"H. L. Gold - Trouble With Water" - читать интересную книгу автора (Gold H. L)

was miraculously dry. So, besides a headache that made his body throb in rhythm to its va
pulse, Greenberg had to work like six men satisfying the crowd who mobbed the place to see t
miracle and enjoy the dry warmth.
How much they took in will never be known. Greenberg made it a practice not to discuss suc
personal matters. But it is quite definite that not even in 1929 had he done so well over a sing
week end.

Very early Monday morning he was dressing quietly, not to disturb his wife. Esther, howeve
raised herself on her elbow and looked at him doubtfully.
"Herman," she called softly, "do you really have to go?" He turned, puzzled. "What do yo
mean—do I have to go?"
"Well—" She hesitated. Then: "Couldn't you wait until the end of the season, Herman, darling
 He staggered back a step, his face working in horror. "What kind of an idea is that for my ow
wife to have?" he croaked. "Beer I have to drink instead of water. How can I stand it? Do yo
think I like beer? I can't wash myself. Already people don't like to stand near me; and how w
they act at the end of the season? I go around looking like a bum because my beard is too toug
for an electric razor, and I'm all the time drunk—the first Greenberg to be a drunkard. I want to
respected—"
"I know, Herman, darling," she sighed. "But I thought for the sake of our Rosie— Such
business we've never done like we did this week end. If it rains every Saturday and Sunday, b
not on our concession, we'll make a fortune!"
"Esther!" Herman cried, shocked. "Doesn't my health mean anything?"
"Of course, darling. Only I thought maybe you could stand it for—"
He snatched his hat, tie, and jacket, and slammed the door. Outside, though, he stoo
indeterminedly. He could hear his wife crying, and he realized that, if he succeeded in getting t
gnome to remove the curse, he would forfeit an oppor-tunity to make a great deal of money.
He finished dressing more slowly. Esther was right, to a certain extent. If he could tolerate h
waterless condition
"No!" he gritted decisively. "Already my friends avoid me. It isn't right that a respectable m
like me should always be drunk and not take a bath. So we'll make less money. Money is
everything—"
And with great determination he went to the lake.
But that evening, before going home, Mike walked out of his way to stop in at the concessio
He found Greenberg sit-ting on a chair, his head in his hands, and his body rocking slowly
anguish.
"What is it, Mr. Greenberg?" he asked gently.
Greenberg looked up. His eyes were dazed. "Oh, you, Mike," he said blankly. Then his ga
cleared, grew more in-telligent, and he stood up and led Mike to the bar. Silently, they drank bee
"I went to the lake today," he said hollowly. "I walked all around it hollering like mad. The gnom
didn't stick his head out of the water once."
"I know," Mike nodded sadly. "They're busy all the time."
Greenberg spread his hands imploringly. "So what can I do? I can't write him a letter or sen
him a telegram; he ain't got a door to knock on or a bell for me to ring. How do I get him to com
up and talk?"
His shoulders sagged. "Here, Mike. Have a cigar. You been a real good friend, but I gue
we're licked."
They stood in an awkward silence. Finally Mike blurted: "Real hot, today. A regular scorcher.
"Yeah. Esther says business was pretty good, if it keeps up."
Mike fumbled at the Cellophane wrapper. Greenberg said: "Anyhow, suppose I did talk to t
gnome. What about the sugar?"