"Philip E. High - These Savage Futurians" - читать интересную книгу автора (High Phillip E)

greet him—violently.

His common sense told him to go back and a stubborn pride told him to
go on. After all Elseth had promised, on his last rest, on his last visit, she
had promised.

He had looked down at her, gripping her shoulder. "You will be my
woman? You will come and house with me?"

"Your woman, Robert Ventnor? Yes—yes, I will be your woman—if you
are strong enough to take me."

He had known what she meant. Any other male who might desire her
would try and stop him. At the time, inflamed by her promise, he had
dismissed the problem as trivial, now—now he was not so sure.

He was tall, strong, reasonably swift of movement, but it might not be
just one suitor, it might be several.

On the other hand, if he turned back, the word would quickly be passed
on. They would call him 'white-stomach' and the women, the children, and
the young girls would mock him openly when he returned.

Robert Ventnor stuck out his chin, lengthened his step and followed the
long winding path to the village of Gret.

He thought, dully, that it would not be a good place to escape from. It
would be up-hill and often between gullies in the chalk. If he lost it would
be a hard, bitter and wearing retreat—if he made it.

When he reached the village she was leaning against one of the huts,
smiling. She wore a shiny black plastic skirt and a sleeveless orange
blouse. Copper bangles adorned her wrists and ankles and her toes curled
in the dust of the street.

When she saw him she tossed her head challengingly and put her hands
on her hips. There was no affection in her eyes but they were bright with
anticipation.

"You have come, Robert, boy."

"I have come to take you as my woman."

"If you are strong enough." She laughed shrilly. "Many suitors desire me
here."

It was then that Corby came round the corner of the hut. Ventnor had
met Corby once at an inter-village festival and had never liked him.

Corby had little black eyes and a ginger moustache, the ends of which