"James P. Hogan - The Proteus Operation" - читать интересную книгу автора (Hogan James P)

"Oh, no trouble, Mary. Do put her through."

"Very well." A buzzing sounded on the line, followed by clicks.

"Yes? Yes?...Is anyone there? Oh, confound this damn thing!"

"You're through, Mrs. Sandys." Click.

"Papa?"

"Oh, you're there, Diana. What's up? Is something wrong?"

"No, nothing's wrong. It's just that Duncan and I thought we'd do some shopping this
afternoon while we're in town, and perhaps see a play later this evening. So we won't be back for
dinner after all."

"I see. Well, thank you for letting me know. Have you told Elsie?"

"Mary said she'd take care of it. Is there anything you need that we can get while we're
here?"

"Hmm...I don't think so, really...Was that all? Mary
made it sound like a matter of life and death."

Diana laughed. "No, that's not all. I wanted to say hello, too, and make sure you're
feeling all right. You sounded as if you might be catching a cold this morning. I hope you weren't
busy."

"Never too busy for you, my dear. No, I feel fine, thank you. It must have been just a


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passing sniffle. I'm sure you'll have a wonderful evening, and we'll no doubt see you later"

"I'm sure we will. Very well, I'll let you get on, then. We'll see you late tonight."

"Yes, yes. 'Bye for now, Diana. Give my regards to Duncan."

"I will. Good-by"

The line went dead, and Churchill replaced the receiver. As his mind returned to the grim
specter of Europe rushing toward catastrophe, he remembered a rhyme about a railway accident. He
got up from his chair and moved over to the window, at the same time muttering absently to
himself.

'Who is in charge of the clattering train?
The axles creak and the couplings strain,
And the pace is hot, and the points are near,