"Alan Dean Foster - Batrachian" - читать интересную книгу автора (Foster Alan Dean)

"Libraries can't give you every viewpoint, especially contemporary ones. Besides, I'm lazy. I'd rather ask
someone. Especially a pretty someone."

Good Lord, was she blushing? It was hard to tell with that skin. Could it be that no one had had any
luck with her simply because no one had tried?

"I'm not pretty. Actually, I'm still kind of ugly."

Was she playing with him? The woman was gorgeous! Slight, almost boyish, but with features that would
put many a professional model to shame. If it was a put-on, though, she was playing it well. If it wasn't,
maybe it explained something else.
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"Is that why you like frogs so much? Because you see yourself as unattractive and they're the same?"

"Oh, no," she said intently. "They're beautiful. I try to see myself as them." As if she'd already revealed
too much of her private self, she became suddenly businesslike. A tiny hand indicated the study materials
he'd brought with him. "Now, what's your hang-up, and how can I help you?"

He made a show of shuffling through his notes. "How about going out with me Friday night? That would
be a helluva help to me. Improve my mental state no end. I know a great place for Mexican. Willy's."

She smiled apologetically, shook her head. "Sorry. I don't go out."

"Someone as pretty as you? Come on!" He had a sudden inspiration. "I know what it is. You're from a
foreign country, right? You're not sure how to act, how to react to our peculiar American customs. Don't
let that, make you a shut-in. Half the time us natives are just as confused about how to act. Just relax.
You can't do anything to embarrass me. I don't embarrass. And I won't push you into anything that
makes you nervous. I just think you'd enjoy my company. I know I'd enjoy yours. How about it?"

"You're right, Mr. Brevard. I am from a foreign country."

"Just Troy, please. What do I call you?"

"My real name's a bit longer than you'd find comfortable. I use Eula for short."

Eula. That was no help. "Ethiopia? Somewhere in the Caribbean, maybe? Jamaica?"

She shook her head, showing a shy, reluctant smile

"Too close."

"India, then?"

"I won't tell you, Troy. Let me hold on to some secrets."