"Robert A. Heinlein - Space Family Stone" - читать интересную книгу автора (Heinlein Robert A)

degree turns.’
‘This one does!’
‘In the second place, what in blazes is this “Galactic Overlord” nonsense?
When did he creep in?’
‘Oh, that! Son, your show was dying on its feet, so I gave it a transfusion.’


15
‘But “Galactic Overlords” - now, really! It’s not only preposterous: it’s been
used over and over again.’
‘Is that bad? Next week I’m going to equip Hamlet with atomic propulsion and
stir it in with The Comedy of Errors. I suppose you think Shakespeare will sue
me?’
‘He will if he can stop spinning.’ Roger Stone shrugged ‘I’ll send it in. There’s
no time left to do another one and the contract doesn’t say it has to be good:
it just says I have to deliver it. They’ll rewrite it in New York anyway.’
His mother answered, ‘Even money says your fan mail is up twenty-five per
cent on this episode.’
‘No, thank you. I don’t want you wearing yourself out writing fan mail - not at
your age.’
‘What’s wrong with my age? I used to paddle you twice a week and I can still
do it. Come on; put up your dukes!’
‘Too soon after breakfast.’
‘Sissy! Pick your way of dying - Marquis of Queensbury, dockside, or kill-
quick.’
‘Send around your seconds; let’s do this properly. In the meantime - ‘ He
turned to his sons. ‘Boys, have you any plans for today?’
Castor glanoed at his brother, then said cautiously, ‘well, we were thinking of
doing a little more shopping for ships.
‘I’ll go with you.’
Pollux looked up sharply. ‘You mean we get the money?’ His brother glared
at him. Their father answered, ‘No, your money stays in the bank where it
belongs.’
‘Then why bother to shop?’ He got an elbow in the ribs for this remark.
‘I’m interested in seeing what the market has to offer,’ Mr Stone answered.
‘Coming, Edith?’
Dr Stone answered, ‘I trust your judgement, my dear.’
Hazel gulped more coffee and stood lip. ‘I’m coming along.’
Buster bounced down out of his chair. ‘Me, too!’
Dr. Stone stopped him. ‘No, dear. Finish your oatmeal.’
‘No! I’m going, too. Can’t I, Grandma Hazel?’
Hazel considered it. Riding herd on the child outside the pressurised city was
a full-time chore; he was not old enough to be trusted to handle his vacuum-
suit controls properly. On this occasion she wanted to be free to give her full
attention to other matters. ‘I’m afraid not, Lowell. Tell you what, sugar, I’ll
keep my phone open and we’ll play chess while I’m away.’

16
‘It’s no fun to play chess by telephone. I can’t tell what you are thinking.’
Hazel stared at him. ‘So that’s it? I’ve suspected it for some time. Maybe I