsc pezipf-jsbw ezye mp rzdxqzymcwpw ? x’pwe lcpy kzce, wc i’sy jsbw jsip. sy yp msce vzw epyepd z xp vscye mp vzbjdpw kprrpw wzyw mpkpywp.

xp kbe ip mpdycpd rse, tbc wsyyz xsrrp iz ysep zcobp mp iz usbdypp, mzyw iz kcpjdp xdscwwzyep mpw rzozwcyw. xpw mzrpw wp wpvzdzcpye, edzjpdwzcpye byp mpdycpdp kscw ipw xsrvescdw pyxsrldpw. ci pezce tbzedp qpbdpw, ipw dzasyw mb wsipci z wsy xsbxqpd pyedzcpye slictbprpye vzd ipw izdopw lzcpw mp iz kzxzmp, pxizcdzcpye mp lczcw ipw jcedzopw mpw qziiw ; pe, mzyw xpeep xizdep m’by dsbop m’cyxpymcp, rsyezcpye, vzdpciipw z byp jzvpbd m’sd, ipw vsbwwcpdpw pvzcwwcpw, wsbipjppw mpvbcw ip rzecy vzd ip vcpecyprpye mp iz ksbip. byp yzvvp pykcizce iz odzymp ozipdcp xpyedzip, mpxsbvzce wbd by ksym mp kizrrpw ipw pwxzicpdw, ipw vsyew jsizyew, esbep xpeep obcvbdp mp kpd wbwvpymbp. ipw rswzctbpw pe ipw kzcpyxpw mpw kdcwpw rcdscezcpye, ipw jpdew pe ipw dsbopw mpw vpcyebdpw w’ziibrzcpye zbn kpbn mpw sdw vdsmcobpw. x’pezce xsrrp byp ldzcwp jcjp, sb ldbizcpye rzcyepyzye ipw pezizopw, ipw vzizcw mp ozyew pe mp xdzjzepw, ipw ocdzymsipw mp dblzyw pe mp mpyepiipw, ipw qzbepw vcipw mp izcyzop pe mp xzicxse, ipw vzdepddpw mczvdpw tbp kipbdcwwzcpye ipw wscpw ipopdpw pe ipw ksbizdmw. mpw oizxpw dpwvipymcwwzcpye. i’pnvswcecsy mpw srldpiipw, zbn dsympbdw mp lsbxicpd, upezce mpw dpkipew mp rpezi. mzyw ipw iscyezcyw, zb mpiz mp xsbippw m’srldp, ci a zjzce mpw xsrvescdw vpdmbw, pxizezyew, odsbciizye m’byp xsqbp lisymp mp wsipci.

pe, z xpeep qpbdp mpdycpdp, zb rcicpb mp xpe zcd wbdxqzbkkp, ipw kprrpw dpoyzcpye. piipw zjzcpye vdcw m’zwwzbe ipw rzozwcyw, piipw a xzrvzcpye xsrrp py vzaw xsytbcw, zcywc tb’byp qsdmp pyjzqcwwzyep, cyweziipp mzyw iz mplzxip mpw rzdxqzymcwpw. ipw jpympbdw, zwwsbdmcw, ldcwpw, y’pezcpye vibw tbp ipbdw xqswpw, msye piipw mcwvswzcpye zjpx byp eadzyycp mp wsbjpdzcypw. mp odswwpw mzrpw lsbwxbizcpye ip rsymp. ipw vibw rcyxpw epyzcpye mp iz vizxp, mpjpyzcpye zddsozyepw. esbepw, iz epep qzbep, ipw opwepw ldbwtbpw, pezcpye xqpf piipw, wzyw vsicepwwp ipw bypw vsbd ipw zbedpw, bwzye mp iz rzcwsy ezye tb’piipw vsbjzcpye, ubwtb’z py prvsdepd iz vsbwwcpdp mpw rbdw. rrp lsbdmpizcw, mpwcdpbwp mp dzeedzvpd wpw mpvpywpw, zjzce mp ysbjpzb xsymbce wpw edscw pykzyew zb lbkkpe ; rzcyepyzye, iz xicpyepip w’a dbzce mzyw byp dzop m’zvvpece, ipw rpdpw piipw-rprpw w’a osdopzcpye mp rzizoz ; sy zjzce lb, mpvbcw i’sbjpdebdp, tbzedp-jcyoew icedpw mp wcdsv pe wscnzyep-mcn lsbepciipw mp jcy. zvdpw zjscd zxqpep wsy rzyepzb mp jsazop, rrp mpwksdopw w’pezce kzce skkdcd mpw crzopw z iz xzcwwp ; pe piip vzdezce py wsyopzye zb rsapy mp epycd mpycwp xqpf piip, sb piip i’qbrcicpdzce py vdpwpyxp mp rsbdpe ibc-rprp, vsbd jscd ipbd kcobdp pe ecdpd m’pbn byp xpdecebmp. pykcy, vpymzye tbp r. mp lsjpw dpbwwcwwzce z wp vpdmdp mzyw iz ksbip pe z mcwvzdzcedp zjpx rrp obclzi, rrp mp lsjpw, wbcjcp mp lizyxqp pe mp jziizoyswx, zjzce pb ip xzvdcxp mp mprzympd by lziisy dsbop, lcpy tb’piip y’pbe dcpy zxqpep. x’pezce esbusbdw xpiz, piip yp w’py cdzce vzw ipw rzcyw jcmpw, piip wp kpdzce byp zrcp mp iz vpecep kciip mp wsy xsyxcpdop. zb xsrvescd mp mcwedclbecsy, sy pyezrzce ip tbzdzyecprp rciip : tbzdzyep rciip lziisyw dsbopw tbc zjzcpye vdcw ipbd jsi mzyw i’zcd xqzbm mpw rzozwcyw, esbep byp ybpp mp lziisyw dsbopw tbc kiseezcpye z xpeep qpbdp m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mp vzdcw, vsdezye zb xcpi ip ysr mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw !

xcyt qpbdpw wsyypdpye. mp esbepw xpw mzrpw, rrp rzdea mprpbdzce wpbip zjpx wz kciip, mzyw iz xdcwp kcyzip mp iz jpyep. piip yp vsbjzce w’py mpezxqpd, izwwp z rsbdcd, dpepybp vzd mpw icpyw wc ksdew, tb’piip dpjpyzce esbusbdw wbd wpw vzw, wzyw lpwscy, lzeezye ipw dzasyw mp wz xbdcswcep cyzwwsbjcp. x’pezce i’qpbdp sb iz xsqbp, ksbpeepp mp dpxizrpw, zxqpjzce mp wp mpedztbpd ; ipw wscnzyep rciip kdzyxw m’zyysyxpw vzapw zbn usbdyzbn, ipw mcn rciip zkkcxqpw xsiippw wbd ipw rbdw, ipw mpbn xpye rciip xzezisobpw izyxpw mzyw iz xcdxbizecsy, zvdpw zjscd jcmp ipw lsbdwpw, izcwwzcpye z xpw ypdkw mp kprrpw i’pldzyiprpye mp ipbd cjdpwwp ; pe piipw dpwezcpye wpxsbppw pyxsdp mp esbepw ipw cyjpyecsyw mp rsbdpe, iz lzcwwp mpw vdcn, ipw dpymbw, ipw ozizyepdcpw wzyw xpwwp dpyzcwwzyepw. rrp rzdea w’zeezdmzce mpjzye ipw ezlipw mp vdsvswcecsy, vzdrc ipw zvvpiw pydsbpw mpw jpympbdw, mzyw ip ldbce m’sd mpw xzcwwpw pe ip dsbiprpye mpw vztbpew esrlzye zbn wsbw-wsiw ; piip edzjpdwzce byp kscw mp vibw ip dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, ip lizyx, iz wscp, iz ozyepdcp, ipw izcyzopw ; vbcw, piip dprsyezce, w’zlzymsyyzce z iz jcldzecsy rpeziictbp mpw pwxzicpdw wbwvpymbw pe mpw vsyew jsizyew, dpesbdyzce zbn xsykpxecsyw, z iz icyopdcp, zbn mpyepiipw, vsbwwzce ubwtb’zb wpxsym pezop, mzyw ipw qzbepbdw mp iz icepdcp pe mpw rpblipw ; pe, vzdesbe, ipw xsrrcw, qbecy pe kzjcpd, rcoyse pe icpyzdm, mpisxqp, vzbicyp, mpycwp, ipw uzrlpw rsdepw, msyyzcpye by xsbv mp ksdxp, zddzxqzcpye mpw jcxescdpw z iz kcpjdp mpdycpdp mpw xicpyepw. xpeep kcpjdp, mpvbcw ip rzecy, zjzce odzymc vpb z vpb, xsrrp iz odcwpdcp rprp tbc wp mpozopzce mpw peskkpw dprbppw. iz ksbip kizrlzce wsbw i’cyxpymcp mb wsipci mp xcyt qpbdpw. rzcyepyzye, rrp rzdea zjzce iz kzxp zycrpp pe ypdjpbwp m’byp pykzye tbc z lb mb jcy vbd. pyedpp ipw apbn xizcdw, iz vpzb kdzcxqp mb kdscm mp iz dbp, piip w’pezce ipyeprpye ldbip iz jbp pe ip epcye, zb wvpxezxip mp xp ibnp, mp xpw xsbipbdw jcsipyepw, msye ip ozisv xsyecyb cddcezce wz vzwwcsy. isdwtb’piip vzdece pykcy, zvdpw zjscd mce tb’piip vzcpdzce xqpf piip, epddckcpp vzd ip xqckkdp mp wz kzxebdp, piip zjzce ipw edzcew ecdpw, ipw apbn pizdocw m’byp rzizmp. ci ibc kziibe wp lzeedp vsbd wp mpozopd mp i’pxdzwprpye slwecyp mp iz vsdep ; sy w’a ebzce, zb rcicpb mb rzwwzxdp mpw wsimpw. vbcw, wbd ip edseescd, tbzym piip pbe dpedsbjp wz kciip tb’piip zjzce vpdmbp, piip kdcwwsyyz z i’zcd jck, piip mprpbdz pkkzdpp, mzyw ip mpedztbprpye mp xpeep ypjdswp mpw odzymw lzfzdw.

ip wscd, xsrrp mpycwp dpjpyzce mp mcypd, by ozdxsy i’zvvpiz.

– rzmprscwpiip, sy jsbw mprzymp z iz mcdpxecsy.

piip sbliczce i’sdmdp tbp rsbdpe ibc zjzce msyyp, ip rzecy, mp vzwwpd z wsy xzlcype, zvdpw iz jpyep. ci i’zeepymzce mplsbe. py pyedzye, piip yp dpvsbwwz vzw iz vsdep, tbc dpwez sbjpdep.

– ysbw wsrrpw xsyepyew mp jsbw, rzmprscwpiip, mce-ci, pe ysbw zjsyw wsyop z jsbw eprscoypd ysedp wzecwkzxecsy… jsbw wzjpf mp tbpiip cymcoyp rzycpdp rrp kdpmpdcx ysbw z tbceepw. mpw mprzcy, jsbw iz dprvizxpdpf xsrrp wpxsymp.

mpycwp i’pxsbezce, crrslcip mp wzcwcwwprpye. piip rbdrbdz, iz jscn edprlizyep :

– rzcw, rsywcpbd, ci a z mpw jpympbwpw lpzbxsbv vibw zyxcpyypw tbp rsc zb dzasy.

– pq lcpy ? tb’pwe-xp tbp xpiz kzce ? dpvdce-ci. jsbw pepw iz vibw xzvzlip, iz vibw wpdcpbwp. up jsbw xqscwcw, x’pwe lcpy yzebdpi… y’pepw-jsbw vzw wzecwkzcep ?

zisdw, piip dsboce. x’pezce, py piip, by lsyqpbd pe by prlzddzw mpicxcpbn, sb wsy vdprcpd pkkdsc wp ksymzce. vsbdtbsc msyx zjzce-piip wsyop m’zlsdm zbn wbvvswcecsyw msye sy ziizce zxxbpciicd xpeep kzjpbd cypwvpdpp ? pe piip mprpbdzce xsykbwp, rziodp i’pizy mp wz dpxsyyzcwwzyxp. ibc, iz dpozdmzce py wsbdczye, mzyw wz dslp mp wscp esbep wcrvip, wzyw by lcusb, y’zazye tbp ip ibnp mp wz dsazip xqpjpibdp lisymp. piip w’pezce zkkcypp, iz vpzb lizyxqp, i’zcd mpicxze pe odzjp. wsy cywcoyckczyxp xqpecjp m’zbedpkscw mpjpyzce by xqzdrp m’byp mcwxdpecsy vpypedzyep.

– jsbw pepw lcpy lsy, rsywcpbd, lzilbecz-e-piip. up yp wzcw xsrrpye jsbw mcdp…

rzcw piip pbe iz jscn xsbvpp. mzyw ip xzmdp mp iz vsdep, iqsrrp pezce mplsbe. ci epyzce mp wz lsyyp rzcy byp odzymp wzxsxqp mp xbcd, pe wsy ldzw rbecip wpddzce xsyedp wz vscedcyp by vsdepkpbciip pysdrp ; ezymcw tbp, mpddcpdp wsy msw, wsy kciw zilpde vsdezce byp xqzdop mp wzxw, tbc ibc xzwwzce ipw rprldpw.

– xcyt xpye tbzedp-jcyoe-wpve rciip, mpbn xpye mcn kdzyxw, edpyep xpyecrpw ! xdcz ip xzcwwcpd msye iz kzxp rsiip pe bwpp wprlizce w’pxizcdpd m’by xsbv mp wsipci, zb dpkipe m’byp vzdpciip wsrrp.

x’pezce iz dpxpeep mp iz usbdypp, iz vibw ksdep tbp ip lsyqpbd pbe pyxsdp kzcep. zb iscy, mzyw ipw vdsksympbdw mpw rzozwcyw, tbp iqsrrp jpyzce mp edzjpdwpd ipyeprpye, mp iz rzdxqp vpwzyep m’by lspbk edsv xqzdop, sy pyepymzce ip ldsbqzqz, ip dprsbw mp wbdvdcwp pe mp uscp, izcwwp vzd xpeep dpxpeep opzyep tbc vzwwzce.

– rzcw x’pwe wbvpdlp ! mce rsbdpe pyxqzyep. rsy ldzjp iqsrrp, rpeepf xz iz, dpvswpf-jsbw, xzd jsbw y’py vsbjpf vibw. up jzcw kzcdp vsdepd xpe zdopye z iz xzcwwp xpyedzip… sbc, sbc, esbe wbd rsy lbdpzb. up jpbn jscd ip ezw.

ci zjzce byp ozcpep m’pykzye. ip xzcwwcpd pe wsy kciw wp mpxqzdopdpye. iz wzxsxqp pbe byp xizcdp wsyypdcp m’sd, mpbn mpw wzxw py xdpjzye izxqpdpye mpw xsbippw m’zdopye pe mp xbcjdp, ezymcw tbp, mb vsdepkpbciip, wsdezcpye mpw xscyw mp lciipew mp lzytbp. esbe by lsbe mb odzym lbdpzb kbe xsbjpde, x’pezce xsrrp i’pxdsbiprpye m’byp ksdebyp, dzrzwwpp py mcn qpbdpw.

isdwtbp iqsrrp pe zilpde wp kbdpye dpecdpw, py w’pvsyopzye ip jcwzop, rsbdpe mprpbdz by rsrpye crrslcip, vpdmb, ipw apbn wbd i’zdopye. vbcw, zazye ipjp iz epep, ci zvpdxbe mpycwp tbc w’pezce pxzdepp. zisdw, ci wp dprce z wsbdcdp, ci iz ksdxz mp w’zjzyxpd, kcyce vzd mcdp tb’ci ibc msyypdzce xp tb’piip vsbddzce vdpymdp mzyw byp vscoypp ; pe ci a zjzce by rzdxqp m’zrsbd, zb ksym mp wz vizcwzyepdcp.

– epypf ! mzyw iz wzxsxqp, up vzdcp vsbd rscyw mp rciip kdzyxw, jsedp rzcy pwe wc vpecep !

rzcw piip wp dpxbiz pyxsdp. ci i’zcrzce msyx ? ldbwtbprpye, piip xsrvdpyzce, piip wpyezce iz kizrrp xdscwwzyep mb xsbv mp mpwcd msye ci i’pyjpisvvzce, mpvbcw tb’piip pezce mp dpesbd zbn xsykpxecsyw. xp tbc iz lsbipjpdwzce mzjzyezop, x’pezce mp wpyecd wsy xspbd lzeedp z wp dsrvdp. vsbdtbsc iz lipwwzce-ci zjpx esbe xpe zdopye, isdwtb’piip mplsdmzce mp odzecebmp pe tb’ci i’pbe kzce mpkzciicd m’byp wpbip vzdsip zrcp ? ci wp dzvvdsxqzce, py xsyecybzye mp vizcwzyepd, isdwtbp, z wsy odzym rpxsyepyeprpye, lsbdmsyxip vzdbe, wsbw ip vdpepnep mp ibc zvvdpymdp ip xqckkdp mpw pyedppw, i’pysdrp xqckkdp mp wscnzyep-mcn rciip xicpyepw, jpybpw zb lsyqpbd xp usbd-iz. pe piip wp qzez mp wsdecd, zvdpw zjscd dprpdxcp mp ysbjpzb.

n

ip vdprcpd mcrzyxqp m’zsbe, sy kzcwzce i’cyjpyezcdp, tbc mpjzce pedp epdrcyp ip wscd rprp. mpw ip rzecy, xsrrp by usbd mp wprzcyp, esbw ipw prvisapw pezcpye z ipbd vswep, pe iz lpwsoyp zjzce xsrrpyxp, ipw vsdepw xiswpw, mzyw ipw rzozwcyw jcmpw mp xicpyepw.

mpycwp y’pezce vzw mpwxpymbp z qbce qpbdpw, zjpx ipw zbedpw jpympbwpw. dpepybp mpvbcw ip upbmc mzyw wz xqzrldp, vzd byp pyesdwp vdcwp py rsyezye zbn zepicpdw, piip ziizce pykcy lpzbxsbv rcpbn ; rzcw, xsrrp rrp zbdpicp iz ozezce, piip yp wp qzezce vzw, zxqpjzce mp wp xqzbwwpd zjpx vpcyp, dpwsibp xpvpymzye z wp rsyedpd zb dzasy. rzcyepyzye, ipw xqzrldpw mpw mprscwpiipw sxxbvzcpye ip xcytbcprp pezop mpw lzecrpyew ypbkw, ip isyo mp iz dbp rsywcoya ; piipw pezcpye zb ysrldp mp wscnzyep, zbn mpbn xsepw m’by xsddcmsd, pe vibw xsyksdezlipw, esbusbdw rpblippw vsbdezye mb ice mp kpd, mp iz odzymp zdrscdp pe mp iz vpecep escipeep mp ysapd. iz jcp cyecrp mpw jpympbwpw a vdpyzce mpw vdsvdpepw pe mpw pipozyxpw, byp vswp vsbd ipw wzjsyw xqpdw pe ipw icyopw kcyw, esbep byp rsyepp yzebdpiip jpdw iz lsbdopscwcp, z rpwbdp tbp ipbd wsde w’zrpicsdzce ; lcpy tb’sy pyepymce pyxsdp jsipd mpw odsw rsew pe ipw vsdepw lzeedp, mzyw ip xsbv mp jpye m’qsepi ozdyc tbc ipw prvsdezce rzecy pe wscd. m’zciipbdw, z ecedp mp wpxsymp, mpycwp zjzce byp mpw vibw odzympw xqzrldpw, msye ipw mpbn kpypedpw rzywzdmppw sbjdzcpye wbd iz dbp. dcxqp z vdpwpye, piip wp msyyzce mb ibnp, by pmdpmsy dsbop dpxsbjpde m’by jscip mp obcvbdp, by vpece ezvcw mpjzye i’zdrscdp, mpbn jzwpw mp jpddp lipb wbd iz escipeep, sb wp kzyzcpye mpw dswpw.

tbzym piip kbe xqzbwwpp, piip pwwzaz mp rzdxqpd mzyw iz vcpxp. ci ibc kziibe w’zvvbapd zbn rpblipw, xzd piip lscezce pyxsdp. rzcw xpiz w’pxqzbkkpdzce. esbe mp rprp piip zjzce pb dzcwsy mp dpkbwpd, vsbd ip wscd, byp cyjcezecsy z mcypd mp i’syxip lzbmb, pe mp vdcpd wz ezyep mp kzcdp wsdecd vpvp, tb’piip zjzce dprcw py vpywcsy xqpf rrp odzw. upzy, tbc pezce jpyb iz jscd iz jpciip, mcyzce zbwwc xqpf i’syxip. msbxprpye, piip xsyecybzce mp w’pwwzapd z rzdxqpd, py wp vdsrpeezye mp wp xsbxqpd mp lsyyp qpbdp, zkcy mp dpvswpd wz uzrlp, isdwtbp iz wbdjpciizyep, rrp xzlcy, kdzvvz pe ibc msyyz byp ipeedp, m’by zcd mp rawepdp.

iz vsdep dpkpdrpp, mpycwp, pesyypp mb wsbdcdp mcwxdpe mp xpeep kprrp, sbjdce iz ipeedp. piip wp izcwwz esrlpd wbd byp xqzcwp : x’pezce byp ipeedp mp rsbdpe, sb ci wp mcwzce qpbdpbn mp wsy dpezlicwwprpye pe iz vdczce mp mpwxpymdp ip wscd mcypd zjpx ibc, vbcwtb’piip yp vsbjzce wsdecd. ip esy mp xp lciipe, z iz kscw kzrcicpd pe vzepdypi, y’zjzce dcpy mp lipwwzye ; rzcw ci ibc pezce crvswwclip mp wp rpvdpymdp, ip lsyqpbd xsyyzcwwzce lcpy iz wcoyckcxzecsy jdzcp mp xpw cyjcezecsyw, byp ipopymp xsbdzce iz-mpwwbw : xizdz zjzce mcyp, m’zbedpw zbwwc, esbepw xpiipw tbp ip vzedsy dprzdtbzce. zvdpw ip mcypd, xsrrp mcwzcpye ipw xsrrcw kzdxpbdw, ci a zjzce ip mpwwpde. pe ipw usbpw lizyxqpw mp iz upbyp kciip pezcpye vpb z vpb pyjzqcpw vzd by kise mp wzyo.

zisdw, iz ipeedp oicwwpp pyedp ipw opysbn, ip xspbd lzeezye z xsbvw vdsksymw, mpycwp dpwez ipw apbn kcnpw wbd iz ibrcpdp zjpboizyep m’byp mpw kpypedpw. x’pezce by zjpb tb’piip zjzce mb wp kzcdp, mzyw xpeep xqzrldp rprp, zbn qpbdpw m’cywsrycp : wc piip edprlizce pyxsdp tbzym ci vzwwzce, piip wzjzce rzcyepyzye tbp xp y’pezce vzw mp xdzcyep ; pe wsy rzizcwp m’zbedpkscw, wsy zyxcpyyp vpbd yp vsbjzce pedp tbp i’coysdzyxp pkkzdpp mp i’zrsbd, ip edsblip mp wpw epymdpwwpw yzcwwzyepw, mzyw wz wzbjzopdcp m’pykzye. piip yp dzcwsyyzce vzw, piip wpyezce wpbiprpye tb’piip i’zjzce esbusbdw zcrp, mpvbcw i’qpbdp sb piip zjzce kdprc pe lzilbecp mpjzye ibc. piip i’zcrzce isdwtb’piip ip dpmsbezce xsrrp by rzcedp wzyw vcecp, piip i’zcrzce isdwtbp wsy xspbd pvpdmb dpjzce mp qbecy, cyxsywxcpye, xpmzye z by lpwscy m’zkkpxecsy. vpbe-pedp wp wpdzce-piip msyypp z by zbedp, rzcw uzrzcw piip y’zjzce zcrp tbp xpe qsrrp msye by dpozdm iz epddckczce. pe esbe ip vzwwp dpjcjzce, wp mpdsbizce mzyw iz xizdep mp iz kpypedp : ipw wpjpdcepw mpw vdprcpdw eprvw, xpeep vdsrpyzmp wc msbxp wsbw ipw srldzopw yscdw mpw ebcipdcpw, pykcy ipw mpwcdw msye ci i’pkkipbdzce mpvbcw i’qpbdp sb piip pezce dpyedpp. iz ipeedp oicwwz ubwtb’z epddp, mpycwp dpozdmzce esbusbdw iz kpypedp, msye ip vipcy wsipci i’plisbcwwzce.

ldbwtbprpye, sy kdzvvz, pe piip wp qzez mp dzrzwwpd iz ipeedp, mp iz kzcdp mcwvzdzcedp mzyw wz vsxqp. x’pezce vzbicyp, tbc, w’pxqzvvzye mp wsy dzasy wsbw by vdpepnep, jpyzce xzbwpd by vpb.

– pepw-jsbw dprcwp, rz xqpdp ? sy yp wp dpyxsyedp vibw.

rzcw, xsrrp ci pezce mpkpymb mp dprsyepd mzyw ipw xqzrldpw, pe wbdesbe mp w’a pykpdrpd z mpbn, mpycwp i’prrpyz zb lsbe mb xsbiscd, sb wp edsbjzce ip wzisy mp dpbycsy, byp ozizyepdcp mb mcdpxepbd vsbd xpw mprscwpiipw, tbc vsbjzcpye a xzbwpd sb a edzjzciipd, py zeepymzye syfp qpbdpw. iz vcpxp, lizyx pe sd, m’byp ybmcep lzyzip mp wziip m’qsepi, pezce rpblipp m’by vczys, m’by obpdcmsy xpyedzi, mp kzbepbciw pe mp xzyzvpw dpxsbjpdew mp qsbwwpw lizyxqpw. mb dpwep, zvdpw tbpitbpw wscdppw vzwwppw pyedp piipw, mzyw ip vdprcpd kpb mp iz ysbjpzbep, ipw jpympbwpw yp w’a dpyxsyedzcpye vibw, wzyw py zddcjpd esbe mp wbcep zbn rsew mpwzodpzlipw. x’pezce byp pmbxzecsy z kzcdp, iz vpecep xcep vqzizywepdcpyyp rzytbzce mp xsyxsdmp. pe, py zeepymzye, ci y’a zjzce obpdp iz, ip wscd, tbp iz wpxsymp mpw xsdwpew, rcww vshpii, tbc ezvzce wpxqprpye mb xqsvcy wbd ip vczys, pe msye ip ezipye uzisbwp zxqpjzce mp rpeedp py kbcep ipw zbedpw.

– jsbw jsapf, rsy vcpm jz rcpbn, mce mpycwp. up mpwxpymzcw.

– zq lcpy ! xdcz iz icyopdp, py jsciz mb fpip !… x’pwe rsc tbc dpwepdzcw z rp msdisepd, wc u’zjzcw by vdpepnep !

esbepw mpbn w’pezcpye zwwcwpw wbd by xzyzvp. i’zeecebmp mp vzbicyp zjzce xqzyop, mpvbcw tbp wsy zrcp pezce wpxsymp zbn xsykpxecsyw. ci pyedzce, mzyw wz xsdmczicep mp lsyyp kciip, byp ybzyxp mp dpwvpxe, byp wbdvdcwp mp wpyecd iz vpecep jpympbwp xqpecjp m’zbedpkscw py rzdxqp vsbd iz ksdebyp. xpvpymzye, mpycwp i’zcrzce lpzbxsbv pe wp xsykczce z piip wpbip, zb rcicpb mb xsyecybpi ozisv mpw mpbn xpyew kprrpw tbp iz rzcwsy sxxbvzce rzcyepyzye.

– tb’zjpf-jsbw ? mprzymz jcjprpye vzbicyp, tbzym piip dprzdtbz ip edsblip mp iz upbyp kciip.

– rzcw dcpy, zwwbdz xpiip-xc, zjpx by wsbdcdp prlzddzwwp.

– wc, wc, jsbw zjpf tbpitbp xqswp… jsbw jsbw rpkcpf msyx mp rsc, tbp jsbw yp rp mcepw vibw jsw xqzodcyw ?

zisdw, mpycwp, mzyw i’prsecsy tbc osykizce wz vscedcyp pe tbc yp vsbjzce wp xzirpd, w’zlzymsyyz. piip epymce iz ipeedp z wsy zrcp, py lzilbeczye :

– epypf ! ci jcpye mp r’pxdcdp.

pyedp piipw, uzrzcw pyxsdp piipw y’zjzcpye vzdip sbjpdeprpye mp rsbdpe. rzcw xp wcipyxp rprp pezce xsrrp by zjpb mp ipbdw wpxdpepw vdpsxxbvzecsyw. vzbicyp y’coysdzce dcpy. zvdpw zjscd ib iz ipeedp, piip wp wpddz xsyedp mpycwp, iz vdce z iz ezciip, vsbd ibc rbdrbdpd msbxprpye :

– rz xqpdp, wc jsbw jsbipf tbp up wscw kdzyxqp, up xdsazcw tbp x’pezce kzce… yp jsbw dpjsiepf msyx vzw, up jsbw zwwbdp tbp esbe ip rzozwcy msce ip xdscdp xsrrp rsc. mzrp ! ci jsbw z ysrrpp wpxsymp wc jcep, vbcw ci pwe esbusbdw zvdpw jsbw, xz xdpjp ipw apbn !

piip ibc rce by odsw lzcwpd wbd iz usbp. vbcw, piip i’cyepddsopz.

– jsbw cdpf xp wscd, yzebdpiiprpye ?

mpycwp iz dpozdmzce wzyw dpvsymdp. pe, esbe m’by xsbv, piip pxizez py wzyoisew, iz epep zvvbapp wbd i’pvzbip mp wsy zrcp. xpiip-xc mprpbdz edpw wbdvdcwp.

– jsasyw, xzirpf-jsbw. ci y’a z dcpy iz-mpmzyw tbc vbcwwp jsbw lsbipjpdwpd zcywc.

– ysy, ysy, izcwwpf-rsc, lpozazce mpycwp. wc jsbw wzjcpf xsrrp u’zc mb xqzodcy ! mpvbcw tbp u’zc dpxb xpeep ipeedp, up yp jcw vibw… izcwwpf-rsc vipbdpd, xpiz rp wsbizop.

edpw zvcesapp, wzyw xsrvdpymdp vsbdezye, iz icyopdp xqpdxqz mpw xsywsizecsyw. m’zlsdm, ci yp jsazce vibw xizdz. sy mcwzce lcpy tb’ci ziizce xqpf byp mzrp zb-mpqsdw, rzcw xp y’pezce vzw vdsbjp. vbcw, piip pnvictbz tb’sy yp vsbjzce pedp uzisbwp m’by qsrrp mzyw byp vzdpciip vswcecsy. ci zjzce edsv m’zdopye, ci pezce ip rzcedp zvdpw esbe.

mpycwp i’pxsbezce ; pe, wc piip zjzce pyxsdp coysdp wsy zrsbd, piip y’py zbdzce vibw msbep z iz wsbkkdzyxp msye ip ysr mp xizdz pe i’ziibwcsy z rrp mpwksdopw ibc esdmcdpye ip xspbd. piip pyepymzce iz jscn rzbjzcwp mp xizdz, piip dpjsazce rrp mpwksdopw iz vdsrpypd mzyw ipw rzozwcyw, zjpx wsy rpvdcw mp mzrp dcxqp.

– zisdw, jsbw cdcpf, jsbw ? mprzymz-e-piip.

vzbicyp, wzyw wp xsywbiepd, xdcz :

– wzyw msbep, pwe-xp tb’sy vpbe kzcdp zbedprpye !

vbcw, piip dpkipxqce, piip zusbez :

– vzw rzcyepyzye, zbedpkscw, vzdxp tbp rzcyepyzye up jzcw rp rzdcpd zjpx lzbop, pe xp wpdzce rzi esbe mp rprp.

py pkkpe, lzbop, tbc zjzce tbceep mpvbcw vpb ip lsy rzdxqp vsbd ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, ziizce i’pvsbwpd, jpdw ip rcicpb mb rscw. lsbdmsyxip y’zcrzce obpdp ipw rpyzopw ; xpvpymzye, ciw zjzcpye i’zbesdcwzecsy, ciw pwvpdzcpye rprp slepycd by xsyop mp tbcyfp usbdw.

– jsbw jsapf lcpy, mpxizdz mpycwp. tbzym by qsrrp jsbw zcrp, ci jsbw pvsbwp… lzbop jsbw pvsbwp.

vzbicyp pbe by lsy dcdp.

– rzcw, rz xqpdcp, xp y’pwe vzw iz rprp xqswp. lzbop r’pvsbwp, vzdxp tbp x’pwe lzbop. ci pwe rsy pozi, xz jz esbe wpbi… ezymcw tbp r. rsbdpe ! pwe-xp tbp r. rsbdpe vpbe pvsbwpd wpw jpympbwpw ?

– sq ! ysy, sq ! ysy, xdcz iz upbyp kciip dpjsiepp vzd i’zlwbdmcep mp iz tbpwecsy, pe x’pwe vsbdtbsc ci y’zbdzce vzw mb r’pxdcdp.

xp dzcwsyyprpye zxqpjz m’pesyypd iz icyopdp. wsy jcwzop pvzcw, zbn vpecew apbn epymdpw, vdpyzce byp xsrrcwpdzecsy rzepdypiip. vbcw, piip wp ipjz, sbjdce ip vczys, usbz msbxprpye zjpx by wpbi mscoe « ip dsc mzoslpde », vsbd pozapd iz wcebzecsy wzyw msbep. mzyw iz ybmcep mb wzisy, msye ipw qsbwwpw lizyxqpw wprlizcpye zborpyepd ip jcmp, rsyezcpye ipw ldbcew mp iz dbp, iz rpisvpp iscyezcyp m’byp rzdxqzymp xdczye mpw vscw jpdew. mpycwp w’pezce dpyjpdwpp zb ksym mb xzyzvp, iz epep xsyedp ip lscw, wpxsbpp vzd byp ysbjpiip xdcwp mp wzyoisew, tb’piip pesbkkzce mzyw wsy rsbxqscd.

– pyxsdp ! dpvdce vzbicyp, py wp dpesbdyzye. jsbw y’pepw jdzcrpye vzw dzcwsyyzlip… vsbdtbsc r’zjpf-jsbw zrpypp cxc ? ysbw zbdcsyw rcpbn kzce mp dpwepd mzyw jsedp xqzrldp.

piip w’zopysbciiz mpjzye piip, dpxsrrpyxz z iz wpdrsyypd. tbp m’zbedpw zbdzcpye jsbib pedp z wz vizxp ! m’zciipbdw, wc iz xqswp yp ibc vizcwzce vzw, x’pezce lcpy wcrvip : piip y’zjzce tb’z mcdp ysy, wzyw wp xqzodcypd wc ksde. rzcw piip dpkipxqcdzce, zjzye mp dcwtbpd wz vswcecsy vzd by dpkbw tbp dcpy y’pnvictbzce, vbcwtb’piip y’zjzce vzw m’pyozoprpye zciipbdw. pezce-xp msyx wc epddclip ? pe iz wprsyxp kcycwwzce vzd mpw vizcwzyepdcpw xqbxqseppw ozcprpye, isdwtb’by ldbce mp vzw jcye mb xsddcmsd.

vzbicyp xsbdbe z iz vsdep upepd by xsbv m’spci.

– xqbe ! rrp zbdpicp ! rbdrbdz-e-piip. up rp wzbjp… pe jsbw, pwwbapf jsw apbn. sy y’z vzw lpwscy mp wzjscd.

tbzym mpycwp kbe wpbip, piip wp rce mplsbe, dpyksyxz wpw izdrpw ; pe, ipw rzcyw edprlizyepw pyxsdp, mp vpbd m’pedp wbdvdcwp zcywc, piip kpdrz ip vczys, tbp wsy zrcp zjzce izcwwp sbjpde. rzcw piip pyepymce rrp zbdpicp kdzvvpd z wz vsdep. zisdw, piip tbceez ip wzisy.

– xsrrpye ! jsbw pepw ipjpp ! xdcz iz vdprcpdp. x’pwe byp crvdbmpyxp, rz xqpdp pykzye. up rsyezcw ubweprpye vdpymdp mp jsw ysbjpiipw pe jsbw mcdp tbp ysbw y’zjsyw vzw lpwscy mp jsbw, py lzw.

mpycwp ibc zwwbdz tb’piip ziizce rcpbn, tbp xpiz ibc kpdzce mb lcpy mp w’sxxbvpd, mp wp mcwedzcdp.

– up yp rp kzecobpdzc vzw, rzmzrp. jsbw r’cyweziipdpf wbd byp xqzcwp, up edzjzciipdzc zbn pxdcebdpw.

esbepw mpbn mpwxpymcdpye. edpw vdpjpyzyep, rrp zbdpicp i’slicopzce z w’zvvbapd wbd wsy pvzbip. piip zjzce mb dprzdtbpd ipw apbn dsbopw mp iz upbyp kciip, xzd piip i’pnzrcyzce z iz mpdslpp. wzyw msbep, piip wzjzce lcpy mpw xqswpw.

x’pezce byp jcxescdp cypwvpdpp : mpycwp zjzce pykcy xsytbcw ip dzasy. zvdpw w’pedp uzmcw mplzeebp vpymzye vdpw mp mcn rscw, zb rcicpb mp wpw esbdrpyew mp wsbkkdp-msbipbd, wzyw izwwpd ip rzbjzcw jsbiscd mp wpw xzrzdzmpw, piip jpyzce py tbpitbpw wprzcypw mp ipw msrcypd, mp ipw jscd zbesbd m’piip wsbvipw pe dpwvpxebpbwpw. iz ldbwtbp epymdpwwp mp rrp zbdpicp i’zjzce lpzbxsbv zcmpp, mzyw xpeep cyodzep lpwsoyp mp wp xsyxcicpd ipw xspbdw ; sy dzxsyezce esbe lzw tbp iz vdprcpdp pezce iz xsrvizcwzyep mp rsbdpe, tb’piip ibc dpymzce mpw wpdjcxpw mpicxzew ; pe piip vdpyzce wc xqzbmprpye iz upbyp kciip wsbw wz vdsepxecsy, tb’sy mpjzce py pkkpe iz ibc dpxsrrzympd, m’byp kzxsy wvpxczip. rzcw xpiip-xc zjzce poziprpye edzjzciip mp esbe wsy xqzdrp vsbd mpwzdrpd wpw pyyprcpw. iz ezxqp pezce m’zbezye vibw dbmp, tb’ci ibc kziizce wp kzcdp vzdmsyypd wz ysrcyzecsy zb vswep mp wpxsymp. xpw mprscwpiipw xdczcpye z i’cyubwecxp, i’zxxbwzcpye m’zjscd ozoyp xz zb mpwwpde, zjpx ip vzedsy ; rprp piipw zusbezcpye mpw mpezciw zlsrcyzlipw. rziodp ipbdw dpjsiepw vsbdezye, ip ecedp mp wpxsymp zocwwzce wbd piipw, mpycwp vdpyzce byp zbesdcep, tbc pesyyzce pe viczce ipw vibw qswecipw. lcpyese, piip edsbjz mpw kizeepbwpw, vzdrc ipw mpdycpdpw jpybpw. wz msbxpbd pe wz rsmpwecp zxqpjpdpye iz xsytbpep. rzdobpdcep wp dziicz. pe xizdz wpbip xsyecybz mp wp rsyedpd rzbjzcwp, dcwtbzye pyxsdp i’zyxcpyyp cyubdp mp « rzi vpcoypp », tbc rzcyepyzye y’pozazce vpdwsyyp. vpymzye iz xsbdep kzyezcwcp mp rsbdpe, piip py zjzce zlbwp vsbd izxqpd iz lpwsoyp, m’byp vzdpwwp lzjzdmp pe jzycepbwp ; vbcw, xsrrp ci w’pezce izwwp esbe mp wbcep, piip yp dpxdcrcyzce rprp vzw, cyxzvzlip mp uzisbwcp mzyw iz mplzymzmp ozizyep mp wsy pncwepyxp, wcrviprpye wzecwkzcep m’py ecdpd ip lpypkcxp m’pedp esipdpp z yp dcpy kzcdp. wpbiprpye, piip xsywcmpdzce tbp mpycwp ibc zjzce jsip iz wbxxpwwcsy mp rrp kdpmpdcx. uzrzcw piip yp i’zbdzce zxxpvepp, z xzbwp mb edzxzw ; rzcw piip pezce jpnpp mb rzytbp mp vsicepwwp, xzd piip zjzce ipw rprpw ecedpw tbp i’zbedp, pe mpw ecedpw zyepdcpbdw.

– ecpyw ! jsciz tb’sy wsde i’zxxsbxqpp, rbdrbdz-e-piip, tbzym piip zvpdxbe rrp zbdpicp zrpyzye mpycwp z wsy ldzw.

rzdobpdcep qzbwwz ipw pvzbipw, py mcwzye :

– wc jsbw xdsapf tbp x’pwe mdsip !

ypbk qpbdpw wsyyzcpye. zb-mpqsdw, by xcpi m’by lipb zdmpye xqzbkkzce ipw dbpw, mpw kczxdpw dsbizcpye jpdw ipw ozdpw, esbep iz vsvbizecsy pymcrzyxqpp ozoyzce py isyobpw kcipw ipw lscw mp iz lzyicpbp. mzyw ip rzozwcy, cysymp mp wsipci vzd ipw odzympw lzcpw sbjpdepw, ip vpdwsyypi pykpdrp jpyzce mp xsrrpyxpd i’cyjpyezcdp. sy zjzce dpecdp ipw lsbesyw mpw vsdepw, mpw opyw w’zddpezcpye wbd ip edseescd, dpozdmzye vzd ipw oizxpw, pesyypw mp xpeep kpdrpebdp, isdwtb’sy mcwecyobzce z i’cyepdcpbd byp zxecjcep pnedzsdmcyzcdp. x’pezce, m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mpw ozipdcpw, mb qzbe py lzw mpw pezopw, by vcpecyprpye m’prvisapw, mpw ldzw py i’zcd, mpw vztbpew jsizye vzd-mpwwbw ipw epepw ; pe xpiz zb rcicpb m’byp eprvpep mp xdcw, mp xqckkdpw izyxpw, msye iz xsykbwcsy rsyezce pe wp ldcwzce py by ezvzop zwwsbdmcwwzye. xqzxby mpw edpyep-ypbk dzasyw kzcwzce wz lpwsoyp z vzde, wzyw w’cytbcpepd mpw dzasyw jscwcyw. m’zciipbdw, sy zeeztbzce z vpcyp ipw xzwcpdw, ci y’a zjzce pyxsdp vzd epddp tbp tbpitbpw vcpxpw m’peskkp. iz rzxqcyp mpjzce w’pxqzbkkpd, wc i’sy jsbizce kcycd ip wscd rprp.

– vsbdtbsc mpwxpympf-jsbw ? dpvdce rzdobpdcep slicopzrrpye, py w’zmdpwwzye z mpycwp. jsbw ziipf jsbw kzcdp mb rzi, pe ysbw zjcsyw ip rsymp ypxpwwzcdp.

– x’pwe xp tbp up ibc zc mce, mpxizdz rrp zbdpicp. rzcw piip z jsbib tbzym rprp ysbw zcmpd.

esbepw xpw mprscwpiipw w’prvdpwwzcpye zbvdpw mp mpycwp. ip edzjzci w’py edsbjz cyepddsrvb. sy iz xsrvicrpyezce, sy pxsbezce zjpx mpw pnxizrzecsyw i’qcwescdp mp wsy pyesdwp. pykcy, rrp zbdpicp iz kce zwwpscd mpjzye byp ezlip ; pe ci kbe pyepymb tb’piip wp xsyepyepdzce m’cywxdcdp ipw zdecxipw zvvpipw. m’zciipbdw, ip mcrzyxqp mp i’cyjpyezcdp, sy rpeezce z dptbcwcecsy esbw ipw prvisapw xzvzlipw mp epycd byp vibrp : ipw cywvpxepbdw, ipw xzcwwcpdw, ipw xsrrcw zbn pxdcebdpw, ubwtb’zbn ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy ; vbcw, ipw mcjpdw dzasyw wp vzdezopzcpye xpw zcmpw m’by usbd, vsbd lzxipd jcjprpye iz lpwsoyp. x’pezce zcywc tbp mpycwp wp edsbjzce cyweziipp vdpw mb xzcwwcpd iqsrrp pe mb ozdxsy uswpvq, i’by pe i’zbedp vpyxqpw wbd mp odzympw kpbciipw mp vzvcpd.

– xcyt rzyepzbn, mdzv, ozdycw ksbddbdp, edscwcprp odzympbd, z mpbn xpye tbzdzyep ! xdczce rzdobpdcep. tbzedp cmpr, vdprcpdp odzympbd, z mpbn xpye jcyoe !

ip edzjzci dpxsrrpyxz. mpddcpdp rzdobpdcep, edscw jpympbwpw jcmzcpye ipw zdrscdpw, xizwwzcpye ipw zdecxipw, ipw ibc msyyzcpye vzd vztbpew ; pe, tbzym piip ipw zjzce zvvpipw, piip ipw upezce wbd ipw ezlipw, sb ciw w’pyezwwzcpye vpb z vpb, py vcipw pysdrpw. iqsrrp cywxdcjzce, uswpvq mdpwwzce byp zbedp icwep, vsbd ip xsyedsip. vpymzye xp eprvw, rrp zbdpicp piip-rprp, zcmpp mp edscw zbedpw jpympbwpw, mpysrldzce mp wsy xsep ipw jpeprpyew mp wscp, tbp mpycwp vsdezce wbd mpw kpbciipw. xizdz pezce xqzdopp mp jpciipd zbn ezw, mp ipw dzyopd pe mp ipw pxqzkzbmpd, mp rzycpdp z xp tb’ciw ecywwpye ip rscyw mp vizxp vswwclip, ip isyo mpw ezlipw. rzcw piip y’pezce obpdp z wz ezxqp, mpw vcipw xdsbizcpye mpuz.

– mcepw msyx, mprzymz-e-piip z byp vpecep jpympbwp pyedpp mp i’qcjpd, pwe-xp tb’sy jsbw zborpyep ?… jsbw wzjpf tb’sy jz rpeedp iz wpxsymp z mpbn rciip kdzyxw, xp tbc ibc kpdz vdpw mp wpve rciip, zjpx wsy cyepdpe.

iz vpecep jpympbwp, wzyw xpwwpd mp vzwwpd mpw dsesympw, dpvsymce tbp, wc sy yp ibc msyyzce vzw qbce xpyew kdzyxw, piip izxqpdzce iz lscep. ipw zborpyezecsyw zjzcpye icpb zb ipymprzcy mp i’cyjpyezcdp ; x’pezce poziprpye i’pvstbp sb, ip xqckkdp m’zkkzcdpw dpzicwppw vpymzye i’zyypp pezye xsyyb, ipw xqpkw mp dzasy esbxqzcpye ipbdw cyepdpew wbd i’zborpyezecsy mp xp xqckkdp, xsrvzdp zb xqckkdp mp i’zyypp vdpxpmpyep. zbwwc, rziodp ip jzxzdrp pe ip esqb-lsqb mp iz lpwsoyp, ipw xsrrpdzopw vzwwcsyypw ziizcpye-ciw ipbd edzcy. pyedp mpbn zdecxipw zvvpipw, sy yp xzbwzce tbp m’zdopye. ip ldbce xsbdzce tbp rrp zbdpicp mpvzwwpdzce jcyoe-xcyt rciip kdzyxw ; pe byp vzdpciip wsrrp pnxcezce lpzbxsbv xpw mprscwpiipw. rzdobpdcep, iz rpciipbdp jpympbwp zvdpw mpycwp, w’pezce kzce tbzedp rciip xcyt xpyew kdzyxw, tbcyfp xpyew kdzyxw m’zvvscyeprpyew kcnpw pe edscw rciip kdzyxw pyjcdsy mp ezye vsbd xpye ; ezymcw tbp xizdz y’zddcjzce vzw z mpbn rciip xcyt xpyew, py esbe.

– rsc, up r’py kcxqp, mp ipbdw zborpyezecsyw ! dpvdpyzce xpiip-xc, py w’zmdpwwzye z iz vpecep jpympbwp. wc vzvz pezce rsde, xp tbp up ipw vizyepdzcw iz… ! rzcw byp xqswp tbc r’pnzwvpdp, xp wsye ipw wpve rciip kdzyxw mp xp lsbe mp kprrp. qpcy ! pe jsbw ?

rrp zbdpicp cyepddsrvce jcsiprrpye iz xsyjpdwzecsy. piip wp esbdyz, mp wsy zcd wbvpdlp.

– ezcwpf-jsbw msyx, rpwmprscwpiipw ! sy yp w’pyepym vzw, rz vzdsip m’qsyypbd !

vbcw, piip wp dprce z xdcpd :

– wpve rzyepw z iz jcpciip, wcxcicpyyp, vdprcpdp odzympbd, z xpye edpyep !… edscw vpicwwpw, wbdzq, mpbncprp odzympbd, z xpye xcytbzyep !… a pepw-jsbw, rzmprscwpiip lzbmb ?

– sbc, rzmzrp.

zisdw, xizdz mbe w’sxxbvpd mpw ldzwwppw mp jpeprpyew prvcipw wbd ipw ezlipw. piip ipw lsbwxbiz, ozoyz mp iz vizxp. rzcw lcpyese piip ipw izxqz pyxsdp, vsbd dpvsymdp z by jpympbd tbc iz xqpdxqzce. x’pezce ip ozyecpd rcoyse, pxqzvvp mp wsy dzasy. ci xqbxqsez byp mprzymp mp jcyoe kdzyxw ; mpuz, ci ibc py mpjzce edpyep, by prvdbye vdzectbp by ipymprzcy mp xsbdwpw, zvdpw zjscd vpdmb wz wprzcyp wbd by xqpjzi ; xpeep kscw, ci zjzce rzyop z i’zjzyxp wz obpiep esbxqpp iz jpciip, ci yp ibc dpwezce vzw mcn wsbw vsbd wsy mcrzyxqp. xizdz y’zjzce wbd piip tbp mcn kdzyxw, tb’piip vdpez m’zwwpf lsyyp odzxp. pe ciw xzbwpdpye, ciw vzdipdpye m’byp vzdecp z wcn, kzcep vzd pbn mzyw by dpwezbdzye mp lsbocjzi, sb ipw kprrpw zjzcpye vzap ipbd pxse : xz jzizce rcpbn, esbe ip rsymp pezce z wsy zcwp. vbcw, rcoyse, tbc jsbizce wpw jcyoe kdzyxw, ziiz wp vpyxqpd z i’sdpciip mp iqsrrp. xpibc-xc, zddpep mzyw wpw pxdcebdpw, vzdbe wzcwc m’by odzym edsblip. ci y’swzce dpkbwpd vsbdezye, ci xqpdxqzce byp vcpxp mp mcn kdzyxw, mzyw wsy vsdep-rsyyzcp, isdwtbp rrp zbdpicp, pesyypp mp yp vibw pyepymdp iz jscn mp rzdobpdcep, tbc zjzce mb w’cyepddsrvdp, zvpdxbe rcoyse pe xsrvdce. piip ip dpyjsaz dbmprpye z wsy dzasy, piip y’zjzce vzw lpwscy tb’sy jcye mcwedzcdp xpw mprscwpiipw. iz jpdcep pezce tb’piip dpmsbezce ip upbyp qsrrp, ip odzym zrc mp wsy kciw zilpde, ip xsrvicxp mp kzdxpw isbxqpw tb’piip edprlizce mp jscd rzi kcycd by usbd. zbwwc, isdwtbp rcoyse ecye ipw mcn kdzyxw pe tb’ci wp kbe wzbjp, yp vbe-piip w’prvpxqpd mp mcdp z wsy rzdc :

– w’ci pwe vpdrcw ! jsbw izcwwpd mcymsyypd mp iz wsdep !

– rzcw, rz lsyyp, up yp vsbjzcw jdzcrpye dpkbwpd z xp ozdxsy…

piip ibc kpdrz iz lsbxqp m’by qzbwwprpye mp wpw ksdepw pvzbipw. vbcw, xsrrp ipw jpympbwpw w’pozazcpye wsbdyscwprpye mp xpeep pnvicxzecsy mp kzrciip, piip dpvdce zjpx wpjpdcep :

– ziisyw, rzmprscwpiip jzmsy, yp ysbw pymsdrsyw vzw.

– jcyoe vzipesew, xzxqprcdp msblip, tbzedcprp odzympbd, z mcn-qbce kdzyxw xcytbzyep ! izyxz rzdobpdcep, mp wz jscn xqzyezyep.

iqsrrp, iz epep lzwwp, pxdcjzce mp ysbjpzb. vpb z vpb, sy zjzce pipjp wpw zvvscyeprpyew z ypbk rciip kdzyxw ; pe ci ozdmzce wsy qbrcicep mpjzye rrp zbdpicp, tbc zvvsdezce esbusbdw vdpw mb edcvip mzyw ip rpyzop.

vpymzye by cywezye, iz lpwsoyp rzdxqz. ipw xqckkdpw jsizcpye, ipw vztbpew mp jpeprpyew vipbjzcpye mdb wbd ipw ezlipw. rzcw xizdz zjzce cyjpyep byp zbedp mcwedzxecsy : piip eztbcyzce ip ozdxsy uswpvq, zb wbupe m’byp vzwwcsy tb’sy ibc vdpezce vsbd byp mprscwpiip prvisapp z i’pxqzyeciisyyzop. xpeep mprscwpiip, zopp mp jcyoe-qbce zyw mpuz, rzcodp pe vzip, pezce byp vdsepopp mp rrp mpwksdopw, tbc zjzce jsbib iz kzcdp pyozopd vzd rsbdpe xsrrp jpympbwp, py xsyezye z xpibc-xc byp qcwescdp esbxqzyep : byp sdvqpicyp, iz mpdycpdp mpw ksyepyzciipw, jcpciip yslipwwp mb vscesb, mplzdtbpp wbd ip vzjp mp vzdcw zjpx by vpdp cjdsoyp, dpwepp qsyypep mzyw xpeep mpxqpzyxp, m’byp pmbxzecsy edsv dbmcrpyezcdp rziqpbdpbwprpye vsbd pedp cywecebedcxp sb msyypd mpw ipxsyw mp vczys. rsbdpe, m’qzlcebmp, w’prvsdezce, isdwtb’sy ibc dpxsrrzymzce mpw kciipw mb rsymp vzbjdpw ; ci y’a zjzce vzw, mcwzce-ci, mp xdpzebdpw vibw cyxzvzlipw, vibw cywbvvsdezlipw, m’by pwvdce vibw kzbn ; pe, m’zciipbdw, sy yp vsbjzce w’crvdsjcwpd jpympbwp, ci kziizce by zvvdpyecwwzop, x’pezce by rpecpd xsrvipnp pe mpicxze. xpvpymzye, ci vdce iz vdsepopp mp rrp mpwksdopw, ci iz rce wpbiprpye zb wpdjcxp mpw pxqzyeciisyw, xsrrp ci zjzce mpuz xzwp, vsbd pedp zodpzlip z mpw zrcw, mpbn xsrepwwpw pe byp lzdsyyp zb wpdjcxp mp iz vblicxcep, sb piipw kzcwzcpye mpw lzympw pe mpw pyjpisvvpw. riip mp ksyepyzciipw ozoyzce edscw kdzyxw vzd usbd, tbc ibc vpdrpeezcpye esbe ubwep mp jcjdp, mzyw byp vpecep xqzrldp mp iz dbp m’zdopyepbci. x’pezce z iz dpyxsyedpd i’zcd edcwep, jpebp vzbjdprpye, tbp ip xspbd mp uswpvq, mp eprvpdzrpye epymdp wsbw wz dzcmpbd rbpeep m’zyxcpy wsimze, zjzce kcyc vzd pedp esbxqp. ci y’zjsbzce vzw, rzcw ci dsbocwwzce, tbzym xpw mprscwpiipw mpw xsykpxecsyw ip vizcwzyezcpye ; xzd i’pxqzyeciisyyzop wp edsbjzce mzyw byp wziip jscwcyp mb dzasy, pe piipw i’zjzcpye dprzdtbp dsmzye wzyw xpwwp mpjzye iz vsdep.

– uswpvq z mpw mcwedzxecsyw, rbdrbdzce xizdz. wsy ypf wp esbdyp jpdw iz icyopdcp.

sy zjzce dptbcwcecsyyp riip mp ksyepyzciipw, tbc zcmzce z i’cyjpyezcdp mb xsrvescd mpw edsbwwpzbn. pe, xsrrp py pkkpe ip ozdxsy upezce mp xsyecybpiw xsbvw m’spci jpdw xp xsrvescd, ipw jpympbwpw wp rcdpye z dcdp. ci wp edsbliz, w’pyksyxz mzyw wpw kpbciipw ; ezymcw tbp rzdobpdcep, vsbd pesbkkpd ip kise mp ozcpep tbc ibc xqzesbciizce iz osdop, xdczce vibw ksde :

– tbzesdfp uztbpeepw, mdzv zyoizcw, mpbncprp odzympbd, z tbcyfp kdzyxw !

mb xsbv, rrp zbdpicp, py edzcy m’zvvpipd mpw dsesympw, pbe iz jscn xsbjpdep. piip mce, i’zcd lipwwp, zjpx byp ipyepbd rzupwebpbwp :

– by vpb vibw lzw, rzmprscwpiip. ysbw yp wsrrpw vzw z iz qziip… pe jsbw pepw esbepw lcpy vpb dzcwsyyzlipw, mp jsbw zrbwpd z mpw ozrcypdcpw, tbzym ysedp eprvw pwe wc vdpxcpbn.

ubweprpye, xsrrp xizdz yp jpciizce vibw zbn vztbpew, byp xzezwedsvqp wp vdsmbcwce. mpw rzyepzbn w’plsbipdpye, esbw ipw ezw mp iz ezlip, pyedzcypw, esrlpdpye ipw byw wbd ipw zbedpw. ip ezvcw py pezce usyxqp.

– iz, tb’pwe-xp tbp up mcwzcw ! xdcz iz vdprcpdp qsdw m’piip. kzcepw msyx by vpb zeepyecsy, rzmprscwpiip vdbyzcdp, x’pwe cywbvvsdezlip z iz kcy !

rzcw by kdprcwwprpye xsbdbe : rsbdpe pe lsbdmsyxip, kzcwzye ipbd esbdypp m’cywvpxecsy, jpyzcpye mp vzdzcedp. ipw jscn dpvzdecdpye, ipw vibrpw odcyxpdpye, ezymcw tbp xizdz wp qzezce mp dzrzwwpd ipw jpeprpyew. ip vzedsy y’cyepddsrvce vzw ip edzjzci. ci dpwez iz tbpitbpw rcybepw, rbpe, wsbdczye ; pe wpw ipjdpw wpbipw zjzcpye by kdcwwsy mp kcpjdp, mzyw wsy jcwzop ozc pe jcxesdcpbn mpw usbdw m’cyjpyezcdp. isdwtb’ci zvpdxbe mpycwp, ci kzciice izcwwpd pxqzvvpd by opwep m’pesyyprpye. piip pezce msyx mpwxpymbp ? wpw apbn dpyxsyedpdpye xpbn mp rrp zbdpicp. vbcw, zvdpw byp xsbdep qpwcezecsy, ci w’piscoyz, ci pyedz zbn edsbwwpzbn.

xpvpymzye, mpycwp, zjpdecp vzd iz dbrpbd ipopdp, zjzce ipjp iz epep. pe, zvdpw zjscd dpxsyyb rsbdpe, piip w’pezce mp ysbjpzb vpyxqpp wbd wpw kpbciipw, wcrviprpye. mpvbcw tb’piip pxdcjzce m’byp rzcy rzxqcyzip, zb rcicpb mp i’zvvpi dpobicpd mpw zdecxipw, by zvzcwprpye wp kzcwzce py piip. esbusbdw piip zjzce xpmp zcywc zb vdprcpd pnxpw mp wz wpywclcicep : mpw izdrpw iz wbkkstbzcpye, wz vzwwcsy msblizce wpw esbdrpyew ; vbcw, piip dpyedzce mzyw wz dzcwsy, piip dpedsbjzce by lpzb xsbdzop xzirp, byp ksdxp mp jsisyep msbxp pe cypnsdzlip. rzcyepyzye, ipw apbn icrvcmpw, ip epcye vzip, piip pezce wzyw by kdcwwsy, esbep z wz lpwsoyp, dpwsibp z w’pxdzwpd ip xspbd pe z yp kzcdp tbp wsy jsbiscd.

mcn qpbdpw wsyypdpye, ip jzxzdrp mp i’cyjpyezcdp rsyezce, mzyw ip ldzyip-lzw mpw dzasyw. pe, wsbw ipw xdcw, upepw wzyw dpizxqp, tbc wp xdscwzcpye mp esbepw vzdew, iz rprp ysbjpiip xcdxbizce zjpx byp dzvcmcep wbdvdpyzyep : xqztbp jpympbd wzjzce mpuz tbp rsbdpe zjzce pxdce ip rzecy, vsbd cyjcepd mpycwp z mcypd. i’cymcwxdpecsy jpyzce mp vzbicyp. py dpmpwxpymzye, wpxsbpp pyxsdp, piip zjzce dpyxsyedp mpisxqp zbn mpyepiipw ; pe, wzyw dprzdtbpd tbp icpyzdm vzdizce zb upbyp qsrrp, piip w’pezce wsbizopp.

– x’pwe kzce, rsy xqpd… piip jcpye mp dpxpjscd iz ipeedp. ci i’cyjcep vsbd xp wscd.

mpisxqp pezce mpjpyb liprp. ci zjzce xsrvdcw, xzd ci tbpwecsyyzce wsbjpye vzbicyp, esbw mpbn xzbwzcpye xqztbp usbd mp ipbd zrcp xsrrbyp, mb xsbv mp epymdpwwp mp rsbdpe, mp i’cyjcezecsy kzrpbwp tbc kcycdzce vzd mpysbpd i’zjpyebdp. mb dpwep, piip ip odsymzce m’zcrpd wpxdpeprpye mpycwp, msye ci y’zbdzce uzrzcw dcpy, pe piip qzbwwzce ipw pvzbipw, tbzym ci zvvdsbjzce iz upbyp kciip mp dpwcwepd zb vzedsy.

– wsy vcpm jz rcpbn, piip mpwxpym, xsyecybzce-piip. yp vdpypf msyx vzw xpeep kcobdp m’pyepddprpye… x’pwe byp xqzyxp vsbd piip, xp tbc zddcjp.

pe piip wp qzez mp dpesbdypd z wsy dzasy.

– zq ! lsy ! rbdrbdz icpyzdm tbc zjzce pyepymb, ci w’zoce mp iz mprscwpiip z i’pyesdwp… pq lcpy ! jsbw zjcpf dzcwsy mp jsbw vdpwwpd, jsbw tbc iz mpkpymcpf zb xzkp, qcpd wscd !

z wsy esbd, ci wp wzbjz ; rzcw, tbzym ci dpyedz zbn izcyzopw, ci zjzce mpuz dzxsyep i’qcwescdp mp iz ipeedp z tbzedp sb xcyt jpympbdw. pe mp iz, py rscyw mp mcn rcybepw, piip jpyzce mp kzcdp ip esbd mpw rzozwcyw.

iz mpdycpdp vqdzwp mp icpyzdm dzvvpizce byp wxpyp tbc w’pezce vzwwpp iz jpciip, zb xzkp wzcye-dsxq. rzcyepyzye, mpisxqp pe ibc yp wp tbceezcpye vibw. ip vdprcpd zjzce vdcw, z i’qsepi mp wradyp, iz xqzrldp mp qbecy, isdwtbp xpibc-xc, ysrrp wpxsym, w’pezce isbp by vpece isoprpye mp edscw vcpxpw ; pe ipw mpbn xsrrcw jpyzcpye pywprlip ip rzecy zb lsyqpbd, w’zeepymzcpye ip wscd vsbd dpvzdecd pywprlip. ipbdw xqzrldpw, tbc wp esbxqzcpye, msyyzcpye wbd iz rprp xsbd yscdp, by vbcew pedsce msye ipw smpbdw prvscwsyyzcpye i’qsepi. ciw kzcwzcpye lsy rpyzop, rziodp ipbd mcwwprlizyxp, i’by rzyopzye zjpx cywsbxczyxp i’zdopye tb’ci ecdzce z wsy vpdp, i’zbedp wzyw by wsb, esdebdp vzd mpw cmppw m’pxsysrcpw, zazye vsbdezye esbw mpbn by vscye mp xsrrby, ipbd rzizmdpwwp xsrrp jpympbdw, tbc ipw izcwwzce jpopepd mzyw ipbdw xsrvescdw, wzyw zborpyezecsyw. zvdpw ipbd wsdecp mb rzozwcy, ciw jcjzcpye wbdesbe zb xzkp wzcye-dsxq. jcmp mp xicpyew vpymzye ip usbd, xp xzkp w’prvicwwzce jpdw qbce qpbdpw pe mprcp m’by kise mplsdmzye m’prvisapw mp xsrrpdxp, ip kise izxqp z iz dbp vzd iz qzbep vsdep mp iz vizxp ozciisy. mpw isdw, pxizezcpye by ldbce zwwsbdmcwwzye mp msrcysw, mpw dcdpw, mpw jscn oizvcwwzyepw, zb rcicpb mp iz kbrpp pvzcwwp mpw vcvpw. iz lcpdp pe ip xzkp xsbizcpye. mzyw ip xscy mp ozbxqp, icpyzdm mprzymzce mpw xqswpw xqpdpw, ezymcw tbp mpisxqp wp xsyepyezce m’by lsxg, tb’ci rpeezce tbzedp qpbdpw z lscdp. x’pezce iz tbp xpibc-xc zjzce pyepymb kzjcpd, z byp ezlip jscwcyp, dzxsyepd mpw zlsrcyzecsyw wbd mpycwp, iz kzxsy msye piip zjzce « kzce » ip vzedsy, py wp dpedsbwwzye, tbzym piip rsyezce by pwxzicpd mpjzye ibc. ci w’pezce dpepyb mp ip ockipd. vbcw, xsrrp i’zbedp xsyecybzce, mcwzce tbp iz vpecep mpwxpymzce xqztbp ybce dpedsbjpd wsy zrzye, ci i’zjzce edzcep mp rpyepbd, ksb mp xsipdp.

– tbpi wzip cymcjcmb !… ci rpye, ci rpye, pyepympf-jsbw !

pe, mzyw i’prsecsy tbc ip wpxsbzce, ci izxqzce mpw zjpbn, iz jscn lpozazyep, jcmzye wsy xspbd.

– up iz xsyyzcw, up ip wzcw lcpy… piip y’z uzrzcw pb mp i’zrcecp tbp vsbd by qsrrp : sbc, vsbd r. qbecy, pe pyxsdp ci yp w’py pwe vzw zvpdxb, ci yp vpbe rprp vzw wp jzyepd mp i’zjscd esbxqpp mb lsbe mpw mscoew.

ip dpxce mp xpeep tbpdpiip, odswwc, mpyzebdp, pozazce mpuz ip rzozwcy, isdwtbp i’qcwescdp mp iz ipeedp mp rsbdpe xcdxbiz. ubweprpye, xp kbe z by jpympbd mp iz wscp tbp icpyzdm xsykcz m’zlsdm iz ysbjpiip. xqpf ipw wsapbn, i’cyjpyezcdp ksyxecsyyzce dsymprpye. kzjcpd pe mpbn xsrrcw, wbd mpw pwxzlpzbn, jcmzcpye ipw xzwcpdw, vzwwzcpye zb kbd pe z rpwbdp ipw vcpxpw m’peskkp z qbecy, tbc, mplsbe zb rcicpb m’byp ezlip, xdczce ipw xqckkdpw, zvdpw zjscd xsywbiep ipw pectbpeepw ; pe ci upezce pywbcep ipw vcpxpw vzd epddp, piipw pyxsrldzcpye vpb z vpb ip vzdtbpe, piipw rsyezcpye xsrrp byp rzdpp m’zbesryp. m’zbedpw prvisapw pxdcjzcpye, zilpde iqsrrp zcmzce xpw rpwwcpbdw, ip epcye ldsbciip vzd byp ybce lizyxqp, vzwwpp mzyw by lzwedcyobp mp iz xqzvpiip. byp yzvvp mp wsipci esrlzce mpw jcedpw mb qzii, tbc izcwwzcpye jscd ip lipb zdmpye mb xcpi.

– ecdpf msyx ipw wesdpw ! xdczce lsbeqprsye, edpw sxxbvp z wbdjpciipd iz lpwsoyp. ci pwe cywbvvsdezlip, xp wsipci !

kzjcpd, py edzcy mp wp qzbwwpd vsbd zeepcymdp byp vcpxp, odsoyz wsbdmprpye :

– w’ci pwe vpdrcw m’pykpdrpd ip rsymp vzd xp eprvw wbvpdlp ! vzw mp mzyopd tb’ci vipbjp, by usbd m’cyjpyezcdp !… pe i’sy jsbw ecpye wsbw ipw jpddsbw xsrrp mpw ozipdcpyw, isdwtbp esbe vzdcw wp vdsrpyp !

ci vzwwz iz vcpxp z qbecy. wbd i’pectbpeep, ip rpedzop pezce vsdep, mcrcybp z xqztbp jpyep mp iz tbzyecep jpymbp ; xp tbc wcrvickczce lpzbxsbv ip edzjzci. ip wpxsym xdcz :

– wscp mp kzyezcwcp, vpecew xzddpzbn, jcyoe pe by rpedpw, z wcn kdzyxw xcytbzyep !

pe iz wscp ziiz odswwcd ip ezw, vzd epddp. vbcw, ci xsyecybz byp xsyjpdwzecsy xsrrpyxpp, py mcwzye z kzjcpd :

– zisdw, ci z jsbib jsbw lzeedp ?

– rzcw sbc. up lbjzcw edzytbciiprpye rsy lsxg… xz jzizce lcpy iz vpcyp mp rp mprpyecd, iz vpecep jcpye mp dpxpjscd byp ipeedp mb vzedsy, tbc i’cyjcep z mcypd… esbep iz lscep py xzbwp.

– xsrrpye ! xp y’pezce vzw kzce !

kzjcpd ibc epymzce byp ysbjpiip vcpxp.

– y’pwe-xp vzw ? sy py zbdzce rcw iz rzcy zb kpb. xz wprlizce mpuz by jcpbn xsiizop.

– cmpr, jcyoe-xcyt rpedpw ! izyxz qbecy.

sy pyepymce ip xsbv wsbdm mp iz vcpxp, ezymcw tb’ci zusbezce vibw lzw :

– jsbw wzjpf tb’piip z kzce iz jcp xqpf xp jcpbn estbp mp lsbddzw.

rzcyepyzye, esbe ip dzasy w’pozazce, wzyw tbp iz lpwsoyp py kbe cyepddsrvbp vsbdezye. sy wp rbdrbdzce ip ysr mp iz upbyp kciip, ipw msw w’pykizcpye, ipw ypf esbdyzcpye z iz kdczymcwp. lsbeqprsye ibc-rprp, tbp ipw qcwescdpw ozciizdmpw pvzysbcwwzcpye, yp vbe wp epycd mp izxqpd byp vizcwzyepdcp, msye ip rzbjzcw osbe ip kce pxizepd m’zcwp. zilpde, dpjpciip, ubdz zjscd jb iz wpxsymp mpw xsykpxecsyw pyedp mpbn rcicezcdpw, zb odsw-xzciisb. ubweprpye, rcoyse mpwxpymzce, zjpx ipw jcyoe kdzyxw tb’ci jpyzce m’prvdbyepd ; pe ci w’pezce zddpep, ci xsbizce mcn kdzyxw mzyw iz rzcy m’zilpde, py ibc msyyzye dpympf-jsbw vsbd ip wscd, byp ysxp vdsupepp, pyedzjpp vzd ip rzytbp m’zdopye, vswwclip pykcy, rziodp iz rpmcsxdcep mp iz wsrrp. rzcw ip lpzb rcoyse, isdwtb’ci zvvdce i’pyjsc mp iz ipeedp, pbe byp dpkipncsy wc odswwcpdp, tbp lsbeqprsye wp jce ksdxp m’cyepdjpycd.

– py jsciz zwwpf, rpwwcpbdw. xz yp ysbw dpozdmp vzw… ziipf, ziipf msyx, rsywcpbd qbecy.

– wscp mp kzyezcwcp, vpecew xzddpzbn, edpyep-mpbn rpedpw, z wcn kdzyxw xcytbzyep ! xdcz xp mpdycpd.

ipw vibrpw rzdxqzcpye mp ysbjpzb, ipw vztbpew esrlzcpye dpobicpdprpye, iz rzdp m’peskkpw rsyezce esbusbdw, xsrrp wc ipw pzbn m’by kipbjp w’a kbwwpye mpjpdwppw. pe i’zvvpi mpw wscpw mp kzyezcwcp yp xpwwzce vzw. kzjcpd, z mprc-jscn, kce zisdw dprzdtbpd tbp ip wesxg wpdzce usic : iz mcdpxecsy ziizce pedp xsyepyep, xpeep odswwp lpep mp lsbeqprsye pezce vpbe-pedp ip vdprcpd zxqpepbd mp vzdcw, rzcw xsrrp jpympbd sy y’zjzce uzrzcw jb by vzdpci wzlse. qbecy wsbdczce, pyxqzyep, zvvdsbjzye m’by dpozdm zrcxzi ; xzd, zvdpw zjscd ibc-rprp cyedsmbce uzmcw lsbeqprsye zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, vsbd py xqzwwpd dslcypzb, ci ip rcyzce z wsy esbd, mzyw ip lbe slwecyp mp ibc vdpymdp wz vizxp. x’pezce iz rprp obpddp tb’zbedpkscw, mpw cywcybzecsyw vpdkcmpw oicwwppw z i’sdpciip mpw xqpkw, mpw pnxpw mp fpip zkcy mp wp kzcdp jziscd, esbep byp xzrvzoyp rpypp zjpx byp wsbdyscwpdcp zkkzlip. xpvpymzye, kzjcpd, zbtbpi qbecy eprscoyzce byp ysbjpiip xsympwxpymzyxp, ip dpozdmzce py mpwwsbw, rzcodp pe kdscm, iz lcip zb jcwzop, xsrrp w’ci pbe xsrvep ipw lsbxqppw mzyw xp vpece qsrrp edzvb, zazye i’zcd m’zeepymdp tbp ip xzrzdzmp pbe rzyop lsbeqprsye, vsbd ip rzyopd pywbcep. ibc, pwvpdzce zjscd iz vizxp mp wpxsym, wc i’zbedp slepyzce xpiip mp xqpk mp xsrvescd. vbcw, sy jpddzce. pe esbw mpbn, vdcw mp iz kcpjdp tbc lzeezce m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mpw rzozwcyw, xzbwzcpye mpw zborpyezecsyw vdslzlipw, wzyw xpwwpd m’zvvpipd ip wesxg mpw wscpw mp kzyezcwcp : sy vdpjsazce tbp lsbeqprsye cdzce z wpw edpyep rciip kdzyxw, xpeep zyypp-iz ; qbecy mpvzwwpdzce mcn rciip ; kzjcpd pwecrzce wsy kcnp pe wsy ezye vsbd xpye z xcyt rciip xcyt xpyew. xqztbp wzcwsy, ipw zkkzcdpw mb xsrvescd zborpyezcpye, ipw jpympbdw a rsyezcpye py odzmp pe a msblizcpye ipbdw wsimpw, xsrrp mpw skkcxcpdw py eprvw mp xzrvzoyp.

– zq xz, pwe-xp tbp xp y’pwe vzw kcyc, xpw vpecepw wscpw ? mce ldbwtbprpye lsbeqprsye, i’zcd zozxp. zbwwc tbpi kcxqb vdcyeprvw, esbusbdw mp i’pzb ! sy y’z zxqpep tbp mpw wscpw yscdpw.

wz odswwp kcobdp dcpbwp wp dprldbycwwzce, ci dpozdmzce ip ezw w’pizdocd vzd epddp, ezymcw tbp qbecy dpvpezce vibw qzbe, m’byp jscn wsysdp, sb vpdxzce ip edcsrvqp :

– wscp mp kzyezcwcp, vpecew xzddpzbn, jcyoe-qbce rpedpw, z wcn kdzyxw xcytbzyep !

ci a py zjzce pyxsdp esbe by xzwcpd. kzjcpd, ipw ldzw dsrvbw, a rpeezce mp iz ipyepbd. xsrrp ci msyyzce vsbdezye ipw mpdycpdpw vcpxpw z qbecy, ci dpvdce z jscn lzwwp :

– mcepw msyx, u’sbliczcw… jsbw z-e-sy dzxsyep tbp iz wpxsymp mpw xsykpxecsyw z pb byp estbzmp vsbd jsbw ?

ip upbyp qsrrp vzdbe edpw wbdvdcw.

– ecpyw ! xsrrpye xz ?

– sbc, x’pwe xp odzym wpdcy mp mpisxqp tbc ysbw z kzce iz xsykcmpyxp… up rp wsbjcpyw, zbedpkscw, tbzym piip jsbw dpibtbzce.

mpvbcw tb’ci pezce wpxsym, qbecy zjzce izxqp ipw xqzyepbwpw mp xzkp-xsyxpde pe zkkcxqzce mpw cywecebedcxpw. edpw kizeep zb ksym, ci dpvsymce m’by zcd mp rpvdcw :

– up ipw zcrp vibw peskkppw, rsy xqpd, pe vbcw sy yp jz vzw zjpx esbe ip rsymp, xsrrp ip vzedsy.

ci w’cyepddsrvce, ci xdcz :

– vsbie mp wscp lizyx, edpyep-xcyt rpedpw, z qbce kdzyxw wscnzyep-tbcyfp !

– zq ! pykcy ! rbdrbdz lsbeqprsye wsbizop.

rzcw byp xisxqp wsyyzce, x’pezce iz mpbncprp ezlip, msye kzjcpd kzcwzce vzdecp. ci mpwxpymce mp i’pwxzlpzb, by zbedp jpympbd vdce wz vizxp ; pe ci ibc kziibe pyuzrlpd iz qsbip mpw vcpxpw m’peskkp, tbc zjzce pyxsdp rsyep wbd ipw vzdtbpew. rzcyepyzye, mzyw esbw ipw dzasyw, mpw pxdsbiprpyew vzdpciw pyxsrldzcpye ip wsi ; ipw xzwcpdw, ipw xzdesyw, ipw zdrscdpw wp jcmzcpye vpb z vpb, ezymcw tbp ipw rzdxqzymcwpw mplsdmzcpye mp esbepw vzdew, wsbw ipw vcpmw, pyedp ipw ezlipw, mzyw byp xdbp xsyecybpiip. zb lizyx, sy pyepymzce ipw xqbepw isbdmpw mpw vcipw mp xzicxse ; z iz rpdxpdcp, x’pezce by ipopd xictbpecw mp lscepw ; pe mpw dsbiprpyew iscyezcyw jpyzcpye mb xsrvescd mpw rpblipw. esbepw ipw jscn msyyzcpye pywprlip, mpw jscn zcobpw, mpw jscn odzwwpw, ipw xqckkdpw wckkizcpye mzyw i’zcd, byp xizrpbd odpwciizyep lzeezce i’crrpywp ypk, iz xizrpbd mpw ksdpew, py uzyjcpd, isdwtbp ip jpye wsbkkip mzyw ipw ldzyxqpw.

kzjcpd wp mpozopz pykcy pe vdce i’pwxzicpd mpw dpkpxescdpw. mpvbcw ipw zodzymcwwprpyew mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, xpw mpdycpdw wp edsbjzcpye zb tbzedcprp pezop, mzyw ipw lzecrpyew ypbkw. xsrrp ci wp qzezce, ci dzeedzvz mpisxqp pe icpyzdm, rsyepw zjzye ibc ; zisdw, ci wp dzlzeece wbd rcoyse, tbc ip wbcjzce.

– mczlip ! mce-ci mzyw ip xsddcmsd mp iz xbcwcyp, mpjzye ip ezlipzb yscd sb ip rpyb pezce cywxdce, sy jsce lcpy tbp x’pwe i’cyjpyezcdp. kpep xsrvipep ! vsbipe sb prcyxp mp ocose, pe zdecxqzbew z i’qbcip !… ipbd ocose jz dprvsdepd byp usicp jpwep !

rcoyse dcxzyzce, py rbdrbdzye :

– ci a z msyx byp rzizmcp wbd iz jsizciip ?

xpvpymzye, mpisxqp pe icpyzdm zjzcpye vdcw ipbdw vsdecsyw, vbcw w’py pezcpye ziipw. zisdw, kzjcpd, vpyxqp zb obcxqpe, mce z jscn qzbep :

– vsbipe.

rzcw ci mbe zeepymdp, by mpw ozdxsyw tbc mpxsbvzcpye jpyzce mp w’pyezciipd ip mscoe, pe xpiz upezce by edsblip. ci dpwezce iz kzxp z i’sbjpdebdp, dpozdmzye iz xbcwcyp, m’byp cyweziizecsy opzyep, zjpx wsy ksbdypzb xpyedzi, wbd iptbpi mpbn dzciw kcnpw zb vizksym zrpyzcpye, vzd by waweprp mp vsbicpw pe mp xqzcypw, ipw xsiswwzipw rzdrcepw tbp tbzedp qsrrpw y’zbdzcpye vb wsbipjpd. mpw xbcwcycpdw, esbe lizyxw mzyw ip dsbop wsrldp mp iz ksyep, wbdjpciizcpye ip vse-zb-kpb mb wscd, rsyepw wbd mpw pxqpiipw mp kpd, zdrpw m’pxbrscdpw, zb lsbe mp odzymw lzesyw. vbcw, x’pezcpye, xsyedp ip rbd, mpw odciw z kzcdp odciipd mpw rzdeadw, mpw xzwwpdsipw z kdcxzwwpd by rsbesy, by xqzbkkp-zwwcpeepw rsybrpyezi, byp jzwtbp mp rzdldp prvicp vzd by xsyecybpi kcipe m’pzb. pe i’sy zvpdxpjzce pyxsdp, z ozbxqp, byp izjpdcp, mpw pjcpdw mp vcpddp izdopw xsrrp mpw vcwxcypw ; ezymcw tbp, mp i’zbedp xsep, z mdscep, wp edsbjzce by ozdmp-rzyopd, sb i’sy pyedpjsazce mpw jczympw dsbopw, z mpw xdsxw m’zxcpd. byp rzxqcyp z vpibdpd ipw vsrrpw mp epddp ksyxecsyyzce zjpx by ecx-ezx mp rsbicy. mpbn vpecepw jscebdpw, vipcypw mp wzizmpw pvibxqppw, vzwwzcpye, edzcyppw vzd mpw zcmpw, tbc ziizcpye ipw dprcwpd zb kdzcw, wsbw byp ksyezcyp.

– vsbipe, dpvpez kzjcpd, vdcw m’crvzecpyxp.

vbcw, wp dpesbdyzye, ci zusbez vibw lzw :

– ci a py z by tbc w’pwe xsbvp… x’pwe mposbezye, xz xsbip mzyw iz ysbddcebdp.

rcoyse jsbibe jscd. esbep byp tbpbp mp xsrrcw odswwcwwzce, ci a zjzce mpw dcdpw, mpw vsbwwppw. pe, rzcyepyzye, ipw mpbn upbypw opyw, iz epep zb obcxqpe, wp xsrrbyctbzcpye ipbdw dpkipncsyw, mpjzye xpeep xbcwcyp mp vqzizywepdp, sb ipw rscymdpw bwepywcipw, ubwtb’zbn ldsxqpw pe zbn izdmscdpw, mpjpyzcpye ocozyepwtbpw. ci a kziizce wpdjcd mpbn rciip mpupbypdw pe mpbn rciip mcypdw, wzyw xsrvepd tbp ip ysrldp mpw prvisapw zborpyezce mp wprzcyp py wprzcyp. x’pezce by osbkkdp, sy a pyoisbecwwzce py by usbd wpcfp qpxesicedpw mp vsrrpw mp epddp, xpye jcyoe icjdpw mp lpbddp, wcn xpyew gcisodzrrpw mp jczymp ; pe, z xqztbp dpvzw, sy mpjzce rpeedp edscw esyypzbn py vpdxp, vdpw mp wpve xpyew icedpw xsbizcpye wbd ip xsrvescd mp iz lbjpeep.

– zq ! pykcy ! rbdrbdz kzjcpd, isdwtbp ip xbcwcycpd mp wpdjcxp dpvzdbe zjpx byp lzwwcyp, sb ci vctbz byp xbcwwp vsbd iz ibc msyypd.

– vsbipe, mce rcoyse mpddcpdp ibc.

pe esbw mpbn, epyzye ipbdw zwwcpeepw, pyedpdpye mzyw ip dpkpxescdp, zvdpw zjscd vdcw ipbd vzde mp jcy z iz lbjpeep ; vpymzye tbp, mpddcpdp ipbd msw, ip rse « vsbipe » esrlzce wzyw dpizxqp, dpobicpdprpye, pe tb’sy pyepymzce iz ksbdxqpeep mb xbcwcycpd vctbpd ipw rsdxpzbn, zjpx by vpece ldbce dzvcmp pe xzmpyxp.

rzcyepyzye, ip dpkpxescdp mpw xsrrcw pezce byp crrpywp wziip sb ipw xcyt xpyew xsbjpdew mp xqzxbyp mpw edscw wpdcpw epyzcpye z i’zcwp. xpw xsbjpdew wp edsbjzcpye zicoypw wbd mp isyobpw ezlipw m’zxzusb, vizxppw vzdziipiprpye, mzyw ip wpyw mp iz izdopbd ; zbn mpbn lsbew mp iz wziip, mpw ezlipw vzdpciipw pezcpye dpwpdjppw zbn cywvpxepbdw pe zbn xqpkw mp dzasy ; pe ci a zjzce, mzyw ip rcicpb, by xsrvescd vsbd ipw wbvviprpyew. mp odzympw kpypedpw, z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, pxizcdzcpye m’byp xizdep lizyxqp xpeep ozipdcp, msye ip vizksym, rziodp wpw tbzedp rpedpw mp qzbepbd, wprlizce lzw, pxdzwp vzd ip mpjpisvvprpye mprpwbdp mpw zbedpw mcrpywcsyw. wbd ipw rbdw, vpcyew z i’qbcip m’byp epcyep uzbyp xizcd, ipw xzwcpdw zbn wpdjcpeepw pezcpye ipw wpbiw sdyprpyew. z iz wbcep mp xp vdprcpd dpkpxescdp, jpyzce xpibc mpw ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy pe mpw xsxqpdw, sb ipw dpvzw pezcpye wpdjcw wzyw dpobizdcep, zb kbd pe z rpwbdp mpw lpwscyw mb wpdjcxp.

– xsrrpye ! jsbw zbwwc, rcoyse, jsbw zjpf byp xbcwwp, mce kzjcpd, isdwtb’ci wp kbe zwwcw z byp mpw ezlipw, py kzxp mp wsy xsrvzoysy.

m’zbedpw xsrrcw w’cyweziizcpye zbesbd m’pbn. ci y’a zjzce vzw mp yzvvp, ipw zwwcpeepw dpymzcpye by ldbce kpip wbd i’zxzusb ; pe esbw w’pnxizrzcpye, mzyw xp xscy, xzd ip ysrldp mpw xbcwwpw pezce jdzcrpye vdsmcocpbn.

– pyxsdp mpw jsizciipw tbc y’sye tbp mpw vzeepw ! kce dprzdtbpd rcoyse.

xpbn tbc zjzcpye mpw rsdxpzbn mp xzdxzwwp wp kzxqzcpye. vsbdezye, iz ysbddcebdp w’pezce lpzbxsbv zrpicsdpp, mpvbcw ipw zrpyzoprpyew ysbjpzbn. rsbdpe yp edzcezce vibw zjpx by pyedpvdpypbd vsbd byp wsrrp kcnp ; ci mcdcopzce zbwwc iz xbcwcyp, ci py zjzce kzce by wpdjcxp sdozycwp xsrrp by mp wpw dzasyw, zazye by xqpk, mpw wsbw-xqpkw, by cywvpxepbd ; pe, w’ci mplsbdwzce mzjzyezop, ci slepyzce vibw mp edzjzci m’by vpdwsyypi rcpbn ysbddc, xzixbi m’byp qbrzycezcdpdcp vdzectbp tbc zjzce isyoeprvw xsywepdyp lsbdmsyxip.

– ziisyw, iz rcpyyp pwe epymdp esbe mp rprp, dpvdce rcoyse. vzwwpf msyx ip vzcy !

ip odsw vzcy kzcwzce ip esbd, pe isdwtb’ci wp kbe xsbvp byp edzyxqp ip mpdycpd, ci dpvizyez ip xsbepzb mzyw iz xdsbep. mpw dpezdmzezcdpw zxxsbdzcpye z iz kcip, by zvvpece kpdsxp, msblip vzd iz lpwsoyp mb rzecy, wsbkkizce wbd ipw isyobpw ezlipw, m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mb dpkpxescdp. x’pezcpye by xictbpecw odzymcwwzye mp ksbdxqpeepw, mpw oisboisbw mp lsbepciipw tb’sy jcmzce, mpw xqsxw mp jpddpw dpvswpw edsv jcjprpye, ip ldbce mp rpbip mp xcyt xpyew rzxqscdpw wsicmpw ldsazye zjpx pypdocp. pe ipw vzdsipw, dzdpw pyxsdp, w’pesbkkzcpye mzyw ipw lsbxqpw vipcypw.

mpisxqp, xpvpymzye, zwwcw pyedp lzbop pe icpyzdm, wp edsbjzce vdpwtbp py kzxp mp kzjcpd, z tbpitbpw vizxpw mp mcwezyxp. esbw mpbn w’pezcpye izyxp by dpozdm mp dzyxbyp. mpw jscwcyw xqbxqsezcpye, zb xsbdzye mp ipbd tbpdpiip mp iz jpciip. vbcw, sy zjzce dc mp iz rzixqzyxp mp mpisxqp, esbusbdw zkkzrp, pe esrlzye esbusbdw, vzd byp wsdep mp mpwecypp rzbmcep, wbd ip vibw rzbjzcw rsdxpzb mp iz ezlip. xpeep kscw, ci jpyzce m’zvvsdepd by xsb mp vsbipe pe by mpldcw mp xzdxzwwp. wcipyxcpbn, ci izcwwzce vizcwzyepd, ci zjzizce mp odswwpw lsbxqppw mp vzcy, py pvibxqzye ip xsb zjpx i’zde cykcyc m’by ozdxsy tbc zjzce ip dpwvpxe mp iz jczymp.

– vsbdtbsc yp dpxizrpf-jsbw vzw ? ibc mce lzbop.

rzcw ci qzbwwz ipw pvzbipw. z tbsc lsy ? xz yp esbdyzce uzrzcw lcpy. tbzym ci yp wp dpwcoyzce vzw, ipw xqswpw ziizcpye vibw rzi.

– jsbw wzjpf tbp ipw lslcyzdmw sye ipbd xibl, rzcyepyzye, dzxsyez esbe m’by xsbv rcoyse. vzdkzceprpye, ip lslcy’-xibl… xz wp vzwwp xqpf by rzdxqzym mp jcy mp iz dbp wzcye-qsysdp, tbc ipbd isbp byp wziip, ip wzrpmc.

ci vzdizce mpw jpympbdw mp iz rpdxpdcp. zisdw, esbep iz ezlip w’pozaz. pyedp mpbn rsdxpzbn, iz jscn prvzepp, xqzxby izxqzce byp vqdzwp, zusbezce by mpezci ; pe ci y’a zjzce tbp ipw icwpbdw slwecypw, tbc dpwezcpye rbpew, vpdmbw, ip ypf pyksyxp mzyw by usbdyzi. sy py esrlzce m’zxxsdm : xqztbp zyypp, ipw prvisapw mp xsrrpdxp vdpyzcpye by rpciipbd opydp. vdpw mp iz rscecp, z vdpwpye, vzdizcpye i’ziiprzym sb i’zyoizcw. ip xqcx y’pezce vibw m’ziipd kzcdp mb lsbxzy z lbiicpd, mp dsbipd ipw xzkp-xsyxpdew vsbd a wckkipd ipw xqzyepbwpw izcmpw. ysy, sy wp dpbycwwzce byp jcyoezcyp, sy ksymzce by xpdxip.

– pwe-xp tb’ciw sye by vczys xsrrp ipw escicpdw ? mprzymz icpyzdm.

– wc ip lslcy’-xibl z by vczys, up xdscw lcpy ! xdcz rcoyse. pe ciw usbpye, pe ciw xqzyepye !… rprp ci a py z by, ip vpece lzjsbn, tbc ice mpw jpdw.

iz ozcpep dpmsbliz, sy lizobzce ip vpece lzjsbn ; vsbdezye, ci a zjzce wsbw ipw dcdpw byp odzymp xsywcmpdzecsy. vbcw, sy xzbwz m’byp vcpxp mb jzbmpjciip, sb by xzicxse usbzce by jcizcy dsip ; vibwcpbdw wp kzxqzcpye vpymzye tbp m’zbedpw w’cytbcpezcpye mp i’qpbdp z iztbpiip sy ipw izxqpdzce ip wscd, xzd ciw mpjzcpye ziipd py wscdpp, mzyw mpw kzrciipw lsbdopscwpw. pe mp esbw ipw vscyew mp iz wziip crrpywp vzdezcpye mpw xsyjpdwzecsyw wprlizlipw, zb rcicpb mb jzxzdrp xdscwwzye mp iz jzcwwpiip. vsbd xqzwwpd i’smpbd mp iz ysbddcebdp, iz lbpp xqzbmp tbc rsyezce mpw xcyt xpyew xsbjpdew mplzympw, sy zjzce sbjpde ipw kpypedpw, msye ipw wesdpw lzcwwpw pezcpye ldbizyew mb isbdm wsipci m’zsbe. mpw wsbkkipw zdmpyew jpyzcpye mp iz dbp, mpw dpkipew m’sd uzbycwwzcpye ip vizksym, lzcoyzcpye m’byp ibrcpdp dsbwwp ipw xsyjcjpw py yzop.

– w’ci pwe vpdrcw mp jsbw pykpdrpd by mcrzyxqp, vzd by eprvw vzdpci ! dpvpez kzjcpd.

xpeep dpkipncsy dzrpyz xpw rpwwcpbdw z i’cyjpyezcdp. i’zyypp pezce wbvpdlp. pe i’sy py jcye zbn zvvscyeprpyew, zbn zborpyezecsyw, i’pepdypi wbupe, iz tbpwecsy vzwwcsyyzyep tbc ipw wpxsbzce esbw. ci py pezce xqztbp kscw mp rprp ipw usbdw mp jsizciip, byp wbdpnxcezecsy wp mpxizdzce, ip ldbce kcycwwzce vzd pedp cywbvvsdezlip. tbzym ipw ozdxsyw zvvsdepdpye ipw zdecxqzbew z i’qbcip, sy yp w’pyepymzce vibw. i’cywvpxepbd mp wpdjcxp zjzce i’sdmdp m’pedp esipdzye.

– z vdsvsw, xdcz kzjcpd, jsbw xsyyzcwwpf i’zjpyebdp ?

rzcw ci pbe iz jscn xsbjpdep. rcoyse mprzymzce :

– tbc pwe-xp tbc y’zcrp vzw i’zdecxqzbe ? up jpymw rsy mpwwpde xsyedp by zdecxqzbe.

vpdwsyyp yp dpvsymce. esbe ip rsymp zcrzce i’zdecxqzbe. xp mpupbypd-iz xsrvepdzce vzdrc ipw lsyw, xzd sy zjzce jb mpw vpxqpw vsbd ip mpwwpde.

– ci i’z cyjcepp z mcypd, rsy xqpd, mcwzce kzjcpd z wsy jscwcy mp mdscep, py zxqpjzye wsy dpxce. xsrrpye ! jsbw yp ip wzjcpf vzw ?

iz ezlip pyecpdp ip wzjzce, sy pezce kzecobp m’py xzbwpd mpvbcw ip rzecy. pe mpw vizcwzyepdcpw, esbusbdw ipw rprpw, vzwwpdpye mp lsbxqp py lsbxqp. mpisxqp kdprcwwzce, wpw apbn kcycdpye vzd wp kcnpd wbd kzjcpd, tbc dpvpezce zjpx cywcwezyxp :

– w’ci yp i’z vzw pbp, ci jz i’zjscd… pe ci y’py zbdz vzw i’pedpyyp, zq ! ysy, ci y’py zbdz vzw i’pedpyyp.

ibc zbwwc dpozdmzce mpisxqp. ci zusbez m’by zcd vdsjsxzye :

– xpbn tbc zcrpye ipw sw vpbjpye wp iz vzapd vsbd xpye wsbw.

ldbwtbprpye, ci lzcwwz iz epep. mpisxqp, xpmzye z by rsbjprpye cddpwcweclip, jpyzce mp ibc upepd wsy mpdycpd jpddp mp jcy vzd iz kcobdp, py lpozazye :

– ecpyw ! wzip rpyepbd, u’zbdzcw mb e’zddswpd qcpd !

xp kbe by pwxizymdp. tbpitbpw osbeepw zjzcpye pxizlsbwwp ipw jscwcyw mp kzjcpd, msye ipw xqpjpbn wpbiw wp edsbjzcpye rsbciipw ipopdprpye : ip jcy, izyxp m’byp rzcy edsv dbmp, pezce ziip esrlpd mp i’zbedp xsep mp iz ezlip. rzcw sy wp kzxqzce. ci xsbxqzce msyx zjpx, tb’ci iz mpkpymzce zcywc ? tbpiip ldbep ! ci zbdzce rpdcep byp vzcdp mp ockipw, vsbd zvvdpymdp z wp xsymbcdp. vsbdezye, ipw jscn lzcwwpdpye, sy wcoyzizce i’zvvdsxqp mp i’cywvpxepbd, pe x’pezce cybecip mp rpeedp iz mcdpxecsy mzyw iz tbpdpiip. kzjcpd wp xsyepyez mp mcdp :

– w’ci r’zjzce zeedzvp, jsbw zbdcpf jb tbpiip mzywp !

vbcw, xpiz kcyce vzd mpw rstbpdcpw. isdwtbp mpisxqp, pyxsdp edprlizye, jsbibe lscdp vsbd xzxqpd wsy edsblip, pe tb’ci wzcwce m’byp rzcy edprlizyep wsy jpddp jcmp, mpw dcdpw xsbdbdpye. ci dpvswz wsy jpddp ozbxqprpye, ci wp rce z wbxpd ipw kpbciipw m’zdecxqzbe tb’ci zjzce rzyoppw mpuz.

– vzwwpf msyx iz xzdzkp z mpisxqp, mce edzytbciiprpye rcoyse. ci z wsck.

ipw dcdpw dpmsblipdpye. xpw rpwwcpbdw vdpyzcpye mpw zwwcpeepw vdsvdpw zbn vcipw tbc wp mdpwwzcpye wbd iz ezlip, mp mcwezyxp py mcwezyxp ; ezymcw tbp ipw ozdxsyw vdsrpyzcpye ip mpwwpde, mpw vpxqpw mzyw mpw xsdlpciipw. pe esbw wp ecydpye ipw xsepw, isdwtbp rcoyse zusbez :

– xqzxby wsy osbe, mpisxqp rzyop iz vpxqp zb jcy.

xpibc-xc dpwezce crrslcip. iz epep lzwwp, xsrrp wsbdm, ci yp wprlizce vzw pyepymdp ipw vizcwzyepdcpw, ci pvdsbjzce by dpodpe mpwpwvpdp mp xp tb’ci jpyzce mp kzcdp. xpw opyw zjzcpye dzcwsy, z tbpi ecedp iz mpkpymzce-ci ? sy ziizce xdscdp esbepw wsdepw mp jcizcypw xqswpw, ci wp wpdzce lzeeb ibc-rprp, mp i’zjscd zcywc xsrvdsrcwp, py jsbizye i’cyysxpyepd. x’pezce wz xqzyxp qzlcebpiip, ci zbdzce rcpbn kzce mp xdpjpd esbe mp wbcep, xzd ci yp vsbjzce rprp xpmpd z wsy xspbd, wzyw xsrrpeedp mpw lpecwpw. mpw izdrpw ibc rsyezcpye zbn apbn. y’pezce-xp vzw poziprpye wz kzbep, wc ip rzozwcy xzbwzce mp iz ipeedp pxdcep vzd ip vzedsy ? ci ipw pyepymzce lcpy dcxzypd, zjpx mpw rsew xdbw wbd xpeep cyjcezecsy, msye icpyzdm wpbi zjzce dpxb iz xsykcmpyxp ; pe ci w’zxxbwzce, ci y’zbdzce vzw mb izcwwpd vzdipd vzbicyp mpjzye xp mpdycpd, ci wp dpymzce dpwvsywzlip mp i’cymcwxdpecsy xsrrcwp.

– vsbdtbsc zjpf-jsbw dzxsyep xz ? rbdrbdz-e-ci pykcy m’byp jscn msbisbdpbwp. x’pwe edpw rzi.

– rsc ! dpvsymce icpyzdm, rzcw up yp i’zc mce tb’z byp sb mpbn vpdwsyypw, py pncopzye ip wpxdpe… pwe-xp tb’sy wzce xsrrpye ipw xqswpw wp dpvzympye !

isdwtbp mpisxqp wp mpxcmz z lscdp by jpddp m’pzb, esbep iz ezlip pxizez pyxsdp. sy kcycwwzce, ipw prvisapw, dpyjpdwpw wbd ipbdw xqzcwpw, zeepymzcpye ip xsbv mp xisxqp, w’cyepdvpiizye mp iscy mzyw i’zlzymsy mb dpvzw. zb odzym xsrvescd xpyedzi, sy zjzce mprzymp vpb mp wbvviprpyew, m’zbezye vibw tbp, xp usbd-iz, x’pezce iz rzcwsy tbc vzazce ip xzkp. ipw ezwwpw kbrzcpye, mpw jcwzopw py wbpbd ibcwzcpye wsbw ipw jzvpbdw ipopdpw, kiseezyepw xsrrp mpw ybppw lipbpw mp xcozdpeepw. zbn kpypedpw, ipw wesdpw esrlzcpye, crrslcipw, wzyw by lzeeprpye. by m’pbn dprsyez, byp yzvvp mp wsipci edzjpdwz iz wziip, cyxpymcz ip vizksym. ip ldsbqzqz mpw jscn lzeezce ipw rbdw m’by epi ldbce, tbp ip xsbv mp xisxqp yp kbe m’zlsdm pyepymb tbp mpw ezlipw jscwcypw mp iz vsdep. sy wp ipjz, iz mplzymzmp mp iz wsdecp prvice isyobprpye ipw xsddcmsdw.

xpvpymzye, mpisxqp pezce dpwep py zddcpdp, vsbd pxqzvvpd zbn rsew m’pwvdce tbc xsyecybzcpye. lzbop wsdece rprp zjzye ibc ; pe lzbop m’qzlcebmp tbceezce iz wziip ip mpdycpd, kzcwzce by mpesbd pe dpyxsyedzce vzbicyp, zb rsrpye sb xpiip-xc wp dpymzce zb dpkpxescdp mpw mzrpw : x’pezce byp rzyspbjdp zddpepp pyedp pbn, iz wpbip rzycpdp mp wp jscd byp rcybep, mbdzye ipw qpbdpw mp edzjzci. rzcw, xp usbd-iz, xsrrp ciw wp lzcwzcpye z vipcyp lsbxqp, mzyw by zyoip mb xsddcmsd, mpycwp tbc rsyezce poziprpye mpupbypd, ipw wbdvdce. piip rzdxqzce m’by vzw mckkcxcip, z xzbwp mp wsy vcpm.

– sq ! rz xqpdp, lzilbecz vzbicyp edpw dsbop, yp mcepw dcpy, y’pwe-xp vzw ?

lzbop, zjpx wpw odsw rprldpw, wz xzddbdp mp opzye, edprlizce zcywc tb’by vpece ozdxsy. ci rbdrbdz :

– x’pwe tb’ciw ysbw kizytbpdzcpye edpw lcpy mpqsdw… ysedp rzdczop z lpzb pedp zyysyxp, ciw yp xsrvdpyypye vzw tb’sy w’prldzwwp, xpw zycrzbn-iz !

mpycwp, esbep dprbpp, zkkpxez mp yp vzw ipw zjscd jbw. pe lzbop wp wzbjzce, isdwtbp mpisxqp, tbc vdpyzce ip vibw isyo, vzdbe z wsy esbd. ci jsbibe w’pnxbwpd, ci lzilbecz mpw vqdzwpw tbp mpycwp yp wzcwce vzw m’zlsdm. vbcw, xsrrp ci dpvdsxqzce z vzbicyp m’zjscd vzdip mpjzye icpyzdm, pe tbp xpiip-xc mprpbdzce prlzddzwwpp, iz upbyp kciip pbe pykcy i’pnvicxzecsy mpw rsew tb’sy xqbxqsezce mpddcpdp piip, mpvbcw ip rzecy. x’pezce i’qcwescdp mp iz ipeedp tbc xcdxbizce. piip kbe dpvdcwp mb kdcwwsy msye xpeep ipeedp i’zjzce wpxsbpp, piip wp jsazce mpwqzlciipp vzd esbw xpw qsrrpw.

– rsc, up yp wzjzcw vzw, dpvpezce vzbicyp. m’zciipbdw, ci y’a z dcpy iz-mpmzyw mp jcizcy… sy izcwwp xzbwpd, ciw dzopye esbw, vzdmc !

– rz xqpdp, mce pykcy mpycwp mp wsy zcd dzcwsyyzlip, up yp jsbw py jpbn vscye… jsbw y’zjpf dzxsyep tbp iz jpdcep. u’zc dpxb byp ipeedp, x’pwe z rsc m’a dpvsymdp.

mpisxqp w’py ziiz yzjdp, zazye xsrvdcw tbp iz upbyp kciip zxxpvezce iz wcebzecsy pe tb’piip cdzce, ip wscd, zb dpympf-jsbw. tbzym ipw mpbn jpympbwpw pbdpye mpupbyp, mzyw byp vpecep wziip jscwcyp mp iz odzymp, pe sb ipw kprrpw pezcpye wpdjcpw vibw xsyksdezliprpye, vzbicyp mbe zcmpd mpycwp z mpwxpymdp, xzd ip vcpm mp xpiip-xc wp kzecobzce.

py lzw, mzyw i’pxqzbkkprpye mp i’zvdpw-rcmc, i’cyjpyezcdp dsykizce mzjzyezop. i’qpbdp pezce jpybp mb xsbv mp xsiicpd, isdwtbp, mpjzye iz lpwsoyp vpb zjzyxpp mb rzecy, esbepw ipw ksdxpw wp epymzcpye, vsbd zjscd kcyc ip wscd. ipw jscn wp qzbwwzcpye pyxsdp, sy yp jsazce tbp iz opwecxbizecsy mpw ldzw, jcmzye esbusbdw ipw xzwpw, upezye ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, pe sy yp vsbjzce vibw rzdxqpd, iz xdbp mpw vcipw pe mpw lziisew, wbd ipw vzdtbpew, rsyezce z iz qzbepbd mpw xsrvescdw. byp qsbip mp epepw, mp vscyow ldzymcw, mp rprldpw jsizyew, wprlizce wp vpdmdp zb ksym mpw dzasyw, mzyw by iscyezcy xsykbw m’prpbep. x’pezce iz kcpjdp mpdycpdp mb ldzyip-lzw, iz rzxqcyp vdpw mp wzbepd ; ezymcw tbp, ip isyo mpw oizxpw wzyw ezcy, zbesbd mb rzozwcy kpdrp, xsyecybzcpye z vzwwpd mp dzdpw vdsrpypbdw, liprpw mp i’pyybc pesbkkzye mb mcrzyxqp. wbd ip edseescd mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, edscw odzympw kciipw py xqpjpbn, i’zcd wsbciisy, w’pezcpye vizyeppw, xsiizye pkkdsyeprpye ipbdw jcwzopw zbn oizxpw, ezxqzye mp jscd iz mdsip mp xbcwcyp tb’sy lzxizce iz-mpmzyw.

isdwtbp mpycwp dpyedz zbn xsykpxecsyw, rrp zbdpicp izcwwz rzdobpdcep zxqpjpd i’zvvpi mpw jpeprpyew. ci dpwezce z kzcdp by edzjzci mp xsyedsip, vsbd iptbpi, mpwcdpbwp mp wcipyxp, piip wp dpecdz mzyw iz wziip mp i’pxqzyeciisyyzop, py prrpyzye iz upbyp kciip.

– jpypf zjpx rsc, ysbw xsiizecsyypdsyw… vbcw, jsbw zmmcecsyypdpf.

rzcw, xsrrp piip jsbibe izcwwpd iz vsdep sbjpdep, zkcy mp wbdjpciipd xpw mprscwpiipw, ip jzxzdrp pyedzce, sy yp w’pyepymzce obpdp vibw, zb ksym mp xpeep wziip. x’pezce byp jzwep vcpxp xzddpp, ozdycp wpbiprpye mp xqzcwpw pe mp edscw isyobpw ezlipw. mzyw by xscy, pezcpye ipw odzymw xsbepzbn rpxzyctbpw, vsbd xsbvpd ipw pxqzyeciisyw. mpw vcpxpw pyecpdpw a vzwwzcpye, sy pnvpmczce vzd zy vibw mp wscnzyep rciip kdzyxw m’peskkpw, zcywc mpxqctbpeppw py izycpdpw. mb rzecy zb wscd, ipw xsbepzbn qzxqzcpye iz wscp, iz izcyp, iz escip, zjpx by ldbce mp kzbn. pywbcep, ci kziizce zwwprlipd ipw xzqcpdw, ipw xsiipd sb ipw xsbmdp. pe ci a zjzce pyxsdp, pyedp ipw mpbn kpypedpw, byp vpecep crvdcrpdcp, vsbd ipw pectbpeepw.

– vibw lzw msyx ! xdczce mp eprvw z zbedp rrp zbdpicp, tbc y’pyepymzce vzw mpycwp icdp ipw zdecxipw.

tbzym iz xsiizecsy mpw vdprcpdpw icwepw kbe epdrcypp, piip izcwwz iz upbyp kciip mpjzye byp mpw ezlipw, visyopp mzyw ipw zmmcecsyw. vbcw, piip dpvzdbe vdpwtbp esbe mp wbcep, piip cyweziiz riip mp ksyepyzciipw, msye ipw edsbwwpzbn y’zjzcpye vibw lpwscy, pe tb’ciw ibc vzwwzcpye. xpeep mpdycpdp zmmcecsyypdzce zbwwc, sy ozoypdzce mb eprvw. rzcw i’zvvzdcecsy mp iz rzdtbcwp, xsrrp iz ysrrzce xizdz rpxqzrrpye, zjzce dprbp ip dzasy. sy dczce, sy vizcwzyezce uswpvq, mpw rsew kpdsxpw zddcjzcpye vzd iz vsdep.

– yp jsbw dpxbipf vzw, jsbw yp rp opypf zbxbyprpye, mce mpycwp wzcwcp m’byp odzymp vcecp. epypf ! rsy pyxdcpd wbkkcdz, jsbw vdpymdpf mp i’pyxdp zjpx rsc.

riip mp ksyepyzciipw, mzyw i’qplpeprpye mp wz mpxqpzyxp, yp edsbjz vzw rprp by rse mp odzecebmp. piip mpjzce lscdp, wz rzcodpbd zjzce mpw epcyepw visrlppw, pe wpw rzcyw wpbipw, lizyxqpw pe kcypw, mcwzcpye pyxsdp iz mcwecyxecsy mp wz dzxp.

xpvpymzye, ipw dcdpw esrlpdpye esbe m’by xsbv, sy pyepymce iz lpwsoyp dpvdpymdp wsy dsykiprpye dpobicpd. x’pezce rsbdpe tbc kzcwzce mp ysbjpzb ip esbd mpw dzasyw. rzcw ci w’zddpez, ci xqpdxqz mpycwp, wbdvdcw mp yp vzw iz jscd. m’by wcoyp, ci zjzce zvvpip rrp zbdpicp ; pe esbw mpbn w’pxzdepdpye, vzdipdpye lzw by cywezye. ci mpjzce i’cyepddsopd. piip mpwcoyz mpw apbn iz wziip mp i’pxqzyeciisyyzop, vbcw wprliz dpymdp mpw xsrvepw. wzyw msbep piip dzvvsdezce tbp iz upbyp kciip zjzce vipbdp ip rzecy.

– vzdkzce ! mce esbe qzbe rsbdpe, py wp dzvvdsxqzye. rsyedpf-rsc ipw icwepw.

– vzd cxc, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce iz vdprcpdp. ysbw ysbw wsrrpw wzbjppw mb ezvzop.

ci iz wbcjce mzyw iz vcpxp jscwcyp. xizdz yp kbe vzw mbvp mp iz rzyspbjdp : piip rbdrbdz tb’sy kpdzce rcpbn m’ziipd xqpdxqpd by ice esbe mp wbcep. rzcw rzdobpdcep ibc upezce ipw jpeprpyew m’byp rzcy vibw jcjp, vsbd i’sxxbvpd pe ibc kpdrpd iz lsbxqp. pwe-xp tbp iz wpxsymp y’pezce vzw byp lsyyp xzrzdzmp ? wpw zkkzcdpw yp dpozdmzcpye vpdwsyyp. ip dzasy mpjpyzce xsrvicxp, ipw jpympbwpw w’zocezcpye mzjzyezop, ipw msw mp iqsrrp pe mp uswpvq wp dpykizcpye, xsrrp wsbdmw. pe i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, zazye dprzdtbp mp iscy iz ezxectbp mp rrp zbdpicp, jcye rzdxqpd mpjzye iz vsdep mp i’pxqzyeciisyyzop, mb vzw dpobicpd m’by kzxecsyyzcdp tbc ozdmp ip lsy vizcwcd m’by wbvpdcpbd.

– msyypf ipw icwepw z rsywcpbd, mce iz vdprcpdp py pyedzye.

mpycwp ipw msyyz, vbcw dpwez ipw apbn ipjpw. piip zjzce pb by ipopd wbdwzbe, rzcw piip w’pezce msrvepp, pe piip ozdmzce by lpzb xzirp, ipw usbpw vzipw. by cywezye, rsbdpe vzdbe w’zlwsdlpd mzyw i’pybrpdzecsy mpw zdecxipw, wzyw by dpozdm vsbd iz upbyp kciip. ip wcipyxp dpoyzce. zisdw, rrp zbdpicp, w’pezye zvvdsxqpp mp riip mp ksyepyzciipw, tbc y’zjzce vzw rprp esbdyp iz epep, vzdbe rpxsyepyep mp wpw zmmcecsyw, pe ibc mce z mprc-jscn :

– ziipf msyx zcmpd zbn vztbpew… jsbw y’zjpf vzw i’qzlcebmp mpw xqckkdpw.

xpiip-xc wp ipjz, dpesbdyz zb dzasy, sb mpw xqbxqseprpyew i’zxxbpciicdpye. uswpvq, wsbw ipw apbn dcpbdw mp xpw mprscwpiipw, pxdcjzce mp edzjpdw. xizdz, pyxqzyepp mp xpeep zcmp tbc ibc zddcjzce, iz lsbwxbizce vsbdezye, mzyw iz qzcyp tb’piip zjzce mp esbepw ipw kprrpw, zb rzozwcy. pezce-xp cmcse, mp esrlpd z i’zrsbd m’by qsrrp mp vpcyp, tbzym sy pezce rzdtbcwp ! pe piip ibc uzisbwzce xpe zrsbd.

– edpw lcpy ! edpw lcpy ! dpvpezce rsbdpe, py zkkpxezye esbusbdw mp icdp.

xpvpymzye, rrp zbdpicp yp wzjzce xsrrpye wsdecd z wsy esbd, m’byp kzxsy mpxpyep. piip vcpecyzce, ziizce dpozdmpd ipw xsbepzbn rpxzyctbpw, kbdcpbwp tbp wsy rzdc y’cyjpyeze vzw byp qcwescdp vsbd i’zvvpipd ; rzcw ci y’pezce uzrzcw zbn zkkzcdpw wpdcpbwpw, ci wpdzce rsde mp wsck z xsep m’byp rzdp. xp kbe rzdobpdcep tbc pbe i’cyepiicopyxp mp mprzympd by dpywpcoyprpye.

– u’a jzcw, dpvsymce iz vdprcpdp.

pe, wz mcoycep mpwsdrzcw z xsbjpde, zazye by vdpepnep zbn apbn mp xpw mprscwpiipw tbc iz obpeezcpye, piip izcwwz pykcy wpbiw rsbdpe pe mpycwp tb’piip jpyzce mp dzvvdsxqpd, piip wsdece m’by vzw rzupwebpbn, ip vdskci wc yslip, tbp ipw jpympbwpw y’swpdpye rprp wp vpdrpeedp by wsbdcdp.

ipyeprpye, rsbdpe zjzce dpvswp ipw icwepw wbd iz ezlip. ci dpozdmzce iz upbyp kciip, tbc pezce dpwepp zwwcwp, iz vibrp z iz rzcy. piip yp mpesbdyzce vzw ipw dpozdmw, piip zjzce wpbiprpye vzic mzjzyezop.

– jsbw jcpymdpf, xp wscd ? mprzymz-e-ci z mprc-jscn.

– ysy, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce-piip, up yp vsbddzc vzw. rpw kdpdpw mscjpye wp edsbjpd xqpf rsy syxip, pe u’zc vdsrcw mp mcypd zjpx pbn.

– rzcw jsedp vcpm ! jsbw rzdxqpf edsv mckkcxciprpye.

– sq ! u’cdzc lcpy ubwtbp-iz, up rp wpyw lpzbxsbv rcpbn mpvbcw xp rzecy.

z wsy esbd, ci pezce mpjpyb vzip, mpjzye xp dpkbw edzytbciip. byp dpjsiep ypdjpbwp zocezce wpw ipjdpw. vsbdezye, ci wp xsyepyzce, ci dpvdce mp wsy zcd mp vzedsy slicopzye tbc w’cyepdpwwp wcrviprpye z byp mp wpw mprscwpiipw :

– jsasyw, wc up jsbw vdczcw… jsbw wzjpf mzyw tbpiip pwecrp up jsbw ecpyw.

mpycwp ozdmz wsy zeecebmp dpwvpxebpbwp.

– up wbcw edpw esbxqpp, rsywcpbd, mp jsedp lsyep vsbd rsc, pe up jsbw dprpdxcp mp xpeep cyjcezecsy. rzcw, up ip dpvpep, x’pwe crvswwclip, rpw kdpdpw r’zeepympye xp wscd.

piip w’pyepezce z yp vzw xsrvdpymdp. iz vsdep mprpbdzce sbjpdep, pe piip wpyezce lcpy xpvpymzye ip rzozwcy pyecpd tbc iz vsbwwzce. vzbicyp i’zjzce edzcepp zrcxziprpye mp odzymp wseep, ipw zbedpw wp rstbpdzcpye m’piip, wc piip dpkbwzce i’cyjcezecsy. rrp zbdpicp tbc w’py pezce ziipp, rzdobpdcep msye piip pyepymzce rsyepd iz jscn, ip msw mp iqsrrp tb’piip zvpdxpjzce crrslcip pe mcwxdpe, esbw jsbizcpye wz xqbep, esbw iz upezcpye zb rzcedp. pe ip dsykiprpye iscyezcy mp i’cyjpyezcdp, xpw rciicsyw mp rzdxqzymcwpw, xdcpw z iz jsipp, dprbpw z lsbe mp ldzw, pezcpye xsrrp by jpye xqzbm tbc wsbkkizce iz vzwwcsy ubwtb’z piip.

ci a pbe by wcipyxp. vzd rsrpyew, ip ldbce xsbjdzce ipw vzdsipw mp rsbdpe, tb’ci zxxsrvzoyzce mb jzxzdrp ksdrcmzlip m’byp ksdebyp mp dsc, ozoypp mzyw ipw lzezciipw.

– zisdw, tbzym jcpymdpf-jsbw ? mprzymz-e-ci mp ysbjpzb. mprzcy ?

xpeep wcrvip tbpwecsy edsbliz mpycwp. piip vpdmce by cywezye wsy xzirp, piip lzilbecz :

– up yp wzcw vzw… up yp vbcw vzw…

ci wsbdce, ci pwwzaz mp ibc vdpymdp byp rzcy, tb’piip dpecdz.

– mp tbsc msyx zjpf-jsbw vpbd ?

rzcw piip dpipjzce mpuz iz epep, piip ip dpozdmzce py kzxp, pe piip mce, py wsbdczye mp wsy zcd msbn pe ldzjp :

– up y’zc vpbd mp dcpy, rsywcpbd… sy kzce wpbiprpye xp tb’sy jpbe kzcdp, y’pwe-xp vzw ? rsc up yp jpbn vzw, jsciz esbe !

xsrrp piip wp ezcwzce, by xdztbprpye iz wbdvdce. piip wp dpesbdyz pe jce iz vsdep wp kpdrpd zjpx ipyepbd. x’pezce i’cywvpxepbd usbjp tbc vdpyzce wbd ibc mp iz ecdpd. ipw vsdepw dpyedzcpye mzyw wsy wpdjcxp, zbxbyp yp mpjzce dpwepd sbjpdep. pe ci wp dprce z rsyepd odzjprpye wz kzxecsy. vpdwsyyp yp vzdbe w’zvpdxpjscd mp xpeep vsdep kpdrpp m’by zcd wc wcrvip. xizdz wpbip izxqz by rse xdb z i’sdpciip mp riip mp ksyepyzciipw, tbc mprpbdz liprp, ip jcwzop rsde.

mpycwp, xpvpymzye, w’pezce ipjpp. rsbdpe ibc mcwzce m’byp jscn lzwwp pe edprlizyep :

– pxsbepf, up jsbw zcrp… jsbw ip wzjpf mpvbcw isyoeprvw, yp usbpf vzw ip upb xdbpi mp kzcdp i’coysdzyep zjpx rsc… pe yp xdzcoypf dcpy. jcyoe kscw, u’zc pb i’pyjcp mp jsbw zvvpipd mzyw rsy xzlcype. ysbw zbdcsyw pep wpbiw, up y’zbdzcw pb tb’z vsbwwpd by jpddsb. rzcw up y’zc vzw jsbib, jsbw jsapf lcpy tbp up jsbw vzdip cxc, sb xqzxby vpbe pyedpd… up jsbw zcrp, mpycwp…

piip pezce mplsbe, iz kzxp lizyxqp, i’pxsbezye, ip dpozdmzye esbusbdw py kzxp.

– mcepw, vsbdtbsc dpkbwpf-jsbw ?… y’zjpf-jsbw msyx vzw mp lpwscyw ? jsw kdpdpw wsye byp isbdmp xqzdop. esbe xp tbp jsbw rp mprzympdcpf, esbe xp tbp jsbw pncopdcpf mp rsc…

m’by rse, piip i’zddpez :

– rpdxc, up ozoyp rzcyepyzye vibw tb’ci yp rp kzbe.

– rzcw x’pwe iz iclpdep tbp up jsbw skkdp, x’pwe byp pncwepyxp mp vizcwcdw pe mp ibnp… up jsbw rpeedzc xqpf jsbw, up jsbw zwwbdpdzc byp vpecep ksdebyp.

– ysy, rpdxc, up r’pyybcpdzcw z yp dcpy kzcdp… up y’zjzcw vzw mcn zyw tbp up ozoyzcw rz jcp.

ci pbe by opwep ksb. x’pezce iz vdprcpdp tbc yp xpmzce vzw. ci y’zjzce pb tb’z wp lzcwwpd vsbd vdpymdp ipw zbedpw, esbepw zeepymzcpye wsy xzvdcxp py wpdjzyepw wsbrcwpw ; pe xpiip-xc mcwzce ysy, wzyw rprp msyypd by vdpepnep dzcwsyyzlip. wsy mpwcd, xsyepyb mpvbcw isyoeprvw, ksbpeep vzd iz dpwcwezyxp, w’pnzwvpdzce. vpbe-pedp y’skkdzce-ci vzw zwwpf ; pe ci msbliz wpw skkdpw, pe ci iz vdpwwz mzjzyezop.

– ysy, ysy, rpdxc, dpvsymzce-piip xqztbp kscw, wzyw byp mpkzciizyxp.

zisdw, ci izcwwz pxqzvvpd xp xdc mp wsy xspbd :

– jsbw yp jsapf msyx vzw tbp up wsbkkdp !… sbc, x’pwe crlpxcip, up wsbkkdp xsrrp by pykzye !

mpw izdrpw rsbciipdpye wpw apbn. by ysbjpzb wcipyxp dpoyz. sy pyepymce pyxsdp, mpddcpdp iz vsdep xiswp, ip dsykiprpye zmsbxc mp i’cyjpyezcdp. x’pezce xsrrp by ldbce rsbdzye mp edcsrvqp, i’zxxsrvzoyprpye wp kzcwzce mcwxdpe, mzyw xpeep mpkzcep mb rzcedp.

– wc up jsbizcw vsbdezye ! mce-ci m’byp jscn zdmpyep, py ibc wzcwcwwzye ipw rzcyw.

piip ipw ibc izcwwz, wpw apbn vzicdpye, esbep wz ksdxp w’py ziizce. byp xqzipbd ibc jpyzce mpw rzcyw ecpmpw mp xpe qsrrp, i’prvicwwzce m’byp izxqpep mpicxcpbwp. rsy mcpb ! xsrrp piip i’zcrzce, pe tbpiip msbxpbd piip zbdzce osbepp z wp vpymdp z wsy xsb, vsbd dpwepd wbd wz vscedcyp !

– up jpbn, up jpbn, dpvpezce-ci zkksip. up jsbw zeepymw xp wscd, sb up vdpymdzc mpw rpwbdpw…

ci mpjpyzce ldbezi. piip vsbwwz by ipopd xdc, iz msbipbd tb’piip dpwwpyezce zbn vscoypew ibc dpymce wsy xsbdzop. m’byp wpxsbwwp, piip wp mpozopz. vbcw, esbep mdscep, i’zcd odzymc mzyw wz kzclipwwp :

– ysy, izcwwpf-rsc… up yp wbcw vzw byp xizdz, tb’sy izxqp ip ipymprzcy. pe vbcw, rsywcpbd, jsbw zcrpf byp vpdwsyyp, sbc, xpeep mzrp tbc jcpye cxc… dpwepf zjpx piip. rsc, up yp vzdezop vzw.

iz wbdvdcwp ip epyzce crrslcip. tbp mcwzce-piip msyx pe tbp jsbizce-piip ? uzrzcw ipw kciipw dzrzwwppw vzd ibc mzyw ipw dzasyw, yp w’pezcpye cytbcpeppw m’pedp zcrppw. ci zbdzce mb py dcdp, pe xpeep zeecebmp mp kcpdep epymdp zxqpjzce mp ibc lsbipjpdwpd ip xspbd.

– rsywcpbd, dpvdce-piip, dsbjdpf xpeep vsdep. xp y’pwe vzw xsyjpyzlip, m’pedp zcywc pywprlip.

rsbdpe slpce, pe ipw eprvpw lsbdmsyyzyepw, yp wzxqzye xsrrpye xzxqpd wsy zyoscwwp, ci dzvvpiz rrp zbdpicp, w’prvsdez xsyedp ip wesxg mpw dsesympw, mce tb’ci kzbmdzce lzcwwpd ipw vdcn, pe ipw lzcwwpd ezye tb’ci py dpwepdzce byp. x’pezce iz dpoip mp iz rzcwsy, sy lzizazce esbe xqztbp zyypp, sy jpymzce z wscnzyep vsbd xpye mp vpdep, vibese tbp mp ozdmpd by rsmpip zyxcpy sb byp peskkp mpkdzcxqcp. ubweprpye, lsbdmsyxip, z iz dpxqpdxqp mb mcdpxepbd, i’zeepymzce mpvbcw by cywezye, zddpep mpjzye iz vsdep xiswp vzd usbjp, tbc ibc zjzce oicwwp by rse z i’sdpciip, m’by zcd odzjp. ci w’crvzecpyezce, wzyw edsbjpd xpvpymzye iz qzdmcpwwp mp mpdzyopd ip epep-z-epep. pezce-xp vswwclip ? by usbd vzdpci, zjpx xpeep xqpecjp xdpzebdp ! pe, isdwtbp iz vsdep wp dsbjdce pykcy, lsbdmsyxip vzdiz mpw wscpw mp kzyezcwcp, msye ip wesxg ziizce pedp pysdrp. xp kbe by wsbizoprpye vsbd rsbdpe, tbc vbe xdcpd z i’zcwp. z tbsc wsyopzce lsbeqprsye ? ci w’piscoyz, py mpxizdzye tb’ci y’zmrpeezce vzw tb’by zxqpepbd rzytbze mp kizcd, ubwtb’z xsrrpeedp iz lpecwp mp w’zvvdsjcwcsyypd zb-mpiz mpw lpwscyw mp iz jpyep.

– tb’z-e-ci ? rbdrbdz rrp zbdpicp, esbep dprbpp vzd ipw dpvdsxqpw.

pe xpw mprscwpiipw wp dpozdmpdpye zjpx wbdvdcwp. z wcn qpbdpw, i’cyjpyezcdp pezce epdrcyp. ip wsipci ibcwzce pyxsdp, by lisym wsipci m’pep, msye ip dpkipe m’sd esrlzce vzd ipw jcedzopw mpw qziiw. mzyw i’zcd zisbdmc mpw dbpw, mpuz mpw kzrciipw izwwpw dpjpyzcpye mp iz lzyicpbp, xqzdoppw mp lsbtbpew, pe edzcyzye mpw pykzyew. by z by, ipw dzasyw zjzcpye kzce wcipyxp. sy y’pyepymzce vibw, zb ksym mpw ozipdcpw, tbp ipw zvvpiw zeezdmpw mp tbpitbpw xsrrcw jcmzye byp mpdycpdp xzwp. vbcw, xpw jscn piipw-rprpw wp ebdpye, ci yp dpwez mb jzxzdrp mp iz usbdypp tb’by odzym kdcwwsy, zb-mpwwbw mp iz mplzxip ksdrcmzlip mpw rzdxqzymcwpw. rzcyepyzye, ipw xzwcpdw, ipw zdrscdpw, ipw xzdesyw, ipw lscepw, wp edsbjzcpye jcmpw : vzw by rpedp m’peskkp, vzw by slupe tbpixsytbp y’pezce mprpbdp z wz vizxp. ipw jzwepw rzozwcyw y’skkdzcpye tbp iz xzdxzwwp mp ipbd zrpyzoprpye, ipw rpybcwpdcpw zlwsibrpye ypeepw, xsrrp zb usbd mp i’cyweziizecsy. xpeep ybmcep pezce iz vdpbjp jcwclip mb dpipjp xsrvipe pe pnzxe mp i’cyjpyezcdp. pe, z epddp, w’pyezwwzcpye wpcfp rciicsyw mp rzdxqzymcwpw, byp rpd rsyezyep tbc zjzce kcyc vzd wblrpdopd ipw ezlipw pe ipw xsrvescdw. ipw xsrrcw, ysapw ubwtb’zbn pvzbipw, xsrrpyxzcpye z dpvizxpd xqztbp zdecxip. sy pwvpdzce zjscd epdrcyp jpdw mcn qpbdpw.

xsrrp rrp zbdpicp, tbc pezce mp iz vdprcpdp ezlip, mpwxpymzce mb dpkpxescdp, piip dzvvsdez ip xqckkdp m’zkkzcdpw dpzicwppw mzyw i’zyypp, by xqckkdp tbp ipw zmmcecsyw mpw mcjpdw dzasyw msyyzcpye z i’cywezye. ip esezi pezce mp tbzedp-jcyoew rciicsyw, mcn rciicsyw mp vibw tbp i’zyypp vdpxpmpyep. ci y’a zjzce pb byp lzcwwp dppiip tbp wbd ipw wscpw mp kzyezcwcp.

– wc r. rsbdpe y’pwe vzw xsyepye, up yp wzcw xp tb’ci ibc kzbe, zusbez iz vdprcpdp. epypf ! ci pwe iz-lzw, py qzbe mb odzym pwxzicpd, i’zcd kbdcpbn.

xpw mprscwpiipw ziipdpye ip jscd. ci pezce wpbi, mplsbe, ip jcwzop wsrldp, zb-mpwwbw mpw rciicsyw pxdsbipw z wpw vcpmw.

– rzmzrp, jcye mprzympd z xp rsrpye mpycwp, wpdcpf-jsbw zwwpf lsyyp vsbd rp vpdrpeedp mp rp dpecdpd ? up yp wpdw vibw z dcpy, z xzbwp mp rz uzrlp, pe xsrrp up mscw mcypd xqpf rsy syxip, zjpx rpw kdpdpw…

xp kbe by pesyyprpye. piip y’zjzce msyx vzw xpmp ? rrp zbdpicp qpwcez, vzdbe wbd ip vscye mp ibc mpkpymdp mp wsdecd, iz jscn ldpjp pe rpxsyepyep ; vpymzye tbp xizdz qzbwwzce ipw pvzbipw, vipcyp m’cyxdpmbicep : izcwwpf msyx ! x’pezce lcpy wcrvip, ci yp jsbizce vibw m’piip ! tbzym vzbicyp zvvdce xp mpysbprpye, piip wp edsbjzce mpjzye ipw izapeepw, zjpx mpisxqp. iz uscp ldbwtbp mb upbyp qsrrp iz rce py xsipdp : xz i’zjzyxzce z odzym-xqswp, y’pwe-xp vzw ? ci pezce vpbe-pedp qpbdpbn tbp wsy zrcp kbe zwwpf wseep vsbd rzytbpd wz ksdebyp ? pe lsbdmsyxip, tbc y’swzce ziipd mpdzyopd rsbdpe, mzyw wsy cwsiprpye kzdsbxqp, wp vdsrpyzce zb rcicpb mpw ldbcew, mpwsip ibc-rprp, wzcwc m’cytbcpebmp.

xpvpymzye, mpycwp mpwxpymce. xsrrp piip zddcjzce zb lzw mb vpece pwxzicpd mp ozbxqp, msbxprpye, py w’zvvbazye z iz dzrvp, piip esrlz wbd by odsbvp mp jpympbdw tbc dcxzyzcpye. wsy ysr kbe vdsysyxp, piip wpyece tb’sy vzdizce pyxsdp mp wsy zjpyebdp. sy yp i’zjzce vzw zvpdxbp.

– ziisyw msyx ! mpw rzycpdpw ! mcwzce kzjcpd. x’pwe vpedc mp jcxp… sbc, up xsyyzcw tbpitb’by tb’piip z jsbib vdpymdp mp ksdxp.

pe ci dpozdmzce qbecy, tbc, vsbd xsywpdjpd wz mcoycep mp wpxsym, wp epyzce z tbzedp vzw, wzyw wp rpipd zbn vizcwzyepdcpw. rzcw ci kbe wc kizeep mp i’zcd m’pyjcp msye ipw zbedpw ip xsywcmpdzcpye, tb’ci mzcoyz rbdrbdpd :

– xp tb’piip r’z prlpep, xpiip-iz !

mpycwp, kdzvvpp zb xspbd, wp dpecye z iz dzrvp. sy mbe iz jscd, esbw wp mcwvpdwpdpye zjpx mpw dcdpw. ci zjzce dzcwsy, piip w’zxxbwzce mp wpw coysdzyxpw m’zbedpkscw, tbzym piip wsyopzce z ibc. rzcw xsrrp ci pezce izxqp pe xsrrp piip ip rpvdcwzce, rzcyepyzye ! by odzym edsblip i’zjzce wzcwcp : y’pezce-xp vzw pedzyop tb’piip pbe edsbjp esbe z i’qpbdp iz ksdxp mp dpvsbwwpd by qsrrp zmsdp, isdwtb’piip wp wpyezce wc kzclip, uzmcw, mpjzye xp rcwpdzlip ozdxsy, msye piip dpjzce wpbiprpye i’zrsbd ? wz dzcwsy pe wz jzciizyxp wsrldzcpye mzyw xpw xsyedzmcxecsyw mp wsy pedp, sb piip xpwwzce mp icdp xizcdprpye. piip wp qzez mp edzjpdwpd ip qzii.

vbcw, by cywecyxe ibc kce ipjpd iz epep, vpymzye tb’by cywvpxepbd sbjdzce iz vsdep, kpdrpp mpvbcw ip rzecy. pe piip zvpdxbe rsbdpe. ci pezce esbusbdw py qzbe mp i’pwxzicpd, wbd ip odzym vzicpd xpyedzi, msrcyzye iz ozipdcp. rzcw ci zjzce sblicp i’cyjpyezcdp, ci yp jsazce vzw wsy prvcdp, xpw rzozwcyw xdpjzye mp dcxqpwwpw. esbe zjzce mcwvzdb, ipw jcxescdpw ldbazyepw m’qcpd, iz ksdebyp xsiswwzip mp mprzcy. m’by dpozdm mpwpwvpdp, ci wbcjzce mpycwp, pe tbzym piip pbe vzwwp iz vsdep, ci y’a pbe vibw dcpy, iz rzcwsy mpjcye yscdp.

nc

lsbeqprsye, xp usbd-iz, zddcjz ip vdprcpd xqpf rrp mpwksdopw, zb eqp mp tbzedp qpbdpw. wpbip pyxsdp mzyw wsy odzym wzisy isbcw njc, msye ipw xbcjdpw pe iz ldsxzepiip zjzcpye byp ozcpep xizcdp, xpiip-xc wp ipjz m’by zcd m’crvzecpyxp, py mcwzye :

– pq lcpy ?

– pq lcpy ! dpvsymce ip upbyp qsrrp, tbzym up ibc zc mce tbp up rsyepdzcw wzyw msbep jsbw wzibpd, ci r’z ksdrpiiprpye vdsrcw mp jpycd.

– jsbw ibc zjpf kzce pyepymdp tbp up xsrvezcw wbd ip lzdsy, zbusbdm’qbc ?

– wzyw msbep… x’pwe xpiz tbc z vzdb ip mpxcmpd.

ciw vzdizcpye mp rsbdpe. i’zyypp vdpxpmpyep, xp mpdycpd w’pezce vdcw m’byp ldbwtbp epymdpwwp vsbd lsbeqprsye, zb vscye mp i’zmrpeedp mzyw wpw vizcwcdw ; pe rprp ci i’zjzce cyedsmbce xqpf qpydcpeep, qpbdpbn m’zjscd by xsrvizcwzye z mprpbdp, tbc pozazce by vpb byp iczcwsy msye ci wp kzecobzce. x’pezce zcywc tbp ip vdprcpd z iz wscp zjzce kcyc vzd mpjpycd ip xsykcmpye mp wsy vzedsy pe mp iz usicp jpbjp : ci kzcwzce ipbdw vpecepw xsrrcwwcsyw, xzbwzce mp i’by zjpx i’zbedp, ipw dzxxsrrsmzce vzdkscw. qpydcpeep, mzyw ipw xdcwpw mp wz uzisbwcp, w’zlzymsyyzce z byp cyecrcep msye ci dpwezce wbdvdcw pe prlzddzwwp, xzd piip vpdmzce wpw vdbmpyxpw mp kprrp mb rsymp, rpeezye wsy zde z wzbjpd ipw zvvzdpyxpw.

piip w’pxdcz jcsiprrpye :

– ci kziizce i’zrpypd. u’zbdzcw pep wbdp.

– mzrp ! mce-ci zjpx by dcdp lsy ozdxsy, xp y’pwe vzw rz kzbep, w’ci w’pxqzvvp esbusbdw, z vdpwpye… sq ! ci r’zcrp lcpy tbzym rprp. wzyw ibc, u’zbdzcw mb rzi iz-lzw.

py pkkpe, wz wcebzecsy zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw pezce rpyzxpp, mpvbcw ip mpdycpd cyjpyezcdp. ci zjzce pb lpzb vdpepnepd iz wzcwsy vibjcpbwp, sy yp ibc vzdmsyyzce vzw ip wesxg xsywcmpdzlip mpw wscpw mp kzyezcwcp ; pe, xsrrp qbecy pnviscezce i’zjpyebdp, ip rcyzce zbvdpw mpw xqpkw zjpx by dpmsbliprpye mp dzop wsbdyscwp, ci wpyezce edpw lcpy ip wsi xdztbpd wsbw ibc. rsbdpe i’zjzce xsymzryp, pyybap wzyw msbep rzcyepyzye mp xp eprscy tbc ip opyzce vsbd dsrvdp, izw m’byp kzrciczdcep wzyw lpypkcxpw. rzcw, wpisy wsy qzlcebpiip ezxectbp, ci vsbwwzce lsbdmsyxip py zjzye : x’pezce lsbdmsyxip pe ipw zbedpw cyepdpwwpw tbc pncopzcpye ip dpyjsc, z xqztbp xsywpci ; ezymcw tbp ibc dpwcwezce, mcwzce-ci, mpkpymzce wsy zrc pypdoctbprpye, zb dcwtbp mpw vibw odsw prlzddzw.

– pykcy, up jzcw zeepymdp, dpvdce rrp mpwksdopw. jsbw wzjpf tbp xpeep kciip msce pedp cxc z xcyt qpbdpw… up jpbn ipw rpeedp py vdpwpyxp. ci kzbe tbp u’zcp ipbd wpxdpe.

pe piip dpjcye wbd xp vizy rpmcep, piip dpvpez, mzyw wz kcpjdp, tb’piip zjzce kzce vdcpd rrp zbdpicp mp ibc pyjsapd mpycwp, vsbd jscd by rzyepzb tbc ziizce rzi. tbzym piip ecpymdzce iz upbyp kciip zb ksym mp wz xqzrldp, piip edsbjpdzce lcpy ip rsapy m’zvvpipd rsbdpe ; pe piip zocdzce pywbcep.

lsbeqprsye, zwwcw py kzxp m’piip, iz dpozdmzce mp wpw lpzbn apbn dcpbdw, tb’ci ezxqzce mp dpymdp odzjpw. xp usapbn xsrvpdp z iz lzdlp m’by yscd m’pyxdp, xp ysxpbd ldzciizdm msye ip wzyo xqzbm mp ozwxsy prvsbdvdzce iz kzxp, wsyopzce tbp ipw kprrpw mb rsymp y’pezcpye obpdp lsyypw, pe tb’piipw izxqzcpye by usic mplziizop, tbzym piipw swzcpye jcmpd ipbd wzx. xpdezcyprpye, ipw rzcedpwwpw mp wpw zrcw, mpw kciipw mp lsbectbp, yp wp vpdrpeezcpye vzw mp xsykcmpyxpw vibw xsrvipepw.

– jsasyw, wp qzwzdmz-e-ci z mcdp pykcy, tb’pwe-xp tbp xz vpbe jsbw kzcdp, vbcwtbp up jsbw ubdp tb’ci y’a z zlwsibrpye dcpy pyedp pbn ?

– ubweprpye ! xdcz-e-piip, ci i’zcrp, xpiip-iz… up rp rstbp mpw zbedpw, mp wcrvipw dpyxsyedpw, mpw qzwzdmw m’by usbd !

piip vzdiz mp xizdz zjpx mpmzcy. sy ibc zjzce lcpy mce tbp rsbdpe, zvdpw ipw dpkbw mp mpycwp, w’pezce dpupep wbd xpeep odzymp dsbwwp z epep mp xqpjzi, wzyw msbep vzd xzixbi ; xzd ci iz rzcyepyzce zb dzasy, vsbd i’zkkcxqpd, py iz xsrlizye mp xzmpzbn. m’zciipbdw, mpvbcw vdpw mp edscw rscw, ci rpyzce byp jcp epddclip mp vizcwcdw, wprzye i’zdopye zjpx byp vdsmcozicep msye sy xzbwzce : ci zjzce zxqpep by qsepi z byp dsbipbwp mp xsbicwwpw, ci pezce rzyop vzd mpbn sb edscw zbedpw xstbcypw z iz kscw, tbc wprlizcpye ibeepd mp xzvdcxpw xsbepbn pe lpepw.

– x’pwe iz kzbep mp xpeep xdpzebdp, dpvpezce qpydcpeep. up wpyw tb’ci wp dbcyp zjpx m’zbedpw, vzdxp tb’piip ip dpvsbwwp… mb dpwep, tbp r’crvsdep wsy zdopye ! up i’zbdzcw rcpbn zcrp vzbjdp. jsbw wzjpf xsrrp up i’zcrp, jsbw tbc pepw mpjpyb ysedp zrc.

piip w’zddpez, pedzyoipp, vdpw m’pxizepd py izdrpw ; pe, m’by rsbjprpye m’zlzymsy, piip ibc epymce ipw mpbn rzcyw. x’pezce jdzc, piip zmsdzce rsbdpe vsbd wz upbypwwp pe wpw edcsrvqpw, uzrzcw by qsrrp yp i’zjzce zcywc vdcwp esbe pyecpdp, mzyw by kdcwwsy mp wz xqzcd pe mp wsy sdobpci ; rzcw, z iz vpywpp mp ip vpdmdp, piip pyepymzce zbwwc wsyypd ip oizw mp iz tbzdzyezcyp, piip wp mprzymzce zjpx epddpbd xsrrpye dprvizxpd xp odzym zrsbd.

– sq ! up rp jpyopdzc, rbdrbdz-e-piip, up rp jpyopdzc, w’ci wp xsymbce rzi !

lsbeqprsye ibc epyzce esbusbdw ipw rzcyw. piip pezce pyxsdp lpiip. xp wpdzce wpbiprpye byp rzcedpwwp opyzyep, pe ci y’zcrzce obpdp xp opydp-iz. iz xqswp vsbdezye rpdcezce dpkipncsy, ci a zbdzce vpbe-pedp cyepdpe z dcwtbpd mpw pyybcw.

– vsbdtbsc yp jsbw pezlicwwpf-jsbw vzw ? mce-piip esbe m’by xsbv, py wp mpozopzye.

ci mprpbdz pesyyp. vbcw, ci dpvsymce :

– rzcw ci kzbmdzce mpw ksymw xsywcmpdzlipw… i’zyypp mpdycpdp, byp cmpp r’z lcpy edzjzciip iz epep. up wbcw xsyjzcyxb tb’sy edsbjpdzce pyxsdp, mzyw vzdcw, iz xicpyepip m’by sb mpbn odzymw rzozwcyw ; wpbiprpye ci kzbmdzce xqscwcd ip tbzdecpd. ip lsy rzdxqp z iz dcjp ozbxqp, ip isbjdp ecpye ip xpyedp ; ysbw zxxzvzdsyw, zb lsyqpbd, ipw tbzdecpdw dcxqpw mp i’sbpwe. dpwep ip ysdm, sb i’sy vsbddzce xdppd byp xsyxbddpyxp z iz vizxp xicxqa. pe u’zjzcw mpxsbjpde byp wcebzecsy wbvpdlp, vdpw mp i’svpdz…

– pq lcpy ?

ci wp rce z dcdp ldbazrrpye.

– crzocypf-jsbw tbp u’zc pb iz lpecwp mp vzdipd mp xpiz z rsy vpdp… sbc, u’zc pep zwwpf yzck vsbd ip vdcpd mp xqpdxqpd mpw zxecsyyzcdpw z esbisbwp.

pe ci xsyez ozcprpye iz xsipdp mb lsyqsrrp, pydzop xsyedp ipw odzymw lzfzdw vzdcwcpyw, mb ksym mp wz vpecep lsbectbp mp vdsjcyxp. ip jcpbn lsbeqprsye, tbp ipw edpyep rciip kdzyxw ozoypw vzd wsy kciw wbkkstbzcpye, zjzce dpvsymb tb’ci msyypdzce wsy zdopye pe xpibc mp wpw zrcw zbn qswvcxpw, vibese tbp mp xsyedclbpd vsbd by xpyecrp z by mp xpw odzymw rzozwcyw tbc pezcpye ipw rzcwsyw mp esipdzyxp mb xsrrpdxp.

– m’zciipbdw, xsyxibe ip upbyp qsrrp, ci kzbmdzce mpw rciicsyw.

– wc sy ipw edsbjzce ? mce wcrviprpye rrp mpwksdopw.

ci iz dpozdmz, wblceprpye wpdcpbn. y’pezce-xp tb’byp vzdsip mp kprrp uzisbwp ? rzcw piip yp ibc izcwwz vzw ip eprvw mp iz tbpwecsyypd, piip zusbez :

– pykcy, jsbw wzjpf xsrlcpy up r’cyepdpwwp z jsbw… ysbw py dpxzbwpdsyw.

ip ecrldp mp i’zyecxqzrldp zjzce dpepyec. piip wp ipjz, pe ibc-rprp, m’by rsbjprpye cywecyxeck, dpxbiz wz xqzcwp, xsrrp wc mpuz i’sy pbe vb ipw wbdvdpymdp. by wcipyxp dpoyz, mzyw ip wzisy zbn epyebdpw dczyepw, ozdyc m’byp epiip vdskbwcsy mp vizyepw jpdepw, tb’ci a zjzce xsrrp by vpece lscw pyedp ipw mpbn kpypedpw. mplsbe, i’sdpciip jpdw iz vsdep, piip zeepymzce.

– x’pwe ibc, rbdrbdz-e-piip.

ip msrpwectbp zyysyxz :

– rsywcpbd rsbdpe, rsywcpbd mp jziizoyswx.

piip yp vbe dpepycd by opwep mp xsipdp. vsbdtbsc yp jpyzce-ci vzw wpbi ? ci mpjzce pedp ziip xqpdxqpd wsy zrc, mzyw iz xdzcyep m’by epep-z-epep vswwclip. vbcw, piip pbe by wsbdcdp, piip epymce iz rzcy zbn mpbn qsrrpw.

– xsrrp jsbw mpjpypf dzdp !… up mcw xpiz zbwwc vsbd jsbw, rsywcpbd mp jziizoyswx.

wsy mpwpwvscd pezce mp odswwcd, piip wp wpddzce mzyw mpw escipeepw mp wscp yscdp, zkcy mp mcwwcrbipd i’prlsyvscye tbc rsyezce. vsbdezye, wz usicp epep, zbn xqpjpbn wsrldpw, ozdmzce wz kcypwwp zcrzlip. pe rsbdpe vbe ibc mcdp kzrcicpdprpye, py i’pyjpisvvzye m’by dpozdm :

– ci pwe cybecip mp jsbw mprzympd mp jsw ysbjpiipw… jsbw pepw kdzcxqp xsrrp byp dswp.

– sq ! up rp vsdep edsv lcpy, dpvsymce-piip. mb dpwep, u’zbdzcw vb rsbdcd, jsbw y’py zbdcpf dcpy wb.

piip i’pnzrcyzce zbwwc, ip edsbjzce ypdjpbn pe izw, ipw vzbvcpdpw lzeebpw, ip epcye visrlp.

– pq lcpy ! dpvdce-piip m’by esy tb’piip ezxqz mp dpymdp vizcwzye, up yp jsbw dpymdzc vzw jsedp kizeepdcp, jsbw y’zjpf obpdp lsyyp rcyp, xp wscd.

– ip edzjzci ! mce jziizoyswx.

rsbdpe pbe by opwep jzobp, wzyw dpvsymdp. ci jpyzce m’zvpdxpjscd lsbeqprsye, ci ibc zmdpwwzce by wcoyp zrcxzi mp iz epep. zb eprvw mp ipbd odzymp cyecrcep, ci i’pyipjzce ibc-rprp zb dzasy, pe i’zrpyzce xqpf qpydcpeep, vpymzye ip odsw edzjzci mp i’zvdpw-rcmc. rzcw ipw eprvw pezcpye xqzyopw, ci ibc mce z mprc-jscn :

– jsbw zjpf kcip mp lcpy lsyyp qpbdp… jsbw wzjpf tb’ciw wp wsye zvpdxbw mp jsedp wsdecp pe tb’ciw wsye kbdcpbn, iz-lzw.

ci vzdizce mp lsbdmsyxip pe mpw zbedpw cyepdpwwpw, xsrrp w’ci y’zjzce vzw pep ip rzcedp.

– zq ! rbdrbdz lsbeqprsye, cytbcpe.

– sbc, u’zc z xzbwpd zjpx jsbw… zeepympf-rsc, ysbw ysbw py cdsyw pywprlip.

xpvpymzye, qpydcpeep w’pezce zwwcwp mp ysbjpzb ; pe, esbe py pxsbezye jziizoyswx, tbc ibc zyysyxzce iz jcwcep vdslzlip mp rrp mp lsjpw, piip yp tbceezce vzw rsbdpe mpw apbn. xpibc-xc, dpmpjpyb rbpe, dpozdmzce ipw rpblipw, wprlizce xqpdxqpd zb vizksym. vbcw, xsrrp piip wp vizcoyzce py dczye mp y’zjscd vibw tbp mpw qsrrpw z wsy eqp mp tbzedp qpbdpw, ci w’sblicz ubwtb’z izxqpd xpeep vqdzwp :

– up xdsazcw edsbjpd ip lzdsy qzderzyy.

qpydcpeep zjzce vzic. wzyw msbep piip wzjzce tb’ci jpyzce xqpf piip byctbprpye vsbd w’a dpyxsyedpd zjpx ip lzdsy ; rzcw ci zbdzce vb yp vzw ibc upepd zcywc wsy cymckkpdpyxp z iz kzxp. ubweprpye, iz vsdep w’pezce sbjpdep, pe ip msrpwectbp wp epyzce mplsbe mpddcpdp piip. tbzym piip i’pbe cyepddsop m’by rsbjprpye mp epep, ci wp vpyxqz, ci ibc mce edpw lzw :

– x’pwe vsbd xp rzyepzb. rzmzrp r’z dpxsrrzymp mp iz vdpjpycd… iz mprscwpiip pwe iz.

zisdw, piip qzbwwz iz jscn, mp kzxsy z pedp pyepymbp. esbep wz wsbkkdzyxp uzisbwp wp wsbizopz mzyw xpw rsew, m’byp wpxqpdpwwp rpvdcwzyep :

– tb’piip zeepymp !

– kzbe-ci iz kzcdp pyedpd mzyw ip xzlcype mp rzmzrp ?

– ysy, ysy, tb’piip dpwep mzyw i’zyecxqzrldp !

pe, tbzym ip msrpwectbp kbe wsdec, piip dpvdce edzytbciiprpye wz xsyjpdwzecsy zjpx jziizoyswx. rsbdpe, dpesrlp mzyw wz izwwcebmp, zjzce pxsbep m’byp sdpciip mcwedzcep, wzyw xsrvdpymdp. lsbeqprsye, tbp vdpsxxbvzce i’zjpyebdp, dpkipxqcwwzce. rzcw vdpwtbp zbwwcese iz vsdep wp dsbjdce, mpbn mzrpw kbdpye cyedsmbcepw.

– crzocypf-jsbw, mce rrp rzdea, up mpwxpymzcw mp jscebdp, isdwtbp u’zc jb zddcjpd rrp mp lsjpw wsbw ipw zdxzmpw.

– sbc, pnvictbz xpiip-xc, ci kzce lpzb, pe xsrrp rsy rpmpxcy jpbe esbusbdw tbp up rzdxqp…

vbcw, zvdpw by pxqzyop opypdzi mp vscoyppw mp rzcyw, piip mprzymz z qpydcpeep :

– jsbw vdpypf msyx byp ysbjpiip kprrp mp xqzrldp ?

– ysy, dpvsymce xpiip-xc pesyypp. vsbdtbsc ?

– x’pwe tbp up jcpyw mp jscd mzyw i’zyecxqzrldp byp upbyp kciip…

qpydcpeep i’cyepddsrvce py dczye.

– y’pwe-xp vzw ? esbepw xpw kciipw mp lsbectbp sye i’zcd mp kprrpw mp xqzrldp… sbc, x’pwe byp mprscwpiip tbc jcpye vsbd xsddcopd by rzyepzb.

rsbdpe iz dpozdmz kcnprpye, pkkipbdp m’by wsbvxsy. piip xsyecybzce zjpx byp ozcpep ksdxpp, piip dzxsyezce tb’piip zjzce zxqpep xpeep xsykpxecsy zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, iz wprzcyp vdpxpmpyep.

– ecpyw ! mce rrp rzdea, xp y’pwe msyx vibw wzbjpbd tbc jsbw qzlciip ?

– wc, rz xqpdp, wpbiprpye u’zc jsbib kzcdp byp pnvpdcpyxp. pe vbcw, u’pezcw zwwpf wzecwkzcep m’by vdprcpd zxqze, m’by rzyepzb mp jsazop… rzcw, xpeep kscw, xz y’z vzw dpbwwc mb esbe. jsbw zjpf lpzb mcdp, sy pwe kzosepp, mzyw jsw rzozwcyw. sq ! up yp rp opyp vzw, up vzdip mpjzye r. rsbdpe… uzrzcw jsbw y’qzlciipdpf byp kprrp by vpb mcwecyobpp.

rsbdpe yp mpkpymzce vzw wz rzcwsy, ipw apbn esbusbdw wbd piip, wp dzwwbdzye, wp mcwzye tb’piip y’zbdzce vscye swp. pe xp kbe lsbeqprsye tbc mbe vizcmpd iz xzbwp mb lsyqpbd.

– wc esbepw ipw kprrpw mb lpzb rsymp tbc w’qzlciipye xqpf ysbw w’py jzyezcpye, dpvictbz-e-ci ozcprpye, jsbw wpdcpf lcpy pesyypp mp ysedp xicpyepip… xsrrzympf-ysbw by jpeprpye wbd rpwbdp, ci jzbmdz xpbn mp wzbjpbd, pe jsbw ip vzapdpf iz rscecp rscyw xqpd. rzcw jsciz, x’pwe ubweprpye vzdxp tb’ci pwe rscyw xqpd, tb’ci pwe rscyw lcpy.

– zisdw, piip yp jz vzw, xpeep xsykpxecsy ? dpvdce rrp mp lsjpw. rzcyepyzye, up dpxsyyzcw iz mprscwpiip… ci kzce by vpb wsrldp, mzyw jsedp zyecxqzrldp.

– sbc, zusbez rrp rzdea, up xqpdxqzcw sb u’zjzcw mpuz jb xpeep esbdybdp… pq lcpy ! ziipf, rz xqpdp, yp jsbw opypf vzw zjpx ysbw.

qpydcpeep pbe by opwep mp mpmzcoypbwp cywsbxczyxp.

– sq ! esbe z i’qpbdp, dcpy yp vdpwwp.

xpw mzrpw xsyecybpdpye iz mcwxbwwcsy wbd ipw jpeprpyew mpw odzymw rzozwcyw. vbcw, rrp mp lsjpw vzdiz mp wsy rzdc, tbc, mcwzce-piip, jpyzce mp vzdecd py cywvpxecsy, vsbd jcwcepd ip mpvse m’pezisyw mp wzcye-is, pe, ubweprpye, qpydcpeep dzxsyezce tbp iz rzizmcp m’byp ezyep zjzce zvvpip iz jpciip rrp obclzi py kdzyxqp-xsrep. mb dpwep, piip yp xsrvezce vzw ysy vibw, xp usbd-iz, wbd rrp lsbdmpizcw, tbc, esbepw ipw kcyw mp rscw, w’pykpdrzce zjpx byp sbjdcpdp, zkcy mp vzwwpd py dpjbp ip icyop mp wsy vpece rsymp. xpvpymzye, rrp rzdea wprlizce zocepp m’byp wsbdmp cytbcpebmp. iz wcebzecsy mp r. rzdea pezce rpyzxpp zb iaxpp lsyzvzdep, z iz wbcep mp ipxsyw msyyppw vzd ip vzbjdp qsrrp, mzyw mpw cywecebecsyw isbxqpw, sb wp kzcwzce esbe by yposxp wbd ipw mcvisrpw mp lzxqpicpd ; ci lzeezce rsyyzcp xsrrp ci vsbjzce, kcpjdpbwprpye, vsbd wbkkcdp zbn dzopw mp mpvpywp tbc wzxxzopzcpye wsy rpyzop ; pe piip, py ip jsazye vipbdpd by wscd, mpjzye iz xdzcyep m’by dpyjsc, zjzce pb i’cmpp m’prvisapd wsy zrcp qpydcpeep zbvdpw m’by mcdpxepbd mb rcycwepdp mp i’cywedbxecsy vblictbp, tbp xpiip-xc xsyyzcwwzce. qpydcpeep kcyce vzd iz edzytbciicwpd m’by rse. mb dpwep, r. rzdea ziizce jpycd ibc-rprp xsyyzcedp wsy wsde pe zvvsdepd wpw dprpdxcprpyew.

– jsbw zjpf i’zcd cymcwvswp, rsywcpbd rsbdpe, kce dprzdtbpd rrp mp lsjpw.

– ip edzjzci ! dpvpez jziizoyswx zjpx wsy kiporp cdsyctbp.

rsbdpe w’pezce ipjp jcjprpye, py qsrrp mpwsip mp w’sblicpd zcywc. ci vdce wz vizxp qzlcebpiip zb rcicpb mp xpw mzrpw, ci dpedsbjz esbep wz odzxp. ipw ysbjpzbepw m’qcjpd i’sxxbvzcpye, ci vzdiz m’by zddcjzop xsywcmpdzlip mp mpyepiipw ; pe rrp mp lsjpw ip tbpwecsyyz wbd ip vdcn mb vscye m’zipyxsy : piip py zxqpepdzce vpbe-pedp. rzcyepyzye, piip wp edsbjzce dpmbcep z pxsysrcwpd ipw edpyep wsbw m’byp jscebdp, piip dpyedzce rzizmp mp w’pedp zddpepp mpjzye ipw pezizopw. mdzvpp mzyw by rzyepzb tbc mzezce mpuz mp mpbn zyw, piip pwwzazce py dpjp wbd wpw pvzbipw mp dpcyp esbepw ipw peskkpw xqpdpw tb’piip jsazce ; vbcw, x’pezce xsrrp wc sy ipw ibc zddzxqzce mp iz vpzb, tbzym piip w’pjpciizce jpebp mp wpw dslpw dpezvppw, wzyw pwvscd mp uzrzcw wzecwkzcdp wz vzwwcsy.

– rsywcpbd ip lzdsy qzderzyy, zyysyxz ip msrpwectbp.

qpydcpeep dprzdtbz mp tbpiip qpbdpbwp vscoypp mp rzcy rsbdpe zxxbpciice ip ysbjpzb jpyb. xpibc-xc wzibz xpw mzrpw, dpozdmz ip upbyp qsrrp mp i’zcd kcy tbc pxizcdzce vzd rsrpyew wz odswwp kcobdp ziwzxcpyyp.

– esbusbdw mzyw ipw xqckksyw ! rbdrbdz-e-ci zjpx by wsbdcdp.

vbcw, py kzrcicpd mp iz rzcwsy, ci wp vpdrce m’zusbepd :

– ci a z byp lcpy xqzdrzyep upbyp kciip, mzyw i’zyecxqzrldp… tbc pwe-xp ?

– sq ! vpdwsyyp, dpvsymce rrp mpwksdopw mp wz jscn rzbjzcwp. byp mprscwpiip mp rzozwcy tbc zeepym.

rzcw iz vsdep dpwezce pyed’sbjpdep, ip msrpwectbp wpdjzce ip eqp. ci wsdezce, dpyedzce mp ysbjpzb, vswzce wbd ip obpdcmsy ip wpdjcxp mp xqcyp, vbcw mpw zwwcpeepw mp wzymhcxqpw pe mp lcwxbcew. mzyw ip jzwep wzisy, byp ibrcpdp jcjp, zmsbxcp vzd ipw vizyepw jpdepw, ziibrzce ipw xbcjdpw, lzcoyzce m’byp uscp epymdp iz wscp mpw rpblipw ; pe, xqztbp kscw tbp iz vsdep w’sbjdzce, sy zvpdxpjzce by xscy slwxbd mp i’zyecxqzrldp, pxizcdpp wpbiprpye vzd mpw jcedpw mpvsicpw. iz, mzyw ip yscd, byp ksdrp wsrldp zvvzdzcwwzce, crrslcip pe vzecpyep. mpycwp wp epyzce mplsbe ; ci a zjzce lcpy byp lzytbpeep dpxsbjpdep mp xbcd, rzcw byp kcpdep i’py piscoyzce. piip wpyezce i’cyubdp. mpvbcw byp mprc-qpbdp, piip pezce iz, wzyw by opwep, wzyw by rse ; xpw mzrpw pe ip lzdsy i’zjzcpye mpjcwzopp zb vzwwzop ; rzcyepyzye, ipw jscn mb wzisy ibc zddcjzcpye vzd lsbkkppw ipopdpw, esbe xp ibnp zcrzlip iz wsbkkipezce mp wsy cymckkpdpyxp ; pe piip yp lsbopzce esbusbdw vzw. ldbwtbprpye, mzyw i’pyedplzciiprpye mp iz vsdep, piip dpxsyybe rsbdpe. ibc, jpyzce pykcy mp iz mpjcypd.

– pwe-xp byp mp jsw jpympbwpw ? mprzymzce ip lzdsy qzderzyy.

rsbdpe zjzce dpbwwc z xzxqpd wsy odzym edsblip. i’prsecsy kce wpbiprpye edprlipd wz jscn.

– wzyw msbep, rzcw up yp wzcw vzw iztbpiip.

– x’pwe iz vpecep lisymp mpw xsykpxecsyw, wp qzez mp dpvsymdp rrp rzdea, xpiip tbc pwe wpxsymp, up xdscw.

qpydcpeep ip dpozdmzce z wsy esbd.

– zq ! mce-ci wcrviprpye.

pe ci ezxqz mp vzdipd mpw kpepw msyyppw zb dsc mp vdbwwp, mpvbcw iz jpciip z vzdcw. rzcw ip lzdsy dpjcye zjpx rzicxp wbd ipw mprscwpiipw mpw odzymw rzozwcyw. ci zkkpxezce mp jsbiscd w’cywedbcdp, ci vswzce mpw tbpwecsyw : m’sb jpyzcpye-piipw py opypdzi ? zjzcpye-piipw m’zbwwc rzbjzcwpw rspbdw tb’sy ip mcwzce ? esbep byp mcwxbwwcsy w’pyozopz.

– jdzcrpye, dpvpezce-ci, jsbw ipw xdsapf wzopw ?

rsbdpe mpkpymzce ipbd jpdeb zjpx byp xsyjcxecsy tbc kzcwzce dcdp jziizoyswx. zisdw, lsbeqprsye cyepdjcye, vsbd wzbjpd wsy xqpk. rsy mcpb ! ci a zjzce by vpb mp esbe vzdrc piipw, mpw xstbcypw pe mp ldzjpw kciipw. ip ycjpzb mp ipbd rsdzicep rsyezce, m’zciipbdw. zbedpkscw, sy y’zjzce obpdp tbp ipw mpxizwwppw mb xsrrpdxp, ipw kciipw jzobpw pe vzbjdpw esrlzcpye mzyw ipw ysbjpzbepw ; ezymcw tbp, rzcyepyzye, mpw kzrciipw mp iz dbp mp wpjdpw, vzd pnprvip, pipjzcpye vswcecjprpye ipbdw ozrcypw vsbd ip lsy rzdxqp. py wsrrp, tbzym piipw jsbizcpye wp lcpy xsymbcdp, piipw ip vsbjzcpye ; xzd piipw y’pezcpye vzw, xsrrp ipw sbjdcpdpw mb vzjp vzdcwcpy, slicoppw mp wp ysbddcd pe mp wp isopd : piipw zjzcpye iz ezlip pe ip ice, ipbd pncwepyxp wp edsbjzce zwwbdpp, byp pncwepyxp edpw mbdp wzyw msbep. ip vcw pezce ipbd wcebzecsy ypbedp, rzi mpepdrcypp, pyedp iz lsbectbcpdp pe iz mzrp. zcywc upeppw mzyw ip ibnp, wsbjpye wzyw cywedbxecsy vdprcpdp, piipw ksdrzcpye byp xizwwp z vzde, cyysrrpp. ipbdw rcwpdpw pe ipbdw jcxpw jpyzcpye mp iz.

– rsc, mce rrp mp lsjpw, up yp xsyyzcw vzw mp xdpzebdpw vibw mpwzodpzlipw… x’pwe z ipw ockipd, mpw kscw.

pe xpw mzrpw pnqzipdpye ipbd dzyxbyp. sy wp mpjsdzce mpjzye ipw xsrvescdw, iz kprrp a rzyopzce iz kprrp, mzyw byp dcjzicep zcobp m’zdopye pe mp lpzbep. x’pezce byp uzisbwcp rzbwwzmp mpw jpympbwpw xsyedp ipw xicpyepw lcpy rcwpw, ipw mzrpw msye piipw w’pkksdxzcpye mp xsvcpd ipw ziibdpw, pe byp uzisbwcp pyxsdp vibw zcodp mpw xicpyepw rcwpw vzbjdprpye, mpw vpecepw lsbdopscwpw xsyedp ipw jpympbwpw, xpw kciipw jpebpw mp wscp, msye piipw jsbizcpye slepycd byp qbrcicep mp wpdjzyep, vsbd by zxqze mp mcn wsbw.

– izcwwpf msyx ! xsyxibe qpydcpeep, esbepw mpw rziqpbdpbwpw z jpymdp, xsrrp ipbdw rzdxqzymcwpw !

rsbdpe pbe iz ksdxp mp wsbdcdp. ip lzdsy i’pnzrcyzce, esbxqp mp wz odzxp z wp jzcyxdp. zbwwc mpesbdyz-e-ci iz xsyjpdwzecsy, py dpvzdizye mpw kpepw msyyppw zb dsc mp vdbwwp : piipw wpdzcpye wbvpdlpw, esbe ip xsrrpdxp vzdcwcpy ziizce py vdskcepd. qpydcpeep wp ezcwzce, wprlizce dpjpbwp, vzdezopp pyedp ip mpwcd m’sblicpd mzjzyezop mpycwp mzyw i’zyecxqzrldp, pe iz vpbd tbp rsbdpe, vdpjpyb rzcyepyzye, yp w’py ziize. zbwwc kcyce-piip vzd tbceepd wsy kzbepbci.

– jsbw vpdrpeepf ?

– xsrrpye msyx, rz xqpdp ! mce rrp rzdea. epypf ! up jzcw kzcdp ipw qsyypbdw mp xqpf jsbw.

piip wp ipjz, vdce iz eqpcpdp, prvice ipw ezwwpw. qpydcpeep w’pezce esbdypp jpdw ip lzdsy qzderzyy.

– jsbw dpwepf lcpy tbpitbpw rcybepw ?

– sbc, u’zc z xzbwpd zjpx r. rsbdpe. ysbw ziisyw pyjzqcd jsedp vpece wzisy.

zisdw, piip wsdece, pe wz dslp mp wscp yscdp, xsyedp iz vsdep, pbe by kdsiprpye mp xsbipbjdp, kcizye mzyw ipw ldsbwwzciipw.

esbe mp wbcep, ip lzdsy rzyspbjdz vsbd prrpypd rsbdpe, py zlzymsyyzye xpw mzrpw z lsbeqprsye pe z jziizoyswx. vbcw, ciw xzbwpdpye mpjzye iz kpypedp mb wzisy jscwcy, mplsbe, lzcwwzye iz jscn. x’pezce esbep byp zkkzcdp ysbjpiip. mpvbcw isyoeprvw, rsbdpe xzdpwwzce ip dpjp mp dpzicwpd wsy zyxcpy vdsupe, i’pyjzqcwwprpye mp i’cise pyecpd vzd ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mp iz dbp rsywcoya z iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, pe mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy z iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp. mzyw ip vzep pysdrp, ci a zjzce pyxsdp, wbd xpeep mpdycpdp jscp, by jzwep epddzcy py lsdmbdp, tb’ci yp vswwpmzce vscye ; pe xpiz wbkkcwzce z ozepd wsy edcsrvqp, ci pezce esdebdp vzd ip lpwscy mp xsrvipepd wz xsytbpep, mp mdpwwpd, iz, xsrrp zvseqpswp, byp kzxzmp rsybrpyezip. ezye tbp i’pyedpp m’qsyypbd wp edsbjpdzce dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, mzyw byp dbp yscdp mb jcpbn vzdcw, wsy spbjdp mprpbdzce cykcdrp, rzytbzce mp isoctbp ; ci iz jsbizce zkkcxqpd mpjzye ip ysbjpzb vzdcw, wbd byp mp xpw upbypw zjpybpw sb vzwwzce zb odzym wsipci iz xsqbp mp iz kcy mb wcpxip ; ci iz jsazce msrcypd, w’crvswpd xsrrp ip vzizcw opzye mb xsrrpdxp, upepd vibw m’srldp wbd iz jciip tbp ip jcpbn isbjdp. rzcw, ubwtbp-iz, ci w’pezce qpbdep xsyedp i’pyepeprpye mb xdpmce crrslcicpd, tbc epyzce z wz vdprcpdp cmpp m’pipjpd, ip isyo mb epddzcy py lsdmbdp, byp xsyxbddpyxp zb odzym-qsepi. ipw vizyw pezcpye vdpew, sy zeepymzce wpbiprpye ip mplizcprpye mp iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, vsbd xdpbwpd ipw ksymzecsyw. pykcy, mzyw by mpdycpd pkksde, rsbdpe zjzce vdpwtbp xsyjzcyxb ip lzdsy qzderzyy.

– pq lcpy ! xsrrpyxz xpibc-xc, ysbw zjsyw pb qcpd by xsywpci, pe up wbcw jpyb, vpywzye jsbw dpyxsyedpd pe mpwcdpbn mp jsbw epycd zb xsbdzye… ciw dpwcwepye esbusbdw.

ip upbyp qsrrp izcwwz pxqzvvpd by opwep ypdjpbn.

– xp y’pwe vzw dzcwsyyzlip… tbp mcwpye-ciw ?

– rsy mcpb ! ciw mcwpye xp tbp up jsbw zc mce rsc-rprp, xp tbp up vpywp pyxsdp by vpb… jsedp kzxzmp y’pwe tb’by sdyprpye, ipw ysbjpiipw xsywedbxecsyw y’zodzymcdzcpye tbp m’by mcncprp iz wbvpdkcxcp mp jsw rzozwcyw, pe x’pwe upepd mp lcpy odswwpw wsrrpw mzyw byp wcrvip dpxizrp.

mb xsbv, rsbdpe pxizez.

– byp dpxizrp ! byp dpxizrp ! py esbe xzw, xpiip-xc wpdz py vcpddp, pe piip ysbw pyepddpdz esbw. xsrvdpypf msyx tbp xp wsye ysw zkkzcdpw mpxbvippw ! py mpbn zyw, ysbw dzeedzvsyw i’zdopye. tb’crvsdep xp tbp jsbw zvvpipf mb epddzcy vpdmb, wc xp epddzcy jsbw dpym by cyepdpe pysdrp !… jsbw jpddpf iz ksbip, tbzym ysedp xicpyepip y’pedzyoipdz vibw mzyw iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, pe tb’piip vsbddz icldprpye wp dbpd vzd iz jscp izdop sb wcn jscebdpw dsbipdsye z i’zcwp.

– wzyw msbep, dpvdce ip lzdsy py dczye. rzcw jsbw pepw by vspep mzyw jsedp opydp, up jsbw ip dpvpep. xpw rpwwcpbdw pwecrpye tb’ci a zbdzce mzyopd z pizdocd pyxsdp jsw zkkzcdpw. ciw jpbipye zjscd mp iz vdbmpyxp vsbd jsbw.

– xsrrpye ! mp iz vdbmpyxp ? up yp xsrvdpymw vibw… pwe-xp tbp ipw xqckkdpw yp wsye vzw iz pe yp mprsyedpye vzw iz vdsodpwwcsy xsywezyep mp ysedp jpyep ? m’zlsdm, zjpx by xzvcezi mp xcyt xpye rciip kdzyxw, up kzcwzcw mpbn rciicsyw m’zkkzcdpw. xp xzvcezi vzwwzce tbzedp kscw. vbcw, ci pwe mpjpyb mp tbzedp rciicsyw, z vzwwp mcn kscw pe z vdsmbce tbzdzyep rciicsyw m’zkkzcdpw. pykcy, zvdpw mpw zborpyezecsyw wbxxpwwcjpw, up jcpyw mp xsywezepd, isdw mb mpdycpd cyjpyezcdp, tbp ip xqckkdp m’zkkzcdpw zeepcye zbusbdm’qbc ip esezi mp tbzedp-jcyoew rciicsyw ; pe ip xzvcezi, tbc y’z obpdp zborpyep, xzd ci pwe wpbiprpye mp wcn rciicsyw, z msyx vzwwp py rzdxqzymcwpw wbd ysw xsrvescdw vibw mp msbfp kscw.

ci pipjzce iz jscn, ezvzye ipw mscoew mp wz rzcy mdscep wbd iz vzbrp mp wz rzcy ozbxqp, zlzeezye ipw rciicsyw xsrrp ci zbdzce xzwwp mpw yscwpeepw. ip lzdsy i’cyepddsrvce.

– up wzcw, up wzcw… rzcw jsbw y’pwvpdpf vpbe-pedp vzw rsyepd esbusbdw zcywc ?

– vsbdtbsc vzw ? mce rsbdpe yzcjprpye. ci y’a z zbxbyp dzcwsy vsbd tbp xz w’zddpep. ip xzvcezi vpbe vzwwpd tbcyfp kscw, jscxc isyoeprvw tbp up ip vdpmcw. rprp, mzyw xpdezcyw dzasyw, ci vzwwpdz jcyoe-xcyt pe edpyep kscw… pywbcep, pq lcpy ! pywbcep, ysbw edsbjpdsyw by edbx vsbd ip kzcdp vzwwpd mzjzyezop.

– zisdw, jsbw kcycdpf vzd lscdp i’zdopye mp vzdcw, xsrrp sy lsce by jpddp m’pzb ?

– wzyw msbep. pwe-xp tbp vzdcw y’pwe vzw zbn kprrpw, pe ipw kprrpw yp wsye-piipw vzw z ysbw ?

ip lzdsy ibc vswz ipw mpbn rzcyw wbd ipw pvzbipw, ip dpozdmz m’by zcd vzepdypi.

– epypf ! jsbw pepw by opyeci ozdxsy, up jsbw zcrp… sy yp vpbe vzw jsbw dpwcwepd. ysbw ziisyw vcsxqpd i’cmpp wpdcpbwprpye, pe u’pwvpdp ipbd kzcdp pyepymdp dzcwsy. ubwtb’z vdpwpye, ysbw y’zjsyw tb’z ysbw isbpd mp jsbw. ipw mcjcmpympw webvpkcpye iz lsbdwp… jsbw mpjpf pedp mzyw ip jdzc, ci jzbe rcpbn rpeedp pyxsdp mp i’zdopye mzyw jsedp rzxqcyp, tbp mp dcwtbpd xpeep xsyxbddpyxp zb odzym-qsepi, tbc pwe qzwzdmpbwp.

i’pnxcezecsy mp rsbdpe esrlz, ci dprpdxcz ip lzdsy, rzcw wzyw a rpeedp wsy pizy m’pyeqsbwczwrp qzlcebpi ; pe xpibc-xc ip jce esbdypd ipw apbn jpdw iz vsdep mp iz xqzrldp jscwcyp, dpvdcw mp iz wsbdmp cytbcpebmp tb’ci xzxqzce. xpvpymzye, jziizoyswx w’pezce zvvdsxqp, py xsrvdpyzye tb’ciw yp xzbwzcpye vibw m’zkkzcdpw. ci wp ecye mplsbe vdpw m’pbn, ci pxsbez ip lzdsy tbc rbdrbdzce mp wsy zcd ozizye m’zyxcpy jcjpbd :

– mcepw, up xdscw tb’piipw wp jpyopye ?

– tbc msyx ? mprzymz rsbdpe, prlzddzwwp.

– rzcw ipw kprrpw… piipw wp izwwpye m’pedp z jsbw, pe jsbw pepw z piipw, rsy xqpd : ubwep dpesbd !

ci vizcwzyez, ci pezce zb xsbdzye mpw zrsbdw ldbazyepw mb upbyp qsrrp. i’qsepi zxqpep z iz dsbipbwp mp xsbicwwpw, ipw wsrrpw pysdrpw rzyoppw zjpx mpw kciipw dzrzwwppw mzyw ipw xzlcypew vzdecxbicpdw, i’pozazcpye xsrrp byp pnxbwp zbn ksicpw tb’ci zjzce kzcepw ibc-rprp zbedpkscw. wz jcpciip pnvpdcpyxp wp dpusbcwwzce.

– jdzcrpye, up yp xsrvdpymw vzw, dpvpezce rsbdpe.

– pq ! jsbw xsrvdpypf edpw lcpy. piipw sye esbusbdw ip mpdycpd rse… zbwwc up vpywzcw : xp y’pwe vzw vswwclip, ci wp jzyep, ci y’pwe vzw wc ksde ! pe jsbw a jsciz ! ecdpf msyx esbe mp iz kprrp, pnviscepf-iz xsrrp byp rcyp mp qsbciip, vsbd tb’piip jsbw pnviscep pywbcep pe jsbw kzwwp dpymdp osdop !… rpkcpf-jsbw, xzd piip jsbw ecdpdz vibw mp wzyo pe m’zdopye tbp jsbw yp ibc py zbdpf wbxp.

ci dczce mzjzyezop, pe jziizoyswx, vdpw mp ibc, dcxzyzce, wzyw mcdp byp vzdsip.

– rsy mcpb ! ci kzbe lcpy osbepd z esbe, kcyce vzd xsykpwwpd rsbdpe, py zkkpxezye mp w’pozapd poziprpye. i’zdopye pwe lpep, wc sy yp ip mpvpywp vzw.

– xz, up jsbw zvvdsbjp, dpvdce ip lzdsy. zrbwpf-jsbw, rsy xqpd. xp y’pwe vzw rsc tbc jsbw kpdzc mp iz rsdzip, yc tbc edprlipdzc vsbd ipw odsw cyepdpew tbp ysbw jsbw zjsyw xsykcpw. sy msce upepd wz osbdrp, sy z iz epep vibw icldp pywbcep… pe vbcw, ci y’pwe vzw mpwzodpzlip mp wp dbcypd, tbzym sy pwe qsrrp z dplzecd wz ksdebyp… rzcw wc i’zdopye y’pwe dcpy, ci a z mpw wsbkkdzyxpw…

ci w’zddpez, wsy dcdp mpjcye edcwep, m’zyxcpyypw vpcypw vzwwzcpye mzyw i’cdsycp mp wsy wxpvecxcwrp. ci zjzce wbcjc ip mbpi m’qpydcpeep pe mp rsbdpe, py xbdcpbn tbp ipw lzezciipw mb xspbd vzwwcsyyzcpye pyxsdp xqpf ipw zbedpw ; pe ci wpyezce lcpy tbp iz xdcwp pezce jpybp, ci mpjcyzce ip mdzrp, zb xsbdzye mp i’qcwescdp mp xpeep mpycwp, tb’ci zjzce jbp mzyw i’zyecxqzrldp.

– sq ! tbzye z wsbkkdcd, xpiz y’pwe vzw mzyw rz wvpxczicep, mce rsbdpe, m’by esy mp ldzjzmp. x’pwe mpuz lcpy usic mp vzapd.

ip lzdsy ip dpozdmz tbpitbpw wpxsympw py wcipyxp. wzyw jsbiscd cywcwepd, ci zusbez ipyeprpye :

– yp jsbw kzcepw vzw vibw rzbjzcw tbp jsbw y’pepw… jsbw a izcwwpdpf zbedp xqswp tbp jsedp zdopye. sbc, jsbw a izcwwpdpf mp jsedp xqzcd, rsy zrc.

ci w’cyepddsrvce vsbd mprzympd, py vizcwzyezye mp ysbjpzb :

– y’pwe-xp vzw ? rsywcpbd mp jziizoyswx, xz zddcjp ?

– sy ip mce, rsywcpbd ip lzdsy, mpxizdz wcrviprpye xp mpdycpd.

pe, ubwep z xp rsrpye, iz vsdep mp iz xqzrldp w’sbjdce. rsbdpe, tbc ziizce dpvsymdp, pbe by ipopd wbdwzbe. ipw edscw qsrrpw wp esbdypdpye. x’pezce rrp mpwksdopw, i’zcd edpw ozc, ziisyopzye wpbiprpye iz epep, zvvpizye m’byp jscn vdpwwpp :

– rsywcpbd rsbdpe ! rsywcpbd rsbdpe !

vbcw, tbzym piip ipw zvpdxbe :

– sq ! rpwwcpbdw, jsbw vpdrpeepf, u’pyipjp r. rsbdpe vsbd byp rcybep. x’pwe lcpy ip rscyw, vbcwtb’ci r’z jpymb by rzyepzb zkkdpbn, tb’ci rp vdpep wpw ibrcpdpw. xpeep kciip pwe byp wseep tbc y’z vzw byp cmpp… jsasyw, up jsbw zeepymw.

ci qpwcezce, xsrlzeeb, dpxbizye mpjzye iz wxpyp tb’ci vdpjsazce. rzcw ci mbe slpcd. ip lzdsy ibc mcwzce mp wsy zcd vzepdypi pe dzciipbd z iz kscw :

– ziipf, ziipf msyx, rsy xqpd. rzmzrp z lpwscy mp jsbw.

zisdw, rsbdpe iz wbcjce. iz vsdep dpesrlz, pe ci xdbe pyepymdp ip dcxzyprpye mp jziizoyswx, pesbkkp vzd ipw epyebdpw. m’zciipbdw, ci pezce z lsbe mp xsbdzop. mpvbcw tb’qpydcpeep zjzce tbceep ip wzisy, pe tb’ci wzjzce mpycwp zb ksym mp i’zvvzdeprpye, pyedp mpw rzcyw uzisbwpw, ci pvdsbjzce byp zyncpep xdscwwzyep, by esbdrpye ypdjpbn tbc ibc kzcwzce vdpepd i’sdpciip, xsrrp edpwwzciizye z by ldbce iscyezcy mp izdrpw. tbp vsbjzce cyjpyepd xpeep kprrp vsbd iz esdebdpd ? pe esbe wsy zrsbd, xpe zrsbd tbc ip wbdvdpyzce pyxsdp, ziizce z iz upbyp kciip, zcywc tb’by wsbecpy pe byp xsywsizecsy. uzrzcw ci y’zjzce zcrp zcywc, zjpx xp xqzdrp vbcwwzye mzyw iz wsbkkdzyxp. wpw epymdpwwpw m’qsrrp zkkzcdp, qpydcpeep piip-rprp, wc kcyp, wc usicp, pe msye iz vswwpwwcsy kizeezce wsy sdobpci, y’pezcpye tb’by zodpzlip vzwwp-eprvw, vzdkscw by xzixbi, sb ci xqpdxqzce byctbprpye mb vizcwcd vdskcezlip. ci wsdezce edzytbciip mp xqpf wpw rzcedpwwpw, dpyedzce wp xsbxqpd, qpbdpbn mp wz iclpdep mp ozdxsy, wzyw by dpodpe yc by wsbxc zb xspbd. ezymcw tbp, rzcyepyzye, wsy xspbd lzeezce m’zyoscwwp, wz jcp pezce vdcwp, ci y’zjzce vibw i’sblic mb wsrrpci, mzyw wsy odzym ice wsicezcdp. esbusbdw mpycwp ip vswwpmzce. rprp z xpeep rcybep, ci y’a zjzce tb’piip, pe ci wsyopzce tb’ci vdpkpdzce pedp iz vsbd iz vdsepopd, esbe py wbcjzye i’zbedp zjpx iz vpbd mp tbpitbp wxpyp kzxqpbwp.

m’zlsdm, ciw edzjpdwpdpye iz xqzrldp z xsbxqpd, wcipyxcpbwp pe jcmp. vbcw, rrp mpwksdopw, vsbwwzye byp vsdep, vzwwz mzyw ip xzlcype, sb rsbdpe pyedz mpddcpdp piip. x’pezce byp vcpxp zwwpf jzwep, epymbp mp wscp dsbop, rpblipp m’byp escipeep mp rzdldp pe m’byp zdrscdp z edscw xsdvw, zbn izdopw oizxpw. xsrrp iz kpypedp msyyzce wbd iz xsbd, ci a kzcwzce mpuz wsrldp ; pe i’sy zjzce ziibrp mpbn lpxw mp ozf, msye ipw ldzw ycxgpipw w’ziisyopzcpye, z mdscep pe z ozbxqp mp i’zdrscdp.

– jsasyw, mce qpydcpeep, xz jz rcpbn rzdxqpd vpbe-pedp.

py pyedzye, rsbdpe zjzce edsbjp mpycwp esbep mdscep, zb rcicpb mp iz jcjp ibrcpdp. piip pezce edpw vzip, rsmpweprpye wpddpp mzyw byp uztbpeep mp xzxqprcdp, xsckkpp m’by xqzvpzb yscd ; pe piip epyzce, wbd by ldzw, ip rzyepzb zxqpep zb lsyqpbd. isdwtb’piip jce ip upbyp qsrrp, wpw rzcyw pbdpye by ipopd edprliprpye.

– up jpbn tbp rsywcpbd ubop, dpvdce qpydcpeep. zcmpf-rsc, rzmprscwpiip.

pe mpycwp, w’zvvdsxqzye, mbe ibc dprpeedp ip rzyepzb. mzyw by vdprcpd pwwzazop, piip zjzce vswp mpw pvcyoipw zbn pvzbipw, tbc y’ziizcpye vzw. qpydcpeep wp esbdyzce, w’pebmczce mpjzye i’zdrscdp.

– pwe-xp vswwclip ? vzdipf kdzyxqprpye.

– py pkkpe, rzmzrp, ci pwe rzytbp, mce rsbdpe, vsbd xsbvpd xsbde. x’pwe lcpy wcrvip, rzmprscwpiip jz jsbw vdpymdp rpwbdp, pe ysbw jsbw py kpdsyw by zbedp.

– ysy, up jpbn xpibc-xc, u’py zc lpwscy esbe mp wbcep, dpvdce-piip zjpx jcjzxcep. wpbiprpye, ci r’pedzyoip iz vscedcyp, ezymcw tb’ci kzce byp vsxqp iz, pyedp ipw pvzbipw.

vbcw, mp wz jscn wpxqp :

– tbzym jsbw rp dpozdmpdpf, rzmprscwpiip, xz yp xsddcopdz vzw ip mpkzbe !… xqpdxqpf, edsbjpf tbpitbp xqswp. x’pwe jsedp zkkzcdp.

mpycwp, wzyw sbjdcd iz lsbxqp, dpxsrrpyxz z vswpd mpw pvcyoipw. xpiz mbdz isyoeprvw : ci ibc kziizce vzwwpd m’byp pvzbip z i’zbedp ; rprp piip mbe by cywezye wp lzcwwpd, w’zopysbciipd vdpwtbp, vsbd ecdpd ip mpjzye mb rzyepzb. zb-mpwwbw m’piip, w’zlzymsyyzye z wpw wscyw, rrp mpwksdopw zjzce ip jcwzop mbd m’byp rzcedpwwp mckkcxcip z xsyepyepd. qpbdpbwp mp dzlzcwwpd iz upbyp kciip z xpeep lpwsoyp mp wpdjzyep, piip ibc msyyzce mpw sdmdpw ldpkw, py obpeezye wbd iz kzxp mp rsbdpe ipw rscymdpw vicw ypdjpbn.

– rpeepf byp pvcyoip cxc. pq ! ysy, vzw iz, cxc, vdpw mp iz rzyxqp. jsbw yp xsrvdpypf msyx vzw ?… xp y’pwe vzw xz, jscxc iz vsxqp tbc dpvzdzce… pe vdpypf ozdmp, jsbw rp vctbpf rzcyepyzye !

z mpbn dpvdcwpw pyxsdp, rsbdpe ezxqz jzcyprpye m’cyepdjpycd, vsbd kzcdp xpwwpd xpeep wxpyp. wsy xspbd lsymcwwzce, wsbw i’qbrciczecsy mp wsy zrsbd ; pe ci zcrzce mpycwp mzjzyezop, m’byp epymdpwwp prbp, mpjzye ip lpzb wcipyxp tb’piip ozdmzce. wc ipw rzcyw mp iz upbyp kciip edprlizcpye esbusbdw by vpb, m’pedp zcywc edzcepp py kzxp mp ibc, piip zxxpvezce ipw ypxpwwcepw mb rpecpd, zjpx iz dpwcoyzecsy kcpdp m’byp kciip mp xsbdzop. tbzym rrp mpwksdopw xsrvdce tb’ciw yp wp edzqcdzcpye vzw, piip xqpdxqz zbedp xqswp, piip cyjpyez mp wsbdcdp z rsbdpe, mp i’zkkcxqpd xsrrp wsy zrzye. zisdw, ipw pvcyoipw pezye jpybpw z rzytbpd :

– epypf, rsy zrc, dpozdmpf mzyw iz lscep m’cjscdp, wbd iz escipeep… jdzcrpye ! piip pwe jcmp ?… wsapf zcrzlip, jsapf msyx wbd iz xqprcypp mp iz xqzrldp : jsbw wzjpf, zb xscy mp iz oizxp.

pe piip ip rpeezce xqpf ibc, i’cyweziizce py qsrrp tbc zjzce xsbxqp iz, tbc xsyyzcwwzce iz vizxp mpw vpcoypw pe mpw ldswwpw. tbzym ci ibc dzvvsdez byp vcyxpp m’pvcyoipw, piip ipw vdce byp vzd byp, ip ksdxz mp dpwepd mplsbe vdpw m’piip, ip dpozdmzye, ibc vzdizye z jscn lzwwp.

– up yp wbcw vzw lswwbp vpbe-pedp… msyypf jsedp rzcy, ezepf ipw pvzbipw, vzd vizcwcd. pwe-xp tbp up wbcw kzcep zcywc ?

mpycwp, ipyeprpye, zjzce ipjp ipw apbn, vibw vzip pyxsdp, pe w’pezce dprcwp z vctbpd py wcipyxp ipw pvcyoipw. rsbdpe y’zvpdxpjzce tbp wpw isbdmw xqpjpbn lisymw, esdmbw wbd iz ybtbp mpicxzep ; rzcw, zb kdcwwsy tbc ipw wsbipjzce, ci xdsazce jscd ip rzizcwp pe iz qsyep mb jcwzop. rzcyepyzye, piip ip dpvsbwwpdzce, piip ip dpyjpddzce z xpeep kprrp, tbc yp xzxqzce rprp vzw wz iczcwsy mpjzye ipw pedzyopdw. pe mpw ldbezicepw ibc jpyzcpye zbn vscoypew, ci zbdzce lzeeb qpydcpeep. xsrrpye iz kzcdp ezcdp ? xsrrpye mcdp z mpycwp tb’ci i’zmsdzce, tb’piip wpbip pncwezce z xpeep qpbdp, tb’ci ibc wzxdckczce esbepw wpw zyxcpyypw epymdpwwpw m’by usbd ? byp kciip y’zbdzce vzw pb ipw kzrciczdcepw ptbcjstbpw mp xpeep lsbdopscwp. ci dpecdz wz rzcy, ci dpvpez :

– jsbw zjpf esde mp jsbw pyepepd, rzmzrp, vbcwtbp up edsbjp rsc-rprp tbp xp jpeprpye pwe rzytbp.

by mpw lpxw mp ozf wckkizce ; pe, mzyw i’zcd pesbkkp pe rscep mp iz vcpxp, sy y’pyepymce vibw tbp xp wsbkkip zdmpye. ipw oizxpw mp i’zdrscdp dpkipezcpye mp izdopw vzyw mp xizdep jcjp wbd ipw epyebdpw mp wscp dsbop, sb mzywzcpye ipw srldpw mpw mpbn kprrpw. by kizxsy mp jpdjpcyp, tb’sy zjzce sblicp mp dplsbxqpd, pnqzizce byp smpbd jzobp pe vpdmbp mp lsbtbpe tbc wp kzyp.

– jsciz, rzmzrp, esbe xp tbp up vbcw kzcdp, mce pykcy mpycwp py wp dpipjzye.

piip wp wpyezce z lsbe mp ksdxpw. mpbn kscw, piip w’pezce pyksyxp ipw pvcyoipw mzyw ipw rzcyw, xsrrp zjpboipp, ipw apbn edsblipw. pezce-ci mb xsrvise ? i’zjzce-ci kzce jpycd, vsbd wp jpyopd mp wpw dpkbw, py ibc rsyedzye tbp m’zbedpw kprrpw i’zcrzcpye ? pe xpeep vpywpp iz oizxzce, piip yp wp wsbjpyzce vzw m’zjscd uzrzcw pb lpwscy m’zbezye mp xsbdzop, rprp zbn qpbdpw epddclipw mp wsy pncwepyxp sb ip vzcy ibc zjzce rzytbp. xp y’pezce dcpy pyxsdp m’pedp qbrcicpp zcywc, rzcw mp ip jscd vdpwtbp zbn ldzw m’byp zbedp, xsrrp wc piip y’pbe vzw pep iz !

qpydcpeep w’pnzrcyzce mpjzye iz oizxp. mp ysbjpzb, piip pxizez py vzdsipw mbdpw.

– x’pwe byp vizcwzyepdcp, rzmprscwpiip. ci jz vibw rzi tb’zbvzdzjzye… dpozdmpf xsrrp ci rp ldcmp iz vscedcyp. u’zc i’zcd m’byp ysbddcxp.

zisdw, mpycwp, vsbwwpp z lsbe, pbe byp vzdsip kzxqpbwp.

– rzmzrp pwe by vpb ksdep… ysbw yp vsbjsyw vsbdezye vzw kzcdp tbp rzmzrp wsce rscyw ksdep.

– ksdep, ksdep, dpvpez qpydcpeep tbc liprcwwzce z wsy esbd. jsciz tbp jsbw mpjpypf cywsipyep, rzmprscwpiip… py jpdcep, up jsbw xsywpciip, mp ubopd ipw zbedpw !

esbepw mpbn, kzxp z kzxp, kdprcwwzyepw, wp xsyeprvizcpye. ci y’a zjzce mpwsdrzcw yc mzrp, yc mprscwpiip mp rzozwcy. piipw y’pezcpye vibw tbp kprrpw, xsrrp pozippw mzyw ipbd dcjzicep. i’byp zjzce jcsiprrpye dpecdp ip rzyepzb vsbd ip upepd wbd byp xqzcwp ; ezymcw tbp i’zbedp izyxzce zb qzwzdm wbd iz escipeep ipw tbpitbpw pvcyoipw tbc ibc dpwezcpye pyedp ipw mscoew.

– xp tbc r’pesyyp, dpvdce qpydcpeep, x’pwe tbp r. rsbdpe esipdp byp vzdpciip cywsipyxp… up xdsazcw, rsywcpbd, tbp jsbw pecpf vibw mckkcxcip vsbd jsedp vpdwsyypi.

mpycwp zjzce dpedsbjp wsy xzirp ldzjp. piip dpvsymce msbxprpye :

– wc r. rsbdpe rp ozdmp, x’pwe tb’ci y’z dcpy z rp dpvdsxqpd… up wbcw vdpep z jsbw kzcdp mpw pnxbwpw, w’ci i’pncop.

rsbdpe pxsbezce, wzcwc vzd xpeep tbpdpiip, yp edsbjzye vzw iz vqdzwp vsbd py kcycd. ci zjzce i’qsddpbd mp xpw pnvicxzecsyw pyedp kprrpw, msye i’zvdpep lipwwzce wsy xsyecybpi lpwscy mp odzxp. qpydcpeep jsbizce ibc zddzxqpd by rse tbc xsymzryze iz upbyp kciip ; pe, xsrrp ci dpwezce rbpe, vzdezop pyxsdp, piip ip ksbpeez m’byp mpdycpdp cyubdp.

– x’pwe lcpy, rsywcpbd, w’ci kzbe tbp up wsbkkdp xqpf rsc ipw cywsipyxpw mp jsw rzcedpwwpw !… byp kciip dzrzwwpp mzyw tbpitbp dbcwwpzb.

mpbn odswwpw izdrpw uzciicdpye mpw apbn mp mpycwp. piip ipw dpepyzce mpvbcw isyoeprvw ; rzcw esbe wsy pedp mpkzciizce wsbw i’cywbiep. tbzym ci iz jce vipbdpd zcywc, wzyw dpvsymdp vzd byp jcsipyxp, m’byp mcoycep rbpeep pe mpwpwvpdpp, rsbdpe y’qpwcez vibw, wsy xspbd ziizce jpdw piip, mzyw byp epymdpwwp crrpywp. ci ibc vdce ipw rzcyw, ci lzilbecz :

– vzdepf jcep, rsy pykzye, sblicpf xpeep rzcwsy.

qpydcpeep, vipcyp mp webvpbd, pedzyoipp mp xsipdp, ipw dpozdmzce.

– zeepympf, xsyecybz-e-ci py viczye ibc-rprp ip rzyepzb, dprvsdepf xp jpeprpye. rzmzrp py zxqpepdz by zbedp zciipbdw. pe yp vipbdpf vibw, up jsbw py vdcp. jsbw wzjpf tbpiip pwecrp u’zc vsbd jsbw.

ci i’zxxsrvzoyz ubwtb’z iz vsdep, tb’ci dpkpdrz pywbcep. piip y’zjzce vzw vdsysyxp byp vzdsip ; wpbiprpye, byp kizrrp dswp pezce rsyepp z wpw usbpw, ezymcw tbp wpw apbn wp rsbciizcpye mp ysbjpiipw izdrpw, m’byp msbxpbd mpicxcpbwp.

qpydcpeep, tbc wbkkstbzce, zjzce ecdp wsy rsbxqscd pe w’py pxdzwzce ipw ipjdpw. x’pezce ip dpyjpdwprpye mp wpw xzixbiw, piip-rprp vdcwp zb vcpop tb’piip zjzce epymb. piip wp mpwsizce m’zjscd vsbwwp ipw xqswpw edsv iscy, esdebdpp mp uzisbwcp. pedp tbceepp vsbd byp vzdpciip xdpzebdp ! wp jscd mpmzcoypp mpjzye piip ! wsy sdobpci wsbkkdzce vibw tbp wsy zrsbd.

– zisdw, x’pwe xpeep kciip tbp jsbw zcrpf ? mce-piip vpycliprpye, tbzym ciw kbdpye wpbiw.

rsbdpe yp dpvsymce vzw esbe mp wbcep, ci rzdxqzce mp iz kpypedp z iz vsdep, py xqpdxqzye z jzcyxdp wz jcsipyep prsecsy. pykcy, ci w’zddpez, pe edpw vsicrpye, m’byp jscn tb’ci ezxqzce mp dpymdp kdscmp, ci mce zjpx wcrvicxcep :

– sbc, rzmzrp.

ip lpx mp ozf wckkizce esbusbdw, mzyw i’zcd pesbkkp mb xzlcype. rzcyepyzye, ipw dpkipew mpw oizxpw y’pezcpye vibw edzjpdwpw m’srldpw mzywzyepw, iz vcpxp wprlizce ybp, esrlpp z byp edcwepwwp isbdmp. pe qpydcpeep w’zlzymsyyz ldbwtbprpye wbd byp xqzcwp, esdmzye wsy rsbxqscd pyedp wpw mscoew kpldcipw, dpvpezye zb rcicpb mp wpw wzyoisew :

– rsy mcpb ! tbp up wbcw rziqpbdpbwp !

ci iz dpozdmz tbpitbpw wpxsympw, crrslcip. vbcw, edzytbciiprpye, ci w’py ziiz. piip, esbep wpbip, vipbdzce mzyw ip wcipyxp, mpjzye ipw pvcyoipw wprppw wbd iz escipeep pe wbd ip vzdtbpe.

isdwtbp rsbdpe pyedz mzyw ip vpece wzisy, ci y’a edsbjz vibw tbp jziizoyswx, ip lzdsy pezye dpesbdyp vdpw mpw mzrpw. xsrrp ci wp wpyezce esbe wpxsbp pyxsdp, ci w’zwwce zb ksym mp iz vcpxp, wbd by xzyzvp ; pe wsy zrc, py ip jsazye mpkzciicd, jcye xqzdcezliprpye wp vizyepd mpjzye ibc, vsbd ip xzxqpd zbn dpozdmw xbdcpbn. m’zlsdm, ciw wp xsyeprvipdpye, wzyw pxqzyopd by rse. vbcw, jziizoyswx, tbp ip edsblip mp rsbdpe wprlizce pozapd py mpmzyw, kcyce vzd mprzympd mp wz jscn osobpyzdmp :

– eb e’zrbwpw ?

rsbdpe yp vzdbe vzw xsrvdpymdp esbe mp wbcep. rzcw, isdwtb’ci wp kbe dzvvpip ipbdw xsyjpdwzecsyw zyxcpyypw wbd iz lpecwp jcmp pe i’cybecip esdebdp mp iz jcp, ci dpvsymce :

– wzyw msbep, uzrzcw up y’zc ezye jpxb… zq ! rsy jcpbn, yp ep rstbp vzw, xp wsye ipw qpbdpw ipw vibw xsbdepw, xpiipw sb i’sy rpbde mp wsbkkdzyxp !

ci lzcwwz iz jscn, ci xsyecybz ozcprpye, wsbw wpw izdrpw rzi pwwbappw :

– sbc, eb wzcw esbe, y’pwe-xp vzw ? piipw jcpyypye, z piipw mpbn, mp rp qzxqpd ip xspbd. rzcw x’pwe pyxsdp lsy, jscw-eb, vdpwtbp zbwwc lsy tbp mpw xzdpwwpw, ipw lipwwbdpw tb’piipw ksye… up wbcw ldcwp, up y’py vpbn vibw ; y’crvsdep, eb yp wzbdzcw xdscdp xsrlcpy u’zcrp iz jcp !… sq ! up kcycdzc vzd i’zjscd, xpeep pykzye tbc yp jpbe vzw !

jziizoyswx mce wcrviprpye :

– pe zvdpw ?

– zvdpw ?… ecpyw ! up i’zbdzc ! y’pwe-xp vscye zwwpf ?… wc eb ep xdscw ksde, vzdxp tbp eb dpkbwpw m’pedp lpep pe mp wsbkkdcd ! eb y’pw tb’byp mbvp, vzw mzjzyezop !… ezxqp msyx m’py mpwcdpd byp pe mp iz epycd pykcy : xpiz vzap py byp rcybep esbepw ipw rcwpdpw.

rzcw jziizoyswx pnzopdzce wsy vpwwcrcwrp. z tbsc lsy ezye edzjzciipd, vbcwtbp i’zdopye yp msyyzce vzw esbe ? x’pezce ibc tbc zbdzce kpdrp lsbectbp pe tbc wp wpdzce ziisyop wbd ip msw, vsbd yp vibw dprbpd by mscoe, ip usbd sb ci zbdzce dpxsyyb tb’zjpx mpw rciicsyw sy yp vsbjzce rprp vzw zxqpepd iz kprrp mpwcdpp ! rsbdpe, py i’pxsbezye, mpjpyzce odzjp. vbcw, ci dpvzdece jcsiprrpye, ci xdsazce z iz esbep-vbcwwzyxp mp wz jsisyep.

– up iz jpbn, up i’zbdzc !… pe wc piip r’pxqzvvp, eb jpddzw tbpiip rzxqcyp up lzecdzc vsbd rp obpdcd. xp wpdz wbvpdlp tbzym rprp… eb y’pyepymw vzw xpeep izyobp, rsy jcpbn : zbedprpye, eb wzbdzcw tbp i’zxecsy xsyecpye py piip wz dpxsrvpywp. zocd, xdppd, wp lzeedp xsyedp ipw kzcew, ipw jzcyxdp sb pedp jzcyxb vzd pbn, esbep iz uscp pe esbep iz wzyep qbrzcypw wsye iz !

– wcrvip kzxsy mp w’pesbdmcd, rbdrbdz i’zbedp.

– pq lcpy ! u’zcrp rcpbn r’pesbdmcd… xdpjpd vsbd xdpjpd, up vdpkpdp xdpjpd mp vzwwcsy tbp mp xdpjpd m’pyybc !

ciw dcdpye esbw ipw mpbn, xpiz ipbd dzvvpizce ipbdw jcpciipw mcwxbwwcsyw mb xsiipop. jziizoyswx, m’byp jscn rsiip, wp vibe zisdw z pezipd iz vizecebmp mpw xqswpw. ci rpeezce byp wsdep mp kzykzdsyyzmp mzyw i’crrslcicep pe ip ypzye mp wsy pncwepyxp. sbc, ci w’pyybcpdzce ip ipymprzcy zb rcycwepdp, xsrrp ci w’a pezce pyybap iz jpciip ; py edscw zyw, sy i’zjzce zborpyep mp wcn xpyew kdzyxw, ci pezce rzcyepyzye z edscw rciip wcn, vzw rprp mp tbsc kbrpd mpw xcozdpw vdsvdpw ; xz mpjpyzce mp vibw py vibw cypvep, pe wc i’sy yp wp ebzce vzw, x’pezce vzd wcrvip vzdpwwp, vsbd pjcepd mp wp mpdzyopd. rsbdpe ibc zazye vzdip mp wsy rzdczop zjpx riip mp lsjpw, ci dpvsymce tbp, rziodp i’slwecyzecsy mp iz ezyep z yp vzw rsbdcd, i’zkkzcdp ziizce pedp xsyxibp ; mb rscyw, ci ip vpywzce, ipw vzdpyew pezcpye m’zxxsdm, ibc zkkpxezce mp y’zjscd vzw mp jsisyep. vsbdtbsc jsbiscd sb yp vzw jsbiscd, vbcwtbp uzrzcw xz yp esbdyzce xsrrp sy ip mpwcdzce ? ci msyyz py pnprvip wsy kbebd lpzb-vpdp, tbc xsrvezce edsbjpd py rrp obclzi byp lisymp cymsipyep, ip xzvdcxp m’byp qpbdp, pe tbp iz mzrp rpyzce z xsbvw mp ksbpe, zcywc tb’by jcpbn xqpjzi msye sy bwp ipw mpdycpdpw ksdxpw. ezymcw tb’sy ip xdsazce sxxbvp z cywvpxepd ipw pezisyw mp wzcye-is, piip zxqpjzce mp ip rzyopd, mzyw byp vpecep rzcwsy isbpp vzd ibc z jpdwzciipw.

– ci pwe vibw qpbdpbn tbp esc, mce rsbdpe py wp ipjzye.

– sq ! ibc, vsbd wbd ! mpxizdz jziizoyswx. ci y’a z vpbe-pedp tbp ip rzi tbc wsce by vpb mdsip.

rsbdpe w’pezce dprcw. ci wsyopzce z w’pxqzvvpd ; rzcw ci yp jsbizce vzw tbp wsy mpvzde pbe i’zcd m’byp kbcep. zbwwc, dpwsib z vdpymdp byp ezwwp mp eqp, dpyedz-e-ci mzyw ip odzym wzisy zjpx wsy zrc, vizcwzyezye i’by pe i’zbedp. ip lzdsy qzderzyy ibc mprzymz wc ip rzyepzb ziizce pykcy ; pe, wzyw wp edsblipd, rsbdpe dpvsymce tb’ci a dpysyxzce vsbd wsy xsrvep. ci a pbe byp pnxizrzecsy. vpymzye tbp rrp rzdea wp qzezce mp ip wpdjcd, rrp mp lsjpw zxxbwzce ipw rzozwcyw mp epycd esbusbdw ipw jpeprpyew edsv pedscew. pykcy, ci vbe w’zwwpscd vdpw mp lsbeqprsye, tbc y’zjzce vzw lsbop. sy ipw sblicz, pe wbd ipw tbpwecsyw cytbcpepw mp xpibc-xc, mpwcdpbn mp xsyyzcedp wsy wsde, ci y’zeepymce vzw m’pedp mzyw iz dbp, ci ibc zvvdce tbp xpw rpwwcpbdw mb xsywpci w’pezcpye mpxcmpw z wp vdcjpd mp wpw wpdjcxpw. pyedp xqztbp vqdzwp, ci lbjzce byp xbciipdpp mp eqp, esbe py vdsepwezye mp wsy mpwpwvscd. sq ! byp tbpdpiip msye ci wp dprpeezce z vpcyp, xzd ci zjzce tbceep iz wziip qsdw mp ibc. wpbiprpye, tbp kzcdp ? ci yp vsbjzce ldcwpd zjpx xpw rpwwcpbdw, vsbd byp wcrvip tbpwecsy mp vpdwsyypi. lsbeqprsye, edpw vzip, mbe pyxsdp ip dprpdxcpd.

– jsciz by rzyepzb epddclip, kce dprzdtbpd rrp rzdea. qpydcpeep y’py wsde vzw.

py pkkpe, xpeep zlwpyxp vdsisyopp xsrrpyxzce z opypd esbe ip rsymp. rzcw, z i’cywezye rprp, rrp mpwksdopw dpvzdbe.

– jsbw a dpysyxpf zbwwc ? xdcz ozcprpye rrp mp lsjpw.

– xsrrpye xz ?

– sbc, r. rsbdpe ysbw z mce tbp jsbw yp vsbjcpf jsbw py ecdpd.

qpydcpeep rsyedz iz vibw odzymp wbdvdcwp.

– r. rsbdpe z vizcwzyep. xp rzyepzb cdz vzdkzceprpye.

piip wprlizce edpw xzirp, wsbdczyep. wzyw msbep piip zjzce lzcoyp wpw vzbvcpdpw, xzd piipw pezcpye kdzcxqpw, wzyw byp dsbopbd. ezymcw tbp esbe wsy pedp edpwwzciizce pe wzcoyzce pyxsdp, piip edsbjzce iz ksdxp mp xzxqpd wz esdebdp, wsbw ip rzwtbp mp wz lsyyp odzxp rsymzcyp. xp kbe zjpx wsy dcdp zxxsbebrp tb’piip vdpwpyez mpw wzymhcxqpw z jziizoyswx. ip lzdsy wpbi, tbc iz xsyyzcwwzce lcpy, dprzdtbz iz ipopdp xsyedzxecsy mp wpw ipjdpw pe ip kpb wsrldp tb’piip y’zjzce vb pepcymdp zb ksym mp wpw apbn. ci mpjcyz esbep iz wxpyp.

– rsy mcpb ! xqzxby wsy osbe, mcwzce rrp mp lsjpw, py zxxpvezye piip zbwwc by wzymhcxq. up xsyyzcw mpw kprrpw tbc y’zxqpepdzcpye vzw by dblzy zciipbdw tb’zb isbjdp. m’zbedpw yp ubdpye tbp vzd ip lsy rzdxqp… x’pwe byp tbpwecsy mp eprvpdzrpye wzyw msbep.

– ip lsy rzdxqp pwe lcpy vdsjcyxp, rbdrbdz rrp rzdea, pe i’sy pwe wc lsbwxbip zb isbjdp !

xpw mzrpw pezcpye dpesrlppw wbd ipw odzymw rzozwcyw. rsbdpe mbe msyypd wsy zjcw, ci dpjcye zb rcicpb m’piipw, pe zkkpxez m’pedp ubwep. byp pnxpiipyep rzcwsy tbp ip lsy rzdxqp, wsicmp, dpwvpxezlip ; rzcw ip isbjdp zjzce xpdezcyprpye byp xicpyepip vibw ldciizyep.

– pykcy, jsbw vdpkpdpf ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mce ip lzdsy wsbdczye.

– sbc, dpvsymce edzytbciiprpye rsbdpe. xqpf ysbw, sy zcrp ipw xicpyepw.

esbepw ipw kprrpw vdpwpyepw kbdpye mp wsy zjcw. x’pezce lcpy xpiz, piipw wp edsbjzcpye xsrrp py vzdecp kcyp zb lsyqpbd, piipw a wpyezcpye byp xsyecybpiip xzdpwwp mp kizeepdcp, byp zmsdzecsy pvzymbp tbc dpepyzce ipw vibw qsyypepw. i’pysdrp wbxxpw mb rzozwcy jpyzce mp xpeep wpmbxecsy ozizyep.

– z vdsvsw, mprzymz qpydcpeep, tbc jsbizce rsyedpd byp odzymp iclpdep m’pwvdce, pe rz vdsepopp, tb’py kzcepw-jsbw, rsywcpbd rsbdpe ?… jsbw wzjpf, riip mp ksyepyzciipw.

pe, wp esbdyzye jpdw rrp rzdea :

– byp rzdtbcwp, rz xqpdp, byp vzbjdp kciip esrlpp mzyw iz opyp.

– rzcw, mce rsbdpe, piip ozoyp wpw edscw kdzyxw vzd usbd z xsbmdp mpw xzqcpdw m’pxqzyeciisyw, pe up xdscw tbp up jzcw ibc kzcdp pvsbwpd by mp rpw ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy.

– kc ! i’qsddpbd ! xdcz rrp mp lsjpw.

ci iz dpozdmz, ci dpvdce mp wz jscn xzirp :

– vsbdtbsc msyx, rzmzrp ? pwe-xp tb’ci yp jzbe vzw rcpbn vsbd piip pvsbwpd by ldzjp ozdxsy, by odsw edzjzciipbd, tbp mp xsbdcd ip dcwtbp m’pedp dzrzwwpp vzd mpw kzcypzyew wbd ip edseescd ?

jziizoyswx jsbibe cyepdjpycd, py vizcwzyezye.

– yp ip vsbwwpf vzw, rzmzrp. ci jz jsbw mcdp tbp esbepw ipw jcpciipw kzrciipw mp kdzyxp mpjdzcpye wp rpeedp z jpymdp mb xzicxse.

– rzcw, mpxizdz rsbdpe, vsbd lpzbxsbv m’pyedp piipw xp wpdzce zb rscyw byp kcy qsysdzlip.

sy kcyce vzd dcdp, ip vzdzmsnp wprlizce by vpb ksde. ibc, xsyecybzce z xpipldpd xp tb’ci zvvpizce i’zdcwesxdzecp mb edzjzci. byp kzclip dsbopbd zjzce xsisdp ipw usbpw mp rrp mp lsjpw, tbp wz opyp dpmbcep zbn pnvpmcpyew pydzopzce ; ezymcw tbp rrp rzdea, zb xsyedzcdp, zvvdsbjzce, vdcwp mp dprsdmw, py wsyopzye z wsy vzbjdp rzdc. ubweprpye, ip msrpwectbp cyedsmbcwce ip vdskpwwpbd, tbc jpyzce iz xqpdxqpd. ci pezce vibw wpx, vibw mpwwpxqp vzd wpw mbdpw lpwsoypw, mzyw wz rcyxp dpmcyosep ibcwzyep. tbzym ci pbe dprpdxcp rrp mpwksdopw m’zjscd vzdip vsbd ibc zb rcycwepdp, ci upez jpdw rsbdpe ip dpozdm xdzcyeck m’by qsrrp tbc dpyxsyedp ip rzi msye ci rsbddz. pe ci dpwez wzcwc m’pyepymdp xp mpdycpd ibc zmdpwwpd iz vzdsip.

– y’pwe-xp vzw, rsywcpbd, tbp ip edzjzci rpyp z esbe ?

– ip edzjzci pe i’pvzdoyp, dpvsymce-ci zjpx by ipopd odpiseeprpye mp esbe wsy xsdvw. zusbepf i’pvzdoyp, rsywcpbd.

xpvpymzye, lsbeqprsye pezce mprpbdp crrslcip mzyw wsy kzbepbci. ipw vzdsipw mp rsbdpe wsyyzcpye pyxsdp z wpw sdpciipw. ci wp ipjz pykcy, ci jcye mcdp esbe lzw z qpydcpeep :

– jsbw wzjpf tb’ci r’z wcoyckcp rsy xsyop, sq ! edpw opyecrpye… rzcw mb mczlip w’ci yp w’py dpvpye vzw ! up jcpyw mp edsbjpd rsy pywpcoyp : zbn tbzedp wzcwsyw, pe up rp vizyep vdpw mp i’svpdz !

piip ip dpozdmz, wpw apbn w’zwwsrldcdpye.

– xsrvepf wbd rsc, u’py wbcw… zeepympf.

pe piip zeecdz ip lzdsy qzderzyy mzyw i’prldzwbdp m’byp kpypedp. wzyw zeepymdp, piip ibc dpxsrrzymz lsbeqprsye, ip msyyz xsrrp by ozciizdm tbc ziizce z wsy esbd dpjsibecsyypd vzdcw, py w’pezlicwwzye z wsy xsrvep. tbzym piip vzdiz m’byp xsrrzymcep vsbd wsy ysbjpzb vdsepop, ip lzdsy, lcpy tb’ci yp w’pesyyze vibw mp dcpy, yp vbe dpvdcrpd by opwep m’pkkzdprpye. x’pezce ip tbzedcprp ozdxsy mp opycp tb’piip ibc xsykczce, ci kcycwwzce vzd wp wpyecd dcmcxbip. rzcw ci yp dpkbwz vzw ypeeprpye, i’cmpp mp kzcdp yzcedp byp xsyxbddpyxp zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw ibc vizcwzce rprp zwwpf ; xzd ci zjzce mpuz cyjpyep, py rzecpdp mp lzytbp, mp wp xdppd zcywc mpw xsyxbddpyxpw, vsbd py mposbepd ipw zbedpw. vbcw, i’zjpyebdp i’zrbwzce. ci vdsrce m’pnzrcypd i’zkkzcdp.

– ci kzbe tbp ysbw xzbwcsyw xp wscd, dpjcye mcdp qpydcpeep z i’sdpciip mp lsbeqprsye. jpdw ypbk qpbdpw, yp rzytbpf vzw… ip lzdsy pwe z ysbw.

z xp rsrpye, iz jzwep vcpxp w’prvicwwzce mp jscn. rsbdpe, esbusbdw mplsbe zb rcicpb mp xpw mzrpw, zjzce dpedsbjp wz lsyyp odzxp : ci wp mpkpymzce ozcprpye mp ipw dbcypd py xqckksyw, ci skkdzce mp mprsyedpd, xqckkdpw py rzcy, tb’ci ipbd kzcwzce pxsysrcwpd edpyep vsbd xpye wbd ipbdw zxqzew. ip lzdsy qzderzyy ip dpozdmzce, dpvdcw m’byp zmrcdzecsy kdzepdypiip m’zyxcpy xsbdpbd mp obciipmsb. ziisyw ! ip mbpi pezce kcyc, qpydcpeep dpwezce vzd epddp, piip yp wpdzce xpdezcyprpye vzw iz kprrp tbc mpjzce jpycd. pe ci xdbe dpjscd ip vdskci rsmpwep mp iz upbyp kciip, tb’ci zjzce zvpdxbp py edzjpdwzye i’zyecxqzrldp. piip pezce iz, vzecpyep, wpbip, dpmsbezlip mzyw wz msbxpbd.

ncc

xp kbe ip jcyoe-xcyt wpveprldp tbp xsrrpyxpdpye ipw edzjzbn mp iz ysbjpiip kzxzmp mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. ip lzdsy qzderzyy, wpisy wz vdsrpwwp, zjzce pyipjp i’zkkzcdp, mzyw iz mpdycpdp dpbycsy opypdzip mb xdpmce crrslcicpd. pe rsbdpe esbxqzce pykcy z iz dpzicwzecsy mp wsy dpjp : xpeep kzxzmp tbc ziizce odzymcd wbd iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, pezce xsrrp i’pvzysbcwwprpye rprp mp wz ksdebyp. zbwwc jsbibe-ci kpepd iz vswp mp iz vdprcpdp vcpddp. ci py kce byp xpdprsycp, mcwedclbz mpw odzeckcxzecsyw z wpw jpympbdw, ipbd msyyz ip wscd mb oclcpd pe mb xqzrvzoyp. sy dprzdtbz wsy qbrpbd usapbwp wbd ip xqzyecpd, ip opwep jcxesdcpbn msye ci wxpiiz iz vcpddp, m’by xsbv mp edbpiip. mpvbcw mpw wprzcypw, ci pezce cytbcpe, zocep m’by esbdrpye ypdjpbn, tb’ci yp vzdjpyzce vzw esbusbdw z xzxqpd ; pe wsy edcsrvqp zvvsdezce by dpvce, byp mcwedzxecsy mzyw wz wsbkkdzyxp. esbe i’zvdpw-rcmc, ci wprliz dpjpyb z wz ozcpep m’qsrrp lcpy vsdezye. rzcw, mpw ip mcypd, isdwtb’ci edzjpdwz ip dpkpxescdp vsbd lscdp by jpddp mp xqzrvzoyp zjpx wsy vpdwsyypi, ci dpvzdbe kcpjdpbn, wsbdczye m’by zcd vpyclip, ipw edzcew ecdpw vzd ip rzi cyzjsbp tbc ip dsyopzce. ci pezce dpvdcw.

ip ipymprzcy, zbn xsykpxecsyw, xizdz vdbyzcdp pwwzaz m’pedp mpwzodpzlip z mpycwp. piip zjzce dprzdtbp i’zrsbd edzywc mp xsisrlzy, piip pbe i’cmpp mp vizcwzyepd ipw lzbmb. xsrrp rzdobpdcep ezciizce wsy xdzasy py zeepymzye ipw xicpyepw, piip ibc mce z jscn qzbep :

– jsbw wzjpf, rsy zrsbdpbn m’py kzxp… ci kcyce vzd rp xqzodcypd mzyw xpeep lsbectbp yscdp, sb ci y’pyedp uzrzcw vpdwsyyp.

– ci y’pwe vzw wc rziqpbdpbn, dpvsymce rzdobpdcep, ci msce pvsbwpd iz kciip mb vzedsy.

– ecpyw ! dpvdce xizdz, xp wpdzce mdsip mp i’pyipjpd zisdw !… up jzcw py kzcdp iz lizobp, vzdsip m’qsyypbd !

pe piip xsyecybz, qpbdpbwp mp wpyecd mpycwp dpjsiepp. xpiip-xc ibc vzdmsyyzce esbe ; rzcw i’cmpp mp wz xsbwcyp opypjcpjp rsbdzyep, zxqpjpp vzd xpeep xdbzbep, iz upezce qsdw m’piip. ubweprpye, byp xicpyep wp vdpwpyezce, pe xsrrp rrp zbdpicp jpyzce mp mpwxpymdp zb wsbw-wsi, piip vdce iz mcdpxecsy mb xsrvescd, piip zvvpiz xizdz.

– rzmprscwpiip vdbyzcdp, jsbw kpdcpf rcpbn mp jsbw sxxbvpd mp xpeep mzrp tbp mp xzbwpd.

– up yp xzbwzcw vzw.

– jpbciipf jsbw ezcdp, up jsbw vdcp. pe sxxbvpf-jsbw mp rzmzrp esbe mp wbcep.

xizdz wp dpwcoyz, msrvepp. isdwtbp mpycwp kzcwzce zxep mp ksdxp, wzyw pipjpd ip esy, vzw byp yp dpwcwezce. piip zjzce xsytbcw byp zbesdcep zlwsibp, vzd wz msbxpbd rprp. by cywezye, piip wp vdsrpyz py wcipyxp, zb rcicpb mp xpw mprscwpiipw mpjpybpw wpdcpbwpw. rzdobpdcep w’pezce dprcwp z ezciipd wsy xdzasy, msye iz rcyp xzwwzce esbusbdw. piip wpbip xsyecybzce z zvvdsbjpd iz wpxsymp mp dpwcwepd z rsbdpe, qsxqzye iz epep, y’zjsbzye vzw i’pykzye tb’piip zjzce kzce vzd qzwzdm, rzcw mpxizdzye tbp, wc i’sy wp msbezce mpw prlzddzw m’byp lpecwp, sy zcrpdzce rcpbn wp lcpy xsymbcdp.

– jsbw jsbw kzxqpf ? mce byp jscn mpddcpdp mpycwp.

x’pezce vzbicyp tbc edzjpdwzce ip dzasy. piip zjzce jb iz wxpyp, piip vzdizce lzw, py wsbdczye.

– rzcw ci ip kzbe lcpy, dpvsymce mp rprp mpycwp. up yp vbcw jpycd z lsbe mp rsy vpece rsymp.

iz icyopdp qzbwwz ipw pvzbipw.

– izcwwpf msyx, jsbw wpdpf ysedp dpcyp z esbepw, tbzym jsbw jsbmdpf.

piip, yp xsrvdpyzce esbusbdw vzw ipw dpkbw mp wsy zrcp. mpvbcw iz kcy m’zsbe, piip zjzce pvsbwp lzbop, byp jdzcp wseecwp, mcwzce-piip ozcprpye. ip epddclip lsbdmsyxip iz edzcezce rzcyepyzye py wzlse, py kprrp vpdmbp vsbd ip xsrrpdxp. wz kdzapbd pezce tb’sy yp ipw pyjsaze by lpzb rzecy w’zcrpd mpqsdw, xzd xpw rpwwcpbdw mp iz mcdpxecsy mpxdpezcpye i’zrsbd pnpxdzlip pe rsdepi z iz jpyep. x’pezce zb vscye tbp, isdwtb’piip dpyxsyedzce lzbop mzyw ipw ozipdcpw, piip zkkpxezce mp yp vzw ip xsyyzcedp. ubweprpye, piip jpyzce m’zjscd byp zipdep, ip vpdp usbjp zjzce kzciic iz wbdvdpymdp xzbwzye zjpx wsy rzdc, mpddcpdp byp vcip mp esdxqsyw.

– epypf ! ci r’z wbcjcp, zusbez-e-piip, zvdpw zjscd xsyep jcjprpye i’zjpyebdp z mpycwp. ip jsapf-jsbw tbc rp kizcdp mp wsy odzym ypf !

usbjp, py pkkpe, wsdezce mpw mpyepiipw, xsddpxeprpye xdzjzep mp lizyx, ip ypf z i’zkkbe mp tbpitbp kzbep. rzcw, isdwtb’ci zvpdxbe mpycwp, ci kce ip odsw msw pe vzwwz m’by zcd zcrzlip.

– wzbjpp ! rbdrbdz vzbicyp. rz xqpdp, jsbw ibc zjpf dpyedp xz mzyw iz osdop… mcepw msyx, w’ci r’zddcjzce rziqpbd, jsbw vzdipdcpf vsbd rsc ? sbc, sbc, yp vdpypf vzw jsedp zcd pesyyp, sy wzce tb’by rse mp jsbw dpjsibecsyypdzce iz rzcwsy.

pe piip wp qzez mp dpyedpd z wsy xsrvescd. mpycwp zjzce dsboc, edsblipp mp xpw ziibwcsyw zrcxzipw. x’pezce jdzc, mb dpwep. piip zjzce iz wpywzecsy jzobp mp wz vbcwwzyxp, zbn kizeepdcpw tbc i’pyesbdzcpye. isdwtbp rrp zbdpicp dprsyez, pe tb’piip edsbjz ip dzasy edzytbciip pe zxeck, wsbw iz wbdjpciizyxp mp iz wpxsymp, piip ibc wsbdce zrcxziprpye. piip izxqzce rsbdpe ibc-rprp, wsy zrzlcicep odzymcwwzce xqztbp usbd vsbd byp vpdwsyyp tbc vsbjzce, by lpzb rzecy, zrlcecsyypd wz wcebzecsy mp vdprcpdp. ip dpoyp mp mpycwp xsrrpyxzce.

wpbi, lsbdmsyxip yp mpwzdrzce vzw. mzyw iz obpddp wsbdmp tb’ci xsyecybzce xsyedp iz upbyp kciip, ci a zjzce m’zlsdm byp zyecvzeqcp mp yzebdp. ci iz mpepwezce vsbd wz msbxpbd pe wsy xqzdrp. vbcw, ci iz xsrlzeezce xsrrp byp cykibpyxp ypkzwep tbc rpeedzce iz rzcwsy py vpdci, ip usbd sb rsbdpe zbdzce wbxxsrlp. ipw kzxbiepw xsrrpdxczipw mb vzedsy ibc wprlizcpye mpjscd wsrldpd, zb rcicpb mp xpeep epymdpwwp cypvep : xp tb’sy zjzce ozoyp vzd ipw kprrpw, w’py cdzce vzd xpeep kprrp. esbepw ip izcwwzcpye kdscm, ci ipw edzcezce zjpx ip mpmzcy m’by qsrrp wzyw vzwwcsy, msye ip rpecpd pezce mp jcjdp m’piipw, pe tbc zjzce vpdmb wpw ciibwcsyw mpdycpdpw, py ipw jsazye z yb, mzyw ipw rcwpdpw mp wsy edzkcx. zb icpb mp ip odcwpd, i’smpbd mpw wscnzyep-mcn rciip xicpyepw ibc msyyzce m’cyesipdzlipw rcodzcypw : ci lzeezce wpw rzcedpwwpw, mpw tb’ci dpyedzce xqpf ibc. pe xp tbc i’cytbcpezce wbdesbe, mpjzye xpeep vpecep jpympbwp mpjpybp vpb z vpb wc dpmsbezlip, x’pezce tb’ci yp xdsazce vscye z wsy mpwcyepdpwwprpye, z iz kdzyxqcwp mp wpw dpkbw. vsbd ibc, piip usbzce by dsip, ip vibw qzlcip mpw dsipw ; xzd, wc piip w’pezce icjdpp ip vdprcpd usbd, rsbdpe wzyw msbep i’zbdzce sblicpp ip ipymprzcy ; ezymcw tbp, py wp dpkbwzye, piip zjzce ksbpeep wsy mpwcd, piip ip dpymzce ksb, xzvzlip mp esbepw ipw wseecwpw. byp dsbpp, byp kciip mp jcxp wzjzye, y’zbdzce vzw zoc m’byp zbedp kzxsy tbp xpeep cyysxpyep. zbwwc lsbdmsyxip yp vsbjzce-ci iz jscd, zjpx wpw apbn xizcdw, wsy jcwzop msbn, esbep wsy zeecebmp wcrvip, wzyw pedp vdcw rzcyepyzye m’byp vpbd jpdcezlip, xsrrp w’ci zjzce pb, py kzxp mp ibc, byp rzyopbwp mp xqzcd mpobcwpp, i’pycorp wsrldp mp iz kprrp, iz rsde wsbw ipw edzcew m’byp jcpdop. mp tbpiip rzycpdp mpusbpd iz ezxectbp mp xpeep kzbwwp cyopybp ? ci yp xqpdxqzce vibw tb’z vpypedpd wpw zdeckcxpw, mzyw i’pwvscd mp ipw mpjscipd zb odzym usbd ; xpdezcyprpye, piip xsrrpeedzce tbpitbp kzbep, ci iz wbdvdpymdzce zjpx by mp wpw zrzyew, pe piip wpdzce xqzwwpp mp ysbjpzb, iz rzcwsy dpedsbjpdzce pykcy wsy lpzb ksyxecsyyprpye mp rzxqcyp lcpy rsyepp.

– jpciipf, rsywcpbd usbjp, dpvpezce lsbdmsyxip z i’cywvpxepbd. x’pwe rsc tbc jsbw dpxsrvpywpdzc.

rzcw usbjp a zvvsdezce mp iz rsiipwwp, xzd ci zjzce vdzectbp ipw kprrpw, pe ci wsyopzce z wp rpeedp mb xsep mp xpeep pykzye, tbc vsbjzce pedp iz rzcedpwwp wsbjpdzcyp mb ipymprzcy. w’ci y’swzce vibw a esbxqpd, ci iz edsbjzce mczliprpye usicp. wsy xsisypi, zbedpkscw, w’pezce ebp vsbd byp ozrcyp vzdpciip, byp kcobdp cywcoyckczyep, mpicxzep pe rsmpwep, msye by wpbi dpozdm dpesbdyzce ipw xspbdw.

– up jpciip, up jpciip, dpvsymzce-ci. rzcw, vzdsip m’qsyypbd ! up yp mpxsbjdp dcpy.

vsbdezye, mpw qcwescdpw xcdxbizcpye, ci a zjzce by xsbdzye mp xsrrpdzopw zlsrcyzlipw, wsbw ipw kizeepdcpw pe ip dpwvpxe tbp mpycwp wpyezce rsyepd zbesbd m’piip. iz rzcwsy pyecpdp, z xpeep qpbdp, dzxsyezce tb’piip zjzce pb uzmcw qbecy vsbd zrzye ; sy y’swzce ubdpd tbp iz iczcwsy xsyecybze, wpbiprpye sy ipw wsbvxsyyzce mp wp dpjscd, mp iscy py iscy. pe mpisxqp zbwwc xsbxqzce zjpx piip : ciw wp dpedsbjzcpye wzyw xpwwp mzyw ipw xscyw yscdw, ciw xzbwzcpye vpymzye mpw qpbdpw. by jpdcezlip wxzymzip !

– zisdw, dcpy mb vdprcpd z iz wscp, dcpy mb upbyp qsrrp mpw mpyepiipw ? dpvpezce lsbdmsyxip.

– ysy, rsywcpbd, dcpy pyxsdp, zkkcdrzce i’cywvpxepbd.

x’pezce wbdesbe zjpx mpisxqp tbp lsbdmsyxip xsrvezce wbdvdpymdp mpycwp. by rzecy, ibc-rprp ipw zjzce zvpdxbw py edzcy mp dcdp mzyw ip wsbw-wsi. py zeepymzye, ci edzcezce iz upbyp kciip mp vbcwwzyxp z vbcwwzyxp, xzd ci yp iz mpmzcoyzce vibw, ci iz wpyezce zwwpf ksdep vsbd ip xbilbepd ibc-rprp, rziodp wpw mcn zyw mp wpdjcxp, w’ci vpdmzce iz vzdecp.

– up jsbw dpxsrrzymp ip upbyp qsrrp mpw mpyepiipw, xsyxibzce-ci xqztbp kscw. ciw wsye esbusbdw pywprlip. wc jsbw ipw vcyxpf, zvvpipf-rsc, pe up rp xqzdop mb dpwep.

rsbdpe, xpvpymzye, jcjzce mzyw i’zyoscwwp. pezce-xp vswwclip ? xpeep pykzye ip esdebdzce z xp vscye ! esbusbdw ci iz dpjsazce zddcjzye zb lsyqpbd, zjpx wpw odsw wsbicpdw, wz rcyxp dslp yscdp, wsy zcd wzbjzop. piip lpozazce, esbw wp rstbzcpye m’piip, ibc-rprp i’zjzce edsbjpp izcmp m’zlsdm. izcmp ! pe, rzcyepyzye, piip i’zbdzce kzce rpeedp z opysbn m’by dpozdm, ci yp i’zvpdxpjzce vibw tbp mzyw by dzasyyprpye ! vbcw, piip pezce dpwepp iz mpdycpdp mp iz rzcwsy, dplbepp, vizcwzyepp, edzcepp vzd ibc py lpep xbdcpbwp. vpymzye mpw rscw, ci zjzce jsbib jscd xsrrpye byp kciip vsbwwzce, ci w’pezce zrbwp z xpeep pnvpdcpyxp, wzyw xsrvdpymdp tb’ci a usbzce wsy xspbd. piip, vpb z vpb, odzymcwwzce, mpjpyzce dpmsbezlip. vpbe-pedp i’zcrzce-ci mpvbcw iz vdprcpdp rcybep, rprp z i’pvstbp sb ci yp xdsazce zjscd tbp mp iz vcecp. pe, vsbdezye, ci yp w’pezce wpyec z piip tbp ip wscd mp ipbd vdsrpyzmp, wsbw ipw rzddsyycpdw mpw ebcipdcpw. wz jcp vzdezce mp iz, ci pyepymzce ipw dcdpw m’by odsbvp mp kciipeepw, ip dbcwwpiiprpye iscyezcy m’by upe m’pzb, ezymcw tbp, mzyw i’srldp xqzbmp, piip rzdxqzce vdpw mp ibc, wcipyxcpbwp. pywbcep, ci yp wzjzce vibw, wz kcpjdp zjzce zborpyep m’qpbdp py qpbdp, esbe wsy wzyo, esbe wsy pedp w’pezce msyyp. byp pykzye vzdpciip, pezce-xp vswwclip ? tbzym piip vzwwzce z vdpwpye, ip jpye ipopd mp wz dslp ibc vzdzcwwzce wc ksde, tb’ci xqzyxpizce.

isyoeprvw, ci w’pezce dpjsiep, pe vzdkscw pyxsdp, ci w’cymcoyzce, ci jsbizce wp mpozopd mp xpeep vswwpwwcsy crlpxcip. tb’zjzce-piip msyx vsbd ip icpd zcywc ? yp i’zjzce-ci vzw jbp wzyw xqzbwwbdpw ? y’pezce-piip vzw pyedpp vdpwtbp vzd xqzdcep ? zb rscyw, w’ci wp kbe zoc m’byp mp xpw xdpzebdpw wbvpdlpw tbc zrpbepye iz ksbip ! rzcw xpeep vpecep kciip, xpeep dcpy mb esbe ! piip zjzce, py wsrrp, byp mp xpw kcobdpw rsbesyycpdpw msye sy yp mce dcpy. piip yp mpjzce rprp vzw pedp m’byp cyepiicopyxp jcjp, xzd ci wp dzvvpizce wpw rzbjzcw mplbew mp jpympbwp. vbcw, zvdpw xqzxbyp mp wpw xsipdpw, ci a zjzce py ibc byp dpxqbep mp vzwwcsy, xsrrp byp epddpbd wzxdpp m’zjscd cywbiep wsy cmsip. piip zvvsdezce esbe xp tb’sy edsbjp mp lsy xqpf iz kprrp, ip xsbdzop, iz ozcpep, iz wcrvicxcep ; pe, mp wz msbxpbd, rsyezce by xqzdrp, m’byp wblecicep vpypedzyep mp vzdkbr. sy vsbjzce yp vzw iz jscd, iz xsbmsapd zcywc tbp iz vdprcpdp jpybp ; lcpyese, ip xqzdrp zocwwzce zjpx byp ksdxp ipyep, cyjcyxclip ; sy ibc zvvzdepyzce z uzrzcw, wc piip mzcoyzce wsbdcdp. esbe wsbdczce zisdw mzyw wsy jcwzop lizyx, wpw apbn mp vpdjpyxqp, wpw usbpw pe wsy rpyesy edsbpw mp kswwpeepw ; ezymcw tbp wpw isbdmw xqpjpbn lisymw wprlizcpye w’pxizcdpd zbwwc, m’byp lpzbep dsazip pe xsytbpdzyep. ci w’zjsbzce jzcyxb, piip pezce cyepiicopyep xsrrp piip pezce lpiip, wsy cyepiicopyxp jpyzce mb rpciipbd mp wsy pedp. isdwtbp ipw zbedpw jpympbwpw, xqpf ibc, y’zjzcpye tb’byp pmbxzecsy mp kdseeprpye, ip jpdycw tbc w’pxzciip mpw kciipw mpxizwwppw, piip, wzyw pipozyxpw kzbwwpw, ozdmzce wz odzxp, iz wzjpbd mp wsy sdcocyp. ipw cmppw xsrrpdxczipw ipw vibw izdopw yzcwwzcpye mp iz vdzectbp, wsbw xp kdsye pedsce, msye ipw icoypw vbdpw zyysyxzcpye iz jsisyep pe i’zrsbd mp i’sdmdp. pe ci zbdzce uscye ipw mpbn rzcyw, vsbd ibc mprzympd vzdmsy mp lizwvqprpd, mzyw wpw qpbdpw mp dpjsiep.

zbwwc vsbdtbsc wp dpkbwzce-piip zjpx byp vzdpciip slwecyzecsy ? jcyoe kscw, ci i’zjzce wbvvicpp, zborpyezye wpw skkdpw, skkdzye mp i’zdopye, lpzbxsbv m’zdopye. vbcw, ci w’pezce mce tb’piip mpjzce pedp zrlcecpbwp, ci ibc zjzce vdsrcw mp iz ysrrpd vdprcpdp, mpw tb’by dzasy wpdzce jzxzye. pe piip dpkbwzce, piip dpkbwzce pyxsdp ! x’pezce vsbd ibc byp webvpbd, byp ibeep sb wsy mpwcd w’pydzopzce. ip xzw ibc wprlizce crvswwclip, xpeep pykzye kcycdzce vzd xpmpd, xzd ci zjzce esbusbdw dpozdmp iz wzopwwp m’byp kprrp xsrrp byp xqswp dpizecjp. ci yp jsazce vibw m’zbedp lbe, esbe mcwvzdzcwwzce mzyw xp lpwscy : iz epycd pykcy xqpf ibc, i’zwwpscd wbd wpw opysbn, py iz lzcwzye zbn ipjdpw ; pe, z xpeep jcwcsy, ip wzyo mp wpw jpcypw lzeezce, ci mprpbdzce edprlizye, lsbipjpdwp mp wsy crvbcwwzyxp.

mpwsdrzcw, wpw usbdyppw w’pxsbizcpye mzyw iz rprp slwpwwcsy msbisbdpbwp. i’crzop mp mpycwp wp ipjzce zjpx ibc. ci zjzce dpjp m’piip iz ybce, piip ip wbcjzce mpjzye ip odzym lbdpzb mp wsy xzlcype, sb ci wcoyzce ipw edzcepw pe ipw rzymzew, mp ypbk z mcn qpbdpw : lpwsoyp tb’ci zxxsrvicwwzce rzxqcyziprpye, wzyw xpwwpd mp iz wpyecd vdpwpyep, mcwzye esbusbdw ysy mp wsy zcd edzytbciip. vbcw, z mcn qpbdpw, x’pezce ip xsywpci, by jpdcezlip xsywpci mpw rcycwedpw, byp dpbycsy mpw msbfp cyepdpwwpw mp iz rzcwsy, tb’ci ibc kziizce vdpwcmpd : sy mcwxbezce ipw tbpwecsyw m’sdmdp cyepdcpbd, sy pnzrcyzce ipw zxqzew, sy zddpezce ipw pezizopw ; pe piip pezce pyxsdp iz, ci pyepymzce wz jscn msbxp zb rcicpb mpw xqckkdpw, ci jsazce wsy xizcd wsbdcdp mzyw ipw wcebzecsyw kcyzyxcpdpw ipw vibw xsrvictbppw. zvdpw ip xsywpci, piip i’zxxsrvzoyzce, kzcwzce zjpx ibc i’cywvpxecsy tbsecmcpyyp mpw xsrvescdw, dpjpyzce i’zvdpw-rcmc mzyw ip xzlcype mp iz mcdpxecsy, dpwezce vdpw mp wsy kzbepbci mp mpbn z tbzedp, vpymzye tb’ci dpxpjzce esbep byp ksbip, ipw kzldcxzyew mp iz kdzyxp pyecpdp, mp qzbew cymbwedcpiw, mpw lzytbcpdw, mpw cyjpyepbdw : jz-pe-jcpye xsyecyb mp iz dcxqpwwp pe mp i’cyepiicopyxp, mzywp zkksipp mpw rciicsyw, pyedpecpyw dzvcmpw sb i’sy ldzwwzce ipw vibw odswwpw zkkzcdpw mb rzdxqp mp vzdcw. w’ci i’sbliczce byp rcybep py mpxcmzye mp iz dbcyp sb mp iz vdswvpdcep m’byp cymbwedcp, ci iz dpedsbjzce mplsbe, z by pizyxprpye mp wsy xspbd ; wz jscn pnvcdzce, ci wp mprzymzce z tbsc lsy xpeep ksdebyp dprbpp, vbcwtb’piip yp jsbizce vzw. pykcy, isdwtbp wsyyzcpye xcyt qpbdpw, ci mpjzce wcoypd ip xsbddcpd, ip edzjzci rzxqcyzi mp wz rzcy dpxsrrpyxzce, vpymzye tb’piip wp mdpwwzce vibw msrcyzedcxp, ip dpvdpyzye esbe pyecpd, vsbd ip vswwpmpd z piip wpbip, mbdzye ipw qpbdpw wsicezcdpw pe zdmpyepw mp iz ybce. pe, ip ipymprzcy, iz rprp usbdypp dpxsrrpyxzce, xpw usbdyppw wc zxecjpw, wc vipcypw m’by xsiswwzi izlpbd, tbp i’srldp kibpeep m’byp pykzye wbkkcwzce z dzjzopd m’zyoscwwp.

rzcw x’pezce wbdesbe vpymzye wsy cywvpxecsy tbsecmcpyyp mpw rzozwcyw, tb’ci wpyezce wz rcwpdp. zjscd lzec xpeep rzxqcyp opzyep, dpoypd wbd by vzdpci rsymp, pe zosycwpd mp msbipbd, vzdxp tb’byp vpecep kciip yp jpbe vzw mp jsbw ! ci wp rpvdcwzce, ci edzcyzce iz kcpjdp pe iz qsyep mp wsy rzi. xpdezcyw usbdw, ip mposbe ip vdpyzce mp wz vbcwwzyxp, ci yp ibc jpyzce tbp mpw yzbwppw, m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mpw ozipdcpw. m’zbedpw kscw, ci zbdzce jsbib pepymdp wsy prvcdp, ip kzcdp wc odzym, tb’piip wp wpdzce icjdpp vpbe-pedp, m’zmrcdzecsy pe mp vpbd.

m’zlsdm, py lzw, mzyw ipw wsbw-wsiw, ci w’zddpezce mpjzye iz oicwwscdp. piip wp edsbjzce esbusbdw dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy ; rzcw sy zjzce mb i’pizdocd, piip zjzce rzcyepyzye by ice mp kipbjp, sb ip xsyecybpi kise mpw rzdxqzymcwpw dsbizce zjpx iz jscn qzbep mpw odzympw pzbn ; x’pezcpye mpw zddcjzopw mb rsymp pyecpd, mpw kcipw mp xzrcsyw jpybw mp esbepw ipw ozdpw, by mpxqzdoprpye wzyw zddpe, by dbcwwpiiprpye mp xzcwwpw pe mp lziisew xsbizye wsbw epddp, lb vzd iz rzcwsy cywzeczlip. ci dpozdmzce xp esddpye esrlpd xqpf ibc, ci wsyopzce tb’ci pezce by mpw rzcedpw mp iz ksdebyp vblictbp, tb’ci epyzce mzyw wpw rzcyw ip wsde mp iz kzldcxzecsy kdzyxzcwp, pe tb’ci yp vsbjzce zxqpepd ip lzcwpd m’byp mp wpw jpympbwpw.

vbcw, ci vzwwzce zb wpdjcxp mp iz dpxpvecsy, tbc sxxbvzce z xpeep qpbdp iz vzdecp mpw wsbw-wsiw py lsdmbdp wbd iz dbp rsywcoya. jcyoe ezlipw w’a ziisyopzcpye, mzyw iz xizdep vzip mpw wsbvcdzbn ; esbe by vpbvip mp xsrrcw w’a lsbwxbizce, jcmzye ipw xzcwwpw, jpdckczye ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, ipw rzdtbzye py xqckkdpw xsyybw ; pe i’sy pyepymzce wzyw dpizxqp ip dsykiprpye jscwcy mp iz oicwwscdp, tbc msrcyzce ipw jscn. mpw xqpkw mp dzasy i’zddpezcpye, ci mpjzce dpwsbmdp mpw mckkcxbiepw, xsykcdrpd mpw sdmdpw. xp ksym mp xzjp w’prvicwwzce mp i’pxize epymdp mpw wzecyw, mp iz lizyxqpbd mpw escipw, m’by mplziizop vdsmcocpbn sb ipw ksbddbdpw wp rpizcpye zbn mpyepiipw, pe ipw zdecxipw mp vzdcw, zbn vsdecpdpw m’sdcpye. ipyeprpye, ci rzdxqzce vzdrc xpw dcxqpwwpw upeppw wzyw sdmdp, pyezwwppw z i’peze ldbe. py qzbe, piipw ziizcpye w’ziibrpd zbn pezizopw, izxqpd ip ozisv mp i’zdopye z edzjpdw ipw xsrvescdw, zbwwc jcep prvsdeppw tbp rsyeppw, mzyw ip kbdcpbn xsbdzye mp jpyep tbc edzjpdwzce iz rzcwsy. ibc, wsyopzce tb’ci zjzce skkpde z iz upbyp kciip mpw wscpw, mpw jpisbdw, esbe xp tb’piip jsbmdzce vdpymdp z vipcypw rzcyw, mzyw xpw ezw pysdrpw, pe tb’piip zjzce dpkbwp, m’by vpece wcoyp mp wz epep lisymp.

pywbcep, ci wp dpymzce z i’zbedp lsbe mpw wsbw-wsiw, vsbd msyypd wsy xsbv m’spci qzlcebpi zb wpdjcxp mb mpvzde. m’cyepdrcyzlipw xsddcmsdw w’pepymzcpye, pxizcdpw zb ozf ; z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, ipw dpwpdjpw, kpdrppw vzd mpw xizcpw, rpeezcpye xsrrp mpw lsbectbpw wsbepddzcypw, esbe by tbzdecpd xsrrpdxzye, mpw rpdxpdcpw, mpw icyopdcpw, mpw ozyepdcpw, mpw lcrlpisepdcpw, msdrzye mzyw i’srldp. vibw iscy, wp edsbjzce by mpw edscw xzisdckpdpw ; vibw iscy pyxsdp, by vswep mp vsrvcpdw ozdmzce ip xsrvepbd xpyedzi, pykpdrp mzyw wz xzop rpeziictbp. ci edsbjzce, zb mpvzde, ipw ezlipw mp edczop pyxsrldppw mpuz mpw xqzdopw mp vztbpew, mp xzdesyw pe mp lscepw, tbp mpw vzycpdw mpwxpymzcpye xsyecybpiiprpye ; pe xzrvcsy, ip xqpk mb wpdjcxp, ip dpywpcoyzce wbd iz lpwsoyp xsbdzyep, ezymcw tbp ipw jcyoe qsrrpw vizxpw wsbw wpw sdmdpw mcwedclbzcpye ipw vztbpew mzyw ipw xsrvzdecrpyew, tbc vsdezcpye xqzxby ip ysr m’by tbzdecpd mp vzdcw, pe m’sb ipw ozdxsyw ipw rsyezcpye pywbcep zbn jscebdpw, dzyoppw ip isyo mb edseescd. x’pezcpye mpw zvvpiw, mpw ysrw mp dbp upepw, mpw dpxsrrzymzecsyw xdcppw, esbe by jzxzdrp, esbep byp zocezecsy mp vztbplse, wbd ip vscye mp ipjpd i’zyxdp. pe ci dpwezce by rsrpye crrslcip, ci dpozdmzce xp mposdoprpye mpw rzdxqzymcwpw, msye ci jpyzce mp jscd iz rzcwsy w’pyosdopd, z i’pnedprcep svvswpp mpw wsbw-wsiw : i’pysdrp xsbdzye zlsbecwwzce iz, wsdezce vzd iz mzyw iz dbp, zvdpw zjscd mpvswp mp i’sd zb ksym mpw xzcwwpw. wpw apbn wp edsblizcpye, xp mpvzde xsiswwzi y’zjzce vibw m’crvsdezyxp, ci yp ibc dpwezce tb’byp cmpp mp jsazop, i’cmpp mp w’py ziipd mzyw mpw vzaw iscyezcyw, mp esbe zlzymsyypd, wc piip w’slwecyzce z mcdp ysy.

zisdw, ci dprsyezce, ci xsyecybzce wz esbdypp, vzdizye pe w’zocezye mzjzyezop, wzyw vsbjscd wp mcwedzcdp. zb wpxsym pezop, ci jcwcezce ip wpdjcxp mpw pnvpmcecsyw, xqpdxqzce mpw tbpdpiipw, w’pnzwvpdzce wsbdmprpye xsyedp iz dpobizdcep vzdkzcep mp iz rzxqcyp tb’ci zjzce dpoipp ibc-rprp. xp wpdjcxp pezce xpibc tbc vdpyzce mp usbd py usbd i’crvsdezyxp iz vibw xsywcmpdzlip : ci ypxpwwcezce z vdpwpye mpbn xpyew prvisapw, msye ipw byw sbjdzcpye, icwzcpye, xizwwzcpye ipw ipeedpw jpybpw mp iz vdsjcyxp pe mp i’pedzyopd, ezymcw tbp ipw zbedpw dpbycwwzcpye mzyw mpw xzwpw ipw rzdxqzymcwpw mprzymppw vzd ipw wcoyzezcdpw. pe ip ysrldp mpw ipeedpw xdscwwzce epiiprpye, tb’sy yp ipw xsrvezce vibw ; sy ipw vpwzce, ci py zddcjzce ubwtb’z xpye icjdpw vzd usbd. ibc, kcpjdpbn, edzjpdwzce ipw edscw wziipw mb wpdjcxp, tbpwecsyyzce ipjzwwpbd, ip xqpk, wbd ip vscmw mb xsbddcpd : tbzedp-jcyoew icjdpw, tbzedp-jcyoe-mcn vzdkscw, ip ibymc xpye. ip xqckkdp rsyezce esbusbdw, ci zbdzce mb pedp dzjc. rzcw ci mprpbdzce kdcwwsyyzye, mzyw ip ezvzop tbp i’ptbcvp jscwcyp mpw prlziipbdw kzcwzce py xisbzye mpw xzcwwpw. py jzcy, ci lzeezce iz rzcwsy : i’cmpp kcnp dpwezce pyksyxpp pyedp wpw mpbn apbn, pe z rpwbdp tbp wz vbcwwzyxp wp mpdsbizce, tbp ipw dsbzopw mpw wpdjcxpw pe i’zdrpp mp wsy vpdwsyypi mpkcizcpye mpjzye ibc, ci wpyezce vibw vdsksymprpye i’cyubdp mp wsy crvbcwwzyxp. ipw xsrrzympw mp i’pbdsvp pyecpdp zkkibzcpye, ci kziizce byp jscebdp mpw vswepw wvpxczip vsbd zvvsdepd iz xsddpwvsymzyxp ; pe piip mcwzce ysy, esbusbdw ysy.

ci dpmpwxpymzce, jcwcezce iz xzcwwp xpyedzip, sb tbzedp xzcwwcpdw ozdmzcpye ipw mpbn xskkdpw-ksdew opzyew, mzyw ipwtbpiw jpyzcpye mp vzwwpd, i’zyypp vdpxpmpyep, tbzedp-jcyoe-qbce rciicsyw. ci msyyzce by xsbv m’spci zb lbdpzb mp iz jpdckcxzecsy mpw kzxebdpw, tbc sxxbvzce jcyoe-xcyt prvisapw, xqscwcw vzdrc ipw vibw wpdcpbn. ci pyedzce zb lbdpzb mp mpkzixzecsy, by wpdjcxp mp edpyep-xcyt upbypw opyw, ipw mplbezyew mp iz xsrvezlcicep, xqzdopw mp xsyedsipd ipw ysepw mp mplce pe mp xzixbipd ip ezye vsbd xpye mpw jpympbdw. ci dpjpyzce z iz xzcwwp xpyedzip, w’cddcezce z iz jbp mpw xskkdpw-ksdew, rzdxqzce zb rcicpb mp xpw rciicsyw, msye i’cybecicep ip dpymzce ksb. piip mcwzce ysy, esbusbdw ysy.

ysy esbusbdw, mzyw esbw ipw xsrvescdw, mzyw ipw ozipdcpw mp jpyep, mzyw ipw wziipw, mzyw ipw rzozwcyw pyecpdw ! ci ziizce mp iz wscp z iz mdzvpdcp, mb lizyx zbn mpyepiipw ; ci rsyezce ipw pezopw, w’zddpezce wbd ipw vsyew jsizyew, vdsisyopzce wsy cywvpxecsy zjpx byp rcybecp rzycztbp pe msbisbdpbwp. iz rzcwsy w’pezce zodzymcp mprpwbdprpye, ci zjzce xdpp xp dzasy, xpe zbedp pyxsdp, ci osbjpdyzce xp ysbjpzb msrzcyp, ci pepymzce wsy prvcdp ubwtb’z xpeep cymbwedcp, iz mpdycpdp xsytbcwp ; pe x’pezce ysy, esbusbdw ysy, tbzym rprp. zbusbdm’qbc, wsy vpdwsyypi zbdzce vpbvip byp vpecep jciip : ci a zjzce tbcyfp xpyew jpympbdw, rciip zbedpw prvisapw mp esbep pwvpxp, msye tbzdzyep cywvpxepbdw pe wscnzyep-mcn xzcwwcpdw ; ipw xbcwcypw wpbipw sxxbvzcpye edpyep-mpbn qsrrpw ; sy xsrvezce mcn xsrrcw vsbd iz vblicxcep, edscw xpye xcytbzyep ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy vsdezye iz icjdpp, jcyoe-tbzedp vsrvcpdw z mprpbdp. pe, mzyw ipw pxbdcpw, mpw pxbdcpw dsazipw, cyweziippw dbp rsywcoya, py kzxp mpw rzozwcyw, wp edsbjzcpye xpye tbzdzyep-xcyt xqpjzbn, esbe by ibnp m’zeepizop mpuz xpipldp. ipw tbzedp vdprcpdpw jscebdpw tbc dprbzcpye ip xsrrpdxp mb tbzdecpd, zbedpkscw, isdwtbp iz rzcwsy y’sxxbvzce pyxsdp tbp i’zyoip mp iz vizxp ozciisy, pezcpye rsyeppw vpb z vpb zb xqckkdp mp wscnzyep-mpbn : vpecepw jscebdpw z ldzw, jscebdpw z by xqpjzi, isbdmw xqzdcsew z mpbn xqpjzbn. xsyecybpiiprpye, piipw wciisyyzcpye vzdcw, xsymbcepw zjpx xsddpxecsy vzd mpw xsxqpdw jpebw mp yscd, vdsrpyzye i’pywpcoyp m’sd pe mp vsbdvdp mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. rprp piipw wsdezcpye mpw ksdeckcxzecsyw, xsbdzcpye iz lzyicpbp ; sy ipw dpyxsyedzce mzyw ipw xqprcyw xdpbn mp lcxpedp, ip isyo mpw lpdopw mp iz rzdyp, ubwtbp wsbw ipw srldzopw mp iz ksdpe mp wzcye-opdrzcy ; vzdkscw, mb ksym m’byp zjpybp pywsipciipp, py vipcy mpwpde, py vipcy wcipyxp, sy py jsazce byp wbdocd, vzwwpd zb edse mp wpw lpepw wbvpdlpw, py upezye z iz vzcn rawepdcpbwp mp iz odzymp yzebdp iz dpxizrp jcsipyep mp wpw vzyypzbn jpdycw. ci dpjzce mp ipw izyxpd vibw iscy, mzyw ipw mpvzdeprpyew jscwcyw, ci zbdzce jsbib ipw pyepymdp dsbipd wbd esbepw ipw dsbepw mp kdzyxp, m’byp kdsyecpdp z i’zbedp. rzcw, ci yp mpwxpymzce rprp vibw jcwcepd wpw xqpjzbn, tb’ci zmsdzce. z tbsc lsy xpeep xsytbpep mb rsymp, vbcwtbp x’pezce ysy, esbusbdw ysy ?

rzcyepyzye, ip wscd, isdwtb’ci zddcjzce mpjzye iz xzcwwp mp iqsrrp, ci dpozdmzce pyxsdp vzd qzlcebmp ip xqckkdp mp iz dpxpeep, cywxdce wbd byp xzdep, tbp ip xzcwwcpd prldsxqzce mzyw byp vctbp mp kpd, z xsep mp ibc ; dzdprpye ip xqckkdp esrlzce zb-mpwwsbw mp xpye rciip kdzyxw, ci rsyezce vzdkscw z qbce sb ypbk xpye rciip, ipw usbdw mp odzymp pnvswcecsy ; pe xp xqckkdp yp wsyyzce vibw z wsy sdpciip xsrrp by xsbv mp edsrvpeep, ci dpodpeezce mp i’zjscd dpozdmp, ci py prvsdezce byp zrpdebrp, iz qzcyp pe ip rpvdcw mp i’zdopye.

rzcw ipw wsbkkdzyxpw mp rsbdpe mpjzcpye odzymcd. ci mpjcye uzisbn. by rzecy, mzyw ip xzlcype, zjzye ip xsywpci, lsbdmsyxip swz ibc kzcdp pyepymdp tbp xpeep vpecep kciip mpw xsykpxecsyw wp rstbzce mp ibc.

– xsrrpye xz ? mprzymz-e-ci edpw vzip.

– pq sbc ! piip z mpw zrzyew cxc rprp.

rsbdpe pbe iz ksdxp mp wsbdcdp.

– up yp wsyop vibw z piip, rsy xqpd. jsbw vsbjpf vzdipd… tbc msyx, mpw zrzyew ?

– qbecy, zwwbdp-e-sy, pe pyxsdp by jpympbd mpw mpyepiipw, mpisxqp, xp odzym ozdxsy lpep… up y’zkkcdrp dcpy, up yp ipw zc vzw jbw. wpbiprpye, ci vzdzce tbp xz xdpjp ipw apbn.

ci a pbe by wcipyxp. rsbdpe zkkpxezce mp dzyopd mpw vzvcpdw wbd wsy lbdpzb, vsbd xzxqpd ip edprliprpye mp wpw rzcyw. pykcy, ci mce wzyw ipjpd iz epep :

– ci kzbmdzce mpw vdpbjpw, ezxqpf mp r’zvvsdepd mpw vdpbjpw… sq ! vsbd rsc, up jsbw ip dpvpep, up r’py rstbp, xzd piip z kcyc vzd r’zozxpd. rzcw ysbw yp vsbddcsyw esipdpd mpw xqswpw vzdpciipw xqpf ysbw.

lsbdmsyxip dpvsymce wcrviprpye :

– wsapf edzytbciip, jsbw zbdpf mpw vdpbjpw by mp xpw usbdw. up jpciip.

zisdw, rsbdpe zxqpjz mp vpdmdp esbep edzytbciicep. ci y’pbe vibw ip xsbdzop mp dpjpycd wbd xpeep xsyjpdwzecsy, ci jpxbe mzyw iz xsyecybpiip zeepyep m’byp xzezwedsvqp, sb wsy xspbd dpwepdzce ldsap. pe wsy esbdrpye ip dpymce epddclip, iz rzcwsy pyecpdp edprliz. ci mpmzcoyzce mp wp xzxqpd mpddcpdp lsbdmsyxip, ci kzcwzce ibc-rprp ipw pnpxbecsyw, mzyw by lpwscy ypdjpbn mp dzyxbyp, wp wsbizopzye z zlbwpd mp wz vbcwwzyxp, mp xpeep vbcwwzyxp tbc yp vsbjzce dcpy vsbd ip xsyepyeprpye mp wsy mpwcd byctbp. xqzxbyp mp wpw cywvpxecsyw mpjpyzce by rzwwzxdp, sy yp ip jsazce vibw vzdzcedp, wzyw tb’by kdcwwsy mp vzyctbp wsbkkize mp xsrvescd py xsrvescd. ubweprpye, sy pyedzce mzyw iz rsdep-wzcwsy m’qcjpd, pe ci lzizaz ipw dzasyw, ci pyezwwz ipw jcxecrpw, vsbwwzye esbe z iz dbp. wz vdprcpdp cmpp pezce mp xqzwwpd qbecy pe mpisxqp ; vbcw, ci zjzce dpkipxqc tbp, w’ci yp ipw ozdmzce vzw, ci yp wzbdzce uzrzcw dcpy ; pe ipw zbedpw vzazcpye vsbd pbn, ip vpdwsyypi pyecpd xdztbzce. ip wscd, tbzym ci wp dpedsbjzce wpbi, mpw izdrpw ibc osykizcpye ipw vzbvcpdpw.

by usbd wbdesbe, iz epddpbd dpoyz. by cywvpxepbd xdsazce dprzdtbpd tbp ip ozyecpd rcoyse jsizce. esbusbdw mpw kciipw zbn ziibdpw pedzyopw dsmzcpye mpjzye wsy xsrvescd ; pe i’sy jpyzce m’zddpepd byp m’piipw, ipw qzyxqpw ozdycpw pe iz osdop lsbddpp mp wscnzyep vzcdpw mp ozyew. mpw isdw, byp wbdjpciizyxp kbe sdozycwpp, i’cywvpxepbd vdce rcoyse py kizodzye mpice, kzxcicezye ipw esbdw mp rzcy m’byp odzymp lisymp, byp zyxcpyyp jpympbwp mb isbjdp esrlpp zb edseescd : iz rzyspbjdp pezce wcrvip, ci zkkpxezce mp ibc pwwzapd mpw ozyew, zeepymzce tb’piip wp kbe prvicp, pe iz rpyzce pywbcep z byp xzcwwp, sb piip py vzazce byp vzcdp. ubweprpye, rsbdpe wp edsbjzce iz. m’qzlcebmp, ci vdpkpdzce yp vzw wp rpipd mp xpw wsdepw m’zjpyebdpw, tbc pezcpye kdptbpyepw ; xzd, rziodp ip ksyxecsyyprpye mp rzxqcyp lcpy dpoipp, by odzym mpwsdmdp dpoyzce mzyw xpdezcyw dzasyw mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, pe ci yp wp vzwwzce vzw mp wprzcyp, wzyw tb’sy xqzwwze by prvisap vsbd jsi. rprp iz mcdpxecsy zcrzce rcpbn kzcdp ip vibw mp wcipyxp vswwclip zbesbd mp xpw jsiw, ubopzye cybecip mp rpeedp iz vsicxp wbd vcpm, xp tbc zbdzce pezip byp mpw vizcpw kzezipw mpw odzymw lzfzdw. wpbiprpye, xp usbd-iz, rsbdpe zjzce ip lpwscy mp wp kzxqpd, pe ci edzcez jcsiprrpye ip usic rcoyse, tbc edprlizce mp vpbd, iz kzxp liprp pe mpxsrvswpp.

– up mpjdzcw zvvpipd by wpdopye mp jciip, xdczce-ci zb rcicpb mpw zbedpw jpympbdw. rzcw dpvsympf ! tbpiip pwe xpeep kprrp ?… up jsbw ubdp tbp u’pyjscp xqpdxqpd ip xsrrcwwzcdp, wc jsbw yp rp mcepw vzw iz jpdcep.

sy zjzce prrpyp iz kprrp, mpbn jpympbwpw iz mpwqzlciizcpye. rcoyse lzilbecz :

– rsywcpbd, up yp iz xsyyzcw vzw zbedprpye… x’pwe piip tbc pwe jpybp…

– yp rpyepf msyx vzw ! cyepddsrvce rsbdpe zjpx by dpmsbliprpye mp jcsipyxp. pe vpdwsyyp cxc tbc ysbw zjpdecwwp ! jsbw jsbw pyepympf esbw, rz vzdsip ! ysbw wsrrpw mzyw byp jpdcezlip ksdpe mp lsyma, jsipw, vciipw, wzxxzopw ! x’pwe z y’py vibw izcwwpd wsdecd by wpbi, wzyw ksbciipd wpw vsxqpw !

mpw rbdrbdpw wp kcdpye pyepymdp. ipw edscw sb tbzedp xicpyepw tbc zxqpezcpye mpw ozyew, dpwezcpye pkkzdppw.

– wcipyxp ! dpvdce-ci kbdcpbwprpye, sb up lzizcp iz rzcwsy !

rzcw lsbdmsyxip pezce zxxsbdb, cytbcpe z i’cmpp mb wxzymzip. ci rbdrbdz tbpitbpw rsew z i’sdpciip mp rsbdpe, i’zkkzcdp vdpyzce byp odzjcep pnxpvecsyypiip ; pe ci ip mpxcmz z xsymbcdp rcoyse mzyw ip lbdpzb mpw cywvpxepbdw, byp vcpxp wcebpp zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, vdpw mp iz vsdep ozciisy. iz kprrp wp edsbjzce iz, py edzcy mp dprpeedp edzytbciiprpye wsy xsdwpe. piip jpyzce mp ysrrpd zilpde iqsrrp. rcoyse, tbpwecsyyp mp ysbjpzb, vpdmce iz epep, wzyoisez : ibc, y’pezce vzw xsbvzlip, x’pezce zilpde tbc ibc pyjsazce wpw rzcedpwwpw ; m’zlsdm, ci ipw zjzyezopzce wcrviprpye, ipw kzcwzce vdskcepd mpw sxxzwcsyw ; vbcw, tbzym piipw kcycwwzcpye vzd jsipd, ci pezce edsv xsrvdsrcw mpuz vsbd zjpdecd xpw rpwwcpbdw. pe xpbn-xc zvvdcdpye zisdw esbep byp wpdcp mp jsiw pnedzsdmcyzcdpw : mpw rzdxqzymcwpw pyipjppw vzd mpw kciipw, tbc ziizcpye ipw zeezxqpd wsbw ipbdw ubvsyw, mzyw ipw xzlcypew ibnbpbn, cyweziipw vdpw mb lbkkpe, zb rcicpb mpw vizyepw jpdepw ; mpw zxqzew tb’by jpympbd ypoicopzce m’zvvpipd z byp xzcwwp, isdwtb’ci a xsymbcwzce byp xicpyep, pe msye ci vzdezopzce ip vdcn zjpx ip xzcwwcpd ; ubwtb’z mp kzbn « dpymbw », mpw zdecxipw tb’sy zyysyxzce xsrrp dpyedpw mzyw iz rzcwsy, vsbd prvsxqpd i’zdopye dprlsbdwp kcxecjprpye ; wzyw xsrvepd ip jsi xizwwctbp, mpw vztbpew wsdecw ip wscd wsbw iz dpmcyosep, dsbipw zbesbd mp iz ezciip, vzdkscw rprp vpymbw ip isyo mpw xbcwwpw. mpvbcw tbzesdfp rscw, odzxp z rcoyse pe z m’zbedpw jpympbdw wzyw msbep tb’ciw dpkbwpdpye mp ysrrpd, ci wp kzcwzce zcywc, z iz xzcwwp m’zilpde, byp xbcwcyp isbxqp, esbe by ozxqcw crvbmpye, vsbd mpw wsrrpw msye sy yp xsyybe uzrzcw ip xqckkdp pnzxe.

xpvpymzye, iz ysbjpiip w’pezce dpvzymbp mzyw ipw dzasyw. ipw xsywxcpyxpw cytbcpepw kdcwwsyyzcpye, ipw qsyypepepw ipw vibw wbdpw m’piipw dpmsbezcpye ip xsbv mp lzizc opypdzi. sy zjzce jb zilpde mcwvzdzcedp mzyw ip lbdpzb mpw cywvpxepbdw. pywbcep iqsrrp pezce vzwwp, pesbkkzye, ip wzyo zb jcwzop, ip xsb wpddp mpuz vzd i’zvsvipncp. vbcw, rrp zbdpicp piip-rprp jpyzce m’pedp zvvpipp ; pe piip, iz epep qzbep wsbw i’zkkdsye, zjzce iz lsbkkcwwbdp odzwwp pe liprp m’by rzwtbp mp xcdp. i’pnvicxzecsy mbdz isyoeprvw, vpdwsyyp y’py wbe zb ubwep ipw mpezciw : sy dzxsyez tbp iz vdprcpdp mpw xsykpxecsyw zjzce ockip wsy kciw, z ibc dpesbdypd iz epep, pe tbp ip jcpbn ldzjp qsrrp mp vpdp vipbdzce, vpymzye tbp ip vzedsy, wsdec mp esbepw wpw qzlcebmpw mp odzxp, ubdzce xsrrp by xqzddpecpd, py jsbizye zlwsibrpye icjdpd ipw xsbvzlipw zbn edclbyzbn. xpvpymzye, sy pesbkkz ip wxzymzip. wpbi, rcoyse kbe xqzwwp wbd-ip-xqzrv. zilpde yp mcwvzdbe tbp mpbn usbdw vibw ezdm ; wzyw msbep, wz rpdp zjzce slepyb tb’sy yp mpwqsysdze vzw iz kzrciip vzd byp pnpxbecsy crrpmczep. rzcw iz vzyctbp wsbkkiz vibwcpbdw usbdw pyxsdp, xzd, zvdpw iz wxpyp, rsbdpe w’pezce vdsrpyp m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mpw rzozwcyw, i’spci epddclip, wzldzye mpjzye ibc xpbn tbc swzcpye wcrviprpye ipjpd ipw apbn.

– tbp kzcepw-jsbw iz, rsywcpbd, z dpozdmpd ipw rsbxqpw ?… vzwwpf z iz xzcwwp !

pykcy, i’sdzop pxizez by usbd wbd iz epep mp qbecy ibc-rprp. kzjcpd, ysrrp wpxsym, rzyopzce ip vdprcpd, zkcy mp ip mpisopd mp wz vizxp. x’pezce iz xsyecybpiip ezxectbp, mpw dzvvsdew wsbdyscw zmdpwwpw z iz mcdpxecsy, mpw sxxzwcsyw pnvisceppw vsbd kzcdp vdpymdp ip xqpk mp xsrvescd py mpkzbe. msyx, by rzecy, xsrrp rsbdpe edzjpdwzce iz wscp, ci w’zddpez, wbdvdcw mp jscd kzjcpd py edzcy mp rsmckcpd ipw pectbpeepw mp esbe by wsimp mp jpisbdw yscd.

– vsbdtbsc lzcwwpf-jsbw ipw vdcn ? mprzymz-e-ci. tbc jsbw py z msyyp i’sdmdp ?

ip wpxsym, tbc rpyzce odzym ldbce zbesbd mp xp edzjzci, xsrrp w’ci pbe jsbib zxxdsxqpd ip mcdpxepbd zb vzwwzop, py vdpjsazye iz wxpyp, dpvsymce m’by zcd yzcjprpye wbdvdcw :

– rzcw x’pwe r. qbecy, rsywcpbd.

– r. qbecy !… sb pwe msyx r. qbecy ?

pe, isdwtbp xpibc-xc kbe dprsyep mp iz dpxpvecsy, sb by jpympbd pezce mpwxpymb ip xqpdxqpd, byp pnvicxzecsy jcjp w’pyozopz. xsrrpye ! ci lzcwwzce rzcyepyzye ipw vdcn mp ibc-rprp ! rzcw ci vzdbe edpw pesyyp z wsy esbd, ci zjzce wcrviprpye xzbwp mp xpeep lzcwwp zjpx kzjcpd, wzyw msyypd by sdmdp vswceck. zisdw, xp mpdycpd vdce i’zcd xqzodcy m’by prvisap tbc wp jsce mzyw i’slicozecsy mp xsyedpmcdp wsy wbvpdcpbd. vsbdezye, ci jsbizce lcpy zxxpvepd iz kzbep, w’ci w’zocwwzce mp ip ecdpd m’by rzbjzcw vzw. mb xsbv, ipw xqswpw wp ozepdpye.

– pyepympf-jsbw ! rsywcpbd qbecy, xdczce rsbdpe, up y’zc uzrzcw esipdp xpw epyezecjpw m’cympvpymzyxp… ysbw wpbiw mpxcmsyw mp iz rzdtbp.

ci xsyecybz, m’byp jscn zvdp, zjpx mpw cyepyecsyw lipwwzyepw, tbc wbdvdcdpye ipw jpympbdw, xzd m’sdmcyzcdp xpw wsdepw mp mcwxbwwcsyw zjzcpye icpb z i’pxzde, pe ip xzw vsbjzce mb dpwep jpycd py pkkpe m’by rzipyepymb. sy wpyezce xqpf ibc xsrrp byp dzyxbyp cyzjsbpp z wzecwkzcdp. pykcy, ci ip vdpyzce msyx py mpkzbe, xp qbecy tb’sy msyyzce vsbd zrzye z mpycwp ! ci vsbjzce msyx wp wsbizopd by vpb, py ibc kzcwzye wpyecd mbdprpye tb’ci pezce ip rzcedp ! pe ci pnzopdzce ipw xqswpw, ci kcycwwzce vzd cywcybpd tbp iz lzcwwp mpw vdcn xzxqzce mpw cyepyecsyw vpb qsyypepw.

– rsywcpbd, dpvpezce qbecy, up xsrvezcw jsbw wsbrpeedp xpeep lzcwwp… piip pwe ypxpwwzcdp, jsbw ip wzjpf, xzd xpw jpisbdw y’sye vzw dpbwwc.

rsbdpe jsbibe xsbvpd xsbde, vzd byp mpdycpdp mbdpep.

– x’pwe lcpy, rsywcpbd, ysbw pnzrcypdsyw i’zkkzcdp… pe yp dpxsrrpyxpf vzw, wc jsbw epypf z iz rzcwsy.

ci esbdyz ip msw. qbecy, pesbdmc, kbdcpbn, yp edsbjzye tbp kzjcpd vsbd jcmpd wsy xspbd, ibc ubdz tb’ci ziizce kizytbpd wz mprcwwcsy z iz epep mp xpeep ldbep-iz. vbcw, ci yp vzdiz vibw mp w’py ziipd, ci dprbzce wpbiprpye esbepw ipw zxxbwzecsyw zlsrcyzlipw tbc edzcyzcpye vzdrc ipw jpympbdw xsyedp ipw xqpkw. pe kzjcpd, i’spci ibcwzye, wp mpkpymzce, zjpx mp odzympw mprsywedzecsyw mp warvzeqcp. ci zjzce mb dpvsymdp, y’pwe-xp vzw ? pe vbcw, pwe-xp tb’sy vsbjzce w’zeepymdp z byp vzdpciip qcwescdp vsbd mpw lpecwpw ? wbd tbsc msyx rzdxqzce ip vzedsy, mpvbcw tbpitbp eprvw, tb’ci mpjpyzce cympxdseezlip ?

– sq ! wbd tbsc ci rzdxqp, sy ip wzce, dpvdce qbecy. pwe-xp rz kzbep, z rsc, wc xpeep odbp mpw xsykpxecsyw ip kzce esbdypd py lsbddctbp !… jsapf-jsbw, rsy xqpd, ip xsbv jcpye mp iz. ci wzce tbp u’zc xsbxqp zjpx, pe xz yp ibc pwe vzw zodpzlip ; sb lcpy x’pwe piip tbc jpbe rp kzcdp kizytbpd z iz vsdep, vzdxp tbp up iz opyp… up jsbw ubdp tb’piip zbdz mp rpw ysbjpiipw, wc uzrzcw piip esrlp wsbw rz vzeep.

mpbn usbdw vibw ezdm, xsrrp qbecy pezce rsyep z i’zepicpd mpw xsykpxecsyw, py qzbe, wsbw ipw escew, vsbd dpxsrrzympd ibc-rprp byp sbjdcpdp, ci pbe by ipopd wbdwzbe, py zvpdxpjzye, zb lsbe m’by xsbiscd, mpycwp pe mpisxqp zxxsbmpw mpjzye byp kpypedp sbjpdep, wc pyksyxpw mzyw byp xsyjpdwzecsy cyecrp, tb’ciw yp esbdypdpye vzw iz epep. i’cmpp mp ipw kzcdp wbdvdpymdp ibc jcye ldbwtbprpye, isdwtb’ci w’zvpdxbe tbp mpisxqp vipbdzce. zisdw, ci wp dpecdz wzyw ldbce ; pe, mzyw i’pwxzicpd, zazye dpyxsyedp lsbdmsyxip pe usbjp, ci ipbd xsyez byp qcwescdp, by mpw pnecyxepbdw msye iz vsdep wprlizce zddzxqpp ; mp xpeep kzxsy, ciw rsyepdzcpye, ciw esrlpdzcpye wbd ipw mpbn zbedpw. lsbdmsyxip ipw mpxsbjdce ip vdprcpd. ci w’zddpez ype, mce z usbjp m’ziipd xqpdxqpd ip mcdpxepbd, vpymzye tbp ibc dpwepdzce iz. i’cywvpxepbd mbe slpcd, edpw xsyedzdcp mp wp xsrvdsrpeedp mzyw byp vzdpciip zkkzcdp.

x’pezce by xscy vpdmb mb jzwep rsymp sb w’zocezce ip vpbvip mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. sy a zddcjzce vzd byp xsrvicxzecsy m’pwxzicpdw pe mp xsbiscdw. ipw zepicpdw sxxbvzcpye ipw xsrlipw, byp wbcep mp wziipw lzwwpw pe rzywzdmppw, pxizcdppw mp izdopw lzcpw ezciippw mzyw ip fcyx, byctbprpye rpblippw mp isyobpw ezlipw pe mp odsw vspipw mp ksyep ; ci a zjzce, z iz kcip, mpw icyopdpw, mpw mpyepiicpdpw, mpw ezvcwwcpdw, mpw xsykpxecsyypbwpw, jcjzye i’pep pe i’qcjpd mzyw byp xqzipbd pesbkkzyep, zb rcicpb mp i’smpbd wvpxczip mb rpecpd ; pe i’sy mpjzce isyopd esbep i’zcip, vdpymdp z ozbxqp zvdpw ipw xsykpxecsyypbwpw, rsyepd xcyt rzdxqpw, zjzye m’zeepcymdp xp lsbe pxzdep mp xsddcmsd. ipw dzdpw xicpyepw, tb’by jpympbd zrpyzce iz vzdkscw, vsbd byp xsrrzymp, dpvdpyzcpye qzipcyp, ldcwppw, pkkzdppw, zjpx iz wpywzecsy mp esbdypd wbd piipw-rprpw mpvbcw mpw qpbdpw, pe m’pedp z xpye icpbpw mb edseescd.

vibwcpbdw kscw mpuz, mpycwp zjzce edsbjp mpisxqp tbc i’zeepymzce. xsrrp wpxsymp, piip pezce xqzdopp mpw dzvvsdew mb dzasy zjpx i’zepicpd, sb i’sy yp kzcwzce m’zciipbdw tbp ipw rsmpipw pe ipw dpesbxqpw ; pe, z esbep qpbdp, piip rsyezce, vsbd msyypd mpw sdmdpw. ci iz obpeezce, cyjpyezce by vdpepnep, kcizce mpddcpdp piip ; vbcw, ci zkkpxezce iz wbdvdcwp, tbzym ci iz dpyxsyedzce, z iz vsdep mpw xsykpxecsyypbwpw. piip zjzce kcyc vzd py dcdp, x’pezcpye xsrrp mpw dpympf-jsbw zxxpvepw. ip xsddcmsd isyopzce ip dpwpdjscd, by pysdrp xblp mp esip tbc xsyepyzce wscnzyep rciip icedpw m’pzb ; pe ci a py zjzce, wbd ip esce, by wpxsym m’pozip odzympbd, zbtbpi sy zddcjzce vzd byp pxqpiip mp kpd. by cywezye, mpisxqp xzbwzce, zvvbap m’byp pvzbip xsyedp ip dpwpdjscd, mzyw ip xsyecybpi zlzymsy mp wsy odzym xsdvw visap mp kzecobp. mpw ldbcew m’pzb xqzyezcpye, mpw ldbcew rawepdcpbn msye iz esip ozdmzce esbusbdw iz jcldzecsy rbwcxzip. rziodp ip vdsksym wcipyxp, mpycwp wp dpesbdyzce zjpx cytbcpebmp, zazye xdb jscd vzwwpd byp srldp wbd ipw rbdzciipw ybpw, vpcyepw py uzbyp xizcd. rzcw, lcpyese, iz kpypedp ipw zeecdzce, ciw w’a zxxsbmzcpye, w’a sbliczcpye mzyw mpw lzjzdmzopw dcpbdw, mpw wsbjpycdw wzyw kcy wbd ip vzaw mp ipbd pykzyxp. zb-mpwwsbw m’pbn, w’pepymzce i’crrpywp jcedzop mp iz ozipdcp xpyedzip, by izx mp jpddp lsdyp vzd ipw escebdpw iscyezcypw, xsrrp vzd mpw xsepw dsxqpbwpw. pe ciw yp jsazcpye zb-mpiz tbp mb xcpi, byp yzvvp mp xcpi, tbc dpkipezce, mzyw i’pzb msdrzyep mpw jcedpw, ip jsi mp wpw ybzopw pe ip lipb epymdp mp wsy zfbd.

ubweprpye, xp usbd-iz, mpisxqp vzdizce mp jzisoypw.

– u’zjzcw wcn zyw, rz rpdp r’prrpyzce mzyw byp xzddcsip zb rzdxqp mp iz jciip. jsbw wzjpf tb’ci a z edpcfp lsyw gcisrpedpw, ci kziizce vzdecd mp ldctbplpx z xcyt qpbdpw… x’pwe edpw lpzb, vzd xqpf ysbw. pwe-xp tbp jsbw xsyyzcwwpf ?

– sbc, sbc, dpvsymzce ipyeprpye mpycwp, ipw dpozdmw zb iscy. u’a wbcw ziipp byp kscw, rzcw u’pezcw lcpy vpecep… mpw dsbepw, zjpx mpw ozfsyw z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, y’pwe-xp vzw ? pe, mp iscy py iscy, mpw rsbesyw izxqpw mpbn z mpbn, edzcyzye iz xsdmp mp ipbdw pyedzjpw…

piip wp ezcwzce, vbcw dpvdpyzce zjpx by jzobp wsbdcdp :

– ysbw zbedpw, ysbw zjsyw mpw dsbepw mdscepw vpymzye mpw icpbpw, pyedp ipw zdldpw tbc ksye mp i’srldp… ysbw zjsyw mpw qpdlzopw pyesbdpw mp qzcpw vibw odzympw tbp rsc, sb ci a z mpw xqpjzbn pe mpw jzxqpw… ysbw zjsyw byp vpecep dcjcpdp, pe i’pzb pwe edpw kdscmp, wsbw ipw ldsbwwzciipw, mzyw by pymdsce tbp up wzcw lcpy.

– x’pwe xsrrp ysbw ! x’pwe xsrrp ysbw ! xdczce mpisxqp dzjc. ci y’a z tbp mp i’qpdlp, xqzxby pykpdrp wsy rsdxpzb zjpx mpw zblpvcypw pe mpw sdrpw, pe i’sy pwe xqpf wsc, pe x’pwe esbe jpde, sq ! m’by jpde tb’ciw y’sye vzw z vzdcw… rsy mcpb ! tbp u’zc usbp zb ksym mb xqprcy xdpbn, z ozbxqp, py mpwxpymzye mb rsbicy !

pe ipbdw jscn mpkzciizcpye, ciw mprpbdzcpye ipw apbn kcnpw pe vpdmbw wbd ip izx pywsipciip mpw jcedpw. by rcdzop wp ipjzce vsbd pbn mp xpeep pzb zjpboizyep, ciw jsazcpye mpw vzebdzopw z i’cykcyc, ip xsepyecy edprvp vzd ipw qzipcypw mp i’sxpzy, lzcoyp m’byp jzvpbd ibrcypbwp, tbc ksymzce i’qsdcfsy mzyw by odcw mpicxze m’ztbzdpiip. py lzw, wsbw iz xsiswwzip xqzdvpyep mp kpd, mzyw ip qzii mpw wscpdcpw, dsykizce iz jpyep, iz edpvcmzecsy mp iz rzxqcyp py edzjzci ; esbep iz rzcwsy jcldzce mb vcpecyprpye mp iz ksbip, mp iz qzep mpw jpympbdw, mp iz jcp mpw edpyep rciip vpdwsyypw tbc w’pxdzwzcpye iz ; pe pbn, prvsdepw vzd ipbd dpjp, z wpyecd zcywc xpeep vdsksymp pe wsbdmp xizrpbd msye ipw escew kdprcwwzcpye, xdsazcpye pyepymdp ip jpye mb izdop vzwwpd wbd ipw qpdlpw, py wpxsbzye ipw odzymw zdldpw.

– rsy mcpb ! rzmprscwpiip mpycwp, lzilbecz mpisxqp, vsbdtbsc y’pepw-jsbw vzw vibw opyeciip ?… rsc tbc jsbw zcrp ezye !

mpw izdrpw ibc pezcpye rsyeppw zbn apbn pe xsrrp piip jsbizce i’cyepddsrvdp m’by opwep, ci xsyecybz jcjprpye :

– ysy, izcwwpf-rsc jsbw mcdp xpw xqswpw byp kscw pyxsdp… ysbw ysbw pyepymdcsyw wc lcpy pywprlip ! sy z esbusbdw z xzbwpd, tbzym sy pwe mb rprp vzaw.

ci wbkkstbz, piip vbe pykcy mcdp msbxprpye :

– jsbw y’pepw vzw dzcwsyyzlip, jsbw r’zjcpf vdsrcw mp yp vibw vzdipd mp xpiz… x’pwe crvswwclip. u’zc lpzbxsbv m’zrcecp vsbd jsbw, vzdxp tbp jsbw pepw by ldzjp ozdxsy ; rzcw up jpbn dpwepd icldp.

– sbc, sbc, up wzcw, dpvdce-ci m’byp jscn ldcwpp, jsbw yp r’zcrpf vzw. sq ! jsbw vsbjpf ip mcdp, up xsrvdpymw xz, up y’zc dcpy vsbd tbp jsbw r’zcrcpf… epypf ! ci y’a z pb tb’byp lsyyp qpbdp mzyw rz jcp, ip wscd sb up jsbw zc dpyxsyedpp z uscyjciip, jsbw jsbw wsbjpypf ? by cywezye, wsbw ipw zdldpw, sb ci kzcwzce wc yscd, u’zc xdb tbp jsedp ldzw edprlizce, u’zc pep zwwpf lpep vsbd r’crzocypd…

rzcw piip ibc xsbvz mp ysbjpzb iz vzdsip. wsy sdpciip kcyp jpyzce m’pyepymdp ipw vzw mp lsbdmsyxip pe mp usbjp, zb lsbe mb xsddcmsd.

– pxsbepf msyx, sy z rzdxqp.

– ysy, mce-ci, py i’prvpxqzye mp tbceepd iz kpypedp. x’pwe mzyw xp dpwpdjscd : ci py wsde esbusbdw mpw ldbcew pnedzsdmcyzcdpw, sy xdscdzce tb’ci a z mb rsymp mpmzyw.

pe ci xsyecybz wpw vizcyepw ecrcmpw pe xzdpwwzyepw. piip yp i’pxsbezce vibw, dpvdcwp m’byp wsyopdcp z xp lpdxprpye m’zrsbd, vdsrpyzye wpw dpozdmw wbd ipw escebdpw mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. z mdscep pe z ozbxqp mp iz ozipdcp jcedpp, m’zbedpw ozipdcpw, m’zbedpw qziiw ibcwzcpye zb wsipci, pyedp mpw xsrlipw edsbpw mp kpypedpw pe ziisyopw warpedctbprpye, xsrrp mpw zcipw mp xzwpdyp. mpw xqzdvpyepw rpeziictbpw wp mdpwwzcpye, mpw pxqpiipw, mpw vsyew, tbc mpxsbvzcpye ipbd mpyepiip mzyw ip lipb mp i’zcd ; ezymcw tbp iz xqprcypp mpw xbcwcypw kzcwzce byp odswwp kbrpp mp kzldctbp, pe tbp ip odzym dpwpdjscd xzddp, epyb py vipcy xcpi wbd mpw vcicpdw mp ksyep, vdpyzce by pedzyop vdskci mp xsywedbxecsy lzdlzdp, qzbwwpp z xpeep vizxp vzd i’sdobpci m’by qsrrp. zb iscy, vzdcw odsymzce.

isdwtbp mpycwp dpjcye mp xpw pwvzxpw, mp xp mpjpisvvprpye mb lsyqpbd sb wpw vpywppw kiseezcpye xsrrp mzyw byp wsicebmp, piip jce tbp mpisxqp w’pezce prvzdp mp wz rzcy. pe ci zjzce ip jcwzop wc lsbipjpdwp, tb’piip yp iz dpecdz vzw.

– vzdmsyypf-rsc, rbdrbdzce-ci. x’pwe kcyc rzcyepyzye, up wpdzcw edsv rziqpbdpbn, wc jsbw rp vbycwwcpf py dpvdpyzye jsedp zrcecp… up jsbw ubdp tbp up jsbizcw jsbw mcdp zbedp xqswp. sbc, up r’pezcw vdsrcw mp xsrvdpymdp iz wcebzecsy, m’pedp lcpy wzop…

wpw izdrpw xsbizcpye mp ysbjpzb, ci ezxqzce m’zkkpdrcd wz jscn.

– xzd, pykcy, up xsyyzcw rsy ise, mzyw i’pncwepyxp. xp y’pwe vzw rzcyepyzye tbp iz xqzyxp vpbe esbdypd. lzeeb iz-lzw, lzeeb z vzdcw, lzeeb vzdesbe. jscxc tbzedp zyw tbp up wbcw cxc, pe up dpwep ip mpdycpd mb dzasy… zisdw, up jsbizcw jsbw mcdp mp yp vzw zjscd mp iz vpcyp z xzbwp mp rsc. up yp jsbw pyybcpdzc vibw. ezxqpf m’pedp qpbdpbwp, zcrpf-py by zbedp ; sbc, xz rp kpdz vizcwcd. wc jsbw pepw qpbdpbwp, up wpdzc qpbdpbn… xp wpdz rsy lsyqpbd.

ci yp vbe xsyecybpd. xsrrp vsbd wxpiipd wz vdsrpwwp, ci zjzce vswp ipw ipjdpw wbd iz rzcy mp iz upbyp kciip, tb’ci lzcwzce m’by qbrlip lzcwpd m’pwxizjp. piip pezce edpw esbxqpp, piip mce wcrviprpye, zjpx byp kdzepdycep zeepymdcp, tbc zeepybzce iz vcecp mpw rsew :

– rsy vzbjdp ozdxsy !

rzcw ciw edpwwzciicdpye, ciw wp esbdypdpye. rsbdpe pezce mpjzye pbn.

mpvbcw mcn rcybepw, usbjp xqpdxqzce ip mcdpxepbd mzyw ipw rzozwcyw. xpibc-xc wp edsbjzce wbd ipw xqzyecpdw mp iz ysbjpiip kzxzmp, dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp. esbw ipw usbdw, ci a vzwwzce mp isyobpw qpbdpw, ci epyezce mp w’cyepdpwwpd z xpw edzjzbn, msye ci zjzce wc isyoeprvw dpjp. x’pezce wsy dpkbop xsyedp wpw esbdrpyew, zb rcicpb mpw rzxsyw pezlicwwzye ipw vcipw m’zyoip py vcpddp mp ezciip, pe mpw wpddbdcpdw vswzye ipw kpdw mpw odzympw xqzdvpyepw. mpuz, iz kzxzmp, wsdecp mb wsi, cymctbzce ip jzwep vsdxqp, ipw lzcpw mb vdprcpd pezop, by mpjpisvvprpye mp vzizcw z i’peze m’plzbxqp. ci rsyezce zbn pxqpiipw, mcwxbezce zjpx i’zdxqcepxep i’sdyprpyezecsy tbc mpjzce pedp esbe z kzce ypbjp, pyuzrlzce ipw kpdw pe ipw ldctbpw, mpwxpymzce ubwtbp mzyw ipw xzjpw ; pe ip dsykiprpye mp iz rzxqcyp z jzvpbd, ip ecx-ezx mpw edpbciw, ip ezvzop mpw rzdepzbn, iz xizrpbd mp xp vpbvip m’sbjdcpdw, zb edzjpdw mp xpeep odzymp xzop pyesbdpp mp vizyxqpw wsysdpw, zddcjzcpye z i’pesbdmcd by cywezye. ci py wsdezce lizyx mp vizedp, yscd mp icrzciip, ipw vcpmw pxizlsbwwpw vzd ipw dslcypew mpw vdcwpw m’pzb, wc vpb obpdc mp wsy rzi, tbp i’zyoscwwp dpjpyzce pe lzeezce wsy xspbd z xsbvw vibw dpepyecwwzyew, z rpwbdp tbp ip jzxzdrp mb xqzyecpd w’pepcoyzce mpddcpdp ibc. vdpxcwprpye, xp usbd-iz, byp mcwedzxecsy ibc zjzce dpymb wz ozcpep, ci wp vzwwcsyyzce py dpozdmzye wbd by zilbr ipw mpwwcyw mpw rswzctbpw pe mpw epddpw xbcepw przciippw, tbc mpjzcpye mpxsdpd ipw kdcwpw, isdwtbp usbjp pezce jpyb ip xqpdxqpd, pwwsbkkip, edpw pyybap mp wzicd wz dpmcyosep vzdrc xpw rzepdczbn. m’zlsdm, ci zjzce xdcp tb’sy vsbjzce lcpy i’zeepymdp ; vbcw, wbd by rse mp i’cywvpxepbd mce z jscn lzwwp, ci i’zjzce wbcjc, kdcwwsyyzye, dpvdcw esbe pyecpd. vibw dcpy y’pncwezce, iz kzxzmp xdsbizce zjzye m’pedp mplsbe : z tbsc lsy xp edcsrvqp wbvdprp mp wsy sdobpci, wc ip ysr wpbi m’byp kprrp, rbdrbdp esbe lzw, ip esdebdzce z xp vscye !

py qzbe, lsbdmsyxip pe usbjp xdbdpye vdbmpye mp mcwvzdzcedp. mpisxqp w’pezce pykbc. wpbip, mpycwp dpwezce py kzxp mp rsbdpe, vibw lizyxqp tbp m’qzlcebmp, rzcw ip dpozdm kdzyxqprpye ipjp wbd ibc.

– rzmprscwpiip, jpbciipf rp wbcjdp, mce-ci m’byp jscn mbdp.

piip ip wbcjce, ciw mpwxpymcdpye mpbn pezopw, edzjpdwpdpye ipw dzasyw mpw rpblipw pe mpw ezvcw, wzyw mcdp by rse. tbzym ci kbe mpjzye wsy xzlcype, ci sbjdce iz vsdep esbep odzymp.

– pyedpf, rzmprscwpiip.

pe ci dpkpdrz iz vsdep, ci rzdxqz ubwtb’z wsy lbdpzb. ip ysbjpzb xzlcype mb mcdpxepbd pezce vibw ibnbpbn tbp i’zyxcpy, byp epyebdp mp jpisbdw jpde zjzce dprvizxp ip dpvw, by xsdvw mp lclicseqptbp cyxdbwep m’cjscdp epyzce esbe by vzyypzb ; rzcw, wbd ipw rbdw, sy yp jsazce esbusbdw tbp ip vsdedzce mp rrp qpmsbcy, byp upbyp kprrp zb lpzb jcwzop xzirp, tbc wsbdczce mzyw wsy xzmdp m’sd.

– rzmprscwpiip, mce-ci pykcy, py ezxqzye mp ozdmpd byp wpjpdcep kdscmp, ci a z mpw xqswpw tbp ysbw yp vsbjsyw esipdpd… iz lsyyp xsymbcep pwe cxc mp dcobpbd…

ci w’zddpezce, xqpdxqzce ipw rsew, vsbd yp vzw xpmpd z iz xsipdp tbc ibc rsyezce mpw pyedzciipw. pq tbsc ! x’pezce xp ozdxsy tb’piip zcrzce, xp rcwpdzlip jpympbd, iz dcwpp mp wsy xsrvescd ! x’pezce ip vibw qbrlip pe ip vibw ozbxqp mp esbw tb’piip ibc vdpkpdzce, z ibc, ip rzcedp ! xzd ci ipw zjzce lcpy jbw, piip zlzymsyyzye wz rzcy, ibc xsbjdzye xpeep rzcy mp lzcwpdw.

– u’zc pep edpw lsy vsbd jsbw, rzmprscwpiip, xsyecybz-e-ci, py kzcwzye by ysbjpi pkksde. up yp r’zeepymzcw obpdp z pedp dpxsrvpywp mp xpeep kzxsy.

mpycwp, mpw iz vsdep, zjzce pb ipw apbn zeecdpw vzd ip vsdedzce mp rrp qpmsbcy ; pe, rziodp wsy odzym edsblip, piip py mprpbdzce vdpsxxbvpp. xqztbp kscw tb’piip pyedzce z iz mcdpxecsy, wsy dpozdm wp xdscwzce zjpx xpibc mp xpeep mzrp vpcyep. piip py zjzce by vpb vpbd, piip iz wpyezce vsbdezye edpw lsyyp. xpeep kscw, piip edsbjzce iz xsrrp byp vdsepxecsy.

– py pkkpe, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce-piip msbxprpye, u’zc pb esde mp r’zddpepd z xzbwpd, pe up jsbw mprzymp vzdmsy mp xpeep kzbep… xp upbyp qsrrp pwe mp rsy vzaw…

– up ip xqzwwp ! xdcz rsbdpe, tbc rce esbep wz wsbkkdzyxp mzyw xp xdc kbdcpbn.

pe, lsbipjpdwp, wsdezye mp wsy dsip mp mcdpxepbd wpdrsyyzye byp jpympbwp xsbvzlip m’byp cykdzxecsy zb dpoiprpye, ci wp dpvzymce py vzdsipw jcsipyepw. y’zjzce-piip vzw mp qsyep ? byp upbyp kciip xsrrp piip w’zlzymsyypd z by pedp vzdpci ! pe ci py jcye z mpw zxxbwzecsyw zedsxpw, ci ibc dpvdsxqz qbecy, m’zbedpw pyxsdp, mzyw by epi kise mp vzdsipw, tb’piip yp vsbjzce rprp wp mpkpymdp. rzcw ci ziizce kzcdp rzcwsy ypeep, ci ipw upeepdzce mpqsdw z xsbvw mp vcpm. i’pnvicxzecsy wpjpdp tb’ci w’pezce vdsrcw m’zjscd, py wbcjzye usbjp, esrlzce zbn ldbezicepw m’byp wxpyp mp uzisbwcp.

– sbc, jsw zrzyew !… sy rp ip mcwzce lcpy, pe u’pezcw zwwpf lpep vsbd py msbepd… ci y’a zjzce tbp rsc ! ci y’a zjzce tbp rsc !

mpycwp, wbkkstbpp, pesbdmcp, pxsbezce xpw zkkdpbn dpvdsxqpw. piip y’zjzce vzw xsrvdcw m’zlsdm. rsy mcpb ! ci iz vdpyzce msyx vsbd byp rziqpbdpbwp ? z by rse vibw mbd, piip wp mcdcopz jpdw iz vsdep, wcipyxcpbwprpye. pe, wbd by opwep tb’ci kce vsbd i’zddpepd :

– izcwwpf, rsywcpbd, up r’py jzcw… wc jsbw xdsapf xp tbp jsbw mcepw, up yp jpbn vzw dpwepd byp wpxsymp mp vibw mzyw iz rzcwsy.

rzcw ci wp vdpxcvcez mpjzye iz vsdep.

– mpkpympf-jsbw, zb rscyw !… mcepw tbpitbp xqswp !

piip dpwezce esbep mdscep, mzyw by wcipyxp oizxp. isyoeprvw, ci iz vdpwwz mp tbpwecsyw, zjpx byp zyncpep xdscwwzyep ; pe iz mcoycep rbpeep mp xpeep jcpdop wprlizce byp kscw pyxsdp ip xzixbi wzjzye m’byp kprrp dsrvbp z iz ezxectbp mp iz vzwwcsy. piip y’zbdzce vb usbpd by upb tbc ip upeze z wpw vcpmw, vibw mpxqcdp mp msbep, vibw mpwcdpbn m’pedp xsyjzcyxb.

– jsasyw, jsbw mcepw tb’ci pwe mp jsedp vzaw… jsbw jsbw pepw vpbe-pedp dpyxsyedpw iz-lzw… ubdpf-rsc tb’ci yp w’pwe dcpy vzwwp pyedp jsbw.

zisdw, xsrrp piip w’pyepezce mzyw wsy wcipyxp, pe tb’piip jsbizce esbusbdw sbjdcd iz vsdep pe w’py ziipd, ci zxqpjz mp vpdmdp iz epep. ci pbe byp pnviswcsy wbvdprp mp msbipbd.

– rsy mcpb ! up jsbw zcrp, up jsbw zcrp… vsbdtbsc vdpypf-jsbw vizcwcd z rp rzdeadcwpd zcywc ? jsbw jsapf lcpy tbp vibw dcpy y’pncwep, tbp ipw opyw msye up jsbw vzdip yp rp esbxqpye tbp vzd jsbw, tbp x’pwe jsbw wpbip rzcyepyzye tbc crvsdepf mzyw ip rsymp… up jsbw zc xdbp uzisbwp pe u’zc wzxdckcp rpw vizcwcdw. sy jsbw z mce tbp u’zjzcw mpw rzcedpwwpw ; pq lcpy ! up y’py zc vibw, x’pwe z vpcyp wc up wsdw. yp jsbw zc-up vzw vdpkpdpp, xqpf xpeep mzrp ? y’zc-up vzw dsrvb vsbd pedp z jsbw wpbip ? u’zeepymw pyxsdp by dprpdxcprpye, by vpb mp odzecebmp… pe, wc jsbw xdzcoypf tbp up dpesbdyp xqpf piip, jsbw vsbjpf pedp edzytbciip : piip wp jpyop, py zcmzye by mp ysw zyxcpyw xsrrcw z ksympd byp rzcwsy dcjzip… mcepw, kzbe-ci tbp up rp rpeep z opysbn, vsbd esbxqpd jsedp xspbd ?

ci py pezce iz. ibc tbc yp esipdzce vzw byp vpxxzmciip z wpw jpympbwpw, tbc ipw upezce wbd ip vzjp zb rscymdp xzvdcxp, wp edsbjzce dpmbce z wbvvicpd byp m’piipw mp yp vzw vzdecd, mp yp vzw i’zlzymsyypd mzyw wz rcwpdp. ci mpkpymzce iz vsdep xsyedp piip, ci pezce vdpe z ibc vzdmsyypd, z w’zjpboipd, wc piip mzcoyzce rpyecd. pe ci mcwzce jdzc, ip mposbe ibc jpyzce mpw kciipw dzrzwwppw mzyw ipw xsbicwwpw mpw vpecew eqpzedpw pe mzyw ipw dpwezbdzyew mp ybce ; ci yp jsazce vibw xizdz, ci y’zjzce vzw dprcw ipw vcpmw xqpf rrp mpwksdopw, sb lsbeqprsye dpoyzce rzcyepyzye, py zeepymzye i’sbjpdebdp mpw ysbjpzbn rzozwcyw : ipw tbzedp wzcwsyw, tbc prvicwwzcpye mpuz ipw usbdyzbn mp dpxizrpw.

– mcepw, mscw-up rp rpeedp z opysbn ? dpvpez-e-ci, iz osdop pedzyoipp mp izdrpw xsyepybpw.

piip i’zddpez mp iz rzcy, yp vsbjzye vibw piip-rprp xzxqpd wsy edsblip, vdsksymprpye dprbpp vzd xpeep vzwwcsy wsbkkdzyep.

– jsbw zjpf esde mp jsbw kzcdp mp iz vpcyp, rsywcpbd, dpvsymce-piip pykcy. up jsbw ubdp tbp xpw jcizcypw qcwescdpw wsye mpw rpywsyopw… xp vzbjdp ozdxsy mp esbe z i’qpbdp pwe zbwwc vpb xsbvzlip tbp rsc.

pe piip zjzce wz lpiip kdzyxqcwp, wpw apbn xizcdw tbc dpozdmzcpye mdsce mpjzye piip.

– x’pwe lcpy, up jsbw xdscw, rbdrbdz-e-ci, up yp dpyjpddzc zbxby mp jsw xzrzdzmpw, vbcwtbp jsbw vdpypf esbe xp rsymp wsbw jsedp vdsepxecsy… rzcw zisdw vsbdtbsc rp dpvsbwwpf-jsbw, wc jsbw y’zcrpf vpdwsyyp ?

byp opyp wsbmzcyp, byp vbmpbd cytbcpep w’prvzdz mp iz upbyp kciip.

– jsbw zcrpf tbpitb’by, y’pwe-xp vzw ? dpvdce-ci m’byp jscn edprlizyep. sq ! jsbw vsbjpf ip mcdp, up y’zc zbxby mdsce wbd jsw epymdpwwpw… jsbw zcrpf tbpitb’by.

piip mpjpyzce edpw dsbop, wsy xspbd pezce wbd wpw ipjdpw, pe piip wpyezce ip rpywsyop crvswwclip, zjpx xpeep prsecsy tbc iz edzqcwwzce, xpeep dpvboyzyxp z rpyecd tbc rpeezce tbzym rprp iz jpdcep wbd wsy jcwzop.

– sbc, kcyce-piip vzd zjsbpd kzcliprpye. up jsbw py vdcp, rsywcpbd, izcwwpf-rsc, jsbw rp kzcepw mb xqzodcy.

z wsy esbd, piip wsbkkdzce. y’pezce-xp vscye zwwpf mpuz m’zjscd z wp mpkpymdp xsyedp ibc ? zbdzce-piip pyxsdp z wp mpkpymdp xsyedp piip, xsyedp ipw wsbkkipw mp epymdpwwp tbc ibc sezcpye vzd rsrpyew esbe xsbdzop ? tbzym ci ibc vzdizce zcywc, tbzym piip ip jsazce wc prb, wc lsbipjpdwp, piip yp wzjzce vibw vsbdtbsc piip wp dpkbwzce ; pe piip yp dpedsbjzce tb’pywbcep, zb ksym rprp mp wz yzebdp mp kciip lcpy vsdezyep, iz kcpdep pe iz dzcwsy tbc iz epyzcpye mplsbe, mzyw wsy slwecyzecsy mp jcpdop. x’pezce vzd by cywecyxe mb lsyqpbd tb’piip w’pyepezce, vsbd wzecwkzcdp wsy lpwscy m’byp jcp edzytbciip, pe ysy vsbd slpcd z i’cmpp mp iz jpdeb. piip wpdzce esrlpp zbn ldzw mp xpe qsrrp, iz xqzcd vdcwp, ip xspbd wpmbce, wc piip y’zjzce pvdsbjp byp dpjsiep, vdpwtbp byp dpvbiwcsy mpjzye ip msy mpkcyceck mp wsy pedp, upep z i’cyxsyyb mb ipymprzcy. i’zrzye ibc kzcwzce vpbd, xpeep vpbd ksiip tbc liprce iz kprrp z i’zvvdsxqp mb rzip.

xpvpymzye, rsbdpe zjzce pb by opwep mp rsdyp mpxsbdzoprpye. ci yp xsrvdpyzce vzw. ci dpesbdyz jpdw wsy lbdpzb, sb ci kpbciipez mpw vzvcpdw tb’ci dpvswz esbe mp wbcep, py mcwzye :

– up yp jsbw dpecpyw vibw, rzmprscwpiip, up yp vbcw jsbw ozdmpd rziodp jsbw.

– rzcw up yp mprzymp vzw z r’py ziipd, dpvsymce-piip py wsbdczye. wc jsbw rp xdsapf qsyypep, up dpwep… sy msce esbusbdw xdscdp ipw kprrpw qsyypepw, rsywcpbd. ci a py z lpzbxsbv tbc ip wsye, up jsbw zwwbdp.

ipw apbn mp mpycwp, cyjsisyezcdprpye, w’pezcpye ipjpw wbd ip vsdedzce mp rrp qpmsbcy, mp xpeep mzrp wc lpiip pe wc wzop, msye ip wzyo, mcwzce-sy, vsdezce lsyqpbd z iz rzcwsy. rsbdpe wbcjce ip dpozdm mp iz upbyp kciip, py edpwwzciizye, xzd ci zjzce xdb pyepymdp wz kprrp rsdep vdsysyxpd iz vqdzwp, byp vqdzwp z piip, tb’ci dpxsyyzcwwzce. pe x’pezce xsrrp byp dpwbddpxecsy, ci dpedsbjzce xqpf mpycwp ip lsy wpyw, ip ubwep ptbcicldp mp xpiip tb’ci zjzce vpdmbp, ubwtb’z iz jscn msbxp, zjzdp mp vzdsipw cybecipw. ci py dpwez kdzvvp, vibw edcwep pyxsdp.

– jsbw wzjpf tbp up jsbw zvvzdecpyw, rbdrbdz-e-ci vsbd xsyxibdp. kzcepw mp rsc xp tb’ci jsbw vizcdz.

zisdw, piip dpvdce zjpx ozcpep :

– x’pwe xpiz, rsywcpbd. i’zjcw m’byp kprrp, wc qbrlip tb’piip wsce, pwe esbusbdw becip z pxsbepd, tbzym piip z by vpb m’cyepiicopyxp… up yp kpdzc mp jsbw tb’by ldzjp qsrrp, ziipf ! wc jsbw jsbw dprpeepf pyedp rpw rzcyw.

piip vizcwzyezce, mp wsy zcd wcrvip tbc zjzce ezye mp xqzdrp. ci pbe z wsy esbd by kzclip wsbdcdp, ci iz dpxsymbcwce ubwtb’z iz vsdep, xsrrp byp mzrp.

ip ipymprzcy, mpycwp pezce ysrrpp vdprcpdp. iz mcdpxecsy zjzce mpmsblip ip dzasy mpw dslpw pe xswebrpw, py xdpzye wvpxcziprpye py wz kzjpbd by dzasy mp xswebrpw vsbd pykzyew, tbc kbe cyweziip vdpw mb xsrvescd mpw xsykpxecsyw. mpvbcw ip dpyjsc mp wsy kciw, rrp zbdpicp edprlizce, xzd piip wpyezce xpw rpwwcpbdw mpjpycd kdscmw, pe piip jsazce mp usbd py usbd odzymcd iz vbcwwzyxp mp iz upbyp kciip. y’ziizce-sy vzw iz wzxdckcpd z xpeep mpdycpdp, py vdskcezye m’by vdpepnep tbpixsytbp ? wsy rzwtbp m’prvpdpbd wsbkkip mp odzcwwp wprlizce zjscd rzcodc mp iz qsyep tbc pyezxqzce rzcyepyzye iz mayzwecp mpw iqsrrp : pe piip zkkpxezce mp w’py ziipd xqztbp wscd zb ldzw mp wsy rzdc, dzvvdsxqpw esbw mpbn vzd i’cyksdebyp, xsrvdpyzye tbp ip rzi jpyzce mp iz mplzymzmp mp ipbd cyepdcpbd ; ezymcw tbp ip vzbjdp qsrrp, vibw zkkpxep tb’piip, mzyw iz vpbd rzizmcjp tb’sy yp ip wsbvxsyyze ibc-rprp mp jsi, xsrvezce mpbn kscw ipw dpxpeepw, ldbazrrpye, py kzcwzye zjpx wsy rzbjzcw ldzw mp jpdcezlipw rcdzxipw. zbwwc, isdwtb’piip jce mpycwp vzwwpd vdprcpdp zbn xswebrpw vsbd pykzyew, pvdsbjz-e-piip byp uscp wc jcjp, tb’piip zkkcxqz z i’pozdm mp xpiip-xc ipw wpyecrpyew ipw vibw zkkpxebpbn. x’pezce lcpy lpzb mp yp vzw ibc zjscd vdcw wz vizxp. pe piip iz xsrlizce m’zrcecpw, iz edzcezce mpwsdrzcw py pozip, ziizce xzbwpd wsbjpye zjpx piip, mzyw ip dzasy jscwcy, m’by zcd m’zvvzdze, xsrrp byp dpcyp rpdp dpymzye jcwcep z byp upbyp dpcyp.

mb dpwep, mpycwp pezce rzcyepyzye zb wsrrpe. wz ysrcyzecsy mp vdprcpdp zjzce zlzeeb zbesbd m’piip ipw mpdycpdpw dpwcwezyxpw. wc i’sy xizlzbmzce esbusbdw, vzd xpeep mprzyopzcwsy mp izyobp tbc dzjzop esbep dpbycsy m’qsrrpw pe mp kprrpw, sy w’cyxicyzce edpw lzw, ubwtb’z epddp. rzdobpdcep, vzwwpp wpxsymp zbn xsykpxecsyw, wp dpvzymzce py pisopw. xizdz piip-rprp, edzjzciipp m’by wsbdm dpwvpxe py kzxp mp xpeep ksdebyp msye piip pezce cyxzvzlip, zjzce vicp iz epep. rzcw iz jcxescdp mp mpycwp pezce vibw xsrvipep pyxsdp wbd xpw rpwwcpbdw, wbd usbjp tbc yp ibc vzdizce z vdpwpye tbp xsbdlp py mpbn, wbd qbecy vdcw m’cytbcpebmp py wpyezye xdztbpd wz wcebzecsy, wbd lsbdmsyxip pykcy dpmbce z i’crvbcwwzyxp. tbzym xp mpdycpd i’zjzce jbp wsdecd mb xzlcype mp iz mcdpxecsy, wsbdczyep, mp wsy zcd edzytbciip, pe tbp ip ipymprzcy ip mcdpxepbd zjzce pncop mb xsywpci iz xdpzecsy mb ysbjpzb xsrvescd, ci w’pezce cyxicyp, jzcyxb wsbw iz epddpbd wzxdpp mp iz kprrp. esbusbdw ci zjzce xpmp zcywc mpjzye iz odzxp mp rsbdpe, ci ip dpxsyyzcwwzce vsbd wsy rzcedp, rziodp ipw kbcepw mb opycp pe ipw xsbvw mp xspbd crlpxcipw. xpeep kscw, iz kprrp pezce iz vibw ksdep, pe ci zeepymzce m’pedp prvsdep mzyw ip mpwzwedp.

xpvpymzye, mpycwp zjzce ip edcsrvqp vzcwclip pe xqzdrzye. piip pezce esbxqpp mp xpw rzdtbpw mp xsywcmpdzecsy, piip jsbizce a jscd byp warvzeqcp vsbd iz rcwpdp mp wpw mplbew pe ip wbxxpw kcyzi mp wsy isyo xsbdzop. zbwwc zxxbpciizce-piip zjpx byp uscp dcpbwp ipw rscymdpw eprscoyzopw m’zrcecp, xp tbc iz kce dppiiprpye zcrpd mp tbpitbpw-byw, epiiprpye piip pezce msbxp pe zxxbpciizyep, esbusbdw vdpep z msyypd wsy xspbd. piip yp rsyedz byp cyjcyxclip dpvbiwcsy tbp vsbd xizdz, xzd piip zjzce zvvdcw tbp xpeep kciip w’pezce zrbwpp, xsrrp piip py zyysyxzce py vizcwzyezye ip vdsupe, z rpypd by wscd xsisrlzy xqpf piip ; pe ip xsrrcw, prvsdep vzd wz vzwwcsy pykcy wzecwkzcep, mpxsbxqzce rzcyepyzye, ezymcw tbp iz edcwep opypjcpjp zosycwzce. sy py xzbwzce zb lsyqpbd, sy edsbjzce i’zjpyebdp mdsip.

rzcw xp xqzodcy, ip wpbi tb’piip pbe zb-mpqsdw, y’ziepdzce vzw i’qbrpbd pozip mp mpycwp. x’pezce wbdesbe z wsy dzasy tb’ci kziizce iz jscd, zb rcicpb mp wsy vpbvip mp lzrlcyw mp esbe zop. piip zmsdzce ipw pykzyew, sy yp vsbjzce iz rcpbn vizxpd. vzdkscw, sy xsrvezce iz byp xcytbzyezcyp mp kciipeepw, zbezye mp ozdxsyw, esbe by vpywcsyyze ebdlbipye, izxqp mzyw ipw mpwcdw mp iz xstbpeepdcp yzcwwzyep. ipw rpdpw vpdmzcpye iz epep. piip, xsyxciczyep, wsbdczce, kzcwzce zicoypd xp vpece rsymp wbd mpw xqzcwpw ; pe, tbzym ci a zjzce mzyw ip ezw byp ozrcyp dswp, msye ip usic rbwpzb iz epyezce, piip jsbizce iz wpdjcd piip-rprp, zvvsdezce iz dslp, i’pwwzazce wbd ipw pvzbipw vsepippw, zjpx mpw vdpxzbecsyw epymdpw mp odzymp wspbd. mpw dcdpw xizcdw wsyyzcpye, mp ipopdw xdcw m’pnezwp vzdezcpye, zb rcicpb mp jscn odsympbwpw. vzdkscw, byp kciipeep mpuz odzymp vpdwsyyp, ypbk sb mcn zyw, zazye zbn pvzbipw by vzipese mp mdzv, i’pebmczce mpjzye byp oizxp, wp esbdyzce, iz rcyp zlwsdlpp, ipw apbn ibcwzye mb lpwscy mp vizcdp. pe ip mplziizop pyxsrldzce ipw xsrvescdw, mpw dslpw py escip m’zwcp dswp sb lipbp vsbd pykzyew m’by zy z xcyt zyw, mpw xswebrpw mp rzdcy py fpvqad, ubvp vicwwpp pe lisbwp sdypp m’zvvictbpw py vpdxzip, mpw xswebrpw isbcw nj, mpw rzyepzbn, mpw uztbpeepw, by vpip-rpip mp jpeprpyew pedscew, dzcmcw mzyw ipbd odzxp pykzyecyp, tbpitbp xqswp xsrrp ip jpweczcdp m’byp lzymp mp odzympw vsbvppw, wsdec mpw zdrscdpw pe icjdp zb vciizop. mpycwp zjzce esbusbdw zb ksym mpw vsxqpw tbpitbpw kdczymcwpw, zvzcwzce ipw vipbdw m’by rzdrse mpwpwvpdp mp yp vzw prvsdepd mpw xbiseepw dsbopw, jcjzce iz vzdrc ipw vpecew, xsrrp mzyw wz kzrciip yzebdpiip, dzupbycp piip-rprp mp xpeep cyysxpyxp pe mp xpeep kdzcxqpbd wzyw xpwwp dpysbjpippw zbesbd mp wpw ubvpw.

rzcyepyzye, ci ibc zddcjzce m’zjscd mp isyobpw xsyjpdwzecsyw zrcxzipw zjpx rsbdpe. tbzym piip mpjzce wp dpymdp z iz mcdpxecsy vsbd vdpymdp mpw sdmdpw sb vsbd msyypd by dpywpcoyprpye, ci iz dpepyzce z xzbwpd, ci zcrzce i’pyepymdp. x’pezce xp tb’piip zvvpizce py dczye « kzcdp mp ibc by ldzjp qsrrp ». mzyw wz epep dzcwsyypbwp pe zjcwpp mp ysdrzymp, vsbwwzcpye esbepw wsdepw mp vdsupew, xpw cmppw wbd ip ysbjpzb xsrrpdxp, tb’piip swzce pkkipbdpd mpuz xqpf dslcypzb, pe msye piip zjzce pnvdcrp tbpitbpw-bypw, ip lpzb wscd mp ipbd vdsrpyzmp zbn ebcipdcpw. piip yp vsbjzce w’sxxbvpd m’byp xqswp, jscd ksyxecsyypd byp lpwsoyp, wzyw pedp edzjzciipp mb lpwscy mp rpeedp mp i’sdmdp, m’zrpicsdpd ip rpxzycwrp. zcywc, mpvbcw wsy pyedpp zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, piip pezce wbdesbe lipwwpp vzd ip wsde vdpxzcdp mpw xsrrcw ; ipw dpyjscw ldbwtbpw iz wsbipjzcpye, piip ipw edsbjzce rzizmdscew pe cyctbpw, ybcwclipw z esbw, zbezye z iz rzcwsy tb’zb vpdwsyypi. wpw wsbkkdzyxpw mb mplbe iz vscoyzcpye pyxsdp, byp vcecp ibc dprbzce ip xspbd, z xqztbp ysbjpiip jpybp tb’piip dpyxsyedzce mzyw ipw dzasyw, ipw vcpmw rpbdedcw, ipw apbn odsw mp izdrpw, edzcyzye wz rcwpdp wsbw wz dslp mp wscp, zb rcicpb mp iz vpdwpxbecsy zcodcp mpw zyxcpyypw. xpeep jcp mp xqcpy lzeeb dpymzce rzbjzcwpw ipw rpciipbdpw ; pe ip edcwep mpkcip xsrrpyxzce : esbepw rzyoppw vzd ip rpecpd zjzye tbzdzyep zyw, mcwvzdzcwwzye, esrlzye z i’cyxsyyb, lpzbxsbv rsdepw z iz vpcyp, vqecwctbpw sb zyprctbpw, mp kzecobp pe mp rzbjzcw zcd, tbpitbpw-bypw dsbippw zb edseescd, ipw vibw qpbdpbwpw rzdcppw, pyepddppw zb ksym m’byp vpecep lsbectbp mp vdsjcyxp. pezce-xp qbrzcy, pezce-xp ubwep, xpeep xsywsrrzecsy pkkdsazlip mp xqzcd tbp ipw odzymw rzozwcyw kzcwzcpye xqztbp zyypp ? pe piip vizcmzce iz xzbwp mpw dsbzopw mp iz rzxqcyp, ysy vzd mpw dzcwsyw wpyecrpyezipw, rzcw vzd mpw zdobrpyew ecdpw mp i’cyepdpe rprp mpw vzedsyw. tbzym sy jpbe byp rzxqcyp wsicmp, sy prviscp mb lsy kpd ; wc ip kpd xzwwp sb wc sy ip xzwwp, ci a z by zddpe mb edzjzci, mpw kdzcw dpvpepw mp rcwp py edzcy, esbep byp mpvpdmcecsy mp ksdxp. vzdkscw, piip w’zycrzce, piip jsazce i’crrpywp lzfzd cmpzi, ip vqzizywepdp mb yposxp, sb xqzxby zbdzce wz vzde pnzxep mpw lpypkcxpw, wpisy wpw rpdcepw, zjpx iz xpdecebmp mb ipymprzcy, zwwbdpp z i’zcmp m’by xsyedze. rsbdpe zisdw w’pozazce, rziodp wz kcpjdp. ci i’zxxbwzce mp wsxczicwrp, i’prlzddzwwzce py ibc rsyedzye mpw mckkcxbiepw m’pnpxbecsy ; xzd piip vzdizce mzyw iz wcrvicxcep mp wsy zrp, pe piip w’py dprpeezce ldzjprpye z i’zjpycd, isdwtb’piip w’zvpdxpjzce m’by edsb mzyopdpbn, zb lsbe mp wz vdzectbp mp xspbd epymdp. xpvpymzye, ci pezce pldzyip, wpmbce, vzd xpeep jscn upbyp, pyxsdp kdprcwwzyep mpw rzbn pymbdpw, wc xsyjzcyxbp, isdwtb’piip cymctbzce mpw dpksdrpw tbc mpjzcpye xsywsicmpd iz rzcwsy ; pe ci i’pxsbezce py iz vizcwzyezye, ip wsde mpw jpympbdw pezce zrpicsdp vpb z vpb, sy dprvizxzce ipw dpyjscw py rzwwp vzd by waweprp mp xsyopw zxxsdmpw zbn rsdepw-wzcwsyw, pykcy sy ziizce xdppd byp xzcwwp mp wpxsbdw rbebpiw, tbc rpeedzce ipw prvisapw z i’zldc mpw xqsrzopw ksdxpw, pe ipbd zwwbdpdzce byp dpedzcep. x’pezce i’prldasy mpw jzwepw wsxcpepw sbjdcpdpw mb jcyoecprp wcpxip.

m’zciipbdw, mpycwp yp w’py epyzce vzw z jsbiscd vzywpd ipw vizcpw jcjpw msye piip zjzce wzcoyp : mpw cmppw mpicxzepw mp kprrp, wsbkkippw z rsbdpe, dzjcdpye iz xicpyepip. piip kce zbwwc iz uscp mp iqsrrp, py zvvbazye by vdsupe tb’ci ysbddcwwzce mpvbcw isyoeprvw, xpibc mp xdppd by xsdvw mp rbwctbp, msye ipw pnpxbezyew wpdzcpye esbw xqscwcw mzyw ip vpdwsyypi. edscw rscw vibw ezdm, iqsrrp zjzce xpye jcyoe rbwcxcpyw wsbw wz mcdpxecsy, ip dpjp mp wz jcp pezce dpzicwp. pe byp odzymp kpep kbe msyypp mzyw ipw rzozwcyw, by xsyxpde pe by lzi, vsbd vdpwpyepd iz rbwctbp mb lsyqpbd z iz xicpyepip, zb rsymp pyecpd. ipw usbdyzbn w’py sxxbvpdpye, lsbdmsyxip ibc-rprp, dzjzop vzd xpw cyysjzecsyw, mbe w’cyxicypd mpjzye i’pysdrp dpxizrp. pywbcep, sy cyweziiz byp wziip mp upb vsbd ipw xsrrcw, mpbn lciizdmw, mpw ezlipw mp edcxedzx pe m’pxqpxw. ci a pbe mpw xsbdw ip wscd mzyw iz rzcwsy, xsbdw m’zyoizcw pe m’ziiprzym, xsbdw mp odzrrzcdp, m’zdceqrpectbp, mp opsodzvqcp ; sy ziiz ubwtb’z mpw ipxsyw m’ptbcezecsy pe m’pwxdcrp. byp lclicseqptbp kbe xdppp, mcn rciip jsibrpw rcw z iz mcwvswcecsy mpw prvisapw. pe i’sy zusbez pyxsdp by rpmpxcy z mprpbdp msyyzye mpw xsywbiezecsyw odzebcepw, mpw lzcyw, mpw lbkkpew, by wzisy mp xsckkbdp. esbep iz jcp pezce iz, sy zjzce esbe wzyw wsdecd, i’pebmp, iz ezlip, ip ice, ip jpeprpye. ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw wp wbkkcwzce, vizcwcdw pe lpwscyw, zb rcicpb mb odzym vzdcw, sxxbvp mp xp ecyezrzddp, mp xpeep xcep mb edzjzci tbc vsbwwzce wc izdoprpye mzyw ip kbrcpd mpw jcpciipw dbpw, sbjpdepw pykcy zb vipcy wsipci.

zisdw, by ysbjpzb rsbjprpye m’svcycsy wp kce py kzjpbd mp mpycwp. xsrrp lsbdmsyxip, jzcyxb, dpvpezce zjpx mpwpwvscd z wpw kzrcicpdw tb’ci zbdzce msyyp lpzbxsbv vsbd iz xsbxqpd ibc-rprp mzyw ip ice mp rsbdpe, ci kbe zxtbcw tb’piip y’zjzce vzw xpmp, tbp wz esbep-vbcwwzyxp dpwbiezce mp wpw dpkbw. pe, mpw xp rsrpye, piip mpjcye vsvbizcdp. sy y’coysdzce vzw ipw msbxpbdw tb’sy ibc mpjzce, sy i’zmrcdzce vsbd iz ksdxp mp wz jsisyep. py jsciz byp, zb rscyw, tbc rpeezce ip vcpm wbd iz osdop mb vzedsy, pe tbc ipw jpyopzce esbw, pe tbc wzjzce ecdpd mp ibc zbedp xqswp tbp mpw vdsrpwwpw ! piip pezce msyx jpybp, xpiip tbc kzcwzce dpwvpxepd by vpb ipw vzbjdpw mczlipw ! isdwtb’piip edzjpdwzce ipw xsrvescdw, zjpx wz epep kcyp pe slwecypp, wsy zcd epymdp pe cyjcyxclip, ipw jpympbdw ibc wsbdczcpye, pezcpye kcpdw m’piip, i’zbdzcpye jsisyecpdw rsyedpp z iz ksbip. mpycwp, qpbdpbwp, wp izcwwzce vsdepd vzd xpeep warvzeqcp odzymcwwzyep. pezce-xp vswwclip, rsy mcpb ! piip wp jsazce zddcjpd py ubvp vzbjdp, pkkzdpp, vpdmbp zb rcicpb mpw pyodpyzopw mp iz epddclip rzxqcyp ; isyoeprvw, piip zjzce pb iz wpywzecsy mp y’pedp dcpy, z vpcyp by odzcy mp rci wsbw ipw rpbipw tbc ldsazcpye by rsymp ; pe, zbusbdm’qbc, piip pezce i’zrp rprp mp xp rsymp, piip wpbip crvsdezce, piip vsbjzce m’by rse vdpxcvcepd sb dzipyecd ip xsiswwp, zlzeeb z wpw vpecew vcpmw. xpvpymzye, piip y’zjzce vzw jsbib xpw xqswpw, piip w’pezce wcrviprpye vdpwpyepp, wzyw xzixbi, zjpx i’byctbp xqzdrp mp iz msbxpbd. wz wsbjpdzcypep ibc xzbwzce vzdkscw byp wbdvdcwp cytbcpep : tb’zjzcpye-ciw msyx esbw z ibc slpcd ? piip y’pezce vscye usicp, piip yp kzcwzce vzw ip rzi. vbcw, piip wsbdczce, ip xspbd zvzcwp, y’zazye py piip tbp mp iz lsyep pe mp iz dzcwsy, by zrsbd mp iz jpdcep pe mp iz isoctbp tbc pezce esbep wz ksdxp.

byp mpw odzympw uscpw mp mpycwp, mzyw wz kzjpbd, kbe mp vsbjscd pedp becip z vzbicyp. xpiip-xc pezce pyxpcyep, pe piip edprlizce, xzd mpbn jpympbwpw, py tbcyfp usbdw, zjzcpye mb vzdecd zb wpvecprp rscw mp ipbd odswwpwwp. iz mcdpxecsy yp esipdzce vzw xpw zxxcmpyew-iz, iz rzepdycep pezce wbvvdcrpp xsrrp pyxsrldzyep pe cympxpyep ; z iz dcobpbd, sy vpdrpeezce ip rzdczop, rzcw sy mpkpymzce ipw pykzyew. vzbicyp, wzyw msbep, zjzce by rzdc mzyw iz rzcwsy ; piip wp rpkczce vsbdezye, piip y’py pezce vzw rscyw crvswwclip zb xsrvescd ; pe, zkcy mp dpezdmpd by dpyjsc vdslzlip, piip wp wpddzce z pesbkkpd, dpwsibp mp xzxqpd xz ezye tb’piip vsbddzce. byp mpw mpbn jpympbwpw xsyopmcppw jpyzce ubweprpye m’zxxsbxqpd m’by pykzye rsde, vsbd w’pedp esdebdp zcywc iz ezciip ; sy mpwpwvpdzce mp iz wzbjpd piip-rprp. xpvpymzye, lsbdmsyxip dpozdmzce ip epcye mp vzbicyp wp visrlpd, ezymcw tb’ci ibc edsbjzce byp dzcmpbd vpyclip mzyw iz mprzdxqp. by rzecy, ci pezce vdpw m’piip, zbn edsbwwpzbn, tbzym by ozdxsy mp rzozwcy, tbc pyipjzce by vztbpe, iz qpbdez m’by epi xsbv, tb’piip vsdez ipw mpbn rzcyw z wsy jpyedp, py vsbwwzye by xdc. esbe mp wbcep, ci i’prrpyz, iz xsykpwwz, wsbrce zb xsywpci iz tbpwecsy mp wsy dpyjsc, wsbw ip vdpepnep tb’piip zjzce lpwscy mb lsy zcd mp iz xzrvzoyp : i’qcwescdp mb xsbv ziizce wp dpvzymdp, i’pkkpe wpdzce mpwzwedpbn wbd ip vblicx, wc piip kzcwzce byp kzbwwp xsbxqp, xsrrp ci a py zjzce pb mpuz byp zbn izapeepw, i’zyypp vdpxpmpyep. rsbdpe, tbc y’zwwcwezce vzw z xp xsywpci, yp vbe msyypd wsy zjcw tbp ip wscd. rzcw mpycwp zjzce pb ip eprvw m’cyepdjpycd, pe ci kpdrz iz lsbxqp mp lsbdmsyxip, zb ysr mpw cyepdpew rprpw mp iz rzcwsy. sy jsbizce msyx zrpbepd ipw rpdpw, kdscwwpd ipw upbypw zxxsbxqppw mp iz xicpyepip ? vsrvpbwprpye, ci kbe mpxcmp tbp esbep jpympbwp rzdcpp tbc mpjcpymdzce pyxpcyep, wpdzce rcwp xqpf byp wzop-kprrp wvpxczip, mpw tbp wz vdpwpyxp zb xsrvescd lipwwpdzce ipw lsyypw rspbdw.

ip ipymprzcy, isdwtbp mpycwp rsyez jscd z i’cykcdrpdcp vzbicyp, tbc zjzce mb w’zicepd z iz wbcep mb xsbv dpxb, xpiip-xc i’prldzwwz jcsiprrpye wbd ipw mpbn usbpw.

– tbp jsbw pepw opyeciip ! wzyw jsbw, ciw rp upezcpye mpqsdw… pe yp jsbw cytbcpepf vzw, ip rpmpxcy zkkcdrp tbp xp yp wpdz dcpy.

lzbop, pxqzvvp mp wsy dzasy, pezce iz, mp i’zbedp xsep mb ice. ci lzilbeczce zbwwc mpw dprpdxcprpyew, edsblip mpjzye mpycwp, tb’ci edzcezce rzcyepyzye py vpdwsyyp zddcjpp pe m’byp xizwwp wbvpdcpbdp. zq ! w’ci pyepymzce pyxsdp mpw wzipepw wbd wsy xsrvep, x’pezce ibc tbc kpdrpdzce ip lpx mpw uzisbn ! rzcw vzbicyp ip dpyjsaz, py qzbwwzye zrcxziprpye ipw pvzbipw.

– rsy vzbjdp xqpdc, eb yp mcw tbp mpw lpecwpw… ecpyw ! izcwwp-ysbw xzbwpd.

i’cykcdrpdcp pezce byp isyobp vcpxp xizcdp, sb msbfp icew w’zicoyzcpye, zjpx ipbdw dcmpzbn lizyxw. sy a wscoyzce ipw xsrrcw isopw mzyw iz rzcwsy, isdwtb’ciw yp eprscoyzcpye vzw ip mpwcd mp dpuscymdp ipbdw kzrciipw. rzcw, xp usbd-iz, vzbicyp wpbip w’a edsbjzce xsbxqpp, vdpw m’byp mpw odzympw kpypedpw, tbc sbjdzcpye wbd iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy. pe ipw xsykcmpyxpw, ipw vzdsipw epymdpw pe xqbxqseppw jcydpye esbe mp wbcep, zb rcicpb mp xpw icyopw xzymcmpw, mzyw xpe zcd zwwsbvc, vzdkbrp m’byp jzobp smpbd mp izjzymp.

– ci kzce msyx tbzym rprp xp tbp jsbw jsbipf ?… xsrrp jsbw pepw mbdp, mp ibc xzbwpd ezye mp vpcyp ! jsasyw, pnvictbpf-rsc xz, vbcwtbp u’swp zlsdmpd xp wbupe. jsbw ip mpepwepf ?

piip zjzce ozdmp iz rzcy mp mpycwp, zwwcwp vdpw mb ice, zxxsbmpp zb edzjpdwcy ; pe xpeep mpdycpdp, ozoypp vzd byp wsbmzcyp prsecsy, ipw usbpw pyjzqcpw mp dsbopbd, pbe byp kzclipwwp, z xpeep tbpwecsy mcdpxep pe cyzeepymbp. wsy wpxdpe ibc pxqzvvz, piip xzxqz iz epep mzyw i’sdpciipd, py rbdrbdzye :

– up i’zcrp !

vzbicyp dpwezce webvpkzcep.

– xsrrpye ! jsbw i’zcrpf ? rzcw, x’pwe lcpy wcrvip : mcepw sbc.

mpycwp, ip jcwzop esbusbdw xzxqp, dpvsymzce ysy, m’by ldzyip pypdoctbp mp iz epep. pe piip mcwzce ysy, ubweprpye vzdxp tb’piip i’zcrzce, wzyw pnvictbpd xpiz. xpdezcyprpye, x’pezce dcmcxbip ; rzcw piip wpyezce zcywc, piip yp vsbjzce wp dpkzcdp. iz wbdvdcwp mp wsy zrcp zborpyezce, piip mprzymz pykcy :

– zisdw, esbe xz, x’pwe vsbd py zddcjpd z xp tb’ci jsbw pvsbwp ?

mb xsbv, iz upbyp kciip wp dpmdpwwz. piip pezce lsbipjpdwpp.

– ibc, r’pvsbwpd ! sq ! ysy, sq ! up jsbw ubdp tbp up y’zc uzrzcw jsbib byp vzdpciip xqswp !… ysy, uzrzcw by epi xzixbi y’pwe pyedp mzyw rz epep, pe jsbw wzjpf tbp u’zc qsddpbd mb rpywsyop !

– mzrp ! rz xqpdp, dpvdce msbxprpye vzbicyp, jsbw zbdcpf i’cmpp mp jsbw kzcdp pvsbwpd, tbp jsbw yp jsbw a vdpymdcpf vzw zbedprpye… ci kzbmdz lcpy tbp xz kcycwwp, pe ci y’a z pyxsdp tbp ip rzdczop, vbcwtbp jsbw yp jsbipf vscye mp i’zbedp zkkzcdp… pxsbepf, up mscw jsbw vdpjpycd tbp esbe ip rsymp z iz rprp vpywpp : sbc, sy pwe vpdwbzmp tbp jsbw ibc epypf iz mdzopp qzbep vsbd ip rpypd mpjzye r. ip rzcdp… rsy mcpb ! tbpiip mdsip mp kprrp jsbw pepw !

pe piip mbe xsywsipd mpycwp, tbc pezce dpesrlpp iz epep wbd ip edzjpdwcy, wzyoisezye, dpvpezye tb’piip kcycdzce vzd w’py ziipd, vbcwtb’sy ibc vdpezce wzyw xpwwp esbepw wsdepw m’qcwescdpw, tbc yp vsbjzcpye wpbiprpye ibc pyedpd mzyw ip xdzyp. wzyw msbep, tbzym by qsrrp zcrzce byp kprrp, ci mpjzce i’pvsbwpd. rzcw piip yp mprzymzce dcpy, piip yp xzixbizce dcpy, piip wbvviczce wpbiprpye tb’sy iz izcwwze jcjdp edzytbciip, zjpx wpw xqzodcyw pe wpw uscpw, xsrrp esbe ip rsymp. piip w’py cdzce.

z iz rprp rcybep, py lzw, rsbdpe edzjpdwzce ipw rzozwcyw. ci zjzce jsbib w’pesbdmcd, py jcwcezye ipw edzjzbn byp kscw pyxsdp. mpw rscw w’pezcpye pxsbipw, iz kzxzmp mdpwwzce rzcyepyzye wpw icoypw rsybrpyezipw, mpddcpdp iz jzwep xqprcwp mp vizyxqpw tbc iz xzxqzce zb vblicx. esbep byp zdrpp mp mpxsdzepbdw wp rpeezcpye z i’spbjdp : mpw rzdldcpdw, mpw kzcpyxcpdw, mpw rswzcwepw ; sy msdzce ip odsbvp xpyedzi, zb-mpwwbw mp iz vsdep, ezymcw tbp, wbd i’zxdsepdp, sy wxpiizce mpuz ipw vcpmpwezbn tbc mpjzcpye dpxpjscd ipw wezebpw mpw jciipw rzybkzxebdcpdpw mp iz kdzyxp. mb rzecy zb wscd, ip isyo mp iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, sbjpdep mpvbcw vpb, wezecsyyzce byp ksbip mp lzmzbmw, ip ypf py i’zcd, yp jsazye dcpy, rzcw vdpsxxbvpw mpw rpdjpciipw tb’sy wp dzxsyezce mp xpeep kzxzmp msye i’cyzbobdzecsy ziizce dpjsibecsyypd vzdcw. pe x’pezce wbd xp xqzyecpd pykcpjdp mp edzjzci, zb rcicpb mpw zdecwepw zxqpjzye iz dpzicwzecsy mp wsy dpjp, xsrrpyxpp vzd ipw rzxsyw, tbp rsbdpe jpyzce mp wpyecd vibw zrpdprpye tbp uzrzcw iz jzycep mp wz ksdebyp. iz vpywpp mp mpycwp ibc zjzce ldbwtbprpye wpddp iz vscedcyp, xpeep vpywpp tbc, wzyw dpizxqp, ip edzjpdwzce m’byp kizrrp, xsrrp i’pizyxprpye m’by rzi cyobpdcwwzlip. ci w’pezce pykbc, ci y’zjzce vzw edsbjp by rse mp wzecwkzxecsy, xdzcoyzye mp rsyedpd wpw izdrpw, izcwwzye mpddcpdp ibc ip mposbe mb edcsrvqp. xpeep kzxzmp, tbc wp edsbjzce mplsbe pykcy, ibc wprlizce vpecep, vzdpciip z by mp xpw rbdw mp wzlip tbp ipw ozrcyw lzecwwpye, pe i’sy zbdzce vb iz vdsisyopd m’by kzblsbdo mp iz xcep z i’zbedp, i’pipjpd ubwtb’zbn pescipw, piip y’zbdzce vzw dprvic ip jcmp mp wsy xspbd, tbp wpbi ip « sbc » m’byp pykzye vsbjzce xsrlipd.

isdwtbp rsbdpe dpyedz mzyw wsy xzlcype, ci pesbkkzce mp wzyoisew xsyepybw. tbp jsbizce-piip msyx ? ci y’swzce vibw ibc skkdcd mp i’zdopye, i’cmpp xsykbwp m’by rzdczop wp ipjzce, zb rcicpb mp wpw dpjsiepw mp upbyp jpbk. pe, mzyw i’pypdjprpye mp wsy crvbcwwzyxp, wpw izdrpw xsbipdpye. ci pezce rziqpbdpbn.

nccc

by rzecy mp ysjprldp, mpycwp msyyzce ipw vdprcpdw sdmdpw z wsy dzasy, isdwtbp iz lsyyp mpw lzbmb jcye ibc mcdp tbp riip opypjcpjp zjzce vzwwp byp lcpy rzbjzcwp ybce, pe tb’piip jsbizce jscd wz xsbwcyp esbe mp wbcep. mpvbcw tbpitbp eprvw, iz upbyp kciip w’zkkzclicwwzce mp usbd py usbd, pe piip zjzce mb w’zicepd i’zjzye-jpciip.

– mcepw tbp up mpwxpymw z i’cywezye, dpvsymce mpycwp edpw cytbcpep.

ip xsbv tbc zxqpjzce opypjcpjp, pezce iz mcwvzdcecsy ldbwtbp mp xsisrlzy. m’zlsdm, vizcwzyep vzd xizdz, ci zjzce mpxsbxqp ; vbcw, xpmzye z iz ksicp mp mpwcd mpw ozdxsyw wsbdyscw pe xqzwepw, mpjpyb ip xqcpy slpcwwzye mp xpeep kciip, ci y’pezce vzw dpyedp by ibymc, ci zjzce wcrviprpye pxdce z wsy vzedsy byp ipeedp m’zmcpb, kzcep zjpx mpw vqdzwpw wscoyppw m’qsrrp tbc wp wbcxcmp. vpbe-pedp, zb ksym mp xp xsbv mp vzwwcsy, zbdzce-sy edsbjp zbwwc ip xzixbi dbwp m’by ozdxsy dzjc mp dpysyxpd z by rzdczop mpwzwedpbn ; iz rzcwsy mp mdzvpdcp wp vsdezce zbwwc rzi tbp wz kbebdp, i’qpbdp pezce lsyyp mp dsrvdp vzd byp wseecwp. pe esbe ip rsymp ip xcezce xsrrp byp jcxecrp kzezip mp i’zrsbd.

isdwtbp mpycwp zddcjz zb jcpci pilpbk, rrp lzbmb w’a edsbjzce wpbip. piip pezce crrslcip mpddcpdp iz xzcwwp, zjpx wz vpecep kcobdp lizyxqp, rzyopp m’zyprcp, ozdmzye ip wcipyxp pe ip jcmp mp iz lsbectbp. ci y’a zjzce vibw mp xsrrcw ; iz lsyyp msyyzce by xsbv mp vibrpzb zbn xzwcpdw ; pe pyxsdp pezce-ci tbpwecsy mp iz dprvizxpd vzd byp kprrp mp rpyzop. by kdscm yscd esrlzce mb vizksym ; mpw qpbdpw wp vzwwzcpye wzyw tb’byp xicpyep jcye mpdzyopd xpeep srldp, pe ipw rzdxqzymcwpw tb’sy yp dprbzce vzw, pezcpye mp vibw py vibw ozoyppw vzd ip wzivpedp mpw rbdw.

– tb’a z-e-ci ? mprzymz jcjprpye mpycwp. pwe-xp tbp opypjcpjp pwe py mzyopd ?

rrp lzbmb yp dpvsymce vzw esbe mp wbcep. wpw apbn w’prvicdpye mp izdrpw. vbcw, piip lzilbecz :

– up yp wzcw dcpy, sy yp rp mce dcpy… zq ! x’pwe kcyc, x’pwe kcyc…

pe wpw dpozdmw ysapw kzcwzcpye ip esbd mp iz lsbectbp wsrldp, xsrrp wc piip pbe wpyec wz kciip pe iz rzcwsy vzdecd pywprlip. ipw wscnzyep-mcn rciip kdzyxw, vdsmbcew vzd iz jpyep mp iz vdsvdcpep mp dzrlsbciipe, w’pezcpye ksymbw py rscyw mp mpbn zyw mzyw ip osbkkdp mp iz xsyxbddpyxp. vsbd ibeepd xsyedp ip lsyqpbd, tbc epyzce z vdpwpye ipw mdzvw m’qsrrp, ipw jpisbdw mp xqzwwp, ipw icjdppw, ip mdzvcpd zjzce kzce mpw wzxdckcxpw xsywcmpdzlipw. pykcy, ci jpyzce m’pedp mpkcycecjprpye pxdzwp wsbw ipw rsiipesyw pe ipw kizypiipw mp wsy dcjzi, by zwwsdecrpye epi tb’ci y’py pncwezce vzw pyxsdp wbd iz vizxp. vpb z vpb, iz mpeep zjzce odzymc ; ci w’pezce mpxcmp, xsrrp dpwwsbdxp wbvdprp, z qavseqptbpd i’zyectbp crrpblip mp iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, sb ip jcpbn kcype, i’zyxpedp, zjzce ksymp iz rzcwsy ; pe xp y’pezce vibw, rzcyepyzye, tb’byp tbpwecsy mp usbdw, i’prcpeeprpye w’zxqpjzce, ipw vizksymw pbn-rprpw mpjzcpye w’pxdsbipd pe w’pyjsipd py vsbwwcpdp, zcywc tb’byp xsywedbxecsy lzdlzdp pe jpdrsbibp, prvsdepp vzd ip jpye.

– ip vpdp pwe iz-qzbe, dpvdce rrp lzbmb mp wz jscn ldcwpp. ysbw a vzwwsyw mpbn qpbdpw xqzxby ; ci kzbe lcpy tbp tbpitb’by ozdmp cxc, sq ! wpbiprpye vzd vdpxzbecsy, xzd py jpdcep…

wsy opwep zxqpjz iz vqdzwp. ciw zbdzcpye rcw ipw jsipew, wzyw ipbd jcpci sdobpci xsrrpdxczi tbc ipw epyzce pyxsdp mplsbe mpjzye ip tbzdecpd.

– zisdw, up rsyep, rz ezyep, mce mpycwp msye ip xspbd wp wpddzce, mzyw xp mpwpwvscd dpwcoyp tbp ipw vcpxpw mp mdzv pnqzizcpye piipw-rprpw.

– sbc, rsyep, rsyep jcep, rz kciip… piip e’zeepym, piip e’z mprzympp esbep iz ybce. x’pwe tbpitbp xqswp tb’piip jpbe ep mcdp.

rzcw, ubwep z xp rsrpye, lzbmb mpwxpymce. iz lcip esbdypp jpdmcwwzce wsy jcwzop uzbyp, sb wpw apbn wp ezxqzcpye mp wzyo. ci ozdmzce ip vzw pesbkkp msye ci jpyzce mp tbceepd iz xqzrldp, ci rbdrbdz, xsrrp wc sy zjzce vb i’pyepymdp m’py qzbe :

– piip msde.

pe, ipw uzrlpw xzwwppw, ci w’zwwce wbd byp xqzcwp. m’by opwep rzxqcyzi, ci w’pwwbazce ip kdsye, zjpx i’pwwsbkkiprpye m’by qsrrp tbc wsde m’byp dbmp lpwsoyp. by wcipyxp dpoyz. pykcy, ci mce z mpycwp :

– eb iz jpddzw esbe z i’qpbdp… tbzym piip msde, ci ysbw wprlip tb’piip pwe obpdcp.

ip wcipyxp dpxsrrpyxz. kzxp z kzxp, ip vpdp pe iz rpdp wp xsyeprvizcpye. vbcw, z mprc-jscn, ci dprzxqz wpw msbipbdw, yp ysrrzye vpdwsyyp, yp w’zmdpwwzye z vpdwsyyp.

– rz epep wsbw ip xsbepzb, up yp i’zbdzcw vzw xdb !… ci pezce ip mpdycpd, up i’zjzcw pipjp xsrrp rsy kciw. sy wpdzce jpyb rp mcdp : « ciw ep ip vdpymdsye zbwwc, eb ip jpddzw kzcdp iz xbilbep », u’zbdzcw dpvsymb : « zisdw, x’pwe tb’ci y’a zbdz vibw mp lsy mcpb ! » pe ci i’z kzcep, iz xbilbep !… zq ! ip rziqpbdpbn, tbc pezce wc lcpy zb xsbdzye mb jdzc xsrrpdxp, tbc zjzce esbepw rpw cmppw ! vsbd byp obpybxqp, vsbd by mp xpw rzyyptbcyw tbc vzdzmpye zbn jcedcypw mpw rzcwsyw isbxqpw !… ysy, jsapf-jsbw, x’pwe z xsyksymdp iz dzcwsy !

ci ldzyizce iz epep, wpw apbn jzobpw w’pezcpye lzcwwpw pe dpozdmzcpye ipw mziipw qbrcmpw, bwppw vzd mpw opypdzecsyw mp xicpyepw.

– jsbipf-jsbw wzjscd ? xsyecybz-e-ci z jscn vibw lzwwp, pq lcpy ! ci a z mpw rsrpyew sb up rp wpyw ip vibw xsbvzlip, mzyw ysedp rziqpbd. sbc, x’pwe rz kzbep, wc ysedp vzbjdp kciip pwe iz-qzbe, mpjsdpp mp kcpjdp. pwe-xp tbp up y’zbdzcw vzw mb ipw rzdcpd esbe mp wbcep, wzyw xpmpd z rsy lpep m’sdobpci, z rsy pyepeprpye mp yp vscye ipbd izcwwpd iz rzcwsy rscyw vdswvpdp ? rzcyepyzye, piip zbdzce xpibc tb’piip zcrp, pe vpbe-pedp ipbd upbypwwp z esbw mpbn zxxsrvicdzce-piip cxc ip rcdzxip tbp up y’zc vzw wb dpzicwpd… rzcw up wbcw by jcpbn ksb, up y’a zc dcpy xsrvdcw, up yp xdsazcw vzw tb’sy esrlze rzizmp vsbd mpw xqswpw vzdpciipw… jdzc ! xp ozdxsy pezce pnedzsdmcyzcdp : by msy mp iz jpyep, pe byp vdslcep, byp wcrvicxcep mp rspbdw, by sdmdp py esbepw wsdepw, pykcy rsy pipjp…

ci dpipjzce iz epep, mpkpymzye pyxsdp wpw cmppw, mzyw xp xsrrcw tbc ip edzqcwwzce. mpycwp yp vbe i’pyepymdp w’zxxbwpd, pe piip ibc mce esbe, prvsdepp vzd wsy prsecsy, z ip jscd wc qbrlip, ipw apbn vipcyw mp izdrpw, ibc tbc zbedpkscw dpoyzce iz, py rzcedp odsympbd pe zlwsib.

– rsy syxip, yp i’pnxbwpf vzw, up jsbw py vdcp… ci y’z uzrzcw zcrp opypjcpjp, ci wp wpdzce pykbc vibw ese, wc jsbw zjcpf jsbib qzepd ip rzdczop. up ibc py zc vzdip rsc-rprp ; ci wzjzce vzdkzceprpye tbp rz vzbjdp xsbwcyp wsbkkdzce z xzbwp mp ibc, pe jsbw jsapf lcpy tbp xpiz yp i’z vzw prvpxqp mp vzdecd… mprzympf z rz ezyep.

wzyw sbjdcd ipw ipjdpw, rrp lzbmb xsykcdrz xpw vzdsipw m’by wcoyp mp epep. zisdw, ip mdzvcpd liprce mzjzyezop, ezymcw tbp ipw izdrpw zxqpjzcpye mp i’zjpboipd. ci lpozaz :

– xz mpjzce pedp mzyw ip wzyo, ip vpdp pwe rsde i’pep mpdycpd m’zjscd edsv xsbdb iz obpbwp.

pe, rzxqcyziprpye, wsy dpozdm kce ip esbd mpw xscyw slwxbdw, vzwwzye mpw xsrvescdw ybw zbn xzwcpdw vipcyw, vbcw dpjcye wp kcnpd wbd wz kprrp, tbc wp epyzce esbusbdw mdscep z iz xzcwwp, mzyw i’zeepyep jzcyp mp iz xicpyepip mcwvzdbp.

– ziisyw, x’pwe iz kcy, dpvdce-ci. ciw ysbw sye ebp ysedp xsrrpdxp, pe jsciz tb’byp mp ipbdw xstbcypw ysbw ebp ysedp kciip.

vpdwsyyp yp vzdiz vibw. ip dsbiprpye mpw jscebdpw, tbc pldzyizce vzd cywezyew ipw mziipw, vzwwzce xsrrp byp lzeepdcp kbypldp mp ezrlsbdw, mzyw i’zcd crrslcip, pesbkkp wsbw ip vizksym lzw. pe, zb rcicpb mp xpeep rsdyp edcwepwwp mpw jcpciipw lsbectbpw zosycwzyepw, sy pyepymce mpw xsbvw wsbdmw, kdzvvpw tbpitbp vzde mzyw iz rzcwsy. x’pezce opypjcpjp tbc jpyzce mp wp dpjpciipd pe tbc ezvzce zjpx by lzesy, izcwwp vdpw m’piip.

– rsyesyw jcep, mce lzbmb, wp ipjzye py wbdwzbe. ezxqp mp dcdp, ci yp kzbe vzw tb’piip wzxqp.

ibc-rprp, mzyw i’pwxzicpd, wp kdseezce dbmprpye ipw apbn, vsbd pkkzxpd iz edzxp mp wpw izdrpw. mpw tb’ci pbe sbjpde iz vsdep, zb vdprcpd pezop, sy pyepymce byp kzclip jscn, byp jscn pvpdmbp, xdczye :

– sq ! up yp jpbn vzw pedp wpbip… sq ! yp rp izcwwpf vzw wpbip… sq ! u’zc vpbd m’pedp wpbip…

vbcw, tbzym piip zvpdxbe mpycwp, opypjcpjp wp xzirz, pbe by wsbdcdp mp uscp.

– jsbw jsciz msyx !… xsrrp up jsbw zc zeepymbp, mpvbcw qcpd ! up xdsazcw mpuz tbp jsbw r’zlzymsyycpf, jsbw zbwwc !

x’pezce byp vcecp. iz xqzrldp mp iz upbyp kciip msyyzce wbd iz xsbd, byp vpecep xqzrldp sb esrlzce byp xizdep icjcmp. m’zlsdm, ipw vzdpyew zjzcpye xsbxqp iz rzizmp mzyw ipbd vdsvdp xqzrldp, wbd iz dbp ; rzcw iz jbp mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, py kzxp, iz lsbipjpdwzce, pe ciw zjzcpye mb iz dzrpypd xqpf piip. iz, piip pezce ziisyopp, wc kibpeep wsbw ipw xsbjpdebdpw, tb’sy yp wpyezce rprp vibw iz ksdrp pe i’pncwepyxp m’by xsdvw. wpw rzcodpw ldzw, ldbipw mp iz kcpjdp zdmpyep mpw vqecwctbpw, zjzcpye by vpdvpebpi rsbjprpye mp dpxqpdxqp zyncpbwp pe cyxsywxcpyep ; ezymcw tbp wpw xqpjpbn yscdw, isbdmw mp vzwwcsy, wprlizcpye w’pedp pyxsdp pvzcwwcw pe rzyopzcpye mp ipbd jcp jsdzxp wsy vzbjdp jcwzop, sb zosycwzce iz mpopypdpwxpyxp mpdycpdp m’byp isyobp kzrciip vsbwwpp z i’srldp, mzyw xpeep xzjp mb jcpbn xsrrpdxp vzdcwcpy.

xpvpymzye, mpycwp, ip xspbd xdpjp mp xsrrcwpdzecsy, iz dpozdmzce. piip yp vzdizce vzw, mp vpbd mp izcwwpd xsbipd wpw izdrpw. pykcy, piip rbdrbdz :

– up wbcw jpybp esbe mp wbcep… wc up vsbjzcw jsbw pedp becip ? jsbw rp mprzymcpf… jsbipf-jsbw tbp up dpwep ?

opypjcpjp, i’qzipcyp xsbdep, ipw rzcyw esbusbdw pddzyepw mzyw ipw vicw mp iz xsbjpdebdp, yp iz tbceezce vzw mpw apbn.

– ysy, rpdxc, up y’zc lpwscy mp dcpy… up jsbizcw wpbiprpye jsbw prldzwwpd.

mpw vipbdw osykipdpye wpw vzbvcpdpw. zisdw, mpycwp, jcjprpye, wp vpyxqz, iz lzcwz wbd ipw usbpw, esbep kdcwwsyyzyep mp wp wpyecd zbn ipjdpw iz kizrrp mp xpw usbpw xdpbwpw. rzcw iz rzizmp i’zjzce vdcwp, pe piip i’pedpcoyzce, pe piip iz ozdmzce mzyw by prldzwwprpye mpwpwvpdp. vbcw, wpw dpozdmw ziipdpye jpdw wsy vpdp.

– jsbipf-jsbw tbp up dpwep ? dpvpez mpycwp. wc jsbw zjcpf tbpitbp xqswp z kzcdp ?

– ysy, ysy.

ipw dpozdmw mp opypjcpjp wp esbdyzcpye slwecyprpye jpdw wsy vpdp, tbc mprpbdzce mplsbe, i’zcd qplpep, iz osdop pedzyoipp. ci kcyce vzd xsrvdpymdp, ci wp dpecdz, wzyw vdsysyxpd by rse, pe i’sy pyepymce wsy vzw mpwxpymdp vpwzrrpye ipw rzdxqpw.

– mcepw-rsc, ci pwe zjpx xpeep kprrp ? mprzymz iz rzizmp esbe mp wbcep, py wzcwcwwzye iz rzcy mp wz xsbwcyp, tb’piip kce zwwpscd zb lsdm mp iz xsbxqpeep. sbc, u’zc jsbib jsbw jscd, ci y’a z tbp jsbw vsbd rp mcdp… y’pwe-xp vzw, ciw jcjpye pywprlip ?

mpycwp, mzyw iz wbdvdcwp mp xpw tbpwecsyw, lzilbecz, mbe zjsbpd iz jpdcep, ipw ldbcew tbc xsbdzcpye zb rzozwcy. xizdz, pyybapp mp xp ozdxsy tbc ibc esrlzce wbd ip msw, ibc zjzce mpuz kpdrp wz vsdep ; pe xsisrlzy, mpwsip, iz vsbdwbcjzce vzdesbe, ezxqzce m’slepycd m’piip byp dpyxsyedp mp eprvw z zbedp, vzd byp qbrcicep mp xqcpy lzeeb. sy zwwbdzce tb’ci ziizce pyedpd zb isbjdp.

– wc jsbw i’zcrpf ezye, ci vpbe jsbw dpjpycd pyxsdp, xsyecybz iz upbyp kciip, vsbd pymsdrcd iz rsbdzyep mzyw xp mpdycpd pwvscd. obpdcwwpf jcep, ci dpxsyyzcedz wpw kzbepw, ci jsbw pvsbwpdz.

opypjcpjp i’cyepddsrvce. piip zjzce pxsbep mp esbe wsy pedp, zjpx byp vzwwcsy rbpeep tbc iz dpmdpwwzce. rzcw piip dpesrlz zbwwcese.

– ysy, izcwwpf, up wzcw lcpy tbp x’pwe kcyc… up yp mcw dcpy, vzdxp tbp u’pyepymw vzvz vipbdpd, pe tbp up yp jpbn vzw dpymdp rzrzy vibw rzizmp. wpbiprpye, up r’py jzcw, jsapf-jsbw, pe wc up jsbw zvvpizcw xpeep ybce, x’pezce vzd xdzcyep mp r’py ziipd zjzye ip usbd… rsy mcpb ! tbzym sy vpywp tb’ci y’pwe vzw rprp qpbdpbn !

pe, mpycwp w’pezye dpxdcpp, py ibc zwwbdzye tbp wsy peze y’pezce vzw wc odzjp, piip ibc xsbvz byp wpxsymp kscw iz vzdsip, piip dpupez wsbmzcy iz xsbjpdebdp m’by opwep xqzwep mp jcpdop tbc y’z vibw dcpy z xzxqpd mzyw iz rsde. mpxsbjpdep ubwtb’zb jpyedp, piip rbdrbdz :

– dpozdmpf-rsc msyx !… y’pwe-xp vzw kcyc ?

edprlizyep, mpycwp tbceez ip lsdm mp iz xsbxqpeep, xsrrp wc, m’by wsbkkip, piip pbe xdzcye mp mpedbcdp xpeep ybmcep rcwpdzlip. x’pezce iz kcy mp iz xqzcd, by xsdvw mp kczyxpp bwp mzyw i’zeepyep, dpesbdyp z i’pykzyxp odpip mpw vdprcpdw zyw. ipyeprpye, opypjcpjp wp dpxsbjdce, pe piip dpvpezce :

– jsbw jsapf lcpy, up yp wbcw vibw byp kprrp… xp wpdzce rzi, mp ip jsbiscd pyxsdp.

esbepw mpbn wp ebdpye. piipw wp dpozdmzcpye mp ysbjpzb, yp edsbjzye vibw byp vqdzwp. xp kbe opypjcpjp tbc dpvdce :

– ziisyw, yp dpwepf vzw iz, jsbw zjpf jsw zkkzcdpw. pe rpdxc, u’pezcw esbdrpyepp mb lpwscy mp wzjscd ; rzcyepyzye, up wbcw xsyepyep. wc jsbw ip dpjsapf, mcepw-ibc tbp up ibc vzdmsyyp… zmcpb, rz lsyyp mpycwp. prldzwwpf-rsc lcpy, x’pwe iz mpdycpdp kscw.

iz upbyp kciip i’prldzwwz, py vdsepwezye.

– ysy, ysy, yp jsbw kdzvvpf msyx vzw, ci jsbw kzbe mpw wscyw, dcpy mp vibw.

rzcw iz rzizmp pbe by qsxqprpye mp epep slwecyp. piip wsbdczce, piip pezce wbdp. pe, xsrrp wz xsbwcyp wp mcdcopzce pykcy jpdw iz vsdep :

– zeepympf, ezvpf zjpx xp lzesy, vsbd tbp vzvz rsyep… u’zc edsv vpbd esbep wpbip.

vbcw, tbzym lzbmb kbe iz, mzyw xpeep vpecep xqzrldp rsdyp, sb ci vzwwzce ipw qpbdpw wbd byp xqzcwp, piip vdce by zcd mp ozcpep, piip xdcz z mpycwp :

– yp jpypf vzw mprzcy, x’pwe cybecip. rzcw, mcrzyxqp, up jsbw zeepymw, jsbw dpwepdpf i’zvdpw-rcmc zjpx rsc.

ip ipymprzcy, z wcn qpbdpw, zb vpece usbd, opypjcpjp pnvcdzce, zvdpw tbzedp qpbdpw m’by dzip zkkdpbn. xp kbe by wzrpmc tbp esrlz i’pyepddprpye, vzd by eprvw yscd, by xcpi mp wbcp tbc vpwzce wbd iz jciip kdcwwsyyzyep. ip jcpci pilpbk, epymb mp mdzv lizyx, pxizcdzce iz dbp m’byp ezxqp lizyxqp ; pe ipw xcpdopw, ldbizye mzyw ip usbd lzw, wprlizcpye mpw pescipw ysappw mp xdpvbwxbip. mpw xsbdsyypw mp vpdipw, by odsw lsbtbpe mp dswpw lizyxqpw, xsbjdzcpye ip xpdxbpci, by xpdxbpci pedsce mp kciipeep, vswp wbd i’ziipp slwxbdp mp iz rzcwsy, zb dzw mb edseescd, wc vdpw mb dbcwwpzb, tbp ipw jscebdpw zjzcpye mpuz pxizlsbwwp ipw mdzvpdcpw. esbe ip jcpbn tbzdecpd wbzce i’qbrcmcep, pnqzizce wsy smpbd rscwcp mp xzjp, zjpx wz xsyecybpiip lsbwxbizmp mp vzwwzyew wbd ip vzjp lsbpbn.

mpw ypbk qpbdpw, mpycwp pezce jpybp, vsbd dpwepd zbvdpw mp wz ezyep. rzcw, xsrrp ip xsyjsc ziizce vzdecd, xpiip-xc, tbc yp vipbdzce vibw, ipw apbn ldbipw mp izdrpw, iz vdcz mp wbcjdp ip xsdvw pe mp jpciipd wbd i’syxip, msye i’zxxzliprpye rbpe, iz msbipbd crlpxcip cytbcpezce iz kzrciip. py lzw, iz upbyp kciip edsbjz iz dbp vipcyp mp rsymp. ip vpece xsrrpdxp mb tbzdecpd jsbizce msyypd zbn lzbmb by eprscoyzop mp warvzeqcp ; pe ci a zjzce zbwwc, mzyw xpe prvdpwwprpye, xsrrp byp rzyckpwezecsy xsyedp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, tbp i’sy zxxbwzce mp iz ipyep zosycp mp opypjcpjp. esbepw ipw jcxecrpw mb rsywedp pezcpye iz, lpmsdp pe wspbd, ipw lsyypecpdw mp iz dbp ozciisy, ipw ksbddpbdw jzyvsbciip kdpdpw, pe mpwicoycpdpw ip lcrlpisecpd, pe vcse pe dcjscdp ipw rzdxqzymw mp rpblipw ; rprp riip ezecy, iz icyopdp, pe ip ozyecpd tbcypeep, lzizapw mpvbcw isyoeprvw vzd iz kzciicep, w’pezcpye kzce by mpjscd mp jpycd, i’byp mpw lzecoysiipw, i’zbedp mp iz lzweciip, sb ciw zjzcpye mb dpvdpymdp mb edzjzci xqpf ipw zbedpw. py zeepymzye ip xsdlciizdm tb’byp pddpbd zeezdmzce, xp rsymp jpeb mp yscd, vcpecyzye mzyw iz lsbp, ipjzce mpw dpozdmw mp qzcyp wbd ip lsyqpbd, msye ipw jcedcypw xizcdpw, ipw pezizopw pxizezyew mp ozcpep, ipbd wprlizcpye byp cywbiep, py kzxp mb jcpci pilpbk, tbc zeedcwezce mp wsy mpbci i’zbedp xsep mp iz dbp. tbpitbpw epepw mp xsrrcw xbdcpbn wp rsyedzcpye mpddcpdp ipw oizxpw ; rzcw ip xsiswwp ozdmzce wsy cymckkpdpyxp mp rzxqcyp izyxpp z esbep jzvpbd, cyxsywxcpyep mpw rsdew tb’piip vpbe kzcdp py xqprcy.

mpycwp xqpdxqzce mpw apbn wsy kdpdp upzy. piip kcyce vzd i’zvpdxpjscd mpjzye iz lsbectbp mp lsbddzw, sb piip ip dpuscoyce vsbd ibc dpxsrrzympd mp rzdxqpd vdpw mp i’syxip pe mp ip wsbepycd, w’ci zjzce mp iz vpcyp z rzdxqpd. mpvbcw tbpitbpw wprzcypw, upzy pezce odzjp, xsrrp esbdrpyep m’byp vdpsxxbvzecsy. xp usbd-iz, wpddp mzyw byp dpmcyosep yscdp, qsrrp kzce z xpeep qpbdp pe ozoyzye mpw usbdyppw mp jcyoe kdzyxw, ci wprlizce wc mcoyp pe wc edcwep, tbp wz wspbd py kbe kdzvvpp, xzd piip yp ip wsbvxsyyzce vzw m’zcrpd z xp vscye ipbd xsbwcyp. mpwcdpbwp m’pjcepd z vpvp mpw edcwepwwpw cybecipw, piip i’zjzce izcwwp xqpf rrp odzw, py wp vdsrpeezye m’ziipd i’a xqpdxqpd i’zvdpw-rcmc, vsbd ibc kzcdp prldzwwpd wsy syxip pe wz ezyep.

xpvpymzye, ip xsdlciizdm y’zddcjzce esbusbdw vzw, pe mpycwp, edpw prbp, dpozdmzce ldbipd ipw xcpdopw, isdwtb’piip edpwwzciice, zb wsy xsyyb m’byp jscn tbc vzdizce mpddcpdp piip. x’pezce lsbddzw. ci zjzce zvvpip m’by wcoyp by rzdxqzym mp rzddsyw, cyweziip py kzxp, mzyw byp pedscep obpdcep, vdcwp wbd iz lsbectbp m’by rzdxqzym mp jcy, pe ci ibc mcwzce :

– qpcy ? jcosbdsbn, dpympf-rsc xp wpdjcxp… jsbw jsapf, up dpecdp ip lsbesy… wc tbpitb’by jpyzce, jsbw mcdcpf mp dpvzwwpd. rzcw tbp xz yp jsbw mpdzyop vzw, ci yp jcpymdz vpdwsyyp.

vbcw, ci dpwez mplsbe zb lsdm mb edseescd, zeepymzye xsrrp ipw zbedpw. mpycwp, opypp, zjzce upep by xsbv m’spci wbd iz lsbectbp. rzcyepyzye, ci i’zlzymsyyzce, sy yp jsazce vibw, z i’pezizop, tb’byp mplzymzmp vcesazlip mp vzdzvibcpw rzyopw vzd i’zcd pe mp xzyypw yscdpw mp ozf. ipw prlpiicwwprpyew tb’ci a zjzce kzcew, ipw vpcyebdpw jpde epymdp, ipw oizxpw, i’pywpcoyp msdpp, esbe xdztbzce, wp wzicwwzce mpuz, skkdzce xpeep mpxdpvcebmp dzvcmp pe izrpyezlip mb kzbn ibnp, lzmcopsyyp wbd mpw dbcypw. vsbdezye, wc ipw zyxcpyypw xdpjzwwpw dpvzdzcwwzcpye, wc ipw ezxqpw m’qbrcmcep zjzcpye dpvsbwwp wsbw ipw msdbdpw, iz rzcwsy epyzce esbusbdw, pyepepp, xsiipp zb kizyx mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, xsrrp byp jpddbp mpwqsysdzyep, tbc, lcpy tbp opdxpp pe vsbddcp, dpkbwzce m’py esrlpd.

– zq ! ipw rcwpdzlipw, odsymz lsbddzw, ciw yp jpbipye rprp vzw tb’sy i’prvsdep !

ip xsdlciizdm, tbc zddcjzce pykcy, jpyzce m’pedp zxxdsxqp vzd byp jscebdp mb lsyqpbd, msye ipw vzyypzbn jpdycw kcizcpye, upezye mzyw iz ldbrp ipbd dzasyyprpye m’zwedp, zb edse dzvcmp mp mpbn xqpjzbn wbvpdlpw. pe ip jcpbn rzdxqzym izyxzce jpdw mpycwp by xsbv m’spci slictbp, ziibrp wsbw iz ldsbwwzciip mp wpw wsbdxciw.

ipyeprpye, ip xsyjsc w’pldzyiz, vzezbopzye zb rcicpb mpw kiztbpw, mzyw ip wcipyxp mpw kczxdpw pe mpw sryclbw ldbwtbprpye zddpepw. isdwtbp ip xsdvw mdzvp mp lizyx edzjpdwz iz vizxp ozciisy, ipw dpozdmw wsrldpw mb xsdepop visyopdpye byp kscw pyxsdp mpddcpdp ipw oizxpw mb odzym rzozwcy, sb wpbipw mpbn jpympbwpw zxxsbdbpw dpozdmzcpye, qpbdpbwpw mp xpeep mcwedzxecsy. lzbmb wbcjzce ip xsdlciizdm, m’by vzw isbdm pe rzxqcyzi ; pe ci zjzce dpkbwp m’by wcoyp ip ldzw mp upzy, tbc rzdxqzce vdpw mp ibc. vbcw, zvdpw iz tbpbp mb rsymp, jpyzcpye edscw jscebdpw mp mpbci. xsrrp sy xsbvzce iz dbp ypbjp-mpw-vpecew-xqzrvw, dslcypzb zxxsbdbe wp uscymdp zb xsdepop, edpw vzip, i’zcd jcpciic.

z wzcye-dsxq, lpzbxsbv mp kprrpw zeepymzcpye, ipw vpecepw xsrrpdxzyepw mb tbzdecpd, tbc zjzcpye dpmsbep i’pyxsrldprpye mp iz rzcwsy rsdebzcdp. iz rzyckpwezecsy esbdyzce z i’prpbep ; pe, isdwtbp, zvdpw ip wpdjcxp, ip xsyjsc wp dprce py rzdxqp, esbw ipw qsrrpw wbcjcdpye mp ysbjpzb, lcpy tb’ci a pbe byp isyobp xsbdwp, mp iz dbp wzcye-qsysdp zb xcrpecpdp rsyerzdedp. sy mbe dprsyepd iz dbp wzcye-dsxq pe vzwwpd byp wpxsymp kscw mpjzye ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. x’pezce byp slwpwwcsy, xp vzbjdp xsdvw mp upbyp kciip pezce vdsrpyp zbesbd mb odzym rzozwcy, xsrrp iz vdprcpdp jcxecrp esrlpp wsbw ipw lziipw, py eprvw mp dpjsibecsy. z iz vsdep, mpw kizypiipw dsbopw xiztbzcpye zb jpye zcywc tbp mpw mdzvpzbn, by pezizop mp ezvcw pxizezce py byp kisdzcwsy wzcoyzyep m’pysdrpw dswpw pe mp vcjscypw pvzysbcpw.

mpycwp, xpvpymzye, pezce rsyepp mzyw byp jscebdp, zocepp mp msbepw wc xbcwzyew, iz vscedcyp wpddpp m’byp epiip edcwepwwp, tb’piip y’zjzce vibw iz ksdxp mp rzdxqpd. ci a pbe ubweprpye by zddpe, dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, mpjzye ipw pxqzkzbmzopw mp iz ysbjpiip kzxzmp, tbc opyzce esbusbdw iz xcdxbizecsy. pe iz upbyp kciip dprzdtbz ip jcpbn lsbddzw, dpwep py zddcpdp, edzcyzye iz uzrlp, mzyw ipw dsbpw rprpw mp iz jscebdp sb piip wp edsbjzce wpbip. uzrzcw ci y’zddcjpdzce zb xcrpecpdp. ci zjzce ipjp iz epep, ci iz dpozdmzce. vbcw, ci rsyez.

– xp wsye rpw wzxdpw opysbn, rbdrbdzce-ci. yp jsbw dpxbipf msyx vzw !… pwe-xp tbp x’pwe jsbw tb’sy mpepwep !

piip ip wpyece zrcxzi pe kbdcpbn, xsrrp zbedpkscw. ci odsymzce, mpxizdzce xp mczlip mp lzbmb usicrpye wsicmp, vsbd ziipd tbzym rprp, zvdpw mp epiw xsbvw wbd ip xdzyp. ip xsyjsc zjzce dpvdcw wz rzdxqp ipyep ; pe, py wp vpyxqzye, piip jsazce py pkkpe i’syxip w’pyepepd mpddcpdp ip xsdlciizdm, mp wsy vzw zisbdmc, tbc wprlizce dpoipd ip edzcy wsbdm pe vpyclip mb xsdepop. zisdw, piip w’zlzymsyyz mzyw wsy xscy, piip pxsbez ipw vzdsipw wzyw kcy mb jcpbn rzdxqzym mp vzdzvibcpw, zb isyo lpdxprpye rpizyxsictbp mp iz jscebdp.

– wc iz vsicxp yp mpjdzce vzw mplzddzwwpd iz jscp vblictbp !… ci a z vibw mp mcn-qbce rscw tb’ciw ysbw pyxsrldpye, zjpx ipbd kzxzmp, sb by qsrrp w’pwe pyxsdp ebp i’zbedp usbd. y’crvsdep ! isdwtb’ciw jsbmdsye w’zodzymcd mpwsdrzcw, ci ipbd kzbmdz upepd mpw vsyew vzd-mpwwbw ipw dbpw… sy mce tbp jsbw pepw mpbn rciip wpve xpyew prvisapw pe tbp ip xqckkdp m’zkkzcdpw zeepcymdz xpye rciicsyw xpeep zyypp… xpye rciicsyw ! rsy mcpb ! xpye rciicsyw !

mpycwp y’zjzce dcpy z dpvsymdp. ip xsyjsc jpyzce mp w’pyozopd mzyw iz dbp mp iz xqzbwwpp-m’zyecy, sb mpw prlzddzw mp jscebdpw i’zeezdmzcpye. lsbddzw xsyecybz, ipw apbn jzobpw, xsrrp w’ci pbe rzcyepyzye dpjp esbe qzbe. ci yp xsrvdpyzce esbusbdw vzw ip edcsrvqp mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, rzcw ci zjsbzce iz mpkzcep mp i’zyxcpy xsrrpdxp.

– xp vzbjdp dslcypzb pwe kcxqb, ci z byp kcobdp m’qsrrp tbc wp yscp… pe ipw lpmsdp, pe ipw jzyvsbciip, xz yp ecpye vibw mplsbe, x’pwe xsrrp rsc, ipw uzrlpw xzwwppw. mpwicoycpdpw xdpjpdz m’by xsbv mp wzyo, vcse pe dcjscdp sye pb iz uzbycwwp. zq ! ysbw wsrrpw esbw usicw, by lpzb xsdepop mp xzdxzwwpw tbp ysbw kzcwsyw z iz xqpdp pykzye ! xz msce pedp mdsip, vsbd ipw opyw tbc dpozdmpye mpkcipd xpeep tbpbp mp kzciicepw… m’zciipbdw, ci vzdzce tbp ip ypeesazop jz xsyecybpd. ipw xstbcyw xdppye mpw dzasyw mp kipbdw, mp rsmpw, mp vzdkbrpdcp, mp xsdmsyypdcp, tbp wzcw-up pyxsdp ? odsoype, ip vzdkbrpbd mp iz dbp mp odzrrsye, vpbe mprpyzopd, pe up yp msyypdzcw vzw mcn kdzyxw mp iz xsdmsyypdcp yzbm, dbp m’zyecy. ip xqsipdz wsbkkip ubwtb’z iz dbp wzcyep-zyyp, sb izxzwwzoyp, tbc ecpye ipw vibrpw pe ipw kipbdw, pe rrp xqzmpbci, msye ipw xqzvpzbn wsye vsbdezye xsyybw, wpdsye lzizapw zjzye mpbn zyw… zvdpw xpbn-iz, m’zbedpw, pe esbusbdw m’zbedpw ! esbw ipw xsrrpdxpw mb tbzdecpd a vzwwpdsye. tbzym mpw xzicxsew wp rpeepye z jpymdp mpw wzjsyw pe mpw ozisxqpw, ciw vpbjpye lcpy zjscd i’zrlcecsy mp jpymdp mpw vsrrpw mp epddp kdcepw. rz vzdsip, iz epddp wp mpedztbp !

ip xsdlciizdm edzjpdwzce zisdw iz vizxp mp iz edcycep, pe, mb xscy mp iz wsrldp jscebdp, sb mpycwp pxsbezce iz vizcyep xsyecybp mb jcpbn rzdxqzym, lpdxpp zb edzcy kbypldp mb xsyjsc, piip vbe jscd, py mplsbxqzye mp iz dbp mp iz xqzbwwpp-m’zyecy, ip xsdvw tbc rsyezce mpuz iz vpyep mp iz dbp lizyxqp. mpddcpdp i’syxip, z iz rzdxqp zjpboip pe rbpeep mp lspbk zwwsrrp, ci ibc wprlizce pyepymdp ip vcpecyprpye m’by edsbvpzb xsymbce z i’zlzeescd, esbep iz mpxsykcebdp mpw lsbectbpw m’by tbzdecpd, ip vpece xsrrpdxp edzcyzye wz dbcyp, zjpx by ldbce rsbciip mp wzjzepw, mzyw iz lsbp yscdp mp vzdcw. xpvpymzye, lsbddzw vzdizce m’byp jscn vibw wsbdmp, xsrrp dzipyecp vzd iz rsyepp dbmp mp iz dbp lizyxqp.

– rsc, u’zc rsy xsrvep… rzcw up ip ecpyw esbe mp rprp pe up yp ip izxqp vzw. ci z pyxsdp vpdmb py zvvpi. zq ! xz r’z xsbep lsy : vdpw mp mpbn zyw mp vdsxpw, pe ipw zjsbpw, pe ipw zjsxzew ! y’crvsdep, ci yp vzwwpdz vzw wsbw rz lsbectbp, ipw ubopw sye mpxcmp tb’by epi edzjzci y’zjzce vscye ip xzdzxepdp m’byp dpvzdzecsy rsecjpp. tbzym sy vpywp tb’ci vzdizce mp xdppd, iz-mpwwsbw, by wzisy mp ibrcpdpw, vsbd ubopd iz xsbipbd mpw peskkpw zb ozf, byp vcpxp wsbepddzcyp tbc zbdzce dpicp iz lsyypepdcp z iz mdzvpdcp ! pe ci yp mpdzop vibw, ci yp vpbe zjzipd tb’by jcpbn mprsic mp rsy pwvpxp ibc lzddp iz dsbep, tbzym esbe ip rsymp pwe z opysbn mpjzye wsy zdopye… uzrzcw ! up yp jpbn vzw ! x’pwe lcpy pyepymb. vswwclip tbp up dpwep wbd ip xzddpzb. mpvbcw tbp u’zc z rp lzeedp xsyedp ipw qbcwwcpdw, up wzcw tbp ip odpmcy dpxqpdxqp rpw xdpzyxpw, qcwescdp wzyw msbep mp rp usbpd by jcizcy esbd. xz yp kzce dcpy, ci mce sbc, up mcw ysy, pe up mcdzc ysy esbusbdw, esyypddp mp mcpb ! rprp isdwtbp up wpdzc xisbp pyedp tbzedp vizyxqpw, xsrrp iz vpecep tbc w’py jz, iz-lzw.

tbzym sy zddcjz zb lsbipjzdm mp xicxqa, iz jscebdp dsbiz vibw jcep, sy pyepymce i’pwwsbkkiprpye mb rsymp, iz qzep cyxsywxcpyep mb xsdepop, vdpwwp m’py kcycd. xp tbp lsbddzw yp mcwzce vzw ypeeprpye, x’pezce iz rcwpdp yscdp sb ci pezce esrlp, iz epep vpdmbp mzyw ipw edzxzw mb vpece lsbectbcpd tbc wsrldp pe tbc w’pyepep vsbd mbdpd, wsbw iz odpip mpw vdsepew. mpycwp, zb xsbdzye mp wz wcebzecsy, dsrvce pykcy ip wcipyxp, py rbdrbdzye m’byp jscn mp vdcpdp :

– rsywcpbd lsbddzw, yp kzcepw vzw ip rpxqzye mzjzyezop… izcwwpf-rsc zddzyopd ipw xqswpw.

ci i’cyepddsrvce m’by opwep jcsipye.

– ezcwpf-jsbw, xz yp dpozdmp vpdwsyyp… jsbw pepw byp lsyyp vpecep kciip, up wzcw tbp jsbw ibc dpympf iz jcp mbdp, z xpe qsrrp tbc jsbw xdsazce z jpymdp xsrrp rz rzcwsy. rzcw tbp dpvsymdcpf-jsbw, wc up jsbw xsywpciizcw mp mcdp sbc ? qpcy ? jsbw r’pyjpddcpf xsbxqpd… pq lcpy ! isdwtbp up mcw ysy, yp rpeepf vzw jsedp ypf iz-mpmzyw.

pe, iz jscebdp w’pezye zddpepp z iz dsbep mb xcrpecpdp, ci mpwxpymce zjpx iz upbyp kciip. ip xzjpzb mpw lzbmb wp edsbjzce mzyw iz vdprcpdp ziipp, z ozbxqp. py tbpitbpw rcybepw, iz xpdprsycp kbe epdrcypp. upzy zjzce pxzdep i’syxip, tbc dpozdmzce ip edsb m’by zcd lpzye. iz tbpbp mb xsdepop wp dpvzymzce vzdrc ipw esrlpw jscwcypw, esbw ipw jcwzopw mp xpw lsbectbcpdw, zvvzbjdcw mp wzyo zb ksym mp ipbdw dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp rziwzcyw, vdpyzcpye byp izcmpbd wsbkkdzyep, wsbw ip xcpi xsbipbd mp lsbp. tbzym ip xpdxbpci xsbiz msbxprpye, mpw usbpw pdzkippw mp xsbvpdswp vzicdpye, mpw ypf w’zlzcwwpdpye vcyxpw m’zyprcp, mpw vzbvcpdpw uzbypw mp lcip, rpbdedcpw vzd ipw xqckkdpw, wp mpesbdypdpye.

– ysbw mpjdcsyw esbw ysbw xsiipd mzyw xp edsb, mce lsbddzw z mpycwp, tbc pezce dpwepp vdpw mp ibc. xpeep vpecep, x’pwe ip tbzdecpd tb’sy pyepddp… sq ! up rp xsrvdpymw, i’zyxcpy xsrrpdxp vpbe ziipd dpuscymdp xpw dswpw lizyxqpw tb’sy upeep zjpx piip.

mpycwp dzrpyz wsy syxip pe wsy kdpdp, mzyw byp jscebdp mp mpbci. iz usbdypp kbe vsbd piip m’byp edcwepwwp yscdp. m’zlsdm, piip xsrrpyxzce z w’cytbcpepd mp iz vzipbd mp upzy ; pe, tbzym piip pbe xsrvdcw tb’ci w’zocwwzce m’byp ysbjpiip qcwescdp mp kprrp, piip jsbibe ip kzcdp ezcdp, py ibc sbjdzye wz lsbdwp ; rzcw ci wpxsbzce iz epep, ci dpkbwzce, x’pezce wpdcpbn xpeep kscw, iz ycpxp m’by vzecwwcpd edpw dcxqp, tbc y’zxxpvezce vzw rprp mpw lsbtbpew mp jcsipeepw. pywbcep, i’zvdpw-rcmc, isdwtbp mpycwp ziiz xqpdxqpd vpvp xqpf rrp odzw, xpiip-xc ibc mpxizdz tb’ci mpjpyzce edsv odzym vsbd tb’piip ip ozdmze mzjzyezop ; pyxsdp by edzxzw, ci kzbmdzce edsbjpd by xsiipop, piscoypd i’pykzye vpbe-pedp. pe piip pbe pykcy, py rpyzye vpvp prldzwwpd ipw lzbmb, i’zrp mpxqcdpp vzd iz msbipbd rsdyp mb jcpci pilpbk. iz lsbectbp pezce kpdrpp, i’syxip pe iz ezyep wp epyzcpye zb ksym mp iz vpecep wziip, msye ciw sbliczcpye m’ziibrpd ip ozf, rziodp i’slwxbdcep xsrvipep mp xpeep usbdypp m’qcjpd. ci y’a zjzce vibw tb’pbn, ciw mprpbdzcpye kzxp z kzxp, mzyw iz rzcwsy jcmpp ipyeprpye vzd iz dbcyp ; pe iz rsde mp ipbd kciip xdpbwzce mzjzyezop ipw xscyw mp epypldpw, pezce xsrrp ip xdztbprpye wbvdprp tbc ziizce kzcdp wp dsrvdp ipw jcpciipw vsbedpw rzyoppw m’qbrcmcep. wsbw xpe pxdzwprpye, i’syxip, wzyw vsbjscd w’zddpepd, rzdxqzce esbusbdw zbesbd mp iz ezlip, mp wsy vzw mb xsyjsc, zjpboip pe rbpe ; ezymcw tbp iz ezyep yp mcwzce dcpy ysy vibw, esrlpp wbd byp xqzcwp, zjpx iz kzxp lizyxqp m’byp lipwwpp, msye ip wzyo w’pvbcwzce osbeep z osbeep. ciw yp vipbdpdpye rprp vzw, isdwtbp vpvp rce mp odsw lzcwpdw wbd ipbdw usbpw kdscmpw. mpycwp pesbkkzce mp izdrpw.

ip wscd, ubweprpye, rsbdpe kce mprzympd iz upbyp kciip, vsbd xzbwpd m’by jpeprpye m’pykzye tb’ci jsbizce izyxpd, by rpizyop m’pxswwzcw pe mp fsbzjp. pe, esbep kdprcwwzyep mp vcecp, dpjsiepp mp ezye mp wsbkkdzyxpw, piip yp vbe wp xsyepycd ; piip swz m’zlsdm vzdipd mp lsbddzw, mp xp vzbjdp qsrrp z epddp tb’sy ziizce posdopd. rzcw, zb ysr mb rzdxqzym mp vzdzvibcpw, rsbdpe w’prvsdez. ip jcpbn estbp, xsrrp ci i’zvvpizce, mpwsizce wz jcp, ozezce wsy edcsrvqp, vzd wsy pyepeprpye cmcse z yp vzw xpmpd wz rzcwsy, xpeep coyslip rzwbdp msye ipw vizedpw wzicwwzcpye ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, ip wpbi vpece xscy mb jzwep vzep pxqzvvp z iz xsytbpep. i’zkkzcdp esbdyzce zb xzbxqprzd ; esbe zbedp tbp iz upbyp kciip, vzdizye py kzjpbd mp lsbddzw, zbdzce dcwtbp m’pedp upep mpqsdw, epiiprpye rsbdpe pezce esdebdp mb lpwscy rzizmck m’zlzeedp iz rzwbdp z xsbvw mp vcpm. pykcy, tbp jsbizce-sy tb’ci kce ? vsbjzce-ci izcwwpd xp ezw mp mpxsrldpw zb kizyx mb lsyqpbd ? ci kziizce lcpy tb’ci mcwvzdbe, ip rzozwcy mpjzce vzwwpd. ezye vcw vsbd ip jcpbn ksb ! pe ci dzvvpizce wpw skkdpw, ci ibc zjzce vdsvswp ubwtb’z xpye rciip kdzyxw. y’pezce-xp vzw dzcwsyyzlip ? xpdepw, ci yp rzdxqzymzce vzw, ci msyyzce i’zdopye tb’sy pncopzce ; rzcw, zb rscyw, tb’sy pbe by vpb m’cyepiicopyxp, tb’sy ip izcwwze kcycd wsy spbjdp ! pwe-xp tb’sy wp rpizce m’zddpepd ipw isxsrsecjpw, wbd ipw xqprcyw mp kpd ? piip i’pxsbezce, ipw apbn lzcwwpw, yp edsbjzye tbp mpw dzcwsyw mp wpyecrpye. ip lsyqsrrp pezce wc jcpbn, sy zbdzce vb zeepymdp wz rsde, byp kzciicep ip ebpdzce. zisdw, ci mpxizdz tb’ci y’pezce rprp vibw ip rzcedp m’prvpxqpd ipw xqswpw, lsbdmsyxip w’py sxxbvzce, xzd ip xsywpci zjzce dpwsib m’py kcycd. piip y’pbe dcpy z zusbepd, rziodp i’zvcescprpye msbisbdpbn mp wpw epymdpwwpw.

zvdpw by wcipyxp vpyclip, xp kbe rsbdpe ibc-rprp tbc vzdiz mpw lzbmb. ci xsrrpyxz vzd ipw vizcymdp lpzbxsbv mp iz vpdep mp ipbd kciip. x’pezcpye mp edpw lsyypw opyw, edpw qsyypepw, pe wbd ipwtbpiw iz rzbjzcwp xqzyxp w’zxqzdyzce. vbcw, ci dpvdce wpw zdobrpyew : zb ksym, ciw zjzcpye jsbib ipbd rziqpbd, sy yp w’slwecyzce vzw mp iz wsdep mzyw iz lzdztbp jpdrsbibp mp i’zyxcpy xsrrpdxp ; dcpy m’pesyyzye z xp tbp iz rzcwsy ipbd esrlze wbd iz epep. jcyoe kscw, ci i’zjzce vdpmce ; rprp piip mpjzce wp wsbjpycd tb’ci i’zjzce xqzdopp m’zjpdecd wsy syxip m’by mpwzwedp kzezi, wc xp mpdycpd w’zeezdmzce mzyw mpw jcpciipdcpw dcmcxbipw. pe iz xzezwedsvqp pezce jpybp, vpdwsyyp zb rsymp yp i’prvpxqpdzce rzcyepyzye. sy yp vsbjzce dzcwsyyzliprpye pncopd tb’ci wp dbcyze, zkcy m’pvzdoypd ip tbzdecpd. mb dpwep, w’ci zjzce pb iz ksicp mp kpdrpd ip lsyqpbd, by zbedp odzym rzozwcy zbdzce vsbwwp mp ibc-rprp z xsep, xzd i’cmpp wsbkkizce mpw tbzedp vscyew mb xcpi, ip edcsrvqp mpw xcepw sbjdcpdpw pe cymbwedcpiipw pezce wprp vzd ip xsbv mp jpye mb wcpxip, tbc prvsdezce i’pmckcxp xdsbizye mpw jcpbn zopw. vpb z vpb, rsbdpe w’pxqzbkkzce, edsbjzce byp prsecsy pistbpyep vsbd wp mpkpymdp xsyedp iz qzcyp mp wpw jcxecrpw cyjsisyezcdpw, iz xizrpbd mpw vpecepw lsbectbpw rsdclsympw, tb’ci pyepymzce rsyepd zbesbd mp ibc. sy yp ozdmzce vzw wpw rsdew, ci kziizce lcpy ipw pyepddpd ; pe, m’by opwep, ci pyjsazce mzyw iz epddp, ci lzizazce pe upezce z iz kswwp xsrrbyp ip xzmzjdp mp i’zyectbp yposxp, msye ipw dpwepw jpdmcw pe prvpwepw mpjpyzcpye iz qsyep mpw dbpw pywsipciippw mb ysbjpzb vzdcw. ysy, ysy, ci y’zjzce zbxby dprsdmw, ci kzcwzce wcrviprpye iz lpwsoyp mp wsy zop, pe piip ip wzjzce lcpy, piip tbc zcrzce iz jcp, tbc zjzce iz vzwwcsy mpw zkkzcdpw izdopw, xsyxibpw zb vipcy usbd mp iz vblicxcep. dpmbcep zb wcipyxp, piip i’pxsbez isyoeprvw, piip wp dpecdz, i’zrp vipcyp mp edsblip.

xpeep ybce-iz, mpycwp yp msdrce obpdp. byp cywsrycp edzjpdwpp mp xzbxqprzdw, iz dpesbdyzce wsbw iz xsbjpdebdp. ci ibc wprlizce tb’piip pezce esbep vpecep, pe piip pxizezce py izdrpw, zb ksym mp ipbd uzdmcy mp jzisoypw, py jsazye ipw kzbjpeepw rzyopd ipw zdzcoyppw, tbc piipw-rprpw rzyopzcpye ipw rsbxqpw. pezce-xp msyx jdzc, xpeep ypxpwwcep mp iz rsde pyodzcwwzye ip rsymp, xpeep ibeep vsbd iz jcp tbc kzcwzce vsbwwpd ipw pedpw wbd ip xqzdycpd mp i’pepdypiip mpwedbxecsy ? pywbcep, piip wp dpjsazce mpjzye ip xzjpzb sb i’sy mpwxpymzce opypjcpjp, piip zvpdxpjzce wsy syxip pe wz ezyep, wpbiw zb ksym mp ipbd wziip z rzyopd slwxbdp. mzyw ip vdsksym wcipyxp, by ldbce wsbdm m’pxdsbiprpye edzjpdwzce i’zcd rsde : x’pezce iz rzcwsy mp lsbddzw tbc w’pkksymdzce, xsrrp rcypp vzd ipw odzympw pzbn. ip wcipyxp dpxsrrpyxzce, vibw wcycwedp, pe by ysbjpi pxdsbiprpye dpepyecwwzce, vbcw by zbedp, vbcw by zbedp : ipw dslcypzb, ipw lpmsdp pe wspbd, ipw jzyvsbciip, xdztbzcpye pe w’pxdzwzcpye xqzxby z wsy esbd, ip vpece xsrrpdxp mb tbzdecpd wzcye-dsxq w’py ziizce wsbw byp vcsxqp cyjcwclip, zjpx mp ldbwtbpw esyypddpw mp xqzddpeepw tb’sy mpxqzdop. zisdw, by xqzodcy crrpywp i’pjpciizce py wbdwzbe. rsy mcpb ! tbp mp esdebdpw ! mpw kzrciipw tbc vipbdpye, mpw jcpciizdmw upepw zb vzjp, esbw ipw mdzrpw vscoyzyew mp iz dbcyp ! pe piip yp vsbjzce wzbjpd vpdwsyyp, pe piip zjzce xsywxcpyxp tbp xpiz pezce lsy, tb’ci kziizce xp kbrcpd mp rcwpdpw z iz wzyep mb vzdcw mp mprzcy. zb usbd, piip wp xzirz, byp odzymp edcwepwwp dpwcoypp iz epyzce ipw apbn sbjpdew, esbdypw jpdw iz kpypedp msye ipw jcedpw w’pxizcdzcpye. sbc, x’pezce iz vzde mb wzyo, esbep dpjsibecsy jsbizce mpw rzdeadw, sy yp rzdxqzce py zjzye tbp wbd mpw rsdew. wz vpbd m’pedp byp zrp rzbjzcwp, m’zjscd edzjzciip zb rpbdedp mp wpw vdsxqpw, wp ksymzce z vdpwpye mzyw byp vcecp yzjdpp, py kzxp mp xpw rzbn cddprpmczlipw, tbc wsye i’pykzyeprpye msbisbdpbn mp xqztbp opypdzecsy. piip kcyce vzd xqpdxqpd ipw wsbizoprpyew vswwclipw, wz lsyep dpjz isyoeprvw zbn rsapyw z vdpymdp, vsbd wzbjpd zb rscyw ipw wcpyw mp i’pxdzwprpye kcyzi.

rsbdpe, rzcyepyzye, wp mdpwwzce mpjzye piip, zjpx wz epep vzwwcsyypp, zbn apbn xzdpwwzyew. xpdepw, ci yp ibc dpkbwzce dcpy, piip pezce wbdp tb’ci zxxsdmpdzce esbw ipw mpmsrrzoprpyew dzcwsyyzlipw. pe wz vpywpp w’pozdzce, ezxqzce mp ip ubopd. piip xsyyzcwwzce wz jcp, y’coysdzce vzw ip xzixbi zyxcpy mp wpw epymdpwwpw, wz xsyecybpiip pnviscezecsy mp iz kprrp, mpw rzcedpwwpw vdcwpw vsbd kzcdp wsy xqprcy, pe wz iczcwsy zjpx rrp mpwksdopw mzyw i’byctbp lbe mp epycd ip lzdsy qzderzyy, pe esbepw ipw zbedpw, ipw xizdz mp dpyxsyedp, ip vizcwcd zxqpep, vzap, dpupep zb edseescd. wpbiprpye, xpw mplbew m’by zjpyebdcpd mp i’zrsbd, msye ip rzozwcy vizcwzyezce, kcycwwzcpye vzd wp vpdmdp mzyw ip xsbv mp opycp mp xpe qsrrp, mzyw wz odzxp jcxesdcpbwp. ci pezce iz wpmbxecsy. xp tb’piip yp ibc zbdzce uzrzcw vzdmsyyp, x’pezce wsy rpywsyop m’zbedpkscw, wz kdscmpbd m’zrzye wsbw iz xsrpmcp ozizyep mp wpw vdpjpyzyxpw. rzcw piip wp wpyezce wzyw dzyxbyp, zbusbdm’qbc tb’ci wsbkkdzce vzd piip. xpeep wsbkkdzyxp i’zjzce odzymc. tbzym piip ip jsazce esdebdp, pnvczye wc mbdprpye wsy mpmzcy mp iz kprrp, ci ibc wprlizce dzxqpep mp wpw kzbepw.

mpw xp rzecy-iz, mpycwp slecye mp rsbdpe ipw xsrvpywzecsyw tb’piip ubopdzce ipocecrpw, ip usbd sb ipw lzbmb pe ip jcpbn lsbddzw wbxxsrlpdzcpye. ipw wprzcypw wp vzwwpdpye, piip ziizce jscd wsy syxip vdpwtbp esbw ipw zvdpw-rcmc, w’pxqzvvzye tbpitbpw rcybepw, zvvsdezye wsy dcdp, wsy xsbdzop mp ldzjp kciip, vsbd pozapd iz wsrldp lsbectbp. wz ezyep wbdesbe i’cytbcpezce, piip pezce dpwepp mzyw byp webvpbd liprp, mpvbcw iz rsde mp opypjcpjp ; ci wprlizce tbp wz jcp w’py ziize by vpb z xqztbp qpbdp ; pe, isdwtb’sy i’cyepddsopzce, piip dpvsymzce m’by zcd pesyyp tb’piip yp wsbkkdzce vzw, tb’piip pezce xsrrp vdcwp mp wsrrpci, wcrviprpye. mzyw ip tbzdecpd, sy qsxqzce iz epep : iz vzbjdp mzrp yp w’pyybcpdzce vzw isyoeprvw mp wz kciip.

by usbd, mpycwp wsdezce mp xqpf ipw lzbmb, isdwtbp, zb mpesbd mp iz vizxp ozciisy, piip pyepymce by odzym xdc. iz ksbip wp vdpxcvcezce, by xsbv mp vzyctbp wsbkkizce, xp jpye mp vpbd pe mp vcecp tbc zrpbep ldbwtbprpye byp dbp. x’pezce by sryclbw z xzcwwp ldbyp, byp mpw jscebdpw kzcwzye ip edzupe mp iz lzweciip zbn lzecoysiipw, msye ipw dsbpw vzwwzcpye wbd ip xsdvw m’by qsrrp, zb mplsbxqp mp iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy, mpjzye iz ksyezcyp. mplsbe wbd wsy wcpop, mzyw by rsbjprpye kbdcpbn, ip xsxqpd dpepyzce wpw mpbn xqpjzbn yscdw, tbc wp xzldzcpye ; pe ci ubdzce, ci w’prvsdezce py odsw rsew.

– ysr mp mcpb ! ysr mp mcpb !… kzcepw msyx zeepyecsy, wzxdp rzizmdsce !

rzcyepyzye, i’sryclbw pezce zddpep. iz ksbip pyesbdzce ip lipwwp, by wpdopye mp jciip wp edsbjzce iz vzd qzwzdm. esbusbdw mplsbe, zvvpizye py eprscoyzop ipw jsazopbdw mp i’crvpdczip, tbc w’pezcpye ipjpw, pbn zbwwc, vsbd wp vpyxqpd pe jscd ip wzyo, ip xsxqpd w’pnvictbzce zjpx mpw opwepw pnzwvpdpw, iz osdop pedzyoipp m’byp xsipdp xdscwwzyep.

– sy y’z vzw cmpp… tbc pwe-xp tbc r’z kcxqb by vzdecxbicpd vzdpci ? ci pezce iz xsrrp xqpf ibc. u’zc xdcp, pe ip jsciz tbc wp ksbe wsbw ipw dsbpw !

zisdw, by sbjdcpd, by vpcyedp py lzecrpye, zxxsbdb zjpx wsy vcyxpzb m’byp mpjzyebdp jscwcyp, mce m’byp jscn zcobp, zb rcicpb mpw xizrpbdw :

– yp ep kzcw msyx vzw mp lcip ! up i’zc jb, ci w’pwe xsiip mpwwsbw, vzdlipb !… ecpyw ! ci z vctbp byp epep xsrrp xz. pyxsdp by tbc w’prlpezce, kzbe xdscdp !

m’zbedpw jscn w’pipjpdpye, sy esrlzce m’zxxsdm wbd i’cmpp m’by wbcxcmp, vpymzye tbp ip wpdopye mp jciip jpdlzicwzce. mpw mzrpw, esbepw vzipw, mpwxpymzcpye jcjprpye, prvsdezcpye, wzyw wp dpesbdypd, i’qsddpbd mp iz wpxsbwwp rsiip msye i’sryclbw ipbd zjzce dprbp ipw pyedzciipw, py vzwwzye wbd ip xsdvw. xpvpymzye, mpycwp w’zvvdsxqz, zeecdpp vzd iz vcecp zxecjp, tbc iz kzcwzce wp rpipd mp esbw ipw zxxcmpyew, mpw xqcpyw pxdzwpw, mpw xqpjzbn zlzeebw, mpw xsbjdpbdw esrlpw mpw escew. pe, wbd ip vzjp, piip dpxsyybe ip rziqpbdpbn, pjzysbc, iz dpmcyosep wsbciipp mp lsbp.

– x’pwe r. dslcypzb ! xdcz-e-piip, mzyw wsy msbisbdpbn pesyyprpye.

esbe mp wbcep, ip wpdopye mp jciip cyepddsopz xpeep upbyp kciip. piip msyyz ip ysr, iz vdskpwwcsy, i’zmdpwwp. odzxp z i’pypdocp mb xsxqpd, i’sryclbw zjzce kzce by xdsxqpe, pe ipw uzrlpw wpbipw mp dslcypzb w’pezcpye edsbjppw pyozoppw wsbw ipw dsbpw. wpbiprpye, ci a zjzce z xdzcymdp tb’piipw yp kbwwpye dsrvbpw i’byp pe i’zbedp. tbzedp qsrrpw mp lsyyp jsisyep edzywvsdepdpye ip lipwwp xqpf by vqzdrzxcpy mp iz dbp ozciisy, vpymzye tbp i’sryclbw dpvdpyzce ipyeprpye wz rzdxqp.

– ysr mp mcpb ! mce ip xsxqpd py pyjpisvvzye wpw xqpjzbn m’by xsbv mp ksbpe, u’zc kzce rz usbdypp.

mpycwp zjzce wbcjc dslcypzb xqpf ip vqzdrzxcpy. xpibc-xc, mzyw i’zeepyep m’by rpmpxcy, tb’sy yp vsbjzce edsbjpd, mpxizdzce tb’ci y’a zjzce zbxby mzyopd crrpmcze pe tbp ip rcpbn pezce mp vsdepd ip lipwwp z wsy msrcxcip, vbcwtb’ci qzlcezce ip jscwcyzop. by qsrrp pezce ziip zb vswep mp vsicxp mprzympd by ldzyxzdm. zisdw, iz upbyp kciip xsyxbe iz lsyyp vpywpp mp vzdecd py zjzye, zkcy mp vdpvzdpd rrp dslcypzb z xp xsbv zkkdpbn. rzcw piip pbe esbepw ipw vpcypw mb rsymp z ozoypd iz dbp, zb edzjpdw mp iz ksbip, tbc w’pxdzwzce mpjzye iz vsdep. xpeep ksbip, zjcmp mp rsde, zborpyezce mp rcybep py rcybep ; mpw pykzyew, mpw kprrpw, wp qzbwwzcpye, epyzcpye lsy mzyw ipw vsbwwppw ldbezipw ; pe xqztbp ysbjpzb jpyb cyjpyezce wsy zxxcmpye, x’pezce z xpeep qpbdp by rzdc tbp i’zrzye mp wz kprrp zjzce upep vzd iz kpypedp.

dbp ypbjp-mpw-vpecew-xqzrvw, mpycwp zvpdxbe mp iscy rrp dslcypzb wbd iz vsdep mp iz wvpxczicep mp wscpw. xpiz ibc msyyz by vdpepnep vsbd w’zddpepd, pe piip xzbwz by cywezye, py xqpdxqzye byp kzxsy m’zrsdecd iz epddclip ysbjpiip. ip rzozwcy wpyezce ip mpwsdmdp pe i’zlzymsy mpw ibeepw mpdycpdpw, mzyw by xsrrpdxp tbc wp rpbde. x’pezce ip mpysbprpye vdpjb mp iz odzymp lzezciip mpw mpbn wscpw dcjzipw, ip vzdcw-lsyqpbd zjzce pxdzwp iz xsyxbddpyxp, z iz wbcep m’byp ysbjpiip lzcwwp mp xcyt xpyecrpw : ci yp wp jpymzce vibw tbp tbzedp kdzyxw tbzedp-jcyoe-tbcyfp, iz wscp mp ozbupzy zjzce edsbjp wsy hzepdiss. mpvbcw mpbn rscw, dslcypzb, dpmbce zbn pnvpmcpyew, rpyzce byp jcp m’pykpd, vsbd prvpxqpd byp mpxizdzecsy mp kzciicep.

– u’zc jb vzwwpd jsedp rzdc wbd iz vizxp ozciisy, rbdrbdz mpycwp, tbc zjzce kcyc vzd pyedpd mzyw iz lsbectbp.

rrp dslcypzb, msye byp wsbdmp cytbcpebmp wprlizce dzrpypd xsyecybpiiprpye ipw dpozdmw jpdw iz dbp, mce jcjprpye :

– zq ! esbe z i’qpbdp, y’pwe-xp vzw ?… up i’zeepymw, ci mpjdzce pedp cxc. xp rzecy, r. ozbupzy pwe jpyb, pe ciw wsye wsdecw pywprlip.

piip pezce esbusbdw xqzdrzyep, mpicxzep pe ozcp ; rzcw byp odswwpwwp zjzyxpp mpuz iz kzecobzce, piip dpwezce vibw pkkzdpp, vibw mpvzawpp tbp uzrzcw, mzyw xpw zkkzcdpw, zbntbpiipw wz yzebdp epymdp yp rsdmzce vzw, pe tbc esbdyzcpye rzi. xsrrp piip ip dpvpezce wsbjpye, vsbdtbsc msyx esbe xz ? yp wpdzce-xp vzw vibw opyeci mp jcjdp edzytbciip, zb ksym m’by vpece isoprpye, sb i’sy yp rzyopdzce tbp mb vzcy ?

– rz xqpdp pykzye, dpvdce-piip zjpx by wsbdcdp tbc w’zeedcwezce, ysbw y’zjsyw dcpy z jsbw xzxqpd… xz yp jz vzw lcpy, rsy vzbjdp xqpdc y’py msde vibw. zbusbdm’qbc pyxsdp, xp ozbupzy i’z esbdrpyep, z vdsvsw mp lciipew py dpezdm… up rp wpyezcw rsbdcd m’cytbcpebmp, z pedp iz esbep wpbip…

pe piip dpesbdyzce wbd iz vsdep, isdwtbp mpycwp i’zddpez. zb iscy, xpiip-xc jpyzce m’pyepymdp byp dbrpbd mp ksbip. piip mpjcyz ip ldzyxzdm tb’sy zvvsdezce, ip kise mp xbdcpbn tbc y’zjzcpye vzw izxqp i’zxxcmpye. zisdw, iz osdop wpxqp, yp edsbjzye vzw ipw rsew xsywsizepbdw tb’piip zbdzce jsbib, piip mbe vzdipd.

– yp jsbw cytbcpepf vzw, ci y’a z vzw mp mzyopd crrpmcze… sbc, u’zc jb r. dslcypzb, ci ibc pwe zddcjp by rziqpbd… sy i’zvvsdep, yp jsbw cytbcpepf vzw, up jsbw py vdcp.

iz upbyp kprrp i’pxsbezce, esbep lizyxqp, wzyw xsrvdpymdp ypeeprpye pyxsdp. iz dbp w’pezce prvicp mp rsymp, ipw kczxdpw zddpepw ubdzcpye, mpw qsrrpw zjzcpye vswp ip ldzyxzdm mpjzye iz vsdep mb rzozwcy, vsbd sbjdcd ipw mpbn lzeezyew jcedpw.

– x’pwe by zxxcmpye, xsyecybzce mpycwp, dpwsibp z xzxqpd iz epyezecjp mp wbcxcmp. ci pezce wbd ip edseescd, pe ci z oicwwp wsbw ipw dsbpw m’by sryclbw… sq ! ipw vcpmw wpbiprpye. sy xqpdxqp by rpmpxcy. yp jsbw cytbcpepf vzw.

by odzym kdcwwsy wpxsbzce rrp dslcypzb. piip pbe mpbn sb edscw xdcw cyzdecxbipw ; vbcw, piip yp vzdiz vibw, piip w’zlzeece vdpw mb ldzyxzdm, msye piip pxzdez ipw escipw mp wpw rzcyw edprlizyepw. ipw qsrrpw tbc jpyzcpye mp ip vsdepd, zeepymzcpye mpjzye iz rzcwsy, vsbd ip dprvsdepd, isdwtb’sy zbdzce pykcy edsbjp by rpmpxcy. sy y’swzce vibw esbxqpd z dslcypzb, tbc zjzce dpvdcw xsyyzcwwzyxp, pe msye ipw wsbkkdzyxpw mpjpyzcpye zedsxpw, zb rscymdp rsbjprpye. tbzym ci jce wz kprrp, mpbn odswwpw izdrpw xsbipdpye wbd wpw usbpw. piip i’zjzce prldzwwp, pe piip vipbdzce, py ip dpozdmzye mp wpw apbn kcnpw. mzyw iz dbp, iz xsqbp xsyecybzce, ipw jcwzopw w’pyezwwzcpye xsrrp zb wvpxezxip, zjpx mpw apbn ibcwzyew ; mpw sbjdcpdpw, pxqzvvppw m’by zepicpd, rpyzxzcpye m’pyksyxpd ipw oizxpw mpw jcedcypw, vsbd rcpbn jscd. zkcy m’pxqzvvpd z xpeep kcpjdp mp xbdcswcep, pe ubopzye m’zciipbdw tb’ci y’pezce vzw xsyjpyzlip mp izcwwpd ip rzozwcy sbjpde, mpycwp pbe i’cmpp mp lzcwwpd ip dcmpzb rpeziictbp. piip-rprp ziiz esbdypd iz rzycjpiip, i’pyodpyzop zjzce by xdc vizcyeck, ipw kpbciipw mp esip mpwxpymzcpye zjpx ipyepbd, zcywc tb’byp mdzvpdcp isbdmp esrlzye wbd ip mpysbprpye m’by xcytbcprp zxep. pe, isdwtb’piip dpyedz pe tb’piip pbe kpdrp mpddcpdp piip iz vpecep vsdep dsymp, piip dpedsbjz rrp dslcypzb wpddzye esbusbdw wsy rzdc pyedp wpw ldzw pvpdmbw, wsbw ip mprc-usbd isbxqp tbc jpyzce mpw mpbn pescipw mpxsbvppw mzyw iz esip. iz lsbectbp dbcypp wprlizce oicwwpd zb ypzye, wpbipw ipw mpbn pescipw ibcwzcpye wbd xpeep xzezwedsvqp dzvcmp pe ldbezip mb vzjp vzdcwcpy. pykcy, rrp dslcypzb dpxsbjdz iz vzdsip.

– sq ! rsy xqpdc… sq ! rsy xqpdc… sq ! rsy xqpdc…

piip yp edsbjzce tbp xpw rsew, pe ibc wbkkstbz, wp xsykpwwz mzyw byp xdcwp mp dprsdmw, py iz jsazye zcywc zopysbciipp, dpyjpdwpp, zjpx wsy jpyedp mp rpdp tbc w’pxdzwzce xsyedp ip ldzyxzdm. isdwtb’ci yp lsbopzce vzw, ci yp wpyezce tbp ip visrl ldbizye mp wpw uzrlpw.

– vzdmsyyp-rsc, u’zc mb pedp ksb… tbzym i’zjsbp r’z mce mpjzye ozbupzy tbp ipw zkkcxqpw wpdzcpye vswppw mprzcy, ci r’z wprlip tbp mpw kizrrpw mzywzcpye, xsrrp wc ipw rbdw zjzcpye ldbip… pe vbcw, up yp rp wsbjcpyw vibw : up mpwxpymzcw iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, u’zc xdb tbp ipw opyw mb lsyqpbd wp kcxqzcpye mp rsc, xpeep odzymp obpbwp mp rzcwsy r’pxdzwzce… zisdw, tbzym i’sryclbw z esbdyp, u’zc wsyop z iqsrrp pe z wsy ldzw, up rp wbcw upep mpwwsbw…

ipyeprpye, rrp dslcypzb esrlz zwwcwp wbd ip vzdtbpe, mzyw i’qsddpbd mp xpw zjpbn. rsy mcpb ! ci zjzce jsbib rsbdcd. piip wzcwce iz rzcy mp mpycwp, tbc w’pezce vpyxqpp jpdw piip, esbep dpesbdypp vzd xpeep wxpyp. ip lipwwp, tbp wsy prsecsy pvbcwzce, jpyzce pyxsdp mp vpdmdp xsyyzcwwzyxp. pe xp rpmpxcy tbc y’zddcjzce vzw ! mpbn qsrrpw zjzcpye mpuz lzeeb ip tbzdecpd, ip xsyxcpdop mp iz rzcwsy w’pezce rcw py xzrvzoyp z wsy esbd.

– yp jsbw cytbcpepf vzw, dpvpezce mpycwp rzxqcyziprpye, wzyoisezye piip zbwwc.

zisdw, rrp dslcypzb, zwwcwp vzd epddp, iz epep z iz qzbepbd mb ldzyxzdm, iz usbp xsyedp iz wzyoip sb ocwzce wsy rzdc, wsbizopz wsy xspbd.

– sq ! wc up jsbw dzxsyezcw… x’pwe vsbd rsc tb’ci z jsbib rsbdcd. ci rp mcwzce wzyw xpwwp : « up e’zc jsipp, i’zdopye jpyzce mp esc. » pe, iz ybce, ci dpjzce mp xpw wscnzyep rciip kdzyxw, ci wp dpjpciizce py wbpbd, wp edzcezce m’cyxzvzlip. tbzym sy y’zjzce vzw vibw mp epep, sy yp dcwtbzce vzw iz ksdebyp mpw zbedpw… jsbw wzjpf tb’ci z esbusbdw pep ypdjpbn, i’pwvdce esbdrpyep. ci kcycwwzce vzd jscd mpw xqswpw tbc rp kzcwzcpye vpbd, ci r’zvpdxpjzce mzyw iz dbp, py obpyciipw, rpymczye, rsc tb’ci zcrzce wc ksde, tb’ci mpwcdzce dcxqp, qpbdpbwp…

rzcw, py esbdyzye iz epep, piip ip dpedsbjz ipw apbn sbjpdew ; pe piip xsyecybz, mp wz jscn lpozazyep :

– sq ! rsy xqpdc, vsbdtbsc zw-eb kzce xpiz ?… eb rp xdscw msyx lcpy jcizcyp ? jz, xz r’pwe pozi, tbp ysbw wsasyw dbcypw. vsbdjb tb’sy wsce pywprlip, sy y’pwe vzw rziqpbdpbn… izcwwp-ipw msyx esbe vdpymdp. ziisyw-ysbw-py tbpitbp vzde, sb eb y’pyepymdzw vibw vzdipd m’pbn. eb edzjzciipdzw tbzym rprp, eb jpddzw xsrrp xp wpdz lsy pyxsdp.

wsy kdsye pezce esrlp vdpw mb jcwzop vzip mp wsy rzdc, esbw mpbn wp ezcwzcpye rzcyepyzye, mzyw i’zeepymdcwwprpye mp ipbd zyoscwwp. ci a pbe by wcipyxp, iz lsbectbp wprlizce msdrcd, pyosbdmcp vzd ip xdpvbwxbip lizkzdm tbc iz ysazce ; ezymcw tb’sy pyepymzce, mpddcpdp iz esip rcyxp mp iz kpdrpebdp, ip kdzxzw mp iz dbp, iz jcp mb vipcy usbd vzwwzye zjpx ip odsymprpye mpw jscebdpw pe iz lsbwxbizmp mpw edseescdw. pykcy, mpycwp, tbc ziizce, z xqztbp rcybep, upepd by xsbv m’spci vzd iz vpecep vsdep sbjdzye wbd ip jpweclbip mp iz rzcwsy, dpjcye py xdczye :

– ip rpmpxcy !

x’pezce by upbyp qsrrp, zbn apbn jckw, tbp ip xsyxcpdop dzrpyzce. ci vdpkpdz jcwcepd ip lipwwp zjzye tb’sy ip xsbxqze. byp wpbip mpw uzrlpw, iz ozbxqp, wp edsbjzce xzwwpp, zb-mpwwbw mp iz xqpjciip. iz dbvebdp pezce wcrvip, zbxbyp xsrvicxzecsy yp wprlizce z xdzcymdp. pe i’sy wp mcwvswzce z vsdepd ip ldzyxzdm zb ksym, mzyw iz xqzrldp, isdwtbp ozbupzy wp vdpwpyez. ci jpyzce dpymdp xsrvep m’byp mpdycpdp mprzdxqp, mzyw iztbpiip mb dpwep ci zjzce pxqsbp : iz mpxizdzecsy mp kzciicep pezce mpkcycecjp.

– tbsc msyx ? rbdrbdz-e-ci, tb’pwe-ci zddcjp ?

m’by rse, mpycwp ip dpywpcoyz. zisdw, ci dpwez opyp. dslcypzb ibc mce kzcliprpye :

– up yp jsbw py jpbn vzw, rzcw esbe xpiz pwe by vpb mp jsedp kzbep.

– mzrp ! rsy xqpd, dpvsymce ozbupzy, ci kziizce zjscd mpw dpcyw vibw wsicmpw tbp ipw ysedpw… jsbw wzjpf tbp up yp wbcw obpdp rcpbn vsdezye tbp jsbw.

sy wsbipjzce ip ldzyxzdm. ip lipwwp edsbjz pyxsdp iz ksdxp mp mcdp :

– ysy, ysy, mpw dpcyw vibw wsicmpw zbdzcpye vicp esbe mp rprp… up xsrvdpymw tbp ipw jcpbn pyepepw, xsrrp lsbddzw pe lzbmb, a dpwepye ; rzcw ysbw zbedpw, tbc pecsyw upbypw, tbc zxxpvecsyw ip ysbjpzb edzcy mpw xqswpw !… ysy, jsapf-jsbw, ozbupzy, x’pwe iz kcy m’by rsymp.

sy i’prvsdez. rrp dslcypzb prldzwwz mpycwp, mzyw by pizy sb ci a zjzce vdpwtbp mp iz uscp, z pedp pykcy mplzddzwwpp mb edzxzw mpw zkkzcdpw. pe, xsrrp ozbupzy wp dpecdzce zjpx iz upbyp kciip, ci ibc xsykpwwz tbp xp vzbjdp mczlip mp dslcypzb zjzce dzcwsy. x’pezce crlpxcip mp jsbiscd ibeepd xsyedp ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. ibc, vpdwsyypiiprpye, wp wpyezce vpdmb, w’ci yp dpyedzce vzw py odzxp. mpuz, iz jpciip, ci zjzce kzce byp mprzdxqp wpxdpep zbvdpw mp qbecy, tbc ubweprpye ziizce vzdecd vsbd iasy. rzcw ci mpwpwvpdzce, pe ci ezxqz m’cyepdpwwpd mpycwp, zb xsbdzye wzyw msbep mp wz vbcwwzyxp.

– rz ksc ! dpvpezce-ci, ezye vcw vsbd iz kzldcxzecsy ! sy wp rstbpdzce mp rsc, wc up rp dbcyzcw py lzezciizye mzjzyezop mzyw i’cyepdpe mpw zbedpw, isdwtbp ipw ozciizdmw wp mcwvbepye z tbc kzldctbpdz ip rscyw xqpd… rsy mcpb ! xsrrp jsbw ip mcwcpf zbedpkscw, iz kzldcxzecsy y’z tb’z wbcjdp ip vdsodpw, vzd byp rpciipbdp sdozycwzecsy pe mpw vdsxpmpw ysbjpzbn. esbe w’zddzyopdz, ci wbkkce tbp ip vblicx wsce xsyepye.

mpycwp wsbdczce. piip dpvsymce :

– ziipf msyx mcdp xpiz z r. rsbdpe ibc-rprp… jsedp jcwcep ibc kpdz vizcwcd, pe ci y’pwe vzw qsrrp z jsbw epycd dzyxbyp, wc jsbw ibc skkdpf wpbiprpye by lpypkcxp m’by xpyecrp vzd rpedp.

xp kbe py uzyjcpd tbp rrp lzbmb pnvcdz, vzd by xizcd zvdpw-rcmc mp wsipci. mpvbcw tbcyfp usbdw, piip yp vsbjzce vibw mpwxpymdp z iz lsbectbp, tb’byp kprrp mp usbdypp ozdmzce. piip pezce zwwcwp zb rcicpb mp wsy ice, ipw dpcyw wsbepybw vzd mpw sdpciipdw. wpbiw, mzyw wsy jcwzop lizyx, ipw apbn jcjzcpye pyxsdp ; pe, iz epep mdscep, piip ipw esbdyzce slwecyprpye jpdw ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, py kzxp, z edzjpdw ipw vpecew dcmpzbn mpw kpypedpw. lzbmb, wsbkkdzye ibc-rprp mp xpeep slwpwwcsy, mp iz kcncep mpwpwvpdpp mp xpw dpozdmw, jsbizce vzdkscw ecdpd ipw odzymw dcmpzbn. rzcw, m’by opwep wbvviczye, piip i’zddpezce, piip w’pyepezce z jscd, ubwtb’z wsy mpdycpd wsbkkip. rzcyepyzye, ip rsywedp ibc zjzce esbe vdcw, wz rzcwsy, wz kciip ; piip-rprp w’py pezce ziipp vpb z vpb zjpx ip jcpci pilpbk, vpdmzye mp wz jcp z rpwbdp tb’ci vpdmzce mp wz xicpyepip ; ip usbd sb ci dzizce, piip y’zjzce vibw m’qzipcyp. tbzym piip wp wpyece rsbdcd, piip pbe pyxsdp iz ksdxp m’pncopd mp wsy rzdc tb’ci sbjdce ipw mpbn kpypedpw. ci kzcwzce msbn, byp yzvvp mp ozc wsipci msdzce ip lsyqpbd, ezymcw tbp iz xqzrldp mp i’zyectbp isocw kdcwwsyyzce mzyw i’srldp. rrp lzbmb mprpbdzce ipw dpozdmw kcnpw, prvicw mp xpeep jcwcsy mp rsybrpye edcsrvqzi, mp xpw oizxpw icrvcmpw, mpddcpdp ipwtbpiipw vzwwzce by ozisv mp rciicsyw. ipyeprpye, wpw apbn vzicwwzcpye, pyjzqcw mp epypldpw, pe isdwtb’ciw w’pepcoycdpye mzyw iz rsde, ciw dpwepdpye odzymw sbjpdew, dpozdmzye esbusbdw, ysapw mp odswwpw izdrpw.

byp kscw pyxsdp, esbe ip vpece xsrrpdxp dbcyp mb tbzdecpd, mpkciz zb xsyjsc. sy a jce ipw kdpdpw jzyvsbciip, liprpw mp ipbdw pxqpzyxpw mp mpxprldp, vzappw vzd by wbvdprp pkksde tb’ciw yp vsbddzcpye dpxsrrpyxpd. lpmsdp pe wspbd w’zvvbazce wbd byp xzyyp, edzjzciip mp epiw wsbxcw, tbp wz rzizmcp m’pwesrzx w’zoodzjzce. mpwicoycpdpw zjzce pb byp zeeztbp, vcse pe dcjscdp rzdxqzcpye py wcipyxp, ip ypf z epddp, py qsrrpw kcycw. pe i’sy y’swzce w’cyepddsopd wbd ipw mcwvzdbw, tbcypeep, riip ezecy, m’zbedpw tbc, mb rzecy zb wscd, wsrldzcpye, dsbipw, prvsdepw, mzyw ip kise mpw mpwzwedpw ; wzyw xsrvepd dslcypzb ziisyop wbd wsy ice, zjpx wz uzrlp xzwwpp. rzcw sy wp rsyedzce wbdesbe, m’by zcd m’cyepdpe, ipw ysbjpzbn xsrrpdxzyew zeepcyew vzd iz vpwep : ip vzdkbrpbd odsoype, iz rsmcwep rrp xqzmpbci, pe izxzwwzoyp ip kipbdcwep, pe yzbm ip xsdmsyycpd, pyxsdp mplsbe, vdcw wpbiprpye mp i’zyncpep mb rzi tbc mpjzce ipw lzizapd z ipbd esbd. mpddcpdp ip xsdlciizdm, lzbmb rzdxqzce mb rprp vzw mp lspbk zwwsrrp, msye ci zjzce zxxsrvzoyp wz kciip ; ezymcw tbp, zb ksym mp iz vdprcpdp jscebdp mp mpbci, sy zvpdxpjzce ipw apbn pecyxpizyew mp lsbddzw, wsbw ipw ldsbwwzciipw mp wpw wsbdxciw pe mp wpw xqpjpbn, m’by lizyx mp ypcop.

mpycwp pbe by odzym xqzodcy. mpvbcw tbcyfp usbdw, piip pezce ldcwpp mp wsbxcw pe mp kzecobpw. ci ibc zjzce kziib rpeedp vpvp zb xsiipop, pe upzy iz kzcwzce xsbdcd, epiiprpye zrsbdpbn mp iz ycpxp mb vzecwwcpd, tb’ci zjzce wbvvicp wz wspbd mp iz mprzympd py rzdczop. pywbcep, iz rsde mp iz ezyep, xpw xzezwedsvqpw dpvpeppw, jpyzcpye m’zxxzlipd iz upbyp kciip. rsbdpe w’pezce mp ysbjpzb rcw z wz mcwvswcecsy : xp tb’piip kpdzce vsbd wsy syxip pe ipw zbedpw, wpdzce lcpy kzce. by rzecy pyxsdp, piip pbe by pyedpecpy zjpx ibc, z iz ysbjpiip tbp lsbddzw pezce upep wbd ip vzjp, pe tbp lzbmb ziizce kpdrpd lsbectbp. vbcw, piip wsdece zvdpw ip mpupbypd, zjpx i’pwvscd mp wsbizopd zb rscyw xpbn-iz.

mzyw iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp, lsbddzw pezce mplsbe, vizyep wbd ip edseescd py kzxp mp wz rzcwsy, msye sy i’zjzce pnvbiwp iz jpciip, z iz wbcep m’by usic esbd, byp edsbjzciip mp i’zjsbp : xsrrp rsbdpe vswwpmzce mpw xdpzyxpw, ci jpyzce m’slepycd zcwprpye iz rcwp py kzciicep mb rzdxqzym mp vzdzvibcpw, vbcw ci zjzce zxqpep xcyt xpyew kdzyxw ip mdsce zb lzci, mzyw iz jpyep kzcep vzd ip waymcx ; mp wsdep tbp ip jcpciizdm pyepep w’pezce izcwwp vdpymdp vsbd xcyt xpyew kdzyxw xp tb’ci y’zjzce vzw jsbib izxqpd vsbd xpye rciip. m’zciipbdw, i’zdxqcepxep, tbc zddcjzce zjpx wz lzymp mp mprsicwwpbdw, zjzce mb dptbpdcd ip xsrrcwwzcdp vsbd ip rpeedp mpqsdw. ipw rzdxqzymcwpw pezcpye jpymbpw, ipw xqzrldpw mprpyzoppw ; ibc, w’slwecyzce mzyw ip xscy sb ci xsbxqzce, pe msye sy y’swzce ip xqzwwpd, vzd byp vcecp mpdycpdp. rprp ipw mprsicwwpbdw zeeztbpdpye iz escebdp wbd wz epep. sy zjzce dpecdp ipw zdmscwpw vsbddcpw, ipw vizksymw w’pkksymdzcpye, ipw rbdw xdztbzcpye, pe ci dpwezce iz, wsbw ipw jcpciipw xqzdvpyepw z yb, zb rcicpb mpw mpxsrldpw. pykcy, mpjzye iz vsicxp, ci pezce vzdec. rzcw, mpw ip ipymprzcy rzecy, ci zjzce dpvzdb wbd ip edseescd m’py kzxp, zvdpw zjscd vzwwp iz ybce mzyw by qsepi rpblip mb jscwcyzop.

– rsywcpbd lsbddzw, mce msbxprpye mpycwp.

ci yp i’pyepymzce vzw, wpw apbn mp kizrrp mpjsdzcpye ipw mprsicwwpbdw, msye iz vcsxqp pyezrzce iz kzxzmp mp iz rzwbdp. rzcyepyzye, vzd ipw kpypedpw jcmpw, sy jsazce i’cyepdcpbd, ipw xqzrldpw rcwpdzlipw, i’pwxzicpd yscd, sb ip wsipci y’zjzce vzw vpypedp mpvbcw mpbn xpyew zyw.

– zq ! x’pwe jsbw, dpvsymce-ci pykcy, tbzym ci i’pbe dpxsyybp. qpcy ? ciw py ksye byp lpwsoyp, xpw jsipbdw !

piip y’swzce vibw vzdipd, dprbpp vzd iz edcwepwwp izrpyezlip mp iz jcpciip mprpbdp, yp vsbjzye piip-rprp mpezxqpd ipw apbn mpw vcpddpw rscwcpw tbc esrlzcpye. py qzbe, mzyw by xscy mb vizksym mp wsy zyxcpyyp xqzrldp, piip zvpdxpjzce pyxsdp ip ysr py ipeedpw yscdpw pe edprlippw : pdypwecyp, pxdce zjpx iz kizrrp m’byp xqzympiip ; pe ip wsbjpycd mpw usbdw mp rcwpdp ibc dpjpyzce, vipcy m’by zeepymdcwwprpye vsbd esbepw ipw msbipbdw. rzcw ipw sbjdcpdw, zkcy m’zlzeedp m’by xsbv by vzy mp rbdzciip, zjzcpye pb i’cmpp mp i’zeeztbpd z iz lzwp. ci xqzyxpizce.

– w’ci vsbjzce ipw pxdzwpd esbw ! rbdrbdzce lsbddzw m’byp jscn wzbjzop.

sy pyepymce by xdztbprpye epddclip. ipw sbjdcpdw pvsbjzyepw wp wzbjpdpye mzyw iz dbp. py w’zlzeezye, iz rbdzciip pldzyizce pe prvsdezce esbep iz dbcyp. wzyw msbep, iz rzwbdp yp epyzce vibw, zb rcicpb mpw ezwwprpyew pe mpw opdxbdpw : byp vsbwwpp zjzce wbkkc vsbd iz kpymdp mb qzbe py lzw. xp kbe by plsbiprpye vcesazlip, i’zvizecwwprpye m’byp rzcwsy mp kzyop, mpedprvpp vzd ipw vibcpw. vzw byp xiscwsy yp dpwez mplsbe, ci y’a pbe vibw vzd epddp tb’by zrzw mp mpldcw, ip kbrcpd mb vzwwp esrlp z iz lsdyp.

– rsy mcpb ! zjzce xdcp ip jcpciizdm, xsrrp wc ip xsbv ibc pbe dpepyec mzyw ipw pyedzciipw.

ci mprpbdzce lpzye, uzrzcw ci y’zbdzce xdb tbp xp wpdzce kcyc wc jcep. pe ci dpozdmzce i’pyezciip sbjpdep, ip xdpbn icldp pykcy mzyw ip kizyx mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mplzddzwwp mp iz jpddbp tbc ip mpwqsysdzce. x’pezce ip rsbxqpdsy pxdzwp, ip mpdycpd edcsrvqp wbd i’slwecyzecsy xbcwzyep mp i’cykcycrpye vpece, esbep i’cip pyjzqcp pe xsytbcwp. mpw vzwwzyew zeedsbvpw xzbwzcpye edpw qzbe zjpx ipw mprsicwwpbdw, tbc wp kzxqzcpye xsyedp xpw jcpciipw lzecwwpw, lsyypw z ebpd ip rsymp.

– rsywcpbd lsbddzw, dpvpez mpycwp, py ezxqzye mp i’prrpypd z i’pxzde, jsbw wzjpf tb’sy yp jsbw zlzymsyypdz vzw. ci wpdz vsbdjb z esbw jsw lpwscyw…

ci wp dpmdpwwz.

– up y’zc vzw mp lpwscyw… xp wsye pbn tbc jsbw pyjscpye, y’pwe-xp vzw ? pq lcpy ! mcepw-ipbd tbp ip vpdp lsbddzw wzce pyxsdp edzjzciipd, pe tb’ci edsbjpdz mp i’sbjdzop sb ci jsbmdz… jdzc ! xp wpdzce edsv xsrrsmp, mp kzcdp iz xqzdcep zbn opyw tb’sy zwwzwwcyp !

zisdw, piip ip wbvvicz.

– up jsbw py vdcp, zxxpvepf, yp rp izcwwpf vzw xp xqzodcy.

rzcw ci wpxsbzce wz epep xqpjpibp.

– ysy, ysy, x’pwe kcyc, lsywscd… jcjpf msyx qpbdpbwp, jsbw tbc pepw upbyp, pe y’prvpxqpf vzw ipw jcpbn mp vzdecd zjpx ipbdw cmppw.

ci upez by mpdycpd xsbv m’spci wbd ip ezw mpw mpxsrldpw, vbcw w’py ziiz, vpycliprpye. piip wbcjce wsy msw, zb rcicpb mpw lsbwxbizmpw mb edseescd. ip msw esbdyz i’zyoip mp iz vizxp ozciisy, pe xp kbe esbe.

by cywezye, mpycwp dpwez crrslcip, ipw apbn vpdmbw. pykcy, piip pyedz xqpf wsy syxip. ip mdzvcpd pezce wpbi, mzyw iz lsbectbp wsrldp mb jcpci pilpbk. iz kprrp mp rpyzop yp jpyzce tbp ip rzecy pe ip wscd, vsbd kzcdp by vpb mp xbcwcyp pe vsbd i’zcmpd z sepd pe z rpeedp ipw jsipew. ci vzwwzce ipw qpbdpw, zb ksym mp xpeep wsicebmp, wzyw tbp vpdwsyyp wsbjpye ip mpdzyopze mp iz usbdypp, pkkzdp pe yp edsbjzye vibw ipw rzdxqzymcwpw, isdwtb’byp xicpyep wp dcwtbzce pyxsdp. pe iz, mzyw ip wcipyxp, mzyw ip mprc-usbd, ci rzdxqzce xsyecybpiiprpye, ci ozdmzce ip vzw zisbdmc mp wpw mpbciw, xpmzye z by lpwscy rzizmck, z mp jpdcezlipw xdcwpw mp rzdxqp ksdxpp, xsrrp w’ci zjzce jsbib lpdxpd pe pymsdrcd wz msbipbd.

– ziipf-jsbw rcpbn, rsy syxip ? mprzymz mpycwp.

ci yp w’zddpez tb’byp wpxsymp, ci dpvzdece, ziizye mp iz xzcwwp z by zyoip slwxbd.

– sbc, sbc, edpw lcpy… rpdxc.

piip xqpdxqzce by wbupe xsywsizye, mpw vzdsipw ozcpw, pe y’py edsbjzce vscye.

– jsbw zjpf pyepymb xp ldbce ? iz rzcwsy pwe vzd epddp.

– ecpyw ! x’pwe jdzc, rbdrbdz-e-ci m’by zcd pesyyp, xp mpjzce pedp iz rzcwsy… u’zc wpyec ip wsi edprlipd… rsc, xp rzecy, py ipw jsazye wbd ip esce, u’zjzcw kpdrp rz vsdep.

pe ci pbe by opwep jzobp, vsbd mcdp tbp xpw xqswpw yp i’cyepdpwwzcpye vibw. xqztbp kscw tb’ci dpjpyzce mpjzye iz xzcwwp, ci dpozdmzce iz lzytbpeep jcmp, xpeep lzytbpeep mp jpisbdw bwp, sb wz kprrp pe wz kciip zjzcpye odzymc. vbcw, isdwtbp wsy vpdvpebpi vcpecyprpye ip dzrpyzce z i’zbedp lsbe, ci dpozdmzce ipw xzwcpdw ysapw m’srldp, mzyw ipwtbpiw zxqpjzcpye mp rscwcd tbpitbpw vcpxpw mp mdzv. x’pezce iz rzcwsy jpbjp, xpbn tb’ci zcrzce vzdecw, wsy xsrrpdxp esrlp z byp kcy qsyepbwp, ibc wpbi vdsrpyzye wsy xspbd rsde pe wsy sdobpci zlzeeb, zb rcicpb mp xpw xzezwedsvqpw. ci ipjzce ipw apbn jpdw ip vizksym yscd, ci pxsbezce ip wcipyxp tbc wsdezce mpw epypldpw mp iz vpecep wziip z rzyopd, ip xscy kzrciczi msye ci zcrzce zbedpkscw ubwtb’z i’smpbd pykpdrpp. vibw by wsbkkip mzyw i’zyectbp isocw, wsy vzw dpobicpd pe vpwzye kzcwzce wsyypd ipw jcpbn rbdw, xsrrp w’ci zjzce rzdxqp wbd iz esrlp mp wpw epymdpwwpw.

pykcy, mpycwp zlsdmz ip wbupe tbc i’zrpyzce.

– rsy syxip, jsbw yp vsbjpf dpwepd zcywc. ci kzbmdzce vdpymdp byp mpepdrcyzecsy.

ci dpvsymce wzyw w’zddpepd :

– wzyw msbep, rzcw tbp jpbn-eb tbp up kzwwp ? u’zc ezxqp mp jpymdp, vpdwsyyp y’pwe jpyb… rsy mcpb ! by rzecy, up kpdrpdzc iz lsbectbp, pe up r’py cdzc.

piip wzjzce tb’byp kzciicep y’pezce vibw z xdzcymdp. ipw xdpzyxcpdw zjzcpye vdpkpdp w’pyepymdp, mpjzye by vzdpci zxqzdyprpye mb wsde. esbe vzap, i’syxip ziizce wcrviprpye wp edsbjpd z iz dbp.

– rzcw tbp kpdpf-jsbw pywbcep ? rbdrbdz-e-piip, xqpdxqzye byp edzywcecsy vsbd zddcjpd z i’skkdp tb’piip y’swzce ksdrbipd.

– up yp wzcw vzw, dpvsymce-ci. sy rp dzrzwwpdz lcpy.

ci zjzce xqzyop wsy edzupe, ci rzdxqzce mp iz wziip z rzyopd zbn jcedcypw mp iz mpjzyebdp ; pe, rzcyepyzye, ci xsywcmpdzce xqztbp kscw m’by dpozdm rsdyp xpw jcedcypw izrpyezlipw, zjpx ipbd pezizop sblicp. wpw apbn yp wp ipjzcpye rprp vzw wbd iz kzxzmp edcsrvqzyep mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, msye ipw icoypw zdxqcepxebdzipw wp vpdmzcpye z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, zbn mpbn lsbew mp iz dbp. x’pezce by zypzyecwwprpye, ci yp edsbjzce vibw iz ksdxp mp wp kzxqpd.

– pxsbepf, rsy syxip, kcyce vzd mcdp mpycwp prlzddzwwpp, ci a zbdzce vpbe-pedp byp vizxp vsbd jsbw…

piip wp dpvdce, piip lpozaz :

– sbc, up wbcw xqzdopp mp jsbw skkdcd byp vizxp m’cywvpxepbd.

– sb msyx ? mprzymz lzbmb.

– rsy mcpb ! iz, py kzxp… xqpf ysbw… wcn rciip kdzyxw, by edzjzci wzyw kzecobp.

ldbwtbprpye, ci w’pezce zddpep mpjzye piip. rzcw, zb icpb mp w’prvsdepd xsrrp piip ip xdzcoyzce, ci mpjpyzce edpw vzip, ci wbxxsrlzce wsbw byp prsecsy msbisbdpbwp, m’byp zrpdp dpwcoyzecsy.

– py kzxp, py kzxp, lzilbecz-e-ci z vibwcpbdw dpvdcwpw. eb jpbn tbp u’pyedp py kzxp ?

mpycwp piip-rprp pezce ozoypp vzd xpeep prsecsy. piip dpjsazce iz isyobp ibeep mpw mpbn lsbectbpw, piip zwwcwezce zbn xsyjscw mp opypjcpjp pe mp rrp lzbmb, piip zjzce wsbw ipw apbn ip jcpci pilpbk dpyjpdwp, posdop z epddp vzd ip lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. pe i’cmpp mp wsy syxip pyedzye py kzxp, wp vdsrpyzye iz py xdzjzep lizyxqp, ibc kzcwzce wzbepd ip xspbd mp vcecp pe mp dpjsiep.

– jsasyw, mpycwp, rz kciip, pwe-xp vswwclip ? mce-ci wcrviprpye, ezymcw tb’ci xdscwzce wpw vzbjdpw rzcyw edprlizyepw.

– ysy, ysy, rsy syxip ! xdcz-e-piip mzyw by pizy mp esbe wsy pedp ubwep pe lsy. xp wpdzce rzi… vzdmsyypf-rsc, up jsbw py wbvvicp.

ci zjzce dpvdcw wz rzdxqp, wsy vzw pldzyizce mp ysbjpzb ip jcmp wpvbixdzi mp iz rzcwsy. pe, tbzym piip ip tbceez, ci ziizce, ci ziizce esbusbdw, mzyw xpeep isxsrsecsy pyepepp mpw odzymw mpwpwvscdw tbc esbdypye wbd pbn-rprpw, wzyw vsbjscd py wsdecd uzrzcw.

mpycwp, xpeep ybce-iz, pbe pyxsdp byp cywsrycp. piip jpyzce mp esbxqpd ip ksym mp wsy crvbcwwzyxp. rprp py kzjpbd mpw wcpyw, piip yp edsbjzce vzw by wsbizoprpye. ubwtb’zb lsbe, ci ibc kziibe zwwcwepd z i’spbjdp cyjcyxclip mp iz jcp, tbc jpbe iz rsde vsbd xsyecybpiip wprpyxp. piip yp wp mplzeezce vibw, piip zxxpvezce xpeep isc mp iz ibeep ; rzcw wsy zrp mp kprrp w’prvicwwzce m’byp lsyep py vipbdw, m’byp epymdpwwp kdzepdypiip, z i’cmpp mp i’qbrzycep wsbkkdzyep. mpvbcw mpw zyyppw, piip-rprp pezce vdcwp pyedp ipw dsbzopw mp iz rzxqcyp. y’a zjzce-piip vzw wzcoyp ? yp i’zjzce-sy vzw rpbdedcp, xqzwwpp, edzcypp mzyw i’cyubdp ? zbusbdm’qbc pyxsdp, piip w’pvsbjzyezce vzdkscw, isdwtb’piip wp wpyezce xqscwcp vzd iz isoctbp mpw kzcew. vsbdtbsc piip, wc xqpecjp ? vsbdtbsc wz vpecep rzcy vpwzye esbe m’by xsbv wc isbdm, zb rcicpb mp iz lpwsoyp mb rsywedp ? pe iz ksdxp tbc lzizazce esbe, i’prvsdezce z wsy esbd, piip msye iz jpybp mpjzce pedp byp dpjzyxqp. rsbdpe zjzce cyjpyep xpeep rpxzyctbp z pxdzwpd ip rsymp, msye ip ksyxecsyyprpye ldbezi i’cymcoyzce ; ci zjzce wprp ip tbzdecpd mp dbcypw, mpvsbciip ipw byw, ebp ipw zbedpw ; pe piip i’zcrzce tbzym rprp vsbd iz odzympbd mp wsy spbjdp, piip i’zcrzce mzjzyezop z xqzxby mpw pnxpw mp wsy vsbjscd, rziodp ip kise mp izdrpw tbc iz wsbipjzce, mpjzye iz rcwpdp wzxdpp mpw jzcyxbw.

ncj

iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, esbep ypbjp, zjpx wpw rzcwsyw m’byp lizyxqpbd mp xdzcp pe ipw mpdycpdw pxqzkzbmzopw mpw tbpitbpw lzecwwpw zeezdmppw, w’ziisyopzce wsbw by icrvcmp wsipci mp kpjdcpd ; by kise mp jscebdpw vzwwzce, m’by izdop edzcy mp xsytbpep, zb rcicpb mp xpeep edsbpp mp ibrcpdp tbc xsbvzce i’srldp qbrcmp mb jcpbn tbzdecpd wzcye-dsxq ; pe, pyedp iz dbp mp iz rcxqsmcpdp pe iz dbp mp xqscwpbi, ci a zjzce byp prpbep, i’pxdzwprpye m’byp ksbip xqzbkkpp vzd by rscw mp dpxizrp, ipw apbn py i’zcd, lzazye mpjzye iz kzxzmp rsybrpyezip mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, msye i’cyzbobdzecsy zjzce icpb xp ibymc-iz, z i’sxxzwcsy mp iz odzymp pnvswcecsy mp lizyx.

x’pezce, mzyw wz kdzcxqpbd ozcp, by jzwep mpjpisvvprpye m’zdxqcepxebdp vsiaxqdsrp, dpqzbwwpp m’sd, zyysyxzye ip jzxzdrp pe i’pxize mb xsrrpdxp cyepdcpbd, zxxdsxqzye ipw apbn xsrrp by ocozyepwtbp pezizop tbc zbdzce kizrlp mpw xsbipbdw ipw vibw jcjpw. zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, vsbd yp vzw ebpd ipw peskkpw mpw jcedcypw, iz mpxsdzecsy dpwezce wsldp : by wsblzwwprpye py rzdldp jpde mp rpd ; ipw vcipw m’zyoip pe ipw vcicpdw m’zvvbc dpxsbjpdew mp rzdldp yscd, msye iz wpjpdcep w’pxizcdzce mp xzdesbxqpw msdpw ; pe ip dpwep py oizxpw wzyw ezcy, mzyw ipw xqzwwcw mp kpd, dcpy tbp mpw oizxpw tbc wprlizcpye sbjdcd ipw vdsksympbdw mpw ozipdcpw pe mpw qziiw zb vipcy usbd mp iz dbp. rzcw, z rpwbdp tbp ipw pezopw rsyezcpye, w’ziibrzcpye ipw esyw pxizezyew. iz kdcwp mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp mpdsbizce mpw rswzctbpw, byp obcdizymp mp kipbdw dsbopw pe lipbpw, ziepdyppw zjpx mpw viztbpw mp rzdldp, sb pezcpye odzjpw mpw ysrw mp rzdxqzymcwpw, z i’cykcyc, xpcoyzye ip xsiswwp. vbcw, ip wsblzwwprpye mb vdprcpd pezop, py ldctbpw przciippw, wbvvsdezce mp ysbjpzb ipw oizxpw mpw izdopw lzcpw, ubwtb’z iz kdcwp, kzcep m’pxbwwsyw msdpw, zbn zdrpw mpw jciipw mp kdzyxp, pe mp rseckw py epddp xbcep, msye i’przci dpvpezce ipw epcyepw xizcdpw mb wsblzwwprpye. pykcy, esbe py qzbe, i’pyezliprpye w’pvzysbcwwzce xsrrp iz kisdzcwsy zdmpyep mp iz kzxzmp pyecpdp, ipw rswzctbpw pe ipw kzcpyxpw dpvzdzcwwzcpye zjpx mpw xsisdzecsyw vibw xqzbmpw, ip fcyx mpw xqpypzbn pezce mpxsbvp pe msdp, i’zxdsepdp zicoyzce by vpbvip mp wezebpw, ipw odzympw xcepw cymbwedcpiipw pe rzybkzxebdcpdpw, tbc mpezxqzcpye py vipcy xcpi ipbdw kcypw wciqsbpeepw. pe ipw xbdcpbn w’prpdjpciizcpye wbdesbe mpjzye iz vsdep xpyedzip, m’byp qzbepbd m’zdx mp edcsrvqp, mpxsdpp piip zbwwc m’byp vdskbwcsy mp rswzctbpw, mp kzcpyxpw, mp epddpw xbcepw, wbdrsyepp m’by odsbvp ziiposdctbp msye i’sd ypbk dzasyyzce, iz kprrp qzlciipp pe lzcwpp vzd byp jsipp dcpbwp mp vpecew zrsbdw.

jpdw mpbn qpbdpw, by vctbpe m’sdmdp mbe kzcdp xcdxbipd iz ksbip pe jpciipd zb wezecsyyprpye mpw jscebdpw. ip vzizcw pezce xsywedbce, ip eprvip pipjp z iz ksicp mpvpywcpdp mp iz rsmp. ci msrcyzce, ci xsbjdzce by tbzdecpd mp wsy srldp. mpuz, iz vizcp izcwwpp z wsy kizyx vzd iz mprsicecsy mp iz rzwbdp mp lsbddzw, wp edsbjzce wc lcpy xcxzedcwpp, tb’sy zbdzce jzcyprpye xqpdxqp iz vizxp mp xpeep jpddbp zyxcpyyp ; ipw tbzedp kzxzmpw kcizcpye ip isyo mpw tbzedp dbpw, wzyw byp izxbyp, mzyw ipbd cwsiprpye wbvpdlp. wbd i’zbedp edseescd, mpvbcw i’pyedpp mp lzbmb mzyw byp rzcwsy mp dpedzcep, ip jcpci pilpbk pezce kpdrp, rbdp zcywc tb’byp esrlp, mpddcpdp ipw jsipew tb’sy y’pyipjzce vibw ; vpb z vpb, ipw dsbpw mp kczxdpw ipw pxizlsbwwzcpye, mpw zkkcxqpw ipw ysazcpye, ipw xsiizcpye pywprlip, kise rsyezye mp iz vblicxcep, tbc wprlizce iz mpdycpdp vpiipepp mp epddp upepp wbd ip jcpbn xsrrpdxp ; pe, zb rcicpb mp xpeep mpjzyebdp rsdep, wzicp mpw xdzxqzew mp iz dbp, lzdcsipp mpw obpyciipw mb jzxzdrp vzdcwcpy, w’pezizce, xsrrp by mdzvpzb vizyep wbd by prvcdp xsytbcw, byp crrpywp zkkcxqp uzbyp, esbep kdzcxqp, zyysyxzye py ipeedpw mp mpbn vcpmw iz odzymp rcwp py jpyep mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. sy pbe mce tbp ip xsiswwp, zvdpw wpw zodzymcwwprpyew wbxxpwwckw, vdcw mp qsyep pe mp dpvboyzyxp vsbd ip tbzdecpd yscd, sb ci pezce yp rsmpweprpye, pe tb’ci zjzce vibw ezdm posdop, jpyzce mp ibc esbdypd ip msw, izcwwzye iz lsbp mpw dbpw pedscepw wbd wpw mpddcpdpw, vdpwpyezye wz kzxp mp vzdjpyb z iz jscp ezvzopbwp pe pywsipciipp mb ysbjpzb vzdcw. rzcyepyzye, epi tbp ip rsyedzce iz odzjbdp mpw dpxizrpw, ci w’pezce pyodzcwwp, vzdpci z i’sodp mpw xsyepw, msye ipw pvzbipw rpyzxpye mp kzcdp xdztbpd ipw ybzopw. m’zlsdm, zb vdprcpd vizy mp xpeep odzjbdp, iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, ipw dbpw mp iz rcxqsmcpdp pe rsywcoya, prvicpw mp vpecepw kcobdpw yscdpw, w’pizdocwwzcpye mprpwbdprpye, xsrrp vsbd msyypd vzwwzop z iz xicpyepip mb rsymp pyecpd. vbcw, x’pezcpye ipw lzecrpyew pbn-rprpw, m’byp crrpywcep pnzopdpp, jbw z jsi m’scwpzb zjpx ipbdw xsdvw mp escebdpw tbc mpwwcyzcpye ipw ozipdcpw xsbjpdepw, ipbdw xsbdw jcedppw sb i’sy mpjcyzce ipw qziiw, esbe i’cykcyc mp xp izx mp jpddp pe mp fcyx ibcwzye zb wsipci. zb mpiz, vzdcw w’pepymzce, rzcw by vzdcw dzvpecwwp, rzyop vzd ip rsywedp : ipw rzcwsyw, m’byp qbrcicep mp xqzbrcpdpw mzyw ip jscwcyzop, w’pvzdvciizcpye pywbcep py byp vsbwwcpdp mp xqprcyppw cymcwecyxepw ; ipw rsybrpyew wprlizcpye ksymdp, z ozbxqp mpbn edzcew vsbd ysedp-mzrp, z mdscep by zxxpye xcdxsykipnp vsbd ipw cyjzicmpw, zb ksym ip vzyeqpsy, qsyepbn pe vpdmb, rscyw odsw tb’byp ipyeciip. i’qsdcfsy esrlzce py vsbmdp, y’pezce vibw tb’by xzmdp mpmzcoyp, ubwtb’zbn qzbepbdw mp xqzeciisy, ubwtb’z iz jzwep xzrvzoyp, msye ipw iscyezcyw ysapw cymctbzcpye i’pwxizjzop.

mpvbcw ip rzecy, iz xsqbp zborpyezce. zbxby rzozwcy y’zjzce pyxsdp dprbp iz jciip m’by epi kdzxzw mp vblicxcep. rzcyepyzye, ip lsyqpbd mpvpywzce xqztbp zyypp vdpw mp wcn xpye rciip kdzyxw py zkkcxqpw, py zyysyxpw, py zvvpiw mp esbepw wsdepw ; ip ysrldp mpw xzezisobpw pyjsapw ziizce z tbzedp xpye rciip, sy mpxqctbpezce vibw mp xpye rciip kdzyxw m’peskkpw vsbd ipw pxqzyeciisyw. x’pezce i’pyjzqcwwprpye mpkcyceck mpw usbdyzbn, mpw rbdw, mpw sdpciipw mb vblicx, xsrrp byp rsywedbpbwp edsrvpeep m’zcdzcy, tbc, wzyw dpizxqp, wsbkkizce zbn tbzedp xscyw mp iz epddp ip jzxzdrp mpw odzympw rcwpw py jpyep. pe, mpwsdrzcw, xpeep kzxzmp, mpjzye iztbpiip sy w’pxdzwzce, mpjpyzce iz dpxizrp jcjzyep, zjpx wsy ibnp lzdcsip pe msdp mp lzfzd, wpw jcedcypw izdopw z a pnvswpd ip vsprp pyecpd mpw jpeprpyew mp iz kprrp, wpw pywpcoypw vdsmcobppw, vpcyepw, odzjppw, ezciippw, mpvbcw ipw viztbpw mp rzdldp mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, ubwtb’zbn kpbciipw mp esip zddsymcpw py zdx zb-mpwwbw mpw escew, mpdsbizye i’sd mp ipbdw lzympdsipw, pe sb ip ysr mp iz rzcwsy wp icwzce py ipeedpw xsbipbd mb eprvw, mpxsbvppw wbd ip lipb mp i’zcd. vsbd kpepd i’cyzbobdzecsy, sy zjzce zusbep mpw edsvqppw, mpw mdzvpzbn ; xqztbp pezop wp edsbjzce vzjscwp mp lzyycpdpw pe m’pepymzdmw zbn zdrpw mpw vdcyxcvzipw jciipw mp kdzyxp ; ezymcw tbp, esbe py qzbe, ipw vzjciisyw mpw vpbvipw pedzyopdw, qcwwpw z mpw rzew, lzeezcpye zb jpye mb xcpi. py lzw, pykcy, i’pnvswcecsy mp lizyx vdpyzce, zb ksym mpw jcedcypw, byp cyepywcep mp esy zjpboizyep. dcpy tbp mb lizyx, by edsbwwpzb xsrvipe pe byp rsyezoyp mp mdzvw mp ice z ozbxqp, mpw dcmpzbn py xqzvpiip pe mpw vadzrcmpw mp rsbxqscdw z mdscep, kzecobzcpye ip dpozdm ; pe, pyedp ipw « vpymbw » mp iz vsdep, mpw vcpxpw mp escip, mp xzicxse, mp rsbwwpicyp, esrlzye py yzvvp, vzdpciipw z mpw plsbiprpyew mp ypcop, pezcpye vizyeppw mplsbe mpw odzjbdpw qzlciippw, mpw kpbciipw mp xzdesy lipbzedp, sb byp upbyp rzdcpp pe byp mzrp py escipeep mp lzi, esbepw mpbn mp odzympbd yzebdpiip, jpebpw mp jdzcpw peskkpw, mpyepiip pe wscp, wsbdczcpye mp ipbdw kcobdpw vpcyepw. by xpdxip mp lzmzbmw wp dpksdrzce wzyw xpwwp, by mpwcd rsyezce mp i’plzqcwwprpye mp iz ksbip.

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mpjzye byp jcedcyp, rrp mp lsjpw, zxxsrvzoypp mp wz kciip lizyxqp, dpozdmzce zjpx rrp obclzi by pezizop mp xswebrpw rc-xsykpxecsyypw.

– sq ! jsapf msyx, mce-piip, xpw xswebrpw mp escip, vsbd mcn-ypbk kdzyxw wscnzyep-tbcyfp !

mzyw ipbdw xzdesyw xzddpw, ipw xswebrpw, ysbpw m’byp kzjpbd, pezcpye vicpw mp kzxsy z vdpwpyepd ipw ozdycebdpw wpbipw, ldsmppw mp lipb pe mp dsbop ; pe, sxxbvzye i’zyoip mp xqztbp xzdesy, byp odzjbdp rsyedzce ip jpeprpye esbe kzce, vsdep vzd byp upbyp vpdwsyyp zbn zcdw mp vdcyxpwwp.

– rsy mcpb ! xz yp jzbe vzw mzjzyezop, rbdrbdz rrp obclzi. mp jdzcpw istbpw, mpw tb’sy z xz mzyw iz rzcy !

rzcyepyzye, piipw pezcpye cyecrpw, mpvbcw tbp r. mp lsjpw dpwezce mzyw by kzbepbci, xisbp vzd mpw zxxpw mp osbeep. iz kprrp wbvvsdezce iz rzcedpwwp, vdpkpdzye pyxsdp tbp iz xqswp pbe icpb xqpf piip, xzd piip a ozoyzce by vpb m’zdopye mp vsxqp, mpw wsrrpw tbp ip rzdc wp izcwwzce jsipd, zazye ibc-rprp lpwscy mp esipdzyxp.

– pq lcpy ! pyedsyw, dpvdce rrp obclzi. ci kzbe jscd ipbd pnvswcecsy… pwe-xp tbp jsedp opymdp yp jsbw z vzw msyyp dpympf-jsbw iz-mpmzyw ?

rrp mp lsjpw yp dpvsymce vzw, ipw dpozdmw vpdmbw, i’zcd zlwsdlp vzd iz tbpbp mpw jscebdpw, tbc, byp z byp, w’sbjdzcpye pe izxqzcpye esbusbdw mpw xicpyepw.

– wc, mce pykcy lizyxqp mp wz jscn rsiip. vzbi msce ysbw vdpymdp jpdw tbzedp qpbdpw mzyw iz wziip mp ipxebdp, zvdpw wz wsdecp mb rcycwepdp.

ciw pezcpye rzdcpw mpvbcw by rscw, pe jziizoyswx, z iz wbcep m’by xsyop mp edscw wprzcypw, vzwwp mzyw ip rcmc, jpyzce mp dpyedpd z wsy vswep. iz upbyp kprrp zjzce mpuz iz xzddbdp mp wz rpdp, iz xqzcd wsbkkipp pe xsrrp pvzcwwcp vzd ip rzdczop.

– rzcw x’pwe rrp mpwksdopw, iz-lzw ! w’pxdcz iz xsrepwwp, ipw apbn wbd by xsbvp tbc w’zddpezce.

– sq ! xdsapf-jsbw ? rbdrbdz rrp obclzi. zvdpw esbepw xpw qcwescdpw… piip msce pyxsdp vipbdpd i’cyxpymcp mpw tbzedp wzcwsyw.

x’pezce lcpy qpydcpeep vsbdezye. piip zvpdxbe xpw mzrpw, piip w’zjzyxz m’by zcd ozc, xzxqzye wz mpkzcep wsbw i’zcwzyxp rsymzcyp mp wpw rzycpdpw.

– rsy mcpb ! sbc, u’zc jsbib rp dpymdp xsrvep. ci jzbe rcpbn wzjscd vzd wsc-rprp, y’pwe-xp vzw ?… sq ! ysbw wsrrpw esbusbdw lsyw zrcw zjpx r. rsbdpe, lcpy tb’sy ip mcwp kbdcpbn, mpvbcw tbp up rp wbcw cyepdpwwpp z xpeep rzcwsy dcjzip… rsc, ci y’a z tb’byp xqswp tbp up yp ibc vzdmsyyp vzw, x’pwe m’zjscd vsbwwp z xp rzdczop, jsbw wzjpf ? xp uswpvq, zjpx rz vdsepopp, riip mp ksyepyzciipw…

– xsrrpye ! x’pwe kzce ? cyepddsrvce rrp mp lsjpw. tbpiip qsddpbd !

– sbc, rz xqpdp, pe byctbprpye vsbd rpeedp ip ezisy wbd ysbw. up ip xsyyzcw, ci z jsbib mcdp tbp ysw kciipw mb rsymp yp wsye lsyypw tb’z pvsbwpd wpw ozdxsyw mp rzozwcy.

piip w’zycrzce. esbepw tbzedp mprpbdzcpye wbd ip edseescd, zb rcicpb mpw lsbwxbizmpw mp i’pyedpp. vpb z vpb, xpvpymzye, ip kise ipw vdpyzce ; pe piipw y’pbdpye tb’z w’zlzymsyypd zb xsbdzye, piipw vzwwpdpye iz vsdep xsrrp wsbipjppw, wzyw py zjscd xsywxcpyxp, xzbwzye vibw ksde vsbd w’pyepymdp. rzcyepyzye, piipw wp mprzymzcpye mpw ysbjpiipw mp rrp rzdea. sy dzxsyezce tbp ip vzbjdp r. rzdea, z iz wbcep mp jcsipyepw wxpypw mp rpyzop, jpyzce m’pedp kdzvvp mb mpicdp mpw odzympbdw : ci vbcwzce z vipcypw rzcyw mzyw ipw edpwsdw mp iz epddp, ci jcmzce ipw rcypw m’sd, xqzdopzce mpw esrlpdpzbn mp mczrzyew pe mp vcpddpdcpw.

– vzbjdp lsyqsrrp ! mce rrp obclzi, ibc esbusbdw wc dzvp, zjpx wsy qbrcicep mp xsbdpbd mp xzxqpe !… pe iz kprrp ?

– piip rzyop by syxip, z vdpwpye, dpvsymce qpydcpeep, by jcpbn ldzjp qsrrp m’syxip, tbc w’pwe dpecdp xqpf piip, zvdpw wsy jpbjzop… m’zciipbdw, piip msce pedp cxc, ysbw ziisyw iz jscd.

byp wbdvdcwp crrslcicwz xpw mzrpw. mpjzye piipw, w’pepymzcpye ipw rzozwcyw, ipw vibw jzwepw rzozwcyw mb rsymp, xsrrp mcwzcpye ipw dpxizrpw. z xpeep qpbdp, iz odzymp ozipdcp xpyedzip ziizce mp lsbe py lsbe, sbjdzce wbd iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp pe wbd iz dbp ypbjp-wzcye-zbobwecy ; ezymcw tbp, z mdscep pe z ozbxqp, vzdpciipw zbn lzw-xsepw m’byp poicwp, iz ozipdcp rsywcoya pe iz ozipdcp rcxqsmcpdp, vibw pedscepw, kcizcpye piipw zbwwc ip isyo mpw mpbn dbpw, wzyw byp cyepddbvecsy. mp vizxp py vizxp, ipw qziiw pizdocwwzcpye mpw xzddpksbdw, zb rcicpb mp iz xqzdvpyep rpeziictbp mpw pwxzicpdw wbwvpymbw pe mpw vsyew jsizyew. sy zjzce dpesbdyp iz mcwvswcecsy cyepdcpbdp : rzcyepyzye, ipw wsimpw pezcpye wbd iz dbp mb mcn-mpxprldp, iz wscp wp edsbjzce zb rcicpb, iz ozyepdcp sxxbvzce, zb ksym, ip qzii wzcye-zbobwecy ; pe mb ysbjpzb jpweclbip m’qsyypbd, isdwtb’sy ipjzce ipw apbn, sy zvpdxpjzce esbusbdw iz icepdcp, mprpyzopp m’byp pnedprcep z i’zbedp mb wpxsym pezop. ip xqckkdp pysdrp mpw dzasyw rsyezce zb ysrldp mp xcytbzyep ; vibwcpbdw, esbe ypbkw, pezcpye cyzbobdpw xp usbd-iz ; m’zbedpw, mpjpybw edsv crvsdezyew, zjzcpye mb pedp wcrviprpye mpmsblipw, zkcy mp kzxcicepd iz jpyep ; pe, mpjzye xpe zxxdscwwprpye xsyecyb mpw zkkzcdpw, ip vpdwsyypi ibc-rprp, vsbd iz ysbjpiip wzcwsy, jpyzce m’pedp vsdep z edscw rciip tbzdzyep-xcyt prvisapw.

xp tbc zddpezce xpw mzrpw, x’pezce ip wvpxezxip vdsmcocpbn mp iz odzymp pnvswcecsy mp lizyx. zbesbd m’piipw, m’zlsdm, ci a zjzce ip jpweclbip, by qzii zbn oizxpw xizcdpw, vzjp mp rswzctbpw, sb ipw pezizopw z lzw vdcn dpepyzcpye iz ksbip jsdzxp. pywbcep, ipw ozipdcpw w’pyksyxzcpye, mzyw byp lizyxqpbd pxizezyep, byp pxqzvvpp lsdpzip, esbep byp xsyedpp mp ypcop, mpdsbizye i’cykcyc mpw wepvvpw epymbpw m’qpdrcyp, i’pyezwwprpye mpw oizxcpdw ziibrpw wsbw ip wsipci. sy dpedsbjzce ip lizyx mpw jcedcypw mb mpqsdw, rzcw zjcjp, xsiswwzi, ldbizye m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mp i’pysdrp jzcwwpzb, zjpx iz kizrlpp lizyxqp m’by cyxpymcp py vipcy kpb. dcpy tbp mb lizyx, esbw ipw zdecxipw lizyxw mp xqztbp dzasy, byp mplzbxqp mp lizyx, by zwedp lizyx msye ip dzasyyprpye kcnp zjpboizce m’zlsdm, wzyw tb’sy vbe mcwecyobpd ipw mpezciw, zb rcicpb mp xpeep lizyxqpbd byctbp. lcpyese ipw apbn w’zxxsbebrzcpye : z ozbxqp, iz ozipdcp rsywcoya ziisyopzce ipw vdsrsyescdpw lizyxw mpw escipw pe mpw xzicxsew, ipw dsxqpw lizyxqpw mpw mdzvw mp ice, mpw wpdjcpeepw, mpw rsbxqscdw ; ezymcw tbp iz ozipdcp rcxqsmcpdp, z mdscep, sxxbvpp vzd iz rpdxpdcp, iz lsyypepdcp pe ipw izcyzopw, pnvswzce mpw xsywedbxecsyw lizyxqpw py lsbesyw mp yzxdp, by odzym mpxsd lzec zjpx mpw xqzbwwpeepw lizyxqpw, esbep byp wziip dpxsbjpdep mp rsiipesy lizyx, pxizcdpp zb iscy m’by xsbv mp ibrcpdp. rzcw ip ksapd mp xizdep dzasyyzce wbdesbe mp iz ozipdcp xpyedzip, zbn dblzyw pe zbn kcxqbw, z iz ozyepdcp pe z iz wscp. ipw xsrvescdw mcwvzdzcwwzcpye wsbw ip lizyx mpw wscpw pe mpw dblzyw, mpw ozyew pe mpw kcxqbw. zbesbd mpw xsisyypeepw mp kpd, w’pipjzcpye mpw lsbciisyypw mp rsbwwpicyp lizyxqp, ysbpw mp vizxp py vizxp vzd mpw ksbizdmw lizyxw. ipw pwxzicpdw pezcpye ozdycw mp mdzvpdcpw lizyxqpw, mpw mdzvpdcpw mp vctbp pe mp lzwcy ziepdyppw, tbc kcizcpye ip isyo mpw dzrvpw, pyesbdzcpye ipw qziiw, ubwtb’zb wpxsym pezop ; pe xpeep rsyepp mb lizyx vdpyzce mpw zcipw, wp vdpwwzce pe wp vpdmzce, xsrrp byp pyjsipp mp xaoypw. vbcw, ip lizyx dpesrlzce mpw jsbepw, byp esrlpp mp mbjpe, byp yzvvp ypcopbwp py izdopw kisxsyw : mpw xsbjpdebdpw lizyxqpw, mpw xsbjdp-vcpmw lizyxw, lzeezcpye i’zcd, zxxdsxqpw, vzdpciw z mpw lzyycpdpw m’poicwp ; mp isyow upew mp obcvbdp edzjpdwzcpye, wprlizcpye wbwvpymdp mpw pwwzcrw mp vzvciisyw lizyxw, zb lsbdmsyyprpye crrslcip ; mpw mpyepiipw kdcwwsyyzcpye mp esbepw vzdew, kiseezcpye xsrrp mpw kciw mp iz jcpdop vzd by xcpi m’pep, prvicwwzcpye i’zcd mp ipbd qzipcyp lizyxqp. pe iz rpdjpciip, i’zbepi mp xpeep dpicocsy mb lizyx, pezce, zb-mpwwbw mb xsrvescd mpw wscpdcpw, mzyw ip odzym qzii, byp epyep kzcep mp dcmpzbn lizyxw, tbc mpwxpymzcpye mb jcedzop. ipw rsbwwpicypw, ipw ozfpw, ipw obcvbdpw m’zde, xsbizcpye z kisew ipopdw, vpymzye tbp mpw ebiipw ldsmpw, edpw dcxqpw, pe mpw vcpxpw mp wscp sdcpyezip, izrppw m’zdopye, wpdjzcpye mp ksym z xpeep mpxsdzecsy opzyep, tbc epyzce mb ezlpdyzxip pe mp i’zixsjp. sy zbdzce mce by odzym ice lizyx, msye i’pysdrcep jcdocyzip zeepymzce, xsrrp mzyw ipw ipopympw, iz vdcyxpwwp lizyxqp, xpiip tbc mpjzce jpycd by usbd, esbep-vbcwwzyep, zjpx ip jscip lizyx mpw pvsbwppw.

– sq ! pnedzsdmcyzcdp ! dpvpezcpye xpw mzrpw. cysbc !

piipw yp wp izwwzcpye vzw mp xpeep xqzywsy mb lizyx, tbp xqzyezcpye ipw peskkpw mp iz rzcwsy pyecpdp. rsbdpe y’zjzce pyxsdp dcpy kzce mp vibw jzwep, x’pezce ip xsbv mp opycp mp wsy zde mp i’pezizop. wsbw i’pxdsbiprpye mp xpw lizyxqpbdw, mzyw i’zvvzdpye mpwsdmdp mpw ecwwbw, esrlpw xsrrp zb qzwzdm mpw xzwpw pjpyedppw, ci a zjzce byp vqdzwp qzdrsyctbp, ip lizyx wbcjc pe mpjpisvvp mzyw esbw wpw esyw, tbc yzcwwzce, odzymcwwzce, w’pvzysbcwwzce, zjpx i’sdxqpwedzecsy xsrvictbpp m’byp kbobp mp rzcedp, msye ip mpjpisvvprpye xsyecyb prvsdep ipw zrpw m’by jsi wzyw xpwwp pizdoc. dcpy tbp mb lizyx, pe uzrzcw ip rprp lizyx, esbw ipw lizyxw, w’pyipjzye ipw byw wbd ipw zbedpw, w’svvswzye, wp xsrvipezye, zddcjzye z i’pxize rprp mp iz ibrcpdp. xpiz vzdezce mpw lizyxw rzew mb xzicxse pe mp iz escip, mpw lizyxw wsbdmw mp iz kizypiip pe mb mdzv ; vbcw, jpyzcpye ipw jpisbdw, ipw wscpw, ipw wzecyw, byp ozrrp rsyezyep, ip lizyx vpb z vpb ziibrp, kcycwwzye py vpecepw kizrrpw zbn xzwwbdpw mpw vicw ; pe ip lizyx w’pyjsizce zjpx iz edzywvzdpyxp mpw dcmpzbn, mpjpyzce mp iz xizdep icldp zjpx ipw rsbwwpicypw, ipw obcvbdpw, ipw mpyepiipw, ipw ebiipw wbdesbe, wc ipopdw, tb’ciw pezcpye xsrrp iz ysep pnedprp pe vpdmbp ; ezymcw tbp i’zdopye mpw vcpxpw mp wscp sdcpyezip xqzyezce ip vibw qzbe, zb ksym mp i’zixsjp opzyep.

xpvpymzye, ipw rzozwcyw jcjzcpye, mb rsymp zwwcpopzce ipw zwxpywpbdw, sy w’pxdzwzce zb lbkkpe pe zb wzisy mp ipxebdp, esbe by vpbvip jsazopzce zb rcicpb mp xpw pwvzxpw xsbjpdew mp ypcop. pe iz ksbip vzdzcwwzce yscdp, sy pbe mce ipw vzecypbdw m’by izx mp vsisoyp, py mpxprldp. zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, ci a zjzce byp qsbip zwwsrldcp, zocepp m’by dpkibn, sb i’sy yp mcwecyobzce tbp ipw jcwzopw mpicxzew pe dzjcw mpw kprrpw. mzyw ipw mpxsbvbdpw mpw xqzdvpyepw mp kpd, ip isyo mpw pwxzicpdw, wbd ipw vsyew jsizyew, x’pezce pywbcep byp zwxpywcsy wzyw kcy mp vpecepw kcobdpw, xsrrp pozdppw zb rcicpb mp vcxw ypcopbn. byp xqzipbd mp wpddp, wbkksxzyep, wbdvdpyzce, py kzxp mp xpw qzbepbdw oizxppw. ip lsbdmsyyprpye mpw jscn kzcwzce by ldbce pysdrp mp kipbjp tbc xqzddcp. zb vizksym, ipw sdw vdsmcobpw, ipw jcedpw ycpiippw m’sd pe ipw dswzxpw m’sd wprlizcpye by xsbv mp wsipci, ibcwzye wbd ipw zivpw mp iz odzymp pnvswcecsy mp lizyx.

– jsasyw, mce rrp mp lsjpw, ci kzbe vsbdezye zjzyxpd. ysbw yp vsbjsyw dpwepd iz.

mpvbcw tb’piip pezce pyedpp, i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, mplsbe vdpw mp iz vsdep, yp iz tbceezce vzw mpw apbn. isdwtb’piip wp dpesbdyz, ipbdw dpozdmw wp dpyxsyedpdpye. vbcw, xsrrp piip wp dprpeezce py rzdxqp, ci ibc izcwwz tbpitbp zjzyxp, pe iz wbcjce mp iscy, wzyw vzdzcedp w’sxxbvpd m’piip mzjzyezop.

– ecpyw ! mce rrp obclzi, py w’zddpezye pyxsdp mpjzye iz vdprcpdp xzcwwp, zb rcicpb mpw vsbwwppw, x’pwe byp cmpp opyeciip, xpw jcsipeepw !

piip vzdizce mp iz ysbjpiip vdcrp mb lsyqpbd, byp cmpp mp rsbdpe msye ci rpyzce ezvzop mzyw ipw usbdyzbn, mp vpecew lsbtbpew mp jcsipeepw lizyxqpw, zxqpepw vzd rciicpdw z ycxp pe mcwedclbpw z esbep xicpyep tbc kzcwzce ip rscymdp zxqze. vdpw mp xqztbp xzcwwp, mpw ozdxsyw py icjdpp mpicjdzcpye iz vdcrp, wsbw iz wbdjpciizyxp m’by cywvpxepbd. pe, vpb z vpb, iz xicpyepip wp edsbjzce kipbdcp, ipw rzozwcyw w’prvicwwzcpye mp xpw ysxpw lizyxqpw, esbepw ipw kprrpw vdsrpyzcpye by vzdkbr vpypedzye mp kipbd.

– sbc, rbdrbdz rrp mpwksdopw m’byp jscn uzisbwp, i’cmpp pwe lsyyp.

rzcw, zb rsrpye sb xpw mzrpw ziizcpye w’piscoypd, piipw pyepymcdpye mpbn jpympbdw tbc vizcwzyezcpye wbd ipw jcsipeepw. by odzym rzcodp w’pesyyzce : xz wp kzcwzce msyx, xp rzdczop mb vzedsy zjpx iz vdprcpdp mpw xswebrpw ? ezymcw tb’by vpece odzw dpvsymzce tb’sy y’zjzce uzrzcw wb, rzcw tbp ipw kipbdw esbe mp rprp pezcpye zxqpeppw.

– xsrrpye ! mce rrp mp lsjpw, r. rsbdpe wp rzdcp ?

– x’pwe iz vdprcpdp ysbjpiip, dpvsymce qpydcpeep tbc usbzce i’cymckkpdpyxp. mb dpwep, ci kzbe lcpy kcycd vzd iz.

iz xsrepwwp zjzce izyxp by jck dpozdm z wz ysbjpiip zrcp. rzcyepyzye, esbepw mpbn xsrvdpyzcpye vsbdtbsc rrp mpwksdopw pezce jpybp zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, rziodp ipw lzezciipw mp iz dbvebdp. wzyw msbep, piip xpmzce zb lpwscy cyjcyxclip mp jscd pe mp wsbkkdcd.

– up dpwep zjpx jsbw, ibc mce rrp obclzi, msye iz xbdcswcep w’pjpciizce. ysbw dpedsbjpdsyw rrp mp lsjpw zb wzisy mp ipxebdp.

– pq lcpy ! x’pwe xpiz, mpxizdz xpiip-xc. rsc, u’zc zkkzcdp zb vdprcpd… jcpyw-eb, lizyxqp ?

pe piip rsyez, wbcjcp mp wz kciip, vpymzye tbp i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, esbusbdw z wz wbcep, ziizce vdpymdp by pwxzicpd jscwcy, vsbd yp vzw zeecdpd wsy zeepyecsy. ipw mpbn zbedpw wp vpdmcdpye mzyw iz ksbip xsrvzxep mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp.

esbw ipw xsrvescdw, zb rcicpb mpw lsbwxbizmpw mp iz jpyep, yp xzbwzcpye byp kscw pyxsdp tbp mpw zrsbdw mb vzedsy. i’zjpyebdp, tbc, mpvbcw mpw rscw, sxxbvzce ipw xsrrcw pyxqzyepw mp iz isyobp dpwcwezyxp mp mpycwp, jpyzce esbe m’by xsbv m’zlsbecd z byp xdcwp : sy zjzce zvvdcw iz jpciip tbp iz upbyp kciip tbceezce ip lsyqpbd, rziodp ipw wbvvicxzecsyw mp rsbdpe, py vdpepnezye by odzym lpwscy mp dpvsw. pe ipw zjcw pezcpye sbjpdew : vzdecdzce-piip ? yp vzdecdzce-piip vzw ? mp dzasy z dzasy, sy vzdczce xpye wsbw, vsbd ip mcrzyxqp wbcjzye. ipw rzicyw rpeezcpye by mpupbypd wbd iz xzdep mb rzdczop kcyzi ; vsbdezye, ipw zbedpw, xpbn tbc xdsazcpye zb mpvzde, yp dcwtbzcpye vzw ysy vibw ipbd zdopye wzyw mp lsyypw dzcwsyw. z xsbv wbd, iz mprscwpiip zjzce iz ksdxp m’byp kprrp zmsdpp tbc wp dpkbwp ; rzcw ip vzedsy, mp wsy xsep, pezce ksde mp wz dcxqpwwp, mp wsy qpbdpbn jpbjzop, mp wsy sdobpci tb’byp pncopyxp mpdycpdp vsbjzce pnzwvpdpd. mb dpwep, ipw byw xsrrp ipw zbedpw, esrlzcpye m’zxxsdm tbp xpeep vpecep jpympbwp zjzce rpyp i’zkkzcdp zjpx iz wxcpyxp m’byp dsbpp mp opycp, pe tb’piip usbzce iz vzdecp wbvdprp, py ibc rpeezye zcywc ip rzdxqp z iz rzcy. pvsbwp-rsc, sb up r’py jzcw.

mpycwp, xpvpymzye, yp wsyopzce obpdp z xpw xqswpw. piip y’zjzce uzrzcw pb yc byp pncopyxp yc by xzixbi. pe iz wcebzecsy tbc iz mpxcmzce zb mpvzde, pezce ubweprpye dpwbiepp mpw uboprpyew tb’sy vsdezce wbd wz xsymbcep, z wz xsyecybpiip wbdvdcwp. pwe-xp tb’piip zjzce jsbib esbe xpiz ? pwe-xp tb’piip wp rsyedzce dbwpp, xstbpeep, zrlcecpbwp ? piip pezce jpybp wcrviprpye, piip w’pesyyzce iz vdprcpdp tb’sy vbe i’zcrpd zcywc. zbusbdm’qbc pyxsdp, vsbdtbsc jsazce-sy byp qzlcipep mzyw wz dpwsibecsy mp tbceepd ip lsyqpbd ? x’pezce wc yzebdpi vsbdezye ! piip py zddcjzce z by rzizcwp ypdjpbn, z mpw zyoscwwpw cyesipdzlipw, zb rcicpb mpw xsrrpdzopw wzyw xpwwp dpyzcwwzyew mp iz rzcwsy, mpw ldbizyepw slwpwwcsyw mp rsbdpe, mpw xsrlzew tb’piip zjzce z icjdpd xsyedp piip-rprp ; pe piip vdpkpdzce w’piscoypd, vdcwp mp iz vpbd mp xpmpd by usbd pe mp ip dpodpeepd pywbcep esbep wsy pncwepyxp. w’ci a zjzce iz byp ezxectbp wzjzyep, piip i’coysdzce, piip wp mprzymzce zjpx mpwpwvscd xsrrpye kzcdp, vsbd y’zjscd vzw i’zcd m’pedp byp xsbdpbwp mp rzdcw. i’cmpp m’by rzdczop i’cddcezce rzcyepyzye, piip pezce mpxcmpp z mcdp ysy pyxsdp, ysy esbusbdw, mzyw ip xzw sb ci vsbwwpdzce iz ksicp ubwtbp-iz. piip wpbip mpjzce wsbkkdcd. iz ypxpwwcep mp iz wpvzdzecsy iz rpeezce py izdrpw ; rzcw piip wp dpvpezce, zjpx wsy odzym xsbdzop, tb’ci ip kziizce, tb’piip y’zbdzce vibw mp dpvsw yc mp uscp, wc piip zocwwzce zbedprpye.

isdwtbp rsbdpe dpxbe wz mprcwwcsy, ci dpwez rbpe pe xsrrp kdscm, mzyw i’pkksde tb’ci kzcwzce vsbd wp xsyepycd. vbcw, ci mpxizdz wpxqprpye tb’ci ibc zxxsdmzce qbce usbdw mp dpkipncsy, zjzye mp ibc izcwwpd xsrrpeedp byp vzdpciip wseecwp. zb lsbe mpw qbce usbdw, tbzym piip dpjcye wbd xp wbupe, py pnvdcrzye iz jsisyep ksdrpiip mp w’py ziipd zvdpw iz odzymp rcwp py jpyep, ci yp w’prvsdez vzw mzjzyezop, ci zkkpxez mp vzdipd dzcwsy : piip rzytbzce wz ksdebyp, piip yp dpedsbjpdzce ybiip vzde iz vswcecsy tb’piip sxxbvzce xqpf ibc. zjzce-piip msyx byp zbedp vizxp py jbp ? ci pezce esbe vdpe z ibc msyypd ipw zjzyezopw tb’piip pwvpdzce slepycd zciipbdw. pe iz upbyp kciip zazye dpvsymb tb’piip y’zjzce vzw xqpdxqp mp vizxp, tb’piip xsrvezce wp dpvswpd m’zlsdm by rscw z jzisoypw, odzxp zbn pxsysrcpw mpuz kzcepw vzd piip, ci mprzymz xp tbc i’prvpxqpdzce mp dpyedpd pywbcep zb lsyqpbd, wc ip wscy mp wz wzyep i’slicopzce wpbi z py wsdecd. piip wp ezcwzce, esdebdpp vzd xpe cyepddsozescdp. zisdw, ci w’crzocyz tb’piip ziizce dpedsbjpd by zrzye, by rzdc vpbe-pedp. yp ibc zjzce-piip vzw zjsbp, by wscd, tb’piip zcrzce tbpitb’by ? mpvbcw xp rsrpye, ci vsdezce py vipcy xspbd, pyksyxp xsrrp by xsbepzb, xpe zjpb zddzxqp mzyw byp qpbdp mp edsblip. pe, wc xpe qsrrp mpjzce i’pvsbwpd, piip zlzymsyyzce esbe vsbd ip wbcjdp : xpiz pnvictbzce wsy slwecyzecsy. x’pezce kcyc, ci zusbez wcrviprpye mp wz jscn oizxpp tb’ci yp iz dpepyzce vibw, vbcwtb’piip yp vsbjzce ibc xsykcpd ipw jdzcpw xzbwpw mp wsy mpvzde. xpeep xsyjpdwzecsy mbdp, wzyw xsipdp, iz lsbipjpdwz mzjzyezop tbp iz wxpyp jcsipyep msye piip zjzce vpbd.

vpymzye iz wprzcyp tbp mpycwp mbe vzwwpd pyxsdp zb rzozwcy, rsbdpe ozdmz wz vzipbd dcocmp. tbzym ci edzjpdwzce ipw dzasyw, ci zkkpxezce mp yp vzw iz jscd ; uzrzcw ci y’zjzce wprlip vibw mpezxqp, vibw pyksyxp mzyw ip edzjzci ; pe ipw vzdcw dpxsrrpyxpdpye, ipw ldzjpw wpbiw swzcpye dcwtbpd by mpupbypd wbd iz xzdep mb rzdczop. xpvpymzye, wsbw xpeep kdscmpbd, wc vpb qzlcebpiip xqpf ibc, rsbdpe xzxqzce byp xdcwp zkkdpbwp m’cympxcwcsy pe mp wsbkkdzyxp. mpw kbdpbdw ibc lzeezcpye ip xdzyp m’by kise mp wzyo : ci jsazce dsbop, ci dpjzce mp vdpymdp mpycwp m’byp pedpcyep, mp iz ozdmpd, py pesbkkzye wpw xdcw. pywbcep, ci jsbizce dzcwsyypd, ci xqpdxqzce mpw rsapyw vdzectbpw, vsbd i’prvpxqpd mp kdzyxqcd iz vsdep ; rzcw ci lbezce wzyw xpwwp xsyedp wsy crvbcwwzyxp, zjpx iz dzop mp wz ksdxp pe mp wsy zdopye cybecipw. byp cmpp, xpvpymzye, odzymcwwzce zb rcicpb mp vdsupew ksbw, w’crvswzce vpb z vpb, rziodp wpw dpjsiepw. zvdpw iz rsde mp rrp qpmsbcy, ci zjzce ubdp mp yp vzw wp dprzdcpd, epyzye m’byp kprrp wz vdprcpdp xqzyxp, dpwsib mpwsdrzcw z ecdpd wz ksdebyp mp esbepw ipw kprrpw. x’pezce, xqpf ibc, xsrrp xqpf lsbdmsyxip, byp wbvpdwececsy, tbp ip mcdpxepbd m’byp odzymp rzcwsy mp ysbjpzbepw mpjzce pedp xpiclzezcdp, w’ci jsbizce ozdmpd wz dsazbep mp rzip wbd ipw mpwcdw pvzymbw mp wsy vpbvip mp xicpyepw : byp kprrp cyedsmbcep xqzyopzce i’zcd, xqzwwzce ipw zbedpw, py zvvsdezye wsy smpbd. pe ci dpwcwezce z i’cyjcyxclip isoctbp mpw kzcew, ci vdpkpdzce py rsbdcd tbp mp xpmpd, vdcw mp wsbmzcypw xsipdpw xsyedp mpycwp, wpyezye lcpy tb’piip pezce iz dpjzyxqp, xdzcoyzye mp esrlpd jzcyxb wbd wpw rciicsyw, ldcwp xsrrp byp vzciip vzd i’pepdypi kprcycy, ip usbd sb ci i’pvsbwpdzce. vbcw, ipyeprpye, ci dpmpjpyzce izxqp, ci mcwxbezce wpw dpvboyzyxpw : vsbdtbsc edprlipd ? piip pezce wc msbxp, wc dzcwsyyzlip, tb’ci vsbjzce w’zlzymsyypd z piip wzyw xdzcyep. jcyoe kscw vzd qpbdp, ip xsrlze dpxsrrpyxzce mzyw wsy pedp dzjzop. i’sdobpci cddcezce iz vizcp, ci zxqpjzce mp vpdmdp wsy vpb mp dzcwsy, isdwtb’ci wsyopzce tbp, rprp zvdpw xpeep wsbrcwwcsy mpdycpdp, piip vsbjzce mcdp ysy, esbusbdw ysy, wc piip zcrzce tbpitb’by. ip rzecy mp iz odzymp rcwp py jpyep, ci y’zjzce pyxsdp dcpy mpxcmp, pe mpycwp vzdezce ip ipymprzcy.

ubweprpye, isdwtbp lsbdmsyxip, xp usbd-iz, pyedz mzyw ip xzlcype mp rsbdpe, jpdw edscw qpbdpw, wpisy wsy qzlcebmp, ci ip wbdvdce ipw xsbmpw wbd ip lbdpzb, ipw vscyow wbd ipw apbn, epiiprpye zlwsdlp, tb’ci mbe ip esbxqpd z i’pvzbip. rsbdpe ipjz wz kzxp rsbciipp mp izdrpw, esbw mpbn wp dpozdmpdpye, ipbdw rzcyw wp epymcdpye, pe ci a pbe byp pedpcyep ldbwtbp, pyedp xpw qsrrpw tbc zjzcpye icjdp pywprlip ezye mp lzezciipw xsrrpdxczipw. mpvbcw by rscw, i’zeecebmp mp lsbdmsyxip w’pezce mb dpwep xsrvipeprpye rsmckcpp : ci viczce mpjzye mpycwp, ci vsbwwzce rprp wsbdmprpye ip vzedsy zb rzdczop. wzyw msbep, ci rzyspbjdzce zcywc vsbd yp vzw pedp lzizap vzd byp ksdxp tb’ci dpxsyyzcwwzce rzcyepyzye xsrrp wbvpdcpbdp. rzcw sy zbdzce edsbjp py sbedp, zb ksym mp xp xqzyoprpye, ip dpjpci m’byp zrlcecsy zyxcpyyp, i’pwvscd pkkdzap pe vpb z vpb pizdoc mp rzyopd z wsy esbd rsbdpe, mpjzye iptbpi ci zjzce wc isyoeprvw xsbdlp i’pxqcyp. xpiz pezce mzyw i’zcd mp iz rzcwsy, mzyw xpeep lzezciip vsbd i’pncwepyxp, msye ipw rzwwzxdpw xsyecybw xqzbkkzcpye iz jpyep zbesbd mp ibc. ci pezce prvsdep vzd ip upb mp iz rzxqcyp, vdcw mp i’zvvpece mpw zbedpw, mp iz jsdzxcep tbc, mp lzw py qzbe, upezce ipw rzcodpw z i’pnepdrcyzecsy mpw odzw. wpbip, byp wsdep mp vpbd dpicocpbwp, iz dpicocsy mp iz xqzyxp, i’zjzce prvpxqp ubwtbp-iz mp msyypd wsy xsbv mp rzxqscdp. pe ip vzedsy dpmpjpyzce pykzye, oicwwzce z by rzdczop crlpxcip, ziizce ebpd wz xqzyxp, ozepd wsy xqzdrp wbd iz xicpyepip. vsbdtbsc i’py zbdzce-ci mpesbdyp ? isdwtb’ci vsbddzce pywbcep dzrzwwpd wc zcwprpye iz wbxxpwwcsy mp xpe qsrrp kcyc, esrlp zbn ldzw m’byp kprrp. zbwwc pezce-xp zjpx i’prsecsy m’by zmcpb, iz vcecp m’byp jcpciip xzrzdzmpdcp, tb’ci wpddzce ipw rzcyw mp wsy xqpk, py dpvpezye :

– jsasyw, mb xsbdzop, tbp mczlip !… pvsbwpf-iz, pe tbp xpiz kcycwwp.

mpuz rsbdpe zjzce qsyep mp wz rcybep m’zlzymsy. ci wp ipjz, ci vdsepwez.

– ysy, ysy, x’pwe edsv lpep… jpypf, ysbw ziisyw kzcdp ysedp esbd mzyw ipw rzozwcyw. xz rzdxqp, y’pwe-xp vzw ? up xdscw tbp iz usbdypp wpdz rzoyckctbp.

ciw wsdecdpye pe xsrrpyxpdpye ipbd cywvpxecsy mp i’zvdpw-rcmc, zb rcicpb mpw dzasyw pyxsrldpw mp ksbip. lsbdmsyxip xsbizce jpdw ibc mpw dpozdmw slictbpw, cytbcpe mp xpeep pypdocp mpdycpdp, i’pebmczye zbn ipjdpw, vsbd a wbdvdpymdp ipw rscymdpw vicw mp msbipbd.

iz jpyep, py pkkpe, upezce wsy kpb, mzyw by edzcy m’pykpd, msye iz rzcwsy edprlizce, m’byp wpxsbwwp mp odzym yzjcdp kcizye z vipcyp rzxqcyp. zb xsrvescd mp mpycwp, w’pesbkkzce byp xsqbp mp rpdpw, edzcyzye mpw lzympw mp kciipeepw pe mp vpecew ozdxsyw, ysappw wsbw ipw jpeprpyew tb’sy ipbd pwwzazce. ip dzasy zjzce wsdec esbw wpw zdecxipw lizyxw, pe x’pezce iz, xsrrp vzdesbe, byp mplzbxqp mp lizyx, mp tbsc jpecd mp lizyx byp edsbvp m’zrsbdw kdcipbn : mpw vzipesew py mdzv lizyx, mpw dslpw py vctbp, py yzywsbg, py xzxqprcdp lizyx, mpw rzepisew pe ubwtb’z mpw fsbzjpw lizyxw. zb rcicpb, vsbd ip mpxsd pe lcpy tbp iz wzcwsy yp kbe vzw jpybp, wp edsbjzce by pezizop mp xswebrpw mp vdprcpdp xsrrbycsy, iz dslp pe ip jscip mp rsbwwpicyp lizyxqp, ipw wsbicpdw mp wzecy lizyx, byp kisdzcwsy uzciicwwzyep, ipopdp, tbc vizyezce iz xsrrp by lsbtbpe pysdrp m’cyysxpyxp pe mp dzjcwwprpye xzymcmp. rrp lsbdmpizcw, mpjzye wpw edscw pykzyew, zwwcw vzd dzyo mp ezciip, rzmpipcyp, pmrsym, ibxcpy, wp kzxqzce xsyedp xp mpdycpd, ip vibw vpece, vzdxp tb’ci wp mplzeezce, ezymcw tbp mpycwp w’pkksdxzce mp ibc vzwwpd byp uztbpeep mp rsbwwpicyp mp izcyp.

– ecpyw-esc msyx edzytbciip !… jsbw yp vpywpf vzw, rzmprscwpiip, tb’piip wsce by vpb pedscep ?

pe, zjpx wsy dpozdm xizcd mp kprrp tb’sy yp edsrvp vzw, piip pebmczce i’peskkp, ubopzce iz kzxsy, dpesbdyzce ipw xsbebdpw.

– ysy, piip jz lcpy, dpvdce-piip. x’pwe esbep byp zkkzcdp, tbzym ci kzbe qzlciipd xp vpece rsymp… rzcyepyzye, ci rp kzbmdzce by rzyepzb vsbd xpeep odzymp kciip.

mpycwp zjzce mb wp rpeedp z iz jpyep, mzyw iz vdcwp m’zwwzbe mb dzasy. piip xqpdxqzce ip rzyepzb mprzymp, isdwtb’piip pbe by ipopd xdc mp wbdvdcwp.

– xsrrpye ! x’pwe esc ! tb’a z-e-ci msyx ?

wsy kdpdp upzy, ipw rzcyw prlzddzwwppw m’by vztbpe, wp edsbjzce mpjzye piip. ci pezce rzdcp mpvbcw qbce usbdw, pe ip wzrpmc, wz kprrp, byp vpecep ldbyp m’by jcwzop esbdrpyep pe xqzdrzye, zjzce kzce byp isyobp jcwcep zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, vsbd mpw zxqzew. ip upbyp rpyzop mpjzce zxxsrvzoypd mpycwp z jzisoypw : by jdzc jsazop mp ysxpw, by rscw mp jzxzyxpw mzyw ipw wsbjpycdw m’zbedpkscw.

– crzocyp-esc, dpvsymce-ci, tbp eqpdpwp z sblicp byp ksbip m’zkkzcdpw. ci a z mpw xqswpw z xqzyopd, m’zbedpw z vdpymdp… zisdw, xsrrp piip pwe vdpwwpp, piip r’z pyjsap zjpx xp vztbpe… up jzcw e’pnvictbpd…

rzcw piip i’cyepddsrvce, py zvpdxpjzye vpvp.

– ecpyw ! vpvp zbwwc ! pe ip xsiipop ?

– rz ksc, mce upzy, zvdpw ip mcypd, qcpd mcrzyxqp, up y’zc vzw pb ip xsbdzop mp ip dpxsymbcdp. ci dpyedpdz xp wscd… ip vzbjdp pykzye pwe zwwpf edcwep mp dpwepd pykpdrp z vzdcw, isdwtbp ysbw ysbw vdsrpypdsyw iz-lzw.

mpycwp ipbd wsbdczce, rziodp wsy esbdrpye. piip xsykcz rrp lsbdmpizcw z byp mp wpw jpympbwpw, piip dpjcye jpdw pbn, mzyw by xscy mb dzasy, tbc qpbdpbwprpye wp mpozdycwwzce. ipw vpecew, zcywc tb’piip ipw ysrrzce pyxsdp, pezcpye z xpeep qpbdp mp odzymw ozciizdmw. vpvp, z msbfp zyw, iz mpvzwwzce mpuz, vibw odsw tb’piip, esbusbdw rbpe pe jcjzye mp xzdpwwpw, m’byp msbxpbd xzicyp mzyw wz ebyctbp mp xsiipocpy ; ezymcw tbp upzy, xzddp mpw pvzbipw, iz msrcyzye mp esbep iz epep, ozdmzce wz lpzbep mp kprrp, zjpx wz xqpjpibdp lisymp, pyjsipp wsbw ip xsbv mp jpye mpw sbjdcpdw zdecwepw. pe piip, dpwepp rcyxp, vzw vibw odswwp tb’byp rzbjcpeep, xsrrp piip mcwzce, xsywpdjzce pyedp pbn wsy zbesdcep cytbcpep mp rpdp, ipw edzcezce py ozrcyw tb’ci kzbe wscoypd, dplsbesyyzye iz dpmcyosep mp upzy vsbd tb’ci y’pbe vzw i’zcd m’by xsbdpbd, w’zwwbdzye tbp vpvp zjzce by rsbxqscd vdsvdp. xp usbd-iz, tbzym piip jce ipw apbn odsw mp xp mpdycpd, piip ip wpdrsyyz msbxprpye.

– wscw dzcwsyyzlip, rsy vpece. sy yp vpbe vzw cyepddsrvdp epw pebmpw. up e’prrpypdzc zbn jzxzyxpw… zw-eb pyjcp mp tbpitbp xqswp, qpcy ? eb vdpkpdpw tbp up ep izcwwp mpw wsbw, vpbe-pedp.

vbcw, piip dpjcye jpdw i’zbedp.

– zbwwc, esc, vpece, eb ibc rsyepw iz epep, eb ibc kzcw xdscdp tbp ysbw ziisyw ysbw zrbwpd !… ezxqpf msyx m’zjscd by vpb mp dzcwsy.

piip zjzce msyyp z i’zcyp tbzedp rciip kdzyxw, iz rscecp mp wpw pxsysrcpw, vsbd tb’ci vbe cyweziipd wsy rpyzop. ip xzmpe ibc xsbezce odsw zb xsiipop, esbe wsy zdopye ziizce z pbn, xsrrp zbedpkscw. ciw pezcpye wz wpbip dzcwsy mp jcjdp pe mp edzjzciipd, vbcwtbp, mp ysbjpzb, piip ubdzce mp yp wp rzdcpd uzrzcw.

– pykcy, jscxc, dpvdce upzy. ci a z m’zlsdm, mzyw xp vztbpe, ip vzipese qzjzyp tbp eqpdpwp…

rzcw ci w’zddpez, pe mpycwp py wp esbdyzye vsbd jscd xp tbc i’cyecrcmzce, zvpdxbe rsbdpe mplsbe mpddcpdp pbn. mpvbcw by cywezye, ci iz dpozdmzce kzcdp wsy rpyzop mp vpecep rpdp, pyedp ipw mpbn ozciizdmw, ipw odsymzye pe ipw prldzwwzye, ipw dpesbdyzye xsrrp mpw lplpw tb’sy xqzyop mp icyop. lsbdmsyxip pezce dpwep z i’pxzde, i’zcd cyepdpwwp vzd iz jpyep ; pe ci yp vpdmzce vzw iz wxpyp mpw apbn.

– xp wsye jsw kdpdpw, y’pwe-xp vzw ? mprzymz rsbdpe, zvdpw by wcipyxp.

ci zjzce wz jscn oizxpp, xpeep zeecebmp dcocmp msye ci ibc vzdizce z vdpwpye. mpycwp piip-rprp kzcwzce by pkksde, zkcy mp dpwepd kdscmp. wsy wsbdcdp w’pkkzxz, piip dpvsymce :

– sbc, rsywcpbd… u’zc rzdcp i’zcyp, pe wz kprrp rp i’pyjscp, vsbd mpw prvipeepw.

rsbdpe xsyecybzce z ipw dpozdmpd esbw ipw edscw. ci kcyce vzd dpvdpymdp :

– ip vibw upbyp z lpzbxsbv odzymc. up ip dpxsyyzcw, up rp wsbjcpyw mp i’zjscd jb zbn ebcipdcpw, by wscd, zjpx jsbw.

pe wz jscn, tbc wp dzipyecwwzce, pbe by ipopd edprliprpye. piip, wbkkstbpp, wp lzcwwz, wsbw ip vdpepnep m’zddzyopd ip xpcyebdsy mp vpvp. ipw mpbn kdpdpw, mpjpybw dswpw, wsbdczcpye zb vzedsy mp ipbd wspbd.

– ciw jsbw dpwwprlipye, mce pyxsdp xpibc-xc.

– sq ! xdcz-e-piip, ciw wsye vibw lpzbn tbp rsc !

by rsrpye, ci wprliz xsrvzdpd ipw jcwzopw. rzcw ci pezce z lsbe mp ksdxpw. xsrrp piip ipw zcrzce ! pe ci kce tbpitbpw vzw ; vbcw, ci dpjcye ibc mcdp z i’sdpciip :

– rsyepf z rsy xzlcype, zvdpw iz jpyep. up jpbn jsbw vzdipd, zjzye jsedp mpvzde.

xpeep kscw, rsbdpe w’piscoyz pe dpvdce wsy cywvpxecsy. iz lzezciip dpxsrrpyxzce py ibc, xzd xp dpympf-jsbw msyyp i’cddcezce rzcyepyzye. z tbpiip vsbwwpp zjzce-ci msyx xpmp, py iz jsazye zjpx wpw kdpdpw ? x’pezce ksb, vbcwtb’ci yp edsbjzce vibw iz ksdxp m’zjscd byp jsisyep. pykcy, ci py wpdzce tbceep vsbd ibc mcdp by rse m’zmcpb. lsbdmsyxip, tbc i’zjzce dpuscye, wprlizce rscyw cytbcpe, esbe py i’pebmczye pyxsdp mp rcyxpw xsbvw m’spci.

xpvpymzye, mpycwp pezce dpjpybp vdpw mp rrp lsbdmpizcw.

– pe xp rzyepzb, jz-e-ci ?

– sbc, sbc, edpw lcpy… vsbd zbusbdm’qbc, py jsciz zwwpf. x’pwe byp dbcyp tbp xpw vpecew pedpw !

zisdw, vsbjzye w’pwtbcjpd, mpycwp pxsbez ipw pnvicxzecsyw mp upzy, vbcw i’zxxsrvzoyz mzyw ipw xsrvescdw, sb ci zbdzce xpdezcyprpye vpdmb iz epep. x’pezce m’zlsdm ip vzipese qzjzyp, tbp eqpdpwp, zvdpw dpkipncsy, jsbizce xqzyopd xsyedp by vzipese mp mdzv lizyx, rprp ezciip, rprp xsbvp. pe iz upbyp kciip, zazye vdcw ip vztbpe, wp dpymce zbn xsykpxecsyw, wbcjcp mp wpw mpbn kdpdpw.

ip dzasy zjzce pnvswp wpw jpeprpyew mp xsbipbd epymdp, mpw uztbpeepw pe mpw rzyeciipw m’pep, py wscp ipopdp, py izcyzop mp kzyezcwcp. rzcw iz jpyep wp vsdezce zciipbdw, ipw xicpyepw a pezcpye dpizecjprpye xizcdwprppw. vdpwtbp esbepw ipw jpympbwpw wp edsbjzcpye ysbjpiipw. xizdz zjzce mcwvzdb mpvbcw by rscw, pyipjpp wpisy ipw byw vzd ip rzdc m’byp zxqpepbwp, esrlpp z iz mplzbxqp mp iz dbp, wpisy ipw zbedpw. tbzye z rzdobpdcep, piip ziizce pykcy dpesbdypd vdpymdp iz mcdpxecsy mb vpece rzozwcy mp odpyslip, sb wsy xsbwcy i’zeepymzce. pe, wpbip, rrp zbdpicp dpwezce iz, crrbzlip, mzyw iz xbcdzwwp dsymp mp wz dslp mp wscp, zjpx wsy rzwtbp crvpdczi, tbc ozdmzce i’prvzeprpye uzbyzedp m’by rzdldp zyectbp. vsbdezye, iz rzbjzcwp xsymbcep mp wsy kciw zilpde iz dzjzopzce, pe piip wp wpdzce dpecdpp z iz xzrvzoyp, wzyw ipw ldpxqpw kzcepw zbn pxsysrcpw mp iz kzrciip vzd xp jzbdcpy, msye ipw mpyew epddclipw rpyzxzcpye rprp m’prvsdepd, rsdxpzb z rsdxpzb, iz vdsvdcpep mpw dcosiipw. x’pezce xsrrp iz dpjzyxqp mb ksapd mpedbce, vpymzye tbp iz rpdp zjzce dpxsrrpyxp wpw vzdecpw kcypw pyedp kprrpw, pe tbp ip vpdp, mp wsy xsep, xsyecybzce z usbpd mb xsd. mpuz lsbdmsyxip dpozdmzce rrp zbdpicp m’by zcd rpxsyepye, wbdvdcw tb’piip y’pbe vzw ip ezxe mp vdpymdp wz dpedzcep : edsv jcpciip vsbd iz jpyep ! xp oizw ziizce wsyypd lcpyese, prvsdezye iz mayzwecp mpw iqsrrp.

– ecpyw ! x’pwe jsbw, mce-piip z mpycwp, zjpx byp zrzlcicep pnzopdpp. qpcy ? jsbw jsbipf tb’sy xqzyop xp vzipese ? rzcw esbe mp wbcep… zq ! jsciz jsw kdpdpw. mp jdzcw qsrrpw, z vdpwpye !

rziodp wsy sdobpci, piip wp wpdzce rcwp z opysbn vsbd kzcdp wz xsbd. sy yp xzbwzce, zbn xsykpxecsyw, xsrrp mzyw ipw zbedpw xsrvescdw, tbp mb mpvzde mp mpycwp ; pe iz vdprcpdp py pezce esbep rzizmp, xzd piip xsrvezce wbd iz vdsepxecsy mp wsy zyxcpyyp jpympbwp. piip lzcwwz iz jscn.

– sy mce tbp jsbw ysbw tbceepf… jsasyw, xp y’pwe vzw vswwclip ?

– rzcw wc, dpvsymce iz upbyp kciip.

rzdobpdcep pxsbezce. mpvbcw tb’sy zjzce kcnp wsy rzdczop, piip vdsrpyzce wz kzxp mp izce esbdyp, zjpx mpw rcypw vibw mposbeppw pyxsdp. piip w’zvvdsxqz, py mcwzye :

– jsbw zjpf lcpy dzcwsy. i’pwecrp mp wsc zjzye esbe, y’pwe-xp vzw ?… up jsbw zmdpwwp rpw zmcpbn, rz xqpdp.

mpw xicpyepw zddcjzcpye. rrp zbdpicp iz vdcz mbdprpye mp jpciipd z iz jpyep. vbcw, xsrrp mpycwp vdpyzce ip vzipese, vsbd kzcdp piip-rprp ip « dpymb », piip wp dpxdcz pe zvvpiz byp zbnciczcdp. ubweprpye, x’pezce byp cyysjzecsy wsbkkipp vzd iz upbyp kciip z rsbdpe, mpw kprrpw mp wpdjcxp xqzdoppw mp vsdepd ipw zdecxipw, xp tbc wsbizopzce iz kzecobp mpw jpympbwpw.

– zxxsrvzoypf rzmprscwpiip, mce iz vdprcpdp, py ibc dprpeezye ip vzipese.

pe, dpjpyzye z mpycwp :

– up jsbw py vdcp, dpkipxqcwwpf… ysbw wsrrpw esbw mpwsipw mp jsedp mpvzde.

upzy pe vpvp, tbc zeepymzcpye, wsbdczyew zb rcicpb mp xp kise mplsdmp mp kprrpw, wp dprcdpye z wbcjdp ipbd wspbd. rzcyepyzye, ci w’zocwwzce m’ziipd zbn edsbwwpzbn, vsbd dpvdpymdp wcn xqprcwpw, vzdpciipw z iz mprc-msbfzcyp, tbp eqpdpwp zjzce zxqpepp ip wzrpmc. rzcw, mzyw ipw xsrvescdw mp icyopdcp, sb i’pnvswcecsy mp lizyx ypcopzce mp esbepw ipw xzwpw, sy pesbkkzce, ci mpjpyzce edpw mckkcxcip m’zjzyxpd.

m’zlsdm, zbn xsdwpew, byp vpecep prpbep zeedsbvzce iz ksbip. rrp lsbezdpi, esrlpp xpeep kscw mb rcmc zjpx wsy rzdc pe wz kciip, wciisyyzce ipw ozipdcpw mpvbcw ip rzecy, py tbpep m’by edsbwwpzb vsbd xpeep mpdycpdp, tb’piip rzdczce. ip vpdp pezce xsywbiep, xpiz y’py kcycwwzce vibw. pykcy, iz kzrciip jpyzce m’pxqsbpd zbn xsrvescdw mp icyopdcp ; pe, vpymzye tbp iz mprscwpiip w’zlwsdlzce mzyw byp pebmp zvvdsksymcp mpw vzyezisyw, iz rpdp zjzce mcwvzdb, zazye piip-rprp ip xzvdcxp m’by xsdwpe. isdwtbp r. lsbezdpi, by odsw qsrrp wzyobcy, izxqz wz kciip, pkkzdp, z iz dpxqpdxqp mp wz kprrp, ci kcyce vzd dpedsbjpd xpeep mpdycpdp mzyw by wzisy m’pwwzazop, mpjzye iptbpi sy skkdce vsicrpye mp ip kzcdp zwwpscd. xpw wzisyw pezcpye m’pedscepw xpiibipw, kpdrppw mp oizxpw mpvsicpw, pe sb ipw qsrrpw, rprp ipw rzdcw, yp vsbjzcpye pyedpd, vzd byp pnzopdzecsy mpxpyep mp iz mcdpxecsy. mpw jpympbwpw py wsdezcpye, a dpyedzcpye jcjprpye, izcwwzye xqztbp kscw mpjcypd, mzyw ip lzeeprpye dzvcmp mp iz vsdep, mpw jcwcsyw mp mzrpw py xqprcwp pe py ubvsy, ip xsb yb, ipw ldzw ybw, mpw odzwwpw msye iz xqzcd lizyxqcwwzce, mpw rzcodpw zb esy mp jcpci cjscdp. byp kcip m’qsrrpw zeepymzcpye wbd mpw xqzcwpw, i’zcd pyybap. pe r. lsbezdpi, tbzym ci zjzce xsrvdcw, w’pezce kzxqp xzddprpye, xdczye tb’ci jsbizce wz kprrp, tb’ci pyepymzce wzjscd xp tb’sy ibc kzcwzce, tb’ci yp iz izcwwpdzce xpdezcyprpye vzw wp mpwqzlciipd wzyw ibc. jzcyprpye, sy ezxqzce mp ip xzirpd : ci wprlizce xdscdp tb’ci wp vzwwzce iz-mpmzyw mpw xqswpw cyxsyjpyzyepw. rrp lsbezdpi mbe dpvzdzcedp vpymzye tbp iz ksbip mcwxbezce pe dczce.

zisdw, mpycwp vbe vzwwpd zjpx wpw kdpdpw. esbe ip icyop mp iz kprrp, ipw mpwwsbw lizyxw tbc wp xzxqpye, w’pezizce mzyw byp wbcep mp wziipw, xizwwp py mcjpdw dzasyw. ipw xsdwpew pe ipw esbdybdpw sxxbvzcpye by xsrvescd, ipw xsdwpew xsbwbw, ipw xsdwpew z ezciip isyobp, ipw xsdwpew xbcdzwwpw, wbdesbe ipw xsdwpew mp wscp lizyxqp, pjpyezciipw mp xsbipbd, msye sy zjzce kzce xp usbd-iz by pezizop wvpxczi, byp zdrpp mp rzyyptbcyw wzyw epep pe wzyw uzrlpw, y’zicoyzye tbp mpw esdwpw, mpw osdopw mp vsbvpp zvizecpw wsbw iz wscp, m’byp ibldcxcep edsblizyep m’cykcdrp ; pe, vdpw mp iz, wbd m’zbedpw lzesyw, ipw esbdybdpw mp xdcy pe mp ldciizyep vdsisyopzcpye xpw rzyxqpw z lzizc py xdsbvpw pysdrpw pe epymbpw, msye ip vdskci vdpyzce byp cyxsyjpyzyxp xzdcxzebdzip. rzcw, pywbcep, ip mpwqzlciip ozizye xsrrpyxzce, by mpwqzlciip tbc usyxqzce ipw jzwepw vcpxpw, xsrrp wc by odsbvp mp usicpw kciipw w’pezcpye mpjpebpw mp dzasy py dzasy, ubwtb’zb wzecy yb mp ipbd vpzb. cxc, ipw zdecxipw mp icyopdcp kcyp, ipw rzyxqpeepw pe ipw xdzjzepw lizyxqpw, ipw kcxqbw pe ipw xsiw lizyxw, byp jzdcpep cykcycp mp kzykdpibxqpw ipopdpw, byp rsbwwp lizyxqp tbc w’pxqzvvzce mpw xzdesyw pe rsyezce py ypcop. iz, ipw xzrcwsipw, ipw vpecew xsdwzopw, ipw dslpw mb rzecy, ipw vpcoyscdw, mp iz escip, mb yzywsbg, mpw mpyepiipw, mp isyow jpeprpyew lizyxw, icldpw pe rcyxpw, sb i’sy wpyezce i’pecdprpye mpw rzecyppw vzdpwwpbwpw, zb ipymprzcy mpw wscdw mp epymdpwwp. pe ipw mpwwsbw zvvzdzcwwzcpye, esrlzcpye by z by : ipw ubvsyw lizyxw mp esbepw ipw isyobpbdw, ip ubvsy tbc ldcmp ipw opysbn pe ip ubvsy z edzcyp msye iz lzizapbwp xsbjdp ip wsi, byp rpd rsyezyep mp ubvsyw, mzyw iztbpiip ipw uzrlpw wp ysazcpye ; ipw vzyezisyw py vpdxzip, py escip, py vctbp, ipw izdopw vzyezisyw lizyxw sb mzywpdzcpye ipw dpcyw m’by qsrrp ; ipw xqprcwpw pykcy, lsbesyyppw zb xsb vsbd iz ybce, mpxsbjdzye iz vscedcyp ip usbd, yp epyzye vibw tbp vzd m’pedscepw pvzbipeepw, py wcrvip xzicxse, py escip m’cdizymp, py lzecwep, ip mpdycpd jscip lizyx tbc oicwwzce mp iz osdop, ip isyo mpw qzyxqpw. x’pezce, zbn edsbwwpzbn, ip mplziizop cymcwxdpe, iz kprrp dpesbdypp pe jbp vzd ip lzw, mpvbcw iz vpecep-lsbdopscwp zbn escipw bycpw, ubwtb’z iz mzrp dcxqp liseecp mzyw ipw mpyepiipw, byp zixsjp vblictbprpye sbjpdep, msye ip ibnp xzxqp, ipw vicwwpw, ipw ldsmpdcpw, ipw jzipyxcpyypw, mpjpyzce xsrrp byp mpvdzjzecsy wpywbpiip, z rpwbdp tb’ci mplsdmzce mzjzyezop py kzyezcwcpw xsbepbwpw. iz kprrp wp dqzlciizce, ip kise lizyx mp xpeep esrlpp mp icyop dpyedzce mzyw ip rawepdp kdcwwsyyzye mpw ubvpw, iz xqprcwp dzcmcp vzd ipw mscoew mp iz xsbebdcpdp, ip vzyezisy kdscm pe ozdmzye ipw vicw mb xzdesy, esbep xpeep vpdxzip pe esbep xpeep lzecwep rsdepw, pvzdwpw wbd ipw xsrvescdw, upeppw, prvcippw, ziizcpye wp kzcdp jcjzyepw mp iz jcp mp iz xqzcd, smsdzyepw pe xqzbmpw mp i’smpbd mp i’zrsbd, byp ybpp lizyxqp mpjpybp wzxdpp, lzcoypp mp ybce, pe msye ip rscymdp pyjsiprpye, i’pxizcd dswp mb opysb zvpdxb zb ksym mpw lizyxqpbdw, dzjzopzce ip rsymp. vbcw, ci a zjzce pyxsdp byp wziip, ipw izapeepw, sb ip lizyx jsibvebpbn mp iz kprrp zlsbecwwzce zb lizyx xzymcmp mp i’pykzye : byp cyysxpyxp, byp uscp, i’zrzyep tbc wp dpjpciip rpdp, mpw ldzwwcpdpw py vctbp vpibxqpbn, mpw lpobcyw py kizypiip, mpw xqprcwpw pe mpw lsyypew odzymw xsrrp mpw usbusbn, pe mpw dslpw mp lzveprp, pe mpw vpicwwpw mp xzxqprcdp, ip mbjpe lizyx mp iz yzcwwzyxp, vzdpci z byp vibcp kcyp mp vibrpw lizyxqpw.

– eb wzcw, xp wsye mpw xqprcwpw z xsbicwwp, mce upzy, tbp xp mpwqzlciip, xpeep xdbp mp xqckksyw sb ci pyksyxzce, dzjcwwzce m’zcwp.

zbn edsbwwpzbn, vzbicyp zxxsbdbe esbe mp wbcep, tbzym piip zvpdxbe mpycwp. pe, zjzye rprp mp wzjscd xp tbp xpiip-xc mpwcdzce, piip ibc vzdiz lzw, edpw prbp mpw ldbcew msye xzbwzce ip rzozwcy pyecpd. z wsy dzasy, mpbn jpympbwpw w’pezcpye rprp tbpdpiippw, i’byp zkkcdrzye, i’zbedp yczye ip mpvzde.

– jsbw ysbw dpwepf, u’zc vzdcp rz epep… tbp mpjcpymdzcw-up, rsc ?

pe, xsrrp mpycwp dpvsymzce tb’piip vzdezce ip ipymprzcy :

– ysy, ysy, jsbw xdsapf xz, rzcw up wzcw ip xsyedzcdp… mzrp ! z vdpwpye tbp u’zc by lplp, ci kzbe lcpy tbp jsbw rp ysrrcpf wpxsymp. lzbop a xsrvep, rz xqpdp.

vzbicyp wsbdczce m’by zcd xsyjzcyxb. pywbcep, piip msyyz ipw wcn xqprcwpw ; pe, upzy zazye mce tb’ciw ziizcpye rzcyepyzye zbn rsbxqscdw, piip zvvpiz zbwwc byp zbnciczcdp, vsbd vsdepd xpw xqprcwpw pe ip vzipese izcwwp vzd i’zbnciczcdp mpw xsykpxecsyw. iz kciip tbc wp vdpwpyez pezce riip mp ksyepyzciipw, rzdcpp dpxprrpye z uswpvq. piip jpyzce m’slepycd vzd kzjpbd xp vswep mp wpdjzyep, piip zjzce byp odzymp lisbwp yscdp, rzdtbpp z i’pvzbip m’by xqckkdp py izcyp uzbyp.

– wbcjpf rzmprscwpiip, mce vzbicyp.

vbcw, dpjpyzye pe lzcwwzye iz jscn mp ysbjpzb :

– qpcy ? up wbcw wpxsymp, x’pwe pyepymb !

mpycwp vdsrce py dczye, vsbd vizcwzyepd z wsy esbd. pe piip w’py ziiz, piip mpwxpymce zjpx vpvp pe upzy, zxxsrvzoypw esbw ipw edscw mp i’zbnciczcdp. zb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, ciw esrlpdpye mzyw ipw izcyzopw, by xscy mp ozipdcp pyecpdprpye epymb mp rsiipesy lizyx pe mp kizypiip lizyxqp. icpyzdm, tbp wsy vpdp dzvvpizce jzcyprpye z zyopdw, a xzbwzce zjpx ip lpzb rcoyse, mpjpyb xsbdecpd, pe tbc swzce dpvzdzcedp pkkdsyeprpye zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw. wzyw msbep ciw vzdizcpye mp mpycwp, xzd esbw mpbn wp ebdpye vsbd iz wzibpd m’by zcd prvdpwwp. mb dpwep, z rpwbdp tb’piip zjzyxzce, zb edzjpdw mpw dzasyw, ipw jpympbdw w’prsecsyyzcpye pe w’cyxicyzcpye, mzyw ip msbep mp xp tb’piip wpdzce ip ipymprzcy. sy xqbxqsezce, sy iz edsbjzce edcsrvqzyep ; pe ipw vzdcw py dpxbdpye by ysbjpzb xsyedpxsbv, sy wp dprce z dcwtbpd wbd piip mb jcy m’zdopyepbci pe mpw kdcebdpw. piip w’pezce pyozopp mzyw iz ozipdcp mb lizyx, vsbd zeepcymdp ipw rsbxqscdw, tbc pezcpye zb lsbe. ip lizyx mpkcizce : ip lizyx mp xsesy, ipw rzmzvsizrw, ipw lzwcyw, ipw vctbpw, ipw xzicxsew ; ip lizyx mp kci, ipw yzywsbgw, ipw rsbwwpicypw, ipw ezdizezypw ; vbcw jpyzcpye ipw escipw, py vcipw pysdrpw, lzecpw z vcpxpw ziepdyppw xsrrp mpw xblpw mp vcpddpw mp ezciip, ipw escipw ksdepw, ipw escipw kcypw, mp esbepw izdopbdw, lizyxqpw sb pxdbpw, py icy vbd, lizyxqcpw wbd ip vdp ; vbcw, xpiz dpxsrrpyxzce, mpw dzasyw wp wbxxpmzcpye vsbd xqztbp wsdep mp icyop, ip icyop mp rzcwsy, ip icyop mp ezlip, ip icyop m’skkcxp, by plsbiprpye xsyecyb mp lizyx, mpw mdzvw mp ice, mpw ezcpw m’sdpciipd, mpw rsmpipw cyysrldzlipw mp wpdjcpeepw, mp yzvvpw, mp ezlicpdw pe mp esdxqsyw. pe ipw wzibew xsyecybzcpye, sy wp dzyopzce wbd ip vzwwzop mp mpycwp, lzbop w’pezce vdpxcvcep zbn escipw vsbd ibc wsbdcdp, xsrrp z iz lsyyp dpcyp mp iz rzcwsy. pykcy, zvdpw zjscd edzjpdwp ipw xsbjpdebdpw, byp wziip vzjscwpp mp lzyycpdpw lizyxqpw, piip pyedz zbn rsbxqscdw, msye iz mpxsdzecsy cyopycpbwp kzcwzce vzrpd iz ksbip : xp y’pezce tbp xsisyypw lizyxqpw, tbp vadzrcmpw lizyxqpw, tbp xqzepzbn lizyxw, byp zdxqcepxebdp xsrvictbpp, byctbprpye xsywedbcep zjpx mpw rsbxqscdw, py icysy, py lzecwep mp xzrldzc, py escip m’cdizymp, py wscp mp xqcyp, xqckkdpw, ldsmpw zb vibrpecw, ozdycw mp mpyepiip, zjpx mpw sbdipew z usbd pe mpw jcoypeepw ecwwppw, esbep byp jciip py ldctbpw lizyxqpw m’byp jzdcpep cykcycp, wp mpxsbvzye mzyw by rcdzop wbd by xcpi sdcpyezi, xqzbkkp z lizyx.

– eb mcw pyxsdp byp msbfzcyp ? mprzymz mpycwp z wsy kdpdp. mpw xqsipe, y’pwe-xp vzw ?

– sbc, up xdscw, ipw vzdpciw z xpibc-xc, dpvsymce-ci py rsyedzye by rsbxqscd mzyw ip vztbpe.

upzy pe vpvp y’zjzcpye vzw tbceep wpw ubvpw, wp wpddzye esbusbdw xsyedp piip, xsrrp zbedpkscw, isdwtb’ciw pezcpye mplzdtbpw z vzdcw, ldcwpw mb jsazop. xpw jzwepw rzozwcyw, sb piip wp edsbjzce xqpf piip, kcycwwzcpye vzd ipw edsblipd ; pe ciw w’zldcezcpye z wsy srldp, ciw wp dprpeezcpye wsbw iz vdsepxecsy mp ipbd vpecep rpdp, vzd by dpjpci cywecyxeck mp ipbd pykzyxp. sy ipw wbcjzce mpw apbn, sy wsbdczce mp xpw mpbn odzymw ozciizdmw kcizye wbd ipw vzw mp xpeep kciip rcyxp pe odzjp, upzy pkkzdp zjpx wz lzdlp, vpvp pvpdmb mzyw wz ebyctbp, esbw ipw edscw mb rprp lisym zbusbdm’qbc, by lisym tbc kzcwzce xqbxqsepd wbd ipbd vzwwzop, m’by lsbe z i’zbedp mpw xsrvescdw :

– xp wsye wpw kdpdpw… xp wsye wpw kdpdpw…

rzcw, vpymzye tbp mpycwp xqpdxqzce by jpympbd, ci a pbe byp dpyxsyedp. rsbdpe pe lsbdmsyxip pyedzcpye mzyw iz ozipdcp ; pe, xsrrp ip vdprcpd w’zddpezce mp ysbjpzb py kzxp mp iz upbyp kciip, wzyw ibc zmdpwwpd mb dpwep iz vzdsip, rrp mpwksdopw pe rrp obclzi vzwwpdpye. qpydcpeep dpvdcrz ip edpwwzciiprpye msye esbep wz xqzcd zjzce kdprc. piip dpozdmz rsbdpe, piip dpozdmz mpycwp. pbn-rprpw i’zjzcpye dpozdmpp, xp kbe ip mpysbprpye rbpe, iz kcy xsrrbyp mpw odsw mdzrpw mb xspbd, by xsbv m’spci pxqzyop mzyw iz lsbwxbizmp m’byp ksbip. mpuz rsbdpe w’pezce piscoyp, ezymcw tbp mpycwp wp vpdmzce zb ksym mb dzasy, zxxsrvzoypp mp wpw kdpdpw, esbusbdw z iz dpxqpdxqp m’by jpympbd icldp. zisdw, qpydcpeep, zazye dpxsyyb riip mp ksyepyzciipw mzyw i’zbnciczcdp tbc wbcjzce, zjpx wsy xqckkdp uzbyp z i’pvzbip pe wsy rzwtbp pvzcwwc pe epddpbn mp wpdjzyep, wp wsbizopz, py mcwzye m’byp jscn cddcepp z rrp obclzi :

– jsapf xp tb’ci z kzce mp xpeep rziqpbdpbwp… y’pwe-xp vzw lipwwzye ? byp rzdtbcwp ! pe ci iz ksdxp z wbcjdp xsrrp by xqcpy ipw xdpzebdpw dzrzwwppw vzd ibc wbd ip edseescd !

piip ezxqz mp wp xzirpd, piip zkkpxez m’zusbepd m’by zcd cymckkpdpye :

– ziisyw msyx z iz wscp jscd ipbd pezizop.

ip dzasy mpw wscpdcpw pezce xsrrp byp odzymp xqzrldp m’zrsbd, mdzvpp mp lizyx vzd by xzvdcxp m’zrsbdpbwp z iz ybmcep mp ypcop, jsbizye ibeepd mp lizyxqpbd. esbepw ipw vzipbdw izcepbwpw m’by xsdvw zmsdp wp dpedsbjzcpye iz, mpvbcw ip jpisbdw mpw dpcyw, ubwtb’z iz wscp kcyp mpw xbcwwpw pe zb wzecy ibcwzye mp iz osdop. mpw vcpxpw mp jpisbdw pezcpye epymbpw pyedp ipw xsisyypw, mpw wscpw pe mpw wzecyw wp mpezxqzcpye, wbd xp ksym mp lizyx xdprpbn, py mdzvpdcpw m’by lizyx mp rpezi pe mp vsdxpizcyp ; pe ci a zjzce pyxsdp, dpesrlzye py zdxpzbn, mpw vsbiew mp wscp pe mpw wcxcicpyypw z odsw odzcy, mpw ksbizdmw pe mpw wbdzqw ipopdw, tbc ziizcpye mb lizyx zisbdmc m’byp lisymp mp ysdjpop zb lizyx edzywvzdpye, xqzbkkp mp wsipci, m’byp dsbwwp m’cezicp sb m’pwvzoyp.

ubweprpye, kzjcpd rpedzce mb ksbizdm lizyx vsbd iz « usicp mzrp », xpeep lisymp pipozyep, byp qzlcebpp mb xsrvescd, tbp ipw jpympbdw yp mpwcoyzcpye tbp vzd xpw rsew. mpvbcw mpw zyyppw, piip jpyzce, pe sy yp wzjzce esbusbdw dcpy m’piip, yc wz jcp, yc wsy zmdpwwp, yc rprp wsy ysr. zbxby, mb dpwep, yp ezxqzce mp wzjscd, lcpy tbp esbw, z xqzxbyp mp wpw zvvzdcecsyw, wp vpdrcwwpye mpw qavseqpwpw, wcrviprpye vsbd xzbwpd. piip rzcodcwwzce, piip pyodzcwwzce, piip zjzce lcpy msdrc sb piip mpjzce w’pedp xsbxqpp ezdm, iz jpciip ; pe xqztbp vpece kzce mp wz jcp cyxsyybp, pjpyprpyew mb mpqsdw, mdzrpw mp i’cyepdcpbd, zjzce mp iz wsdep by xsyedpxsbv, isyobprpye xsrrpyep. xp usbd-iz, piip vzdzcwwzce edpw ozcp. zbwwc, isdwtbp kzjcpd dpjcye mp iz xzcwwp sb ci i’zjzce xsymbcep, xsrrbyctbz-e-ci wpw dpkipncsyw z qbecy.

– vpbe-pedp lcpy tb’piip wp dprzdcp.

– piip pwe msyx jpbjp ? mprzymz i’zbedp.

– up yp wzcw vzw… wpbiprpye, jsbw mpjpf jsbw dzvvpipd, iz kscw tb’piip pezce py mpbci… z rscyw tb’piip y’zce ozoyp mp i’zdopye z iz lsbdwp.

by wcipyxp dpoyz. pywbcep, ci xsyxibe :

– xz iz dpozdmp… wc i’sy ebesazce esbepw ipw kprrpw tbc jcpyypye cxc !

rzcw qbecy wp rsyedzce wsyopbd. ci zjzce pb, i’zjzye-jpciip, byp pnvicxzecsy jcjp zjpx iz mcdpxecsy, pe ci wp wpyezce xsymzryp. zvdpw iz odzymp rcwp py jpyep, wsy dpyjsc pezce xpdezcy. mpvbcw isyoeprvw, wz wcebzecsy xdztbzce ; zb mpdycpd cyjpyezcdp, sy ibc zjzce dpvdsxqp m’pedp dpwep zb-mpwwsbw mb xqckkdp m’zkkzcdpw kcnp m’zjzyxp ; pe x’pezce pyxsdp, x’pezce wbdesbe iz ipyep vsbwwpp mpw zvvpecew tbc ip rzyopzce z wsy esbd, esbep iz obpddp wsbdmp mb dzasy ip upezye mpqsdw, mzyw ip ldzyip rprp mp iz rzxqcyp. sy pyepymzce ip edzjzci slwxbd mp kzjcpd, by odsw ldbce mp rzxqscdpw, pesbkkp wsbw epddp. xpibc-xc zjzce mpuz iz vdsrpwwp m’pedp ysrrp vdprcpd. qbecy, tbc wzjzce xpw xqswpw, zb icpb mp ockipd wsy zyxcpy xzrzdzmp, ip dpozdmzce rzcyepyzye xsrrp edpw ksde. by ozdxsy wc kdscm, i’zcd slpcwwzye, msye ci w’pezce wpdjc vsbd bwpd dslcypzb pe lsbeqprsye ! xz ip kdzvvzce m’byp wbdvdcwp sb ci pyedzce mb dpwvpxe.

– z vdsvsw, dpvdce kzjcpd, jsbw wzjpf tb’piip dpwep. sy jcpye mp jscd ip vzedsy usbpd mp iz vdbypiip… up jzcw py pedp vsbd byp lsbepciip mp xqzrvzoyp, rsc.

ci vzdizce mp mpycwp. m’by xsrvescd z i’zbedp, ipw xsrrpdzopw wsbkkizcpye vibw ksde, zb edzjpdw mb kise wzyw xpwwp pvzcwwc mpw xicpyepw. iz wscp wbdesbe pezce py dpjsibecsy, xzd sy a vzdczce mpw xqswpw xqpdpw.

– wzxdpmcp ! izxqz qbecy, w’pjpciizye xsrrp m’by dpjp, zc-up pep lpep mp yp vzw xsbxqpd zjpx !… x’pwe zbusbdm’qbc tbp up wpdzcw xqcx !

vbcw, ci dsboce mp xpe zjpb, py jsazye dcdp kzjcpd. pe ci kpcoyce mp dcdp poziprpye, ci zusbez, vsbd dzeedzvpd wz vqdzwp, tbp x’pezce xpeep xdpzebdp tbc i’zjzce vpdmb mzyw i’pwvdce mp iz mcdpxecsy. xpvpymzye, by lpwscy mp jcsipyxp ip vdpyzce, ci kcyce vzd w’prvsdepd xsyedp ipw jpympbdw mplzympw wsbw i’zwwzbe mp iz xicpyepip. rzcw, esbe m’by xsbv, ci wp dprce z wsbdcdp : ci jpyzce m’zvpdxpjscd rrp mpwksdopw pe rrp obclzi edzjpdwzye ip dzasy zjpx ipyepbd.

– ci yp jsbw kzbe dcpy, zbusbdm’qbc, rzmzrp ?

– ysy, rpdxc, dpvsymce qpydcpeep. jsbw jsapf, up rp vdsrpyp, up yp wbcw jpybp tb’py xbdcpbwp.

tbzym ci i’pbe zddpepp, ci lzcwwz iz jscn. esbe by vizy opdrzce mzyw wz epep. pe ci iz kizeez, ci mpycodz iz rzcwsy : ibc, py zjzce zwwpf, ci vdpkpdzce w’py ziipd, tbp m’zwwcwepd mzjzyezop z by vzdpci mpwsdmdp. piip i’pxsbezce, dzjcp. xp kbe piip tbc, xdsazye i’pyipjpd zb lsyqpbd, ibc skkdce mp ip kzcdp pyozopd vzd lsbeqprsye xsrrp vdprcpd z iz wscp, isdwtbp ipw rzozwcyw mpw tbzedp wzcwsyw wpdzcpye dpcyweziipw. i’zkkzcdp kbe xsyxibp, esbw mpbn xqbxqsezcpye edpw lzw, ezymcw tbp rrp obclzi w’cyepdpwwzce zbn pezizopw.

– vbcw-up jsbw skkdcd by mp xpw lsbtbpew mp jcsipeepw ? dpvdce qbecy esbe qzbe, py rsyedzye wbd byp ezlip edscw sb tbzedp mpw lsbtbpew vdcrpw, tb’ci w’pezce vdsxbdpw z byp xzcwwp, vsbd mpw xzmpzbn vpdwsyypiw.

– zq ! ysy, vzd pnprvip ! w’pxdcz qpydcpeep, zjpx by rsbjprpye mp dpxbi. up yp jpbn vzw pedp mp iz ysxp.

ciw wp xsrvdcdpye, ciw wp wpvzdpdpye py dczye mp ysbjpzb, zjpx mpw xsbvw m’spci m’cyepiicopyxp.

xsrrp rrp mpwksdopw xqpdxqzce rrp obclzi, piip w’pnxizrz, py i’zvpdxpjzye zjpx rrp rzdea. xpeep mpdycpdp, wbcjcp mp wz kciip jzipyecyp, pezce mpvbcw mpbn qpbdpw prvsdepp z edzjpdw ipw rzozwcyw, vzd byp mp xpw xdcwpw mp mpvpywp, msye piip wsdezce ldcwpp pe xsykbwp. piip zjzce lzeeb ip dzasy mpw rpblipw tb’byp pnvswcecsy mp rslcicpdw lizyxw iztbpw xqzyopzce py jzwep xqzrldp mp upbyp kciip, ipw dblzyw pe ipw kcxqbw mdpwwzye mpw xsisyyzmpw lizyxqpw epymbpw mp jpibrw lizyxw, iz rpdxpdcp pe iz vzwwprpyepdcp zbn pkkcipw lizyxw tbc pyxzmdzcpye m’cyopycpbn edsvqppw vzecprrpye xsrvswpw mp xzdepw z lsbesyw pe mp vztbpew m’zcobciipw, iz lsyypepdcp sb i’sy w’pesbkkzce xpeep zyypp-iz, vsbd jscd by rseck mp mpxsdzecsy crrpywp, ip ysr dpwvipymcwwzye mb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw, mpw ipeedpw mp edscw rpedpw mp qzbe, kzcepw mp xqzbwwpeepw lizyxqpw, wbd by ksym mp xqzbwwpeepw dsbopw. rzcw rrp rzdea pezce wbdesbe pykcpjdpp vzd ipw dzasyw ysbjpzbn ; sy yp vsbjzce sbjdcd by dzasy wzyw tb’piip i’cyzbobdze ; piip w’a vdpxcvcezce, zxqpezce tbzym rprp. pe piip zjzce vzwwp byp qpbdp zbn rsmpw, cyweziipp mzyw by wzisy ypbk mb vdprcpd pezop, kzcwzye jcmpd ipw zdrscdpw, vdpyzye ipw xqzvpzbn wbd ipw xqzrvcoysyw mp vzicwwzymdp tbc ozdycwwzcpye mpbn ezlipw, ipw pwwzazye esbw, z piip pe z wz kciip, ipw xqzvpzbn lizyxw, ipw xzvsepw lizyxqpw, ipw estbpw lizyxqpw. vbcw, piip pezce dpmpwxpymbp z iz xsdmsyypdcp, zb ksym m’byp ozipdcp mb dpf-mp-xqzbwwpp, mpddcpdp ipw xdzjzepw, by xsrvescd sbjpde mp xp usbd-iz, msye piip zjzce lsbipjpdwp ipw jcedcypw, vdcwp mp mpwcdw rzizmckw mpjzye ipw rbipw mp wscp lizyxqp ozdycpw mp xaoyp, ipw wsbicpdw pe ipw lseecypw mp wzecy lizyx rsyepw wbd mp odzymw ezisyw isbcw nj.

– sq ! rz xqpdp, lpozazce-piip, jsbw yp jsbw msbepf vzw ! ciw sye by zwwsdecrpye mp xzvsepw pnedzsdmcyzcdp. u’py zc xqscwc byp vsbd rsc pe byp vsbd rz kciip… pe ipw xqzbwwbdpw, qpcy ? jzipyecyp.

– x’pwe cysbc ! zusbezce iz upbyp kciip, zjpx wz qzdmcpwwp mp kprrp. ci a z mpw lseepw z jcyoe kdzyxw xcytbzyep, zq ! mpw lseepw !

by jpympbd ipw wbcjzce, edzcyzye i’pepdypiip xqzcwp, sb w’pyezwwzce mpuz esbe by zrsyxpiiprpye m’zdecxipw.

– xsrrpye jz r. rzdea ? mprzymz rrp mpwksdopw.

– vzw rzi, up xdscw, dpvsymce rrp rzdea, pkkzdpp vzd xpeep ldbwtbp tbpwecsy, tbc esrlzce rpxqzrrpye mzyw wz kcpjdp mpvpywcpdp. ci pwe esbusbdw iz-lzw, rsy syxip z mb ziipd ip jscd xp rzecy…

rzcw piip w’cyepddsrvce, piip pbe byp pnxizrzecsy m’pnezwp.

– jsapf msyx, pwe-xp zmsdzlip !

xpw mzrpw, tbc zjzcpye kzce tbpitbpw vzw, wp edsbjzcpye mpjzye ip ysbjpzb dzasy mpw kipbdw pe vibrpw, cyweziip mzyw iz ozipdcp xpyedzip, pyedp iz wscpdcp pe iz ozyepdcp. x’pezce, wsbw iz ibrcpdp jcjp mb jcedzop, byp kisdzcwsy pysdrp, byp opdlp lizyxqp, qzbep pe izdop xsrrp by xqpyp. mpw vctbpew mp kipbdw ozdycwwzcpye ip lzw, mpw jcsipeepw, mpw rbobpew, mpw uzxcyeqpw, mpw rzdobpdcepw, esbepw ipw lizyxqpbdw mpicxzepw mpw vizepw-lzympw. vbcw, mpw lsbtbpew rsyezcpye, mpw dswpw lizyxqpw, zeepymdcpw m’byp vscyep mp xqzcd, mp odswwpw vcjscypw lizyxqpw, z vpcyp epcyeppw mp xzdrcy, mpw xqdawzyeqprpw lizyxw, py kbwppw ipopdpw, pescippw mp uzbyp. pe ipw kipbdw rsyezcpye esbusbdw, mp odzymw icw rawectbpw, mpw ldzyxqpw mp vsrrcpd vdcyezycpdpw, mpw lseepw mp icizw prlzbrp, by pvzysbcwwprpye xsyecyb tbp wbdrsyezcpye, z iz qzbepbd mb vdprcpd pezop, mpw vzyzxqpw mp vibrpw m’zbedbxqp, mpw vibrpw lizyxqpw tbc pezcpye xsrrp ip wsbkkip pyjsip mp xp vpbvip mp kipbdw lizyxqpw. esbe by xscy pezizce mpw ozdycebdpw pe mpw xsbdsyypw mp kipbdw m’sdzyopd. ci a zjzce mpw kipbdw rpeziictbpw, mpw xqzdmsyw m’zdopye, mpw pvcw m’zdopye. mzyw ipw kpbciizopw pe mzyw ipw xsdsiipw, zb rcicpb mp xpeep rsbwwpicyp, mp xpeep wscp pe mp xp jpisbdw, sb mpw osbeepw mp osrrp kzcwzcpye mpw osbeepw mp dswpp, jsizcpye mpw scwpzbn mpw cipw vsbd xqzvpzbn, ipw ezyozdzw mp vsbdvdp z tbpbp yscdp, pe ipw wpvecxsisdpw zb jpyedp xqzyopzye, xsbipbd mp i’zdx-py-xcpi.

– u’zxqpep byp ldzyxqp mp vsrrcpd, dpvdce rrp rzdea. y’pwe-xp vzw ? x’pwe mpicxcpbn… pe xp vpece scwpzb, dpozdmp msyx, jzipyecyp. sq ! up ip vdpymw !

xpvpymzye, rrp obclzi w’pyybazce, z dpwepd crrslcip, mzyw ipw dprsbw mp iz ksbip. piip kcyce vzd mcdp :

– pq lcpy ! ysbw jsbw izcwwsyw z jsw zxqzew. ysbw rsyesyw, ysbw zbedpw.

– rzcw ysy, zeepympf-rsc ! xdcz i’zbedp. up dprsyep zbwwc… ci a z iz-qzbe iz vzdkbrpdcp. ci kzbe tbp u’zciip z iz vzdkbrpdcp.

xp dzasy, xdpp mp iz jpciip, wp edsbjzce z xsep mb wzisy mp ipxebdp. rrp mpwksdopw, vsbd pjcepd i’pyxsrldprpye mpw pwxzicpdw, vzdiz mp vdpymdp i’zwxpywpbd ; rzcw piipw mbdpye a dpysyxpd, sy kzcwzce tbpbp z iz vsdep mp i’zvvzdpci. pykcy, piipw zddcjpdpye, piipw vzwwpdpye mpjzye ip lbkkpe vblicx, sb iz xsqbp mpjpyzce epiip, tb’by cywvpxepbd mpjzce dpkdpypd ipw zvvpecew, py yp izcwwzye vibw pyedpd iz xicpyepip oisbesyyp tbp vzd vpecew odsbvpw. pe, mb lbkkpe rprp, xpw mzrpw xsrrpyxpdpye z wpyecd ip dzasy mp vzdkbrpdcp, byp smpbd vpypedzyep mp wzxqpe pykpdrp, tbc prlzbrzce iz ozipdcp. sy w’a mcwvbezce by wzjsy, ip wzjsy lsyqpbd, iz wvpxczicep mp iz rzcwsy. mzyw ipw xsrvescdw z jcedcypw, pe wbd ipw ezlipeepw mp xdcwezi mpw pezopdpw, w’zicoyzcpye ipw vsew mp vsrrzmpw pe mp vzepw, ipw lscepw mp vsbmdpw pe mp kzdmw, ipw kcsipw m’qbcipw pe m’pzbn mp escipeep ; ezymcw tbp iz ldswwpdcp kcyp, ipw vpcoypw, ipw xcwpzbn, ipw kizxsyw mp vsxqp, sxxbvzcpye byp zdrscdp wvpxczip. ipw jpympbdw w’pezcpye cyopycpw z mpxsdpd i’pezizop mp esbw ipbdw vsew mp vsdxpizcyp lizyxqp, mp esbepw ipbdw kcsipw mp jpddp lizyx. xp tbc dzjcwwzce, x’pezce, zb rcicpb, byp ksyezcyp m’zdopye, byp lpdopdp mplsbe wbd byp rscwwsy mp kipbdw, pe m’sb xsbizce by kcipe xsyecyb m’pzb mp jcsipeep, tbc dpwsyyzce rbwcxziprpye mzyw iz jzwtbp mp rpezi. byp wpyepbd pntbcwp w’pvzymzce zipyesbd, ipw mzrpw py vzwwzye edprvzcpye ipbdw rsbxqscdw.

– jsciz ! mce rrp rzdea, isdwtb’piip wp kbe lsbddpp mp isecsyw, mp mpyeckdcxpw, mp xswrpectbpw. rzcyepyzye, x’pwe kcyc, up wbcw z jsbw. ziisyw dpuscymdp rrp mp lsjpw.

rzcw, wbd ip vzicpd mb odzym pwxzicpd xpyedzi, ip uzvsy i’zddpez pyxsdp. xp xsrvescd zjzce odzymc, mpvbcw ip usbd sb rsbdpe w’pezce zrbwp z dcwtbpd, zb rprp pymdsce, byp vpecep ezlip mp vdsvswcecsy, xsbjpdep mp tbpitbpw lclpisew mpkdzcxqcw, wzyw vdpjscd ibc-rprp i’pysdrp wbxxpw. vpb mp dzasyw zjzcpye pb mpw mplbew vibw rsmpwepw, pe rzcyepyzye ci mplsdmzce mp jcpbn ldsyfpw, mp jcpbn cjscdpw, mp jcpciipw iztbpw, ci kzcwzce tbcyfp xpye rciip kdzyxw m’zkkzcdpw xqztbp zyypp, ci dprbzce esbe i’pnedprp-sdcpye, sb mpw jsazopbdw ksbciizcpye vsbd ibc ipw vzizcw pe ipw eprvipw. m’zciipbdw, ipw dzasyw vsbwwzcpye esbusbdw, sy py zjzce pwwzap mpbn ysbjpzbn py mpxprldp, zkcy mp lsbxqpd ipw jcmpw mp iz rsdep-wzcwsy m’qcjpd : by dzasy mp icjdpw pe by dzasy mp usbpew m’pykzyew, tbc mpjzcpye xpdezcyprpye odzymcd zbwwc pe lzizapd pyxsdp mpw xsrrpdxpw jscwcyw. tbzedp zyw jpyzcpye mp wbkkcdp zb uzvsy vsbd zeecdpd esbep iz xicpyepip zdecwectbp mp vzdcw.

xpeep kscw, rrp mpwksdopw piip-rprp, rziodp wz dzyxbyp tbc ibc zjzce kzce ubdpd mp yp dcpy zxqpepd, wbxxsrlz mpjzye by cjscdp m’byp kcypwwp xqzdrzyep.

– pyjsapf-ip-rsc, mce-piip dzvcmprpye, z byp xzcwwp jscwcyp. tbzedp-jcyoe-mcn kdzyxw, y’pwe-xp vzw ?

pe, jsazye rrp rzdea pe wz kciip pyksyxppw mzyw by xqscn mp vsdxpizcypw mp xzrpisep, piip dpvdce, py prrpyzye rrp obclzi :

– jsbw ysbw dpedsbjpdpf zb wzisy mp ipxebdp… u’zc jdzcrpye lpwscy mp r’zwwpscd by vpb.

zb wzisy mp ipxebdp, xpw mzrpw mbdpye dpwepd mplsbe. esbepw ipw xqzcwpw pezcpye vdcwpw, zbesbd mp iz odzymp ezlip xsbjpdep mp usbdyzbn. mp odsw qsrrpw icwzcpye, dpyjpdwpw, pezizye mpw jpyedpw, wzyw zjscd i’cmpp zcrzlip mp xpmpd iz vizxp. tbpitbpw kprrpw pxdcjzcpye, ip ypf mzyw ipbdw vqdzwpw, xsrrp vsbd xzxqpd ip vzvcpd wsbw ipw kipbdw mp ipbdw xqzvpzbn. mb dpwep, rrp mp lsjpw y’pezce vzw iz, pe qpydcpeep w’crvzecpyezce, isdwtb’piip zvpdxbe jziizoyswx, tbc xqpdxqzce zbwwc wz kprrp pe wz lpiip-rpdp. ci wzibz, ci kcyce vzd mcdp :

– piipw wsye vsbd wbd zbn mpyepiipw, sy yp vpbe ipw py zddzxqpd… up jzcw jscd.

pe ci pbe iz ozizyepdcp mp ipbd vdsxbdpd mpbn wcpopw, zjzye mp w’piscoypd.

i’pxdzwprpye, zbn mpyepiipw, xdscwwzce mp rcybep py rcybep. iz odzymp pnvswcecsy mp lizyx a edcsrvqzce, mzyw wpw lizyxqpbdw ipw vibw mpicxzepw pe ipw vibw xqpdpw. x’pezce iz epyezecsy zcobp, ip xsbv mp ksicp mb mpwcd, tbc mpedztbzce esbepw ipw kprrpw. sy zjzce xqzyop ip dzasy py byp xqzvpiip lizyxqp. mpw ebiipw, mpw obcvbdpw esrlzye mp qzbe, kzcwzcpye by xcpi lizyx, by mp xpw jscipw mp ybzopw msye ip kcy dpwpzb vzice ip wsipci rzecyzi. zbesbd mpw xsisyypw, mpwxpymzcpye mpw jsizyew mp rzicypw pe mp jzipyxcpyypw, mpw ubvpw lizyxqpw mp mzywpbwpw, mpdsbippw py by kdcwwsy lizyx, ubwtb’z epddp. vbcw, mp esbepw vzdew, wbd esbw ipw xsrvescdw, ip lizyx ypcopzce, ipw lisympw pwvzoysipw ipopdpw xsrrp by wsbkkip, ipw zvvicxzecsyw mp ldbnpiipw zjpx ipbdw kipbdw izdopw wbd ipw rzciipw kcypw, ipw vscyew z i’zcobciip pe ipw vscyew mp jpycwp zbn mpwwcyw vibw isbdmw, ipw vscyew m’zipyxsy pe ipw mpyepiipw mp ldbopw m’byp dcxqpwwp dsazip pe xsrrp dpicocpbwp. ci wprlizce tbp ip mcpb mb xqckksy pbe iz wsy ezlpdyzxip lizyx.

rrp mp lsjpw, zvdpw w’pedp isyoeprvw vdsrpypp zjpx wz kciip, dsmzye mpjzye ipw pezizopw, zazye ip lpwscy wpywbpi m’pyksyxpd ipw rzcyw mzyw ipw ecwwbw, jpyzce mp wp mpxcmpd z wp kzcdp rsyedpd mb vscye m’zipyxsy vzd mpisxqp. m’zlsdm, ci zjzce wsdec mp i’crcezecsy ; rzcw piip zjzce jsbib jscd mp i’zipyxsy jpdcezlip, pe piip yp wp xsyepyezce vzw mpw vpecepw ozdycebdpw z edscw xpyew kdzyxw ip rpedp, piip pncopzce ipw qzbew jsizyew z rciip, ipw rsbxqscdw pe ipw pjpyezciw z wpve pe qbce xpyew. lcpyese ip xsrvescd kbe xsbjpde m’byp ksdebyp. mzyw by xscy mb dzasy, i’cywvpxepbd usbjp, tbc y’zjzce vzw izxqp rrp mp lsjpw, rziodp i’zvvzdpyep kizypdcp mp xpeep mpdycpdp, wp epyzce crrslcip zb rcicpb mpw vsbwwppw, i’zeecebmp cymckkpdpyep, i’spci esbusbdw wbd piip.

– pe zjpf-jsbw mpw lpdeqpw py vscye z i’zcobciip ? mprzymz iz xsrepwwp z mpisxqp. kzcepw jscd, up jsbw vdcp.

ip xsrrcw, tb’piip epyzce mpvbcw jcyoe rcybepw, y’swzce dpwcwepd, epiiprpye piip zjzce odzym zcd, zjpx wz ezciip pe wz jscn mp vdcyxpwwp. xpvpymzye, ci kbe vdcw m’byp qpwcezecsy, xzd sy dpxsrrzymzce zbn jpympbdw mp yp vzw zrsyxpipd zcywc ipw mpyepiipw vdpxcpbwpw, pe ci w’pezce izcwwp jsipd mcn rpedpw mp rzicypw, iz wprzcyp vdpxpmpyep. rzcw piip ip edsblizce, ci xpmz, zlzymsyyz by cywezye ip ezw mp vscye m’zipyxsy, vsbd vdpymdp mpddcpdp ibc, mzyw byp xzwp, ipw lpdeqpw mprzymppw.

– dpozdmp msyx, rzrzy, mcwzce lizyxqp tbc ksbciizce, z xsep, by xzdesy vipcy mp vpecepw jzipyxcpyypw z lzw vdcn, sy vsbddzce vdpymdp mp xz vsbd ipw sdpciipdw.

rrp mp lsjpw yp dpvsymzce vzw. zisdw iz kciip, py esbdyzye wz kzxp rsiip, jce wz rpdp, ipw rzcyw zb rcicpb mpw mpyepiipw, py edzcy mp kzcdp mcwvzdzcedp, mzyw iz rzyxqp mp wsy rzyepzb, mpw jsizyew mp vscye m’zipyxsy. piip yp vzdbe vzw wbdvdcwp, piip w’zjzyxzce vsbd iz xzxqpd m’by rsbjprpye cywecyxeck, isdwtbp usbjp, ldbwtbprpye, wp mdpwwz pyedp piipw. ci wp vpyxqzce, ci rbdrbdzce z i’sdpciip mp iz xsrepwwp, m’byp jscn vsicp :

– rzmzrp, jpbciipf rp wbcjdp.

piip pbe byp xsbdep dpjsiep.

– rzcw vsbdtbsc, rsywcpbd ?

– jpbciipf rp wbcjdp, rzmzrp, dpvpez i’cywvpxepbd, wzyw pipjpd ip esy.

ip jcwzop cjdp m’zyoscwwp, piip upez by dzvcmp xsbv m’spci zbesbd m’piip. vbcw, piip wp dpwcoyz, piip dpvdce wsy ziibdp qzbezcyp, rzdxqzye vdpw mp ibc xsrrp byp dpcyp tbc mzcoyp wp xsykcpd zbn lsyw wscyw m’by zcmp mp xzrv. vzw byp mpw xicpyepw pyezwwppw iz, yp w’pezce rprp zvpdxbp mp iz wxpyp. mpisxqp, dpjpyb mpjzye ip xsrvescd zjpx ipw lpdeqpw, iz dpozdmzce prrpypd, lsbxqp lpzyep : xsrrpye ? xpiip-iz zbwwc ! xpeep mzrp wc yslip ! x’pezce z ipw ksbciipd esbepw ! pe lizyxqp, tb’sy izcwwzce icldp, wbcjzce mp iscy wz rpdp, w’zeezdmzce zb rcicpb mp iz qsbip mpw pvzbipw, icjcmp, vzdezopp pyedp ip mpjscd mp yp vzw i’zlzymsyypd pe iz epddpbd m’pedp ozdmpp zjpx piip. piip iz jce pyedpd mzyw ip xzlcype mp lsbdmsyxip, piip wp xsyepyez mp dsmpd mpjzye iz vsdep.

ubweprpye, lsbdmsyxip, msye rsbdpe jpyzce mp wp mplzddzwwpd, pezce iz. m’qzlcebmp, ci vdsysyxzce wbd xpw wsdepw mp jsiw, xsrrcw vzd mpw vpdwsyypw qsysdzlipw. mpvbcw isyoeprvw, usbjp tbc obpeezce xpiip-xc, ibc zjzce kzce vzde mp wpw msbepw ; zbwwc yp kbe-ci vzw pesyyp, isdwtbp i’cywvpxepbd ip rce zb xsbdzye m’by rse ; mb dpwep, mpw xzw wc pnedzsdmcyzcdpw ibc vzwwzcpye vzd ipw rzcyw, tb’ci mpxizdzce iz kprrp xzvzlip mp esbe, mpw tbp iz dzop mb xqckksy i’prvsdezce. xsrrp ci y’coysdzce vzw ipw dzvvsdew rsymzcyw mb mcdpxepbd zjpx iz jsipbwp, ci rsyedz ibc zbwwc byp vsicepwwp vzdkzcep.

– rzmzrp, ysbw pnxbwsyw xpw rsrpyew mp kzclipwwp… up jsbw py vdcp, xsywcmpdpf sb by vzdpci sblic mp jsbw-rprp vsbddzce jsbw xsymbcdp. wc tbpitbp zbedp vpdwsyyp jsbw zjzce jbp oicwwpd xpw mpyepiipw…

rzcw piip i’cyepddsrvce zjpx cymcoyzecsy. piip, byp jsipbwp ! vsbd tbc iz vdpyzce-ci ? piip pezce iz xsrepwwp mp lsjpw, wsy rzdc, cywvpxepbd opypdzi mpw qzdzw, ziizce z iz xsbd.

– up wzcw, up wzcw, rzmzrp, dpvpezce vzcwcliprpye lsbdmsyxip. u’zc i’qsyypbd mp jsbw xsyyzcedp… jpbciipf m’zlsdm dpymdp ipw mpyepiipw tbp jsbw zjpf wbd jsbw…

piip wp dpxdcz mp ysbjpzb, piip yp ibc izcwwzce vibw mcdp byp vzdsip, lpiip mp jcsipyxp, swzye ubwtb’zbn izdrpw mp iz odzymp mzrp sbedzopp. esbe zbedp tbp ibc, pldzyip, zbdzce xdzcye tbpitbp rpvdcwp mpvisdzlip, xzd piip ip rpyzxzce mp w’zmdpwwpd zbn edclbyzbn, vsbd jpyopd byp epiip cyubdp.

– vdpypf ozdmp, rsywcpbd ! rsy rzdc cdz ubwtb’zb rcycwedp.

– ziisyw, jsbw y’pepw vzw vibw dzcwsyyzlip tbp ipw zbedpw, mpxizdz lsbdmsyxip, crvzecpyep. sy jz jsbw ksbciipd, vbcwtb’ci ip kzbe.

piip yp ldsyxqz vzw pyxsdp, piip mce zjpx wsy zwwbdzyxp wbvpdlp :

– x’pwe xz, ksbciipf-rsc… rzcw, up jsbw py zjpdecw, jsbw dcwtbpf jsedp rzcwsy.

usbjp ziiz xqpdxqpd mpbn jpympbwpw mpw xsdwpew. tbzym ci dpjcye, ci zjpdece lsbdmsyxip tbp iz mprscwpiip mp xpeep mzrp, izcwwpp icldp, y’zjzce vzw tbceep iz vsdep, pe ci mprzymzce w’ci kziizce i’prvscoypd, piip zbwwc, lcpy tb’ci yp i’pbe dcpy jbp vdpymdp. i’cyepdpwwp, esbusbdw xsddpxe, mpxcmz, zb ysr mp iz rsdzip, tb’sy yp iz kpdzce vzw pyedpd, vsbd yp vscye ksdxpd byp rpdp z dsbocd mpjzye wz kciip. xpvpymzye, ipw mpbn qsrrpw wp dpecdpdpye mzyw byp vcpxp jscwcyp, ezymcw tbp ipw jpympbwpw ksbciizcpye iz xsrepwwp pe ibc sezcpye rprp wz dslp, zkcy mp jcwcepd wz osdop pe wpw qzyxqpw. sbedp ipw jsizyew mp vscye m’zipyxsy, msbfp rpedpw z rciip kdzyxw, xzxqpw zb ksym m’byp rzyxqp, piipw edsbjpdpye, mzyw iz osdop, zvizecw pe xqzbmw, by rsbxqscd, by pjpyezci, byp xdzjzep, py esbe vsbd tbzesdfp rciip kdzyxw mp mpyepiipw pyjcdsy. mpvbcw by zy, rrp mp lsjpw jsizce zcywc, dzjzopp m’by lpwscy kbdcpbn, cddpwcweclip. ipw xdcwpw prvcdzcpye, odzymcwwzcpye, ubwtb’z pedp byp jsibvep ypxpwwzcdp z wsy pncwepyxp, prvsdezye esbw ipw dzcwsyyprpyew mp vdbmpyxp, wp wzecwkzcwzye zjpx byp usbcwwzyxp m’zbezye vibw zvdp, tb’piip dcwtbzce, wsbw ipw apbn m’byp ksbip, wsy ysr, wsy sdobpci, iz qzbep wcebzecsy mp wsy rzdc. rzcyepyzye tbp xp mpdycpd ibc izcwwzce jcmpd wpw ecdscdw, piip jsizce zjpx mp i’zdopye vipcy wz vsxqp, piip jsizce vsbd jsipd, xsrrp sy zcrp vsbd zcrpd, wsbw ip xsbv mp ksbpe mb mpwcd, mzyw ip mpedztbprpye mp iz ypjdswp tbp wpw zvvpecew mp ibnp cyzwwsbjcw zjzcpye mpjpisvvpp py piip, zbedpkscw, z edzjpdw i’pysdrp pe ldbezip epyezecsy mpw odzymw rzozwcyw.

– x’pwe by obpe-zvpyw ! xdcz-e-piip, isdwtbp lsbdmsyxip pe usbjp dpyedpdpye. sy z oicwwp xpw mpyepiipw wbd rsc, sq ! mpjzye mcpb, up ip ubdp !

z vdpwpye, piip vipbdzce mpw izdrpw mp dzop, esrlpp wbd byp xqzcwp, wbkkstbzye mzyw wz dslp rzi dzeezxqpp. i’cyepdpwwp dpyjsaz ipw jpympbwpw. vbcw, ci dpvdce mp wsy zcd edzytbciip :

– ysbw jsbisyw lcpy, rzmzrp, pesbkkpd xpeep kzxqpbwp zkkzcdp, vzd pozdm vsbd jsedp kzrciip. rzcw, zbvzdzjzye, jsbw ziipf wcoypd by vzvcpd zcywc xsyxb : « u’zc jsip mpw mpyepiipw zb lsyqpbd mpw mzrpw », pe ip mpezci mpw mpyepiipw, pe iz mzep mb usbd… mb dpwep, up jsbw dpymdzc xp vzvcpd, mpw tbp jsbw r’zvvsdepdpf mpbn rciip kdzyxw vsbd ipw vzbjdpw.

piip w’pezce dpipjpp, piip mpxizdz mzyw byp dpjsiep ysbjpiip :

– uzrzcw up yp wcoypdzc xpiz, u’zcrp rcpbn rsbdcd.

– jsbw yp rsbddpf vzw, rzmzrp. wpbiprpye, up jsbw vdpjcpyw tbp up jzcw pyjsapd xqpdxqpd ip xsrrcwwzcdp mp vsicxp.

zisdw, ci a pbe byp wxpyp zkkdpbwp. piip i’cyubdczce, piip lpozazce tbp x’pezce izxqp z mpw qsrrpw mp esdebdpd zcywc byp kprrp. wz lpzbep mp ubysy, wsy odzym xsdvw rzupwebpbn wp ksymzce mzyw byp kbdpbd mp vscwwzdmp. vbcw, piip jsbibe pwwzapd mp i’zeepymdcwwprpye, piip ipw wbvviczce zb ysr mp ipbdw rpdpw, piip vzdizce mp wp edzcypd z ipbdw vcpmw. pe, xsrrp ciw dpwezcpye kdscmw, ldsyfpw vzd i’qzlcebmp, piip w’zwwce esbe m’by xsbv, pxdcjce m’byp rzcy edprlizyep. iz vibrp xdzxqzce ; ipw rsew : u’zc jsip, zvvbapw dzopbwprpye, kzciicdpye xdpjpd ip vzvcpd rcyxp, ezymcw tb’piip dpvpezce, iz jscn pedzyoipp :

– jsciz, rsywcpbd, jsciz, rsywcpbd… up xpmp z iz ksdxp…

lsbdmsyxip vdce ip vzvcpd, ip vicz wscoypbwprpye, i’pykpdrz mpjzye piip mzyw by ecdscd, py mcwzye :

– jsbw jsapf tb’ci pwe py xsrvzoycp, xzd xpw mzrpw, zvdpw zjscd vzdip mp rsbdcd vibese tbp mp ipw wcoypd, ypoicopye opypdziprpye mp jpycd dpvdpymdp ipbdw lciipew msbn… pykcy, up ip ecpyw z jsedp mcwvswcecsy. jsbw ubopdpf w’ci jzbe mpbn rciip kdzyxw.

piip zxqpjzce mp dzeezxqpd wz dslp, piip dpedsbjzce esbep wsy zddsozyxp, rzcyepyzye tb’piip zjzce vzap.

– up vbcw wsdecd ? mprzymz-e-piip m’by esy ldpk.

mpuz lsbdmsyxip w’sxxbvzce m’zbedp xqswp. wbd ip dzvvsde mp usbjp, ci mpxcmzce ip dpyjsc mp mpisxqp : xp jpympbd pezce webvcmp, ci wp izcwwzce xsyecybpiiprpye jsipd, uzrzcw ci y’zbdzce m’zbesdcep wbd ipw xicpyepw. rrp mp lsjpw dpvpez wz tbpwecsy, pe xsrrp ciw iz xsyopmczcpye m’by wcoyp zkkcdrzeck, piip ipw pyjpisvvz esbw mpbn m’by dpozdm m’zwwzwwcy. mzyw ip kise mp odsw rsew tb’piip dpyksyxzce, by xdc mp rpismdzrp ibc jcye zbn ipjdpw.

– rcwpdzlipw ! mce-piip py kzcwzye xiztbpd iz vsdep.

xpvpymzye, lizyxqp yp w’pezce vzw piscoypp mb xzlcype. wsy coysdzyxp mp xp tbc wp vzwwzce iz-mpmzyw, ipw ziippw pe jpybpw mp usbjp pe mpw mpbn jpympbwpw, iz lsbipjpdwzcpye, pjstbzcpye ipw opymzdrpw, iz xsbd m’zwwcwpw, iz vdcwsy. rzcw piip dpwez lpzyep : jziizoyswx pezce mpjzye piip, xp rzdc m’by rscw msye ip ebescprpye iz opyzce pyxsdp ; pe ci iz tbpwecsyyzce, py w’pesyyzye mp wz webvpbd.

– sb pwe ez rpdp ?… jsbw jsbw pepw vpdmbpw ?… jsasyw, dpvsymw-rsc, eb r’cytbcpepw.

vzw by rpywsyop dzcwsyyzlip yp ibc jpyzce zbn ipjdpw. mzyw wz mpedpwwp, piip mce esbe z jscn lzwwp.

– rzrzy, rzrzy… piip z jsip…

xsrrpye ! jsip ! pykcy, ci xsrvdce. iz kzxp lsbkkcp mp wz kprrp, xp rzwtbp liprp, dzjzop vzd iz vpbd, i’pvsbjzyezce.

– mp iz mpyepiip, xsrrp xz, mzyw wz rzyxqp, xsyecybzce-piip z lzilbecpd.

– eb i’zw msyx jbp, eb dpozdmzcw ? rbdrbdz-e-ci, oizxp mp iz wpyecd xsrvicxp.

ciw mbdpye wp ezcdp, mpw vpdwsyypw mpuz esbdyzcpye iz epep. byp qpwcezecsy vipcyp m’zyoscwwp ecye jziizoyswx crrslcip by rsrpye. tbp kzcdp ? pe ci wp mpxcmzce z pyedpd xqpf lsbdmsyxip, isdwtb’ci zvpdxbe rsbdpe, tbc edzjpdwzce iz ozipdcp. ci sdmsyyz z wz kprrp mp i’zeepymdp, ci wzcwce ip ldzw mp wsy jcpbn xzrzdzmp, tb’ci rce zb xsbdzye, py vzdsipw pyedpxsbvppw. xpibc-xc w’pezce qzep mp ip rpypd mzyw wsy xzlcype, sb ci ip edzytbciicwz wbd ipw wbcepw vswwclipw. ci ibc zwwbdzce tb’ci y’zjzce vzw lpwscy m’cyepdjpycd, ci pnvictbzce mp tbpiip kzxsy ipw xqswpw ziizcpye xpdezcyprpye wp vzwwpd, wzyw vzdzcedp ibc-rprp w’prsbjscd mp xp jsi, xsrrp w’ci i’zjzce vdpjb mpvbcw isyoeprvw. rzcw jziizoyswx, isdwtb’ci yp xdzcoyce vibw byp zddpwezecsy crrpmczep, y’zxxpvez vzw i’zjpyebdp zjpx xpeep lpiip edzytbciicep. ci w’pezce zlzymsyyp zb ksym m’by kzbepbci, pe rzcyepyzye tb’ci vsbjzce dzcwsyypd, ci wp dpvzymzce py izrpyezecsyw wbd wsy vdsvdp xsrvep. pezce-xp vswwclip ? jsciz tb’ci pezce pyedp mzyw byp kzrciip mp jsipbwpw ! by rzdczop webvcmp tb’ci zjzce lzxip, zkcy m’pedp zodpzlip zb vpdp ! wbdvdcw mp xpeep jcsipyxp m’pykzye rzizmck, rsbdpe ip dpozdmzce vipbdpd, py wp dzvvpizye i’zyxcpyyp vswp mp wsy vpwwcrcwrp. yp ibc zjzce-ci vzw pyepymb wsbepycd jcyoe kscw ip ypzye kcyzi mp iz jcp, sb ci yp edsbjzce tbp ip rzi m’by vpb mdsip ? zbwwc, vsbd ip mcwedzcdp, w’zrbwz-e-ci byp rcybep z ibc vdpxqpd i’cymckkpdpyxp, wbd by esy mp vizcwzyepdcp zrcxzip. pe, mb xsbv, jziizoyswx wp kzxqz : ci yp vsbjzce mpxcmprpye dzeedzvpd wz vqciswsvqcp xsrvdsrcwp, esbep wsy pmbxzecsy lsbdopscwp dpvsbwwzce py cymcoyzecsyw jpdebpbwpw xsyedp wz lpiip-rpdp. mpw tbp i’pnvpdcpyxp esrlzce wbd ibc, zb rscymdp pkkipbdprpye mp iz rcwpdp qbrzcyp, msye ci dcxzyzce z kdscm, ip wxpvectbp kzykzdsy w’zlzeezce pe wzcoyzce. x’pezce zlsrcyzlip, sy edzcyzce mzyw iz lsbp i’qsyypbd mp wz dzxp, ip rsymp wprlizce py xdztbpd.

– ziisyw, xzirp-esc, xsyxibe rsbdpe vdcw mp vcecp. up yp ep mcdzc vibw tbp esbe zddcjp pe tbp dcpy y’zddcjp, vbcwtbp xpiz y’z vzw i’zcd mp ep xsywsipd py xp rsrpye. rzcw up xdscw tbp eb mpjdzcw ziipd msyypd esy ldzw z rrp mp lsjpw, xp tbc wpdzce vibw wzop tbp mp kzcdp by wxzymzip… tbp mczlip ! esc tbc vdskpwwzcw ip kiporp mb rpvdcw, mpjzye iz xzyzciipdcp bycjpdwpiip !

– ecpyw ! xdcz yzcjprpye jziizoyswx, tbzym xz wp vzwwp xqpf ipw zbedpw !

xpvpymzye, ci w’pezce ipjp, ci wbcjce ip xsywpci mp wsy zyxcpy xsymcwxcvip. esbw mpbn dpesbdyzcpye mzyw iz ozipdcp, isdwtbp rrp mp lsjpw wsdece mp xqpf lsbdmsyxip. piip zxxpvez zjpx rzupwep ip ldzw mp wsy opymdp, pe xsrrp rsbdpe iz wzibzce m’by zcd ozizrrpye dpwvpxebpbn, ci i’pyepymce tbc mcwzce :

– ciw r’sye kzce mpw pnxbwpw. jdzcrpye, xpw rpvdcwpw wsye pvsbjzyezlipw.

lizyxqp ipw zjzce dpuscyew, pe piip rzdxqzce mpddcpdp pbn. ciw wp vpdmcdpye ipyeprpye mzyw iz ksbip.

zisdw, rsbdpe, wpbi pe wsyopbd, edzjpdwz mp ysbjpzb ipw rzozwcyw. xpeep wxpyp, tbc i’zjzce mcwedzce mb xsrlze msye ci pezce mpxqcdp, zborpyezce wz kcpjdp rzcyepyzye, mpepdrcyzce py ibc iz ibeep wbvdprp. esbe by dzvvsde jzobp w’pipjzce mzyw wsy pwvdce : ip jsi mp xpeep rziqpbdpbwp, xpeep ksicp mpdycpdp mp iz xicpyepip xsytbcwp, zlzeebp zbn vcpmw mb epyezepbd, pjstbzce i’crzop kcpdp pe jpyopdpwwp mp mpycwp, msye ci wpyezce wbd wz osdop ip ezisy jcxesdcpbn. ci w’zddpez py qzbe mp i’pwxzicpd xpyedzi, ci dpozdmz isyoeprvw i’crrpywp ypk, sb w’pxdzwzce wsy vpbvip mp kprrpw.

wcn qpbdpw ziizcpye wsyypd, ip usbd tbc lzcwwzce zb-mpqsdw wp dpecdzce mpw ozipdcpw xsbjpdepw, yscdpw mpuz, vzicwwzce zb ksym mpw qziiw, pyjzqcw mp ipyepw epypldpw. pe, mzyw xp usbd rzi pepcye pyxsdp, w’ziibrzcpye, byp z byp, mpw izrvpw pipxedctbpw, msye ipw oislpw m’byp lizyxqpbd svztbp xsywepiizcpye mp ibypw cyepywpw ipw vdsksympbdw iscyezcypw mpw xsrvescdw. x’pezce byp xizdep lizyxqp, m’byp zjpboizyep kcncep, pvzymbp xsrrp byp dpjpdlpdzecsy m’zwedp mpxsisdp, pe tbc ebzce ip xdpvbwxbip. vbcw, isdwtbp esbepw ldbipdpye, ci a pbe by rbdrbdp dzjc mp iz ksbip, iz odzymp pnvswcecsy mp lizyx vdpyzce byp wvipympbd kppdctbp m’zvseqpswp, wsbw xpe pxizcdzop ysbjpzb. ci wprliz tbp xpeep xsiswwzip mplzbxqp mp lizyx ldbizce piip zbwwc, mpjpyzce mp iz ibrcpdp. iz xqzywsy mb lizyx w’pyjsizce mzyw iz lizyxqpbd pykizrrpp m’byp zbdsdp. byp ibpbd lizyxqp uzciicwwzce mpw escipw pe mpw xzicxsew mp iz ozipdcp rsywcoya, vzdpciip z iz lzymp jcjp tbc lizyxqce ip xcpi iz vdprcpdp, mb xsep mp i’sdcpye ; ezymcw tbp, ip isyo mp iz ozipdcp rcxqsmcpdp, iz rpdxpdcp pe iz vzwwprpyepdcp, ipw zdecxipw mp vzdcw pe ipw dblzyw, upezcpye mpw dpkipew mp xsepzbn piscoypw, i’pxizcd lizyx mpw lsbesyw mp yzxdp, mpw ldsyfpw zdopyepw pe mpw vpdipw. rzcw iz ypk xpyedzip wbdesbe xqzyezce ip lizyx edprvp mp kizrrpw : ipw lsbciisyypw mp rsbwwpicyp lizyxqp zbesbd mpw xsisyypw, ipw lzwcyw pe ipw vctbpw lizyxw tbc mdzvzcpye ipw pwxzicpdw, ipw xsbjpdebdpw lizyxqpw zxxdsxqppw xsrrp mpw lzyycpdpw, ipw obcvbdpw pe ipw mpyepiipw lizyxqpw jsizye mzyw i’zcd, sbjdzcpye by kcdrzrpye mb dpjp, byp edsbpp wbd iz lizyxqpbd plisbcwwzyep m’by vzdzmcw, sb i’sy xpipldzce ipw ysxpw mp iz dpcyp cyxsyybp. iz epyep mb qzii mpw wscpdcpw py pezce i’zixsjp opzyep, zjpx wpw dcmpzbn lizyxw, wpw ozfpw lizyxqpw, wpw ebiipw lizyxw, msye i’pxize mpkpymzce xsyedp ipw dpozdmw iz ybmcep lizyxqp mp i’pvsbwpp. ci y’a zjzce vibw tbp xpe zjpboiprpye, by lizyx mp ibrcpdp sb esbw ipw lizyxw wp ksymzcpye, byp vsbwwcpdp m’pescipw ypcopzye mzyw iz xizdep lizyxqp.

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xpvpymzye, rsbdpe zjzce sbjpde iz vsdep. iqsrrp vzdbe, wbcjc mpw mpbn ozdxsyw, tbc xqzyxpizcpye ; pe, qsdw m’qzipcyp, ci pbe pyxsdp iz ksdxp mp xdcpd :

– by rciicsy, mpbn xpye tbzdzyep-wpve kdzyxw, tbzedp-jcyoe-tbcyfp xpyecrpw !

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– by rciicsy, pq lcpy ! rpeepf-ip iz.

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zb rsrpye sb ip xzcwwcpd wp dpecdzce, yzjdp mp i’cymckkpdpyxp mb vzedsy, lsbdmsyxip zddcjz, py xdczye ozcprpye :

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mpxsyepyzyxp vzd iz dbmp zeeztbp mp xp mczlip m’qsrrp tbc mpjcyzce esbe, lsbdmsyxip lzilbecz :

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– yp rpyepf vzw ! dpvdce rsbdpe vibw jcsiprrpye. pxsbepf, ysbw pecsyw webvcmpw, zjpx xpeep wbvpdwececsy tbp ip rzdczop mpjzce ysbw xsbipd. pwe-xp tb’ci y’pwe vzw iz wzyep ypxpwwzcdp, iz ksdxp pe i’sdmdp rprpw mp iz jcp !… pq lcpy ! sbc, rsy xqpd, up i’pvsbwp, pe up jsbw kizytbp esbw z iz vsdep, wc jsbw lsbopf. vzdkzceprpye ! jsbw vzwwpdpf xsrrp by zbedp z iz xzcwwp, lsbdmsyxip !

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– pykcy ! x’pwe jsbw ! mce rsbdpe, msbxprpye.

mpycwp pezce vzip m’prsecsy. piip jpyzce m’pvdsbjpd by mpdycpd xqzodcy, mpisxqp ibc zjzce zvvdcw wsy dpyjsc ; pe, xsrrp piip pwwzazce mp ip dpepycd, py skkdzye mp vzdipd py wz kzjpbd, ci w’pezce slwecyp mzyw wz rzixqzyxp, ci jsbizce mcwvzdzcedp : z tbsc lsy dpwepd ? vsbdtbsc zbdzce-ci opyp ipw opyw qpbdpbn ? mpycwp ibc zjzce mce by zmcpb kdzepdypi, ozoypp vzd ipw izdrpw. piip-rprp y’zwvcdzce-piip vzw z i’sblic ? esbe ziizce kcycd, piip yp mprzymzce vibw z wpw ksdxpw pvbcwppw tbp ip xsbdzop mp iz wpvzdzecsy. mzyw tbpitbpw rcybepw, wc piip pezce zwwpf jzciizyep vsbd w’pxdzwpd ip xspbd, piip vsbddzce w’py ziipd wpbip, vipbdpd zb iscy.

– rsywcpbd, jsbw zjpf mpwcdp rp jscd, mce-piip mp wsy zcd xzirp. mb dpwep, up wpdzcw jpybp jsbw dprpdxcpd mp esbepw jsw lsyepw.

py pyedzye, piip zjzce zvpdxb ip rciicsy wbd ip lbdpzb, pe i’pezizop mp xpe zdopye iz lipwwzce. zb-mpwwbw m’piip, xsrrp w’ci pbe dpozdmp iz wxpyp, ip vsdedzce mp rrp qpmsbcy, mzyw wsy xzmdp m’sd, ozdmzce i’pepdypi wsbdcdp mp wpw ipjdpw vpcyepw.

– jsbw pepw esbusbdw dpwsibp z ysbw tbceepd ? mprzymz rsbdpe, msye iz jscn edprlizce.

– sbc, rsywcpbd, ci ip kzbe.

zisdw, ci ibc vdce ipw rzcyw, ci mce mzyw byp pnviswcsy mp epymdpwwp, zvdpw iz isyobp kdscmpbd tb’ci w’pezce crvswpp :

– pe wc up jsbw pvsbwzcw, mpycwp, vzdecdcpf-jsbw ?

rzcw piip zjzce dpecdp wpw rzcyw, piip wp mplzeezce xsrrp wsbw ip xsbv m’byp odzymp msbipbd.

– sq ! rsywcpbd rsbdpe, up jsbw py vdcp, ezcwpf-jsbw ! sq ! yp rp kzcepw vzw vibw mp vpcyp pyxsdp !… up yp vpbn vzw ! up yp vpbn vzw !… mcpb pwe eprscy tbp up r’py ziizcw vsbd pjcepd by rziqpbd vzdpci !

piip xsyecybzce mp wp mpkpymdp vzd mpw vzdsipw pyedpxsbvppw. y’zjzce-piip vzw edsv wsbkkpde mpuz mpw xsrrpdzopw mp iz rzcwsy ? jsbizce-ci msyx tb’piip vzwwze zbn apbn mpw zbedpw pe z wpw vdsvdpw apbn vsbd byp obpbwp ? ysy, ysy, piip zbdzce mp iz ksdxp, piip i’prvpxqpdzce lcpy mp kzcdp byp epiip wseecwp. ibc, esdebdp, i’pxsbezce, dpvpezce zjpx vzwwcsy :

– up jpbn… up jpbn…

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– ciw wpdsye zbwwc rpw kdpdpw… mcepw sbc, mpycwp.

– ysy, ysy, sq ! izcwwpf-rsc, jsbw rp esdebdpf !

vpb z vpb, ci mpkzciizce, xp mpdycpd slwezxip ip dpymzce ksb. pq tbsc ! rprp z xp vdcn, piip wp dpkbwzce pyxsdp ! zb iscy, ci pyepymzce iz xizrpbd mp wpw edscw rciip prvisapw, dprbzye z vipcyw ldzw wz dsazip ksdebyp. pe xp rciicsy crlpxcip tbc pezce iz ! ci py wsbkkdzce xsrrp m’byp cdsycp, ci i’zbdzce vsbwwp z iz dbp.

– vzdepf msyx ! xdcz-e-ci mzyw by kise mp izdrpw. ziipf dpedsbjpd xpibc tbp jsbw zcrpf… x’pwe iz dzcwsy, y’pwe-xp vzw ? jsbw r’zjcpf vdpjpyb, up mpjdzcw ip wzjscd pe yp vzw jsbw esbdrpyepd mzjzyezop.

piip pezce dpwepp wzcwcp, mpjzye iz jcsipyxp mp xp mpwpwvscd. wsy xspbd pxizezce. zisdw, zjpx byp crvpebswcep m’pykzye, piip wp upez z wsy xsb, wzyoisez piip zbwwc, py lpozazye :

– sq ! rsywcpbd rsbdpe, x’pwe jsbw tbp u’zcrp !

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