"Robert A. Heinlein - Between Planets" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

"Get out."
Salter grinned. "Touchy, aren't you? Just like all fogeaters, too touchy to
know what's good for you. Well, you're going to be taught a lesson some day
soon."
Don, already on edge, was too angry to trust himself to speak. "Fogeater,"
used to describe a man from cloudwrapped Venus, was merely ragging, no worse
than "Limey" or "Yank" -- unless the tone of voice and context made it, as
now, a deliberate insult. The others looked at him, half expecting action.
Jack got up hastily from the bed and went toward Salter. "Get going, Salty.
We're too busy to monkey around with you." Salter looked at Don, then back at
Jack, shrugged and said, "I'm too busy to hang around here...but not too busy,
if you have anything in mind."
The noon bell pealed from the mess hall; it broke the tension. Several boys
started for the door; Salter moved out with them. Don hung back. Jack said,
"Come on-beans!"
"Jack?"
"Yeah?"
"How about you taking over Lazy?"
"Gee, Don? I'd like to accommodate you-but what would I do with Lady Maude?"
"Uh, I guess so. What'll I do?"
"Let me see -- " Jack's face brightened. "You know that kid Squinty Morris?
The new kid from Manitoba? He hasn't got a permanent yet; he's been taking his
rotation with the goats. He'd treat Lazy right; I know, I let him try Maudie
once. He's got gentle hands."
Don looked relieved. "Will you fix it for me? And see Mr. Reeves?"
"Huh? You can see him at lunch; come on."
"I'm not going to lunch. I'm not hungry. And I don't much want to talk to the
Head about it."
"Why not?"
"Well, I don't know. When he called me in this morning he didn't seem
exactly...friendly."
"What did he say?"
"It wasn't his words; it was his manner. Maybe I am touchy-but I sort of
thought he was glad to see me go."
Don expected Jack to object, convince him that he was wrong. Instead he was
silent for a moment, then said quietly, 'Don't take it too hard, Don. The Head
is probably edgy too. You know he's got his orders?"
"Huh? What orders?"
"You knew he was a reserve officer, didn't you? He put in for orders and got
'em, effective at end of term. Mrs. Reeves is taking over the school for the
duration."
Don, already overstrained, felt his head whirling. For the duration? How could
anyone say that when there wasn't any such thing?
"'Sfact," Jack went on. "I got it straight from cookie." He paused, then went
on, "See here, old son-we're pals, aren't we?"
"Huh? Sure, sure!"
"Then give it to me straight: are you actually going to Mars? Or are you
heading for Venus to sign up?"
"Whatever gave you that notion?"
"Skip it, then. Believe me; it wouldn't make any difference between us. My old